NY Invasive Species Awareness Week

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NY INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK

July 6-14, 2014 is Invasive Species Awareness Week in New York  (ISAW). NY ISAW provides opportunities for all citizens of New York to participate in invasive species awareness events around the state. Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about invasive species. Click here for a schedule of events throughout the state. You can search for events by PRISM area using the drop down menu. During ISAW, you can volunteer to help remove invasive species, get out on the trails or on the water to see invasive species firsthand, attend presentations to learn more about what you can to do help fight these threats, and much more.

Invasive species come in many forms, from plants and animals, to insects and diseases. Invasive species can greatly harm the ecology and economy of New York. Invasive species can reduce productivity of agricultural lands, impact diversity of natural systems, reduce wildlife habitat, and limit recreational activities. New York has its share of invasive species problems. Two of the most familiar invasive species are zebra mussels and purple loosestrife, but we also face many challenges with forest pests and pathogens, agricultural pests, and other aquatic invasive species and invasive plants.

Organizations, agencies, and groups from across New York are teaming up to make New York’s first Invasive Species Awareness Week a success. Each person in New York can make a significant difference in battling invasive species, whether it is through cleaning water craft, volunteering at workdays, choosing to purchase species that are not considered invasive, knowing proper disposal methods for bait and unwanted aquarium pets or plants, or controlling invasive species on their lands.

Please use these webpages to learn more about invasive species and to find out how you can participate in New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Long Island Invasive Species Management Area, Steve 

Young, smyoung@gw.dec.state.ny.us, (518) 402-8951

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As a native gardener, I take this Very seriously.  Though my health prevents me from participating in many group activities, I do pull out as many invasives as I can locate on my property. (And at our local cemeteries when I visit).  

I have been focussing on garlic mustard for 4 years, and since it is a biennial, I am often surprised when it pops back up in one of its forms.  Also this spring we concentrated of honeysuckle.  Hopefully, later this week, I will have a photograph of our invasive purging.