Crew Assistance Program (CAP)
The WNY PRISM Crew Assistance Program improves invasive species management across the region by assisting partners with invasive species surveys and mapping, invasive species removal, habitat management and restoration projects. We work alongside our partners to accomplish priority projects they would be otherwise be unable to do alone.
The Crew Assistance Program offers valuable opportunities for partners who can work alongside WNY PRISM’s experienced staff to learn invasive species identification, how to use various survey and monitoring tools, to gain experience with removal methods, strategies and equipment, and learn about prioritization and adaptive management strategies that can be used to increase the effectiveness of invasive species management. In some cases, we’re simply able to provide a few extra hands to help move partner projects to a stage that is easier for them to handle moving forward.
WNY PRISM staff is always available to discuss invasive species management projects and assist with management planning. We’d love to hear from you!
Be sure to read the 2023 WNY PRISM Crew Assistance Program – Request for Project Proposals before submitting a proposal.
2022 Crew Assistance Program Project Sites
WNY PRISM 2022 Crew Assistance Program Project Sites
Crew Assistance Program Project Highlights
Craneridge Association – Invasive Species Removal (2022)
The WNY PRISM Crew worked with Craneridge Association Woodlands & Habitat Committee volunteers to treat 0.29 acres dominated by invasive shrubs. The management focused on communal areas frequently used by the residents of Craneridge to prevent these species from spreading further onto homeowner properties or other common areas. Shrubs were treated using the cut-stump herbicide application method and primarily targeted bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora).
Craneridge volunteers cut and hauled away the shrubs while the Crew applied herbicide to the cut stumps. Having great volunteers to help with cutting and moving plant materials ensured we’d be able to complete the project in the time alloted, and made for some fun days in the field! The members of the Craneridge Woodlands & Habitat Committee can now return to these sites to monitor and treat any new invasive species, while working to restore the project areas with native plantings.
This project demonstrated the importance of partnership for achieving long-term invasive species management goals and was a follow-up to an invasive species survey conducted at Craneridge in 2021 by WNY PRISM. View survey map here.
WNY PRISM Crew worked with the Craneridge Association in 2022 to help remove invasive shrubs.
Boston Town Park – Invasive Species Survey and Mapping (2022)
The Town of Boston’s Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) is a group of environmental-minded residents who advise the Town Board on conservation issues and projects, as well as host community events throughout the year. The CAC requested WNY PRISM’s assistance in completing a general invasive species survey, the results of which would be used to plan management and restoration projects for the park. All invasives found during the survey are mapped and uploaded to iMapInvasvive, so the residents of Boston can access the data, and survey maps with a project summary and recommendations were provided to CAC.
After the invasive species survey was complete, WNY PRISM hosted a Walk-and-Talk in Boston Town Park, which was attended by town residents and several members of the CAC, who were interested in learning more about how to protect the park and their own properties from invasives.
WNY PRISM presented a Walk and Talk for the Town of Boston, at Boston Town Park, where we talked about the invasive species found during the Crew’s survey.
Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area – Invasive Species Removal (2021)
The WNY PRISM Crew (Crew) worked with the DEC to treat a 1.09 mile stretch of forest edge with dense invasive species cover, to protect the interior of the forest which is relatively free of invasives. The species targeted for cut-stump treatment included bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora) and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).
This project demonstrated the importance of working together to achieve invasive species management. DEC staff operated chainsaws and brushcutters to remove the invasive shrubs, Finger Lakes Trail volunteers piled the cut material to make stumps accessible and the Crew applied herbicide to the cut shrubs. This assembly-line process allowed the entire project site to be treated in the allotted time, a task which could not have been completed by one group alone. The DEC can now return to the area and foliar treat new invasive shrub seedlings in the spring, which is much less time consuming than the removal and treatment of large, established shrubs.
This project provided the Crew with an opportunity to network with professionals in the field and learn about future internship and employment opportunities. The DEC and Finger Lakes Trail volunteers showcased this work through newsletter articles to strengthen partnership and get the word out about working with WNY PRISM.
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Habitat Management and Restoration (2021)
The Crew assisted Reinstein Woods staff and volunteers in restoration efforts in a Phragmites infestation that has been managed since 2016. The infestation is now at a stage where habitat restoration can be implemented to buffer against future invasive species infestations and build up the native biodiversity. The Crew worked within the area treated for Phragmites to plant native species that can tolerate moist soils and withstand flooding and constructed fenced deer exclosures around the native plants.
This project demonstrated the importance of long-term management that includes restoration to prevent new invasive species from moving into a site and to increase native biodiversity. It also provided the Crew with an opportunity to see restoration in action, since our work is heavily focused on invasive species removal.
The Crew was able to work alongside Reinstein Woods staff to learn more about the preserve and other ongoing projects on site. Reinstein Woods staff shuttled all of the Crew’s equipment and lunches to the restoration site, and even provided ice water as a nice way to cool off while planting. Photos of the Crew and a description of the work was posted to Reinstein Woods social media accounts to showcase for the public the importance of invasive species management and restoration. WNY PRISM was also invited to give a walk and talk during the Fall Festival to discuss the restoration work on site.
