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Volunteers Needed!

by | Jul 13, 2021 | Early Detection, Education, Management, News, Posts, Volunteer | 0 comments

Japanese stiltgrass removal from along Cazenovia Creek. Photo Credit: WNY PRISM.

Join WNY PRISM to help remove Japanese stiltgrass at volunteer workdays.

This summer is full of opportunities to help WNY PRISM and your community! Join us, our partners and community members like you to address invasive species issues and protect our local lands and waters. We will focus on the manual removal of Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) within several sites along Cazenovia Creek in West Seneca. Japanese stiltgrass is an early detection priority species in western New York. Early detection species are those invasive species that are new to the region and, due to their low numbers, may be eradicated before they cause irreparable harm.

Japanese stiltgrass is a highly destructive invasive species recently found in parts of western New York including Erie County. It is an annual, short stature grass that quickly spreads to form extensive mats that harm native plants and plant communities. It can also change soil nutrient cycling processes, inhibit tree survival and growth, and reduce habitat and forage for wildlife. In the late fall, it forms a thick layer of smothering thatch that is slow to decompose and may create a fire hazard.

Japanese stiltgrass was first reported in 2017, in East Aurora, and WNY PRISM  immediately took action, confirming identification and beginning surveys up and downstream of the infestation. Since 2017, WNY PRISM and our partners, have continued surveys and began management at several sites. We’ve also worked to raise awareness within the impacted communities and held several education and outreach events. Now, we are looking to you for help!

Four Opportunities to Get Involved!
WNY PRISM is hosting Japanese Stiltgrass Volunteer Workdays along Cazenovia Creek, in West Seneca.

Volunteer workdays will be held from 9:00 am – noon. Registration for these events is required. Gloves, bug spray, water, and light snacks will be provided. We ask that volunteers wear long pants, shoes plus socks, and bring a reusable water bottle (cups will be available for those who forget!). You may also want to bring your own gloves, a hat and/or sunscreen.

Click this link to register!

 

For more information, please visit WNY PRISM’s Events Calendar. We hope to see you this summer!