Welcome to Our 2023 Seasonal Crew!

WNY PRISM has begun training our 2023 Seasonal Crew! Join us in welcoming back Brianna Saylor who will be one of our Invasive Species Management Assistants again this year, as well as welcoming our two new Invasive Species Management Assistants, Alicia Addams and Tina Ni.  

Brianna, Alicia and Tina will work in the field to survey for invasive species and manage infestations throughout western New York. 

Brianna Saylor, Invasive Species Management Assistant

Brianna Saylor is a 2020 graduate of SUNY Buffalo State with a Bachelors of Science in Biology under the Aquatic concentration and a minor in Environmental Science. Brianna started working for WNY PRISM in the summer of 2020 as a Boat Steward and continued on during the fall as a Phenology Research Assistant, a data analyst position on the life cycles of terrestrial invasive species in the area to aid in creating future best management practices. In 2022, Brianna returned as an Invasive Species Management Assistant with PRISM and helped work on Crew Assistant Projects which included early detection and general invasive species surveys as well as management efforts of established populations. Through this position, she got the opportunity to work with important partners such as Tifft Nature Preserve, the DEC, Erie County Parks, and more; tabled at various education and outreach events, and gained further experience with ArcGIS. She works as a kitchen manager in her off time but always finds time to snuggle with her 3 kitties and spend time with her friends while sneaking in the occasional kayak ride or hike.

Alicia Addams, Invasive Species Management Assistant

Alicia is a graduate of Canisius College with a degree in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. Her experience includes raptor surveys for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, urban camera trapping for the Urban Wildlife Information Network sponsored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and using remote camera traps for an independent research project analyzing wildlife response to novelty scent in Allegany State Park. She plans to continue her education by pursuing her masters degree, but is currently excited to be part of the WNY PRISM team. In the summer, you can find Alicia outside kayaking, hiking, and gardening. In the winter, you can find her curled up with a good book and snuggling her dog, Zander.

Tina Ni, Invasive Species Management Assistant

Tina Ni graduated from SUNY University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience. During the 2022 summer season, Tina was one of the SCA Stewardship Technicians at Tifft Nature Preserve. The SCA internship mainly focused on constructing the Mosquito Junction deer-deterring enclosure and populating the area with native plant species. Tina’s favorite tree is the boxelder maple because of its unique leaf pattern. The leaves have characteristics of an ash tree and look very similar to poison ivy! Not too long ago, she accidentally mistook poison ivy for a young boxelder. While working at WNY PRISM as an ISMA, Tina is most excited to learn about different types of invasive species and herbicide usage.