Adirondack Invasive Species Awareness Week
Celebrated Annually the Second Week of July

Adirondack communities and organizations will celebrate the 8th annual ISAW July 7 - July 13, 2013.

   
Forest edge infested with garlic mustard (left).
Americorps / Student Conservation Association lends a hand to pull invasive plants (right).

WHY    Invasive plants and animals threaten Adirondack lakes, ponds, rivers, and forests, which are precious resources that underwrite the economy of many communities through recreation, tourism, forestry, and numerous other uses. 

WHAT  Learn about the issues surrounding invasive species (both plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) and about the importance of native biodiversity in the Adirondacks by attending workshops, field trips, lectures, and control parties. 

WHO   Hundreds of citizens of all ages across the Adirondack region.

WHERE   Nature centers, natural areas, lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, parks, campgrounds, institutions of higher learning, natural history museums…

WHEN   The second week of July every year.

HOW   Plan an activity for adults or youth. Attend a lecture.  Visit a display.  Lend a hand during an invasive species control project.  Be involved.


Would you like to lead an activity in your area for the 8th Annual ISAW in 2013?

Contact Hilary Smith at 518-576-2082 or hsmith@tnc.org


THE 2012 ACTIVITY SCHEDULE IS INCLUDED HERE FOR REFERENCE.
~ Please check back for the 2013 event line-up and join us if you can!~



Daily (Signage, Region-wide)
Keep an eye out for invasive species awareness messaging at various business and municipal roadside signs across the Adirondack region. Signs will post sayings like, "Wash those waders! Save our Lakes!" See a sign with a message? Let us know where you saw it!
Email Summer Educator, Sarah Walsh
, sarah_walsh@tnc.org, with the sign location.



Saturday, July 7, 2012

TBA (Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program on 105.5 FM) Listen to 105.5 FM to hear about the upcoming events for Invasive Species Awareness week!

Ongoing (Paul Smith’s Boat Stewardship Program) Be sure to visit with the boat stewards located at boat ramps across the Adirondack region from the Paul Smith’s Watershed Stewardship Program and learn how you can stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Stewards are located at the following areas: White Lake, Hollywood Hills (First Lake), Fourth Lake, Seventh Lake, Stillwater Reservoir, Limekiln Lake, Eighth Lake Camp Ground, Raquette Lake Village, Burke’s Marina (Raquette Lake), Forked Lake, Long Lake, Saratoga Lake, Cranberry Lake, Tupper Lake, Meacham Lake, Upper St. Regis Lake, Lake Flower, Lake Placid, Lake Placid Village, Rainbow Lake, Second Lake, Osgood Lake, Little Clear Pond, Hoel Pond. 

Ongoing (Passport to Stewardship, Adirondack Region) A week-long activity at 13 boat launches. Become a Watershed Steward Deputy! Spend some time with the boat launch steward learning about the AIS in our region to earn a WSP t-shirt. How it works: Watershed Stewardship Program stewards are present at the following boat launches. Visit at least 5 during Invasive Species Awareness Week, learn about an aquatic invader at each site, and have your Boat Steward Passport stamped. When you collect 5 stamps, visit the steward at either Raquette Lake Village or Lake Flower (Saranac Lake Village) to redeem your passport for a spiffy Volunteer Steward t-shirt! Participating boat launches (all week coverage in bold, otherwise part-week coverage, including weekends): Cranberry Lake, Fourth Lake, Lake Flower, Lake Placid, Long Lake, Rainbow Lake, Raquette Lake, Second Pond, Seventh Lake, St Regis Lake, Tupper Lake, Burke’s Marina (Raquette Lake), Stillwater Reservoir. Sponsored by the Paul Smith's College Adirondack Watershed Institute Watershed Stewardship Program

All Day (Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center) Stop by the VIC to learn about invasive species with a Paul Smith’s Watershed Steward.

 

Sunday, July 8, 2012
All Day (Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center) Stop by the VIC to learn about invasive species with a Paul Smith’s Watershed Steward.

1:30p.m. – 3:00p.m. (Nature Walk, Point Au Roche State Park) Attendees will be led on a guided walk, which will highlight terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants and animals within the Point Au Roche State Park, the ecological and economic ramifications of such species and spread prevention measures the public may utilize. Attendees are asked to meet next to the Point Au Roche Nature Center and to wear suitable footwear and clothing. All ages are welcomed.

 

Monday, July 9, 2012
10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. (Invasive Forest Pest Survey, Long Lake NYS boat launch) Tom Colarusso of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Caitlin Stewart of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District will guide participants as they learn how invasive insects harm our trees. Take a hike and discover the signs and symptoms of invasive forest pests. At the end of this program, you will know how to survey your trees for invaders. Bring binoculars, comfy footwear, rain coat, sunscreen, sunglasses. Boat ramp is located at the end of Olivet/Dock Rd off Rt. 30. Sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. (Display, Lake George Visitors Center) Stop by the Lake George Visitor Center to learn all about invasive species, including Lake George's newest invader, the Asian clam. Sponsored by the Lake George Association

 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012
9:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. (Invasive Plant Paddle, Fish Creek - Upper Saranac Lake) Join Guy Middleton, Upper Saranac Lake Foundation Lake Manager, for a paddle up Fish Creek in an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and its potential negative impact on our lakes. We will take a short paddle from Fish Creek Campground upstream to view unmanaged milfoil beds and then visit the AIM divers at Fish Creek Pond to view the USLFs harvesting and management techniques. Meet at Fish Creek Campground 9:00 am.  Group size is limited. RSVP required by contacting Guy Middleton at 518 796-1052 or lakemanager@uslf.org  by Sunday July 8. There will be no fee for this event or charge for access to Fish Creek Campground. Macs Canoe Livery will be providing the canoes, life jackets and paddles if needed. Sponsored by The Upper Saranac Lake Foundation in cooperation with Macs Canoe Livery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Aquatic Invasive Management (AIM).

11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. (Display, Lake George Visitors Center) Stop by the Lake George Visitor Center to learn all about invasive species, including Lake George's newest invader, the Asian clam. Sponsored by the Lake George Association

 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. (Display, Lake George Visitors Center) Stop by the Lake George Visitor Center to learn all about invasive species, including Lake George's newest invader, the Asian clam. Sponsored by the Lake George Association

 

Thursday, July 12, 2012
9:30a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Invasive Plant Paddle, Lake George) Meet at Dunhams Bay Marina at 9.30 am to paddle through the wetland and get some practice identifying aquatic plants. Learn which aquatic invasive species to keep an eye out for. Contact Emily DeBolt at the LGA for more information, 518-668-3558. Sponsored by the Lake George Association

11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. (Display, Lake George Visitors Center) Stop by the Lake George Visitor Center to learn all about invasive species, including Lake George's newest invader, the Asian clam. Sponsored by the Lake George Association

1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. (Training, Invasive Plant Management for Landowners, Saranac Lake, Town Hall) Landowners are encouraged to attend this training to learn more about troublesome terrestrial invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed and garlic mustard and see first-hand how to manage them on your property. Also, meet the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program's Terrestrial Regional Response Team and see them demonstrate how they manage invasive plants throughout the Adirondack region. RSVP by July 9th to Sarah Walsh at sarah_walsh@tnc.org or 518-576-2082 x120. Sponsored by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program

 

Friday, July 13, 2012
10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. (Display, Adirondack Waterfest, Penfield Museum, Crown Point) Join APIPP in celebrating local water resources at this great festival with live music food and fun.

11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. (Display, Lake George Visitors Center) Stop by the Lake George Visitor Center to learn all about invasive species, including Lake George's newest invader, the Asian clam. Sponsored by the Lake George Watershed Association

 

Saturday, July 14, 2012
All Day (Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center) Stop by the VIC to learn about invasive species with a Paul Smith’s Watershed Steward.

All Day (Check A Boat and Win a T-shirt, Raquette Lake Village boat launch, Lake Flower state boat launch) Visitors are invited to interact with Watershed Stewards and take a chance at inspecting a boat for hidden invaders. If you clean the boat of all invaders and recite some important facts about aquatic invasive species (we’ll coach you), you win a Volunteer Lake Steward T-shirt! Sponsored by the Paul Smith's College Adirondack Watershed Institute Watershed Stewardship Program

10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. (Paddle Against Invasive Species, Village of Speculator Park) Join Conservation Educator, Caitlin Stewart, to learn about the ecology and management techniques of terrestrial and aquatic invaders and how they can adversely impact our economy, ecosystem, and recreational enjoyment. Bring your canoe or kayak (etc.), paddles, life vest, water, snacks, sun screen, sun glasses, water shoes, rain gear, pruning shears. Put-in by the bridge at the Village of Speculator Park off Rt. 30 near the pavilion and ball field.Sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District

10:00 a.m. – (Presentation, Forest Pest Threats, Lake George Land Conservancy Office, Bolton Landing) This informational lecture will provide an overview of current invasive forest pest infestations, what steps landowners and citizens can take to prevent the spread of the species, what the effects of the invasive infestations are (both long term and short term) through a variety of different lenses, and how to identify invasive infestations. Sponsored by the Lake George Land Conservancy

8:00 p.m. – (Presentation, Forest Pest Threats, High Peaks Information Center, Lake Placid) Tom Colarusso, APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer will speak about forest pests such as Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer as part of the High Peaks Lecture Series. Sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club

 

 
                       Zebra Mussels                                              Asian Longhorn Beetle                            European Frogbit (c. Mark Malchoff)

 

 

On June 5, 2006, former Governor Pataki proclaimed the second week of July
Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW). 

Governor Paterson and Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Stiles
endorsed Awareness Week during summer 2008.


Organizations in the Adirondack region recognize the value of raising awareness about invasive species
and continue to sponsor activities throughout the week.

2006 former Governor Pataki's Proclamation

We are pleased to announce the completion of Action C1m identified in the Education Objective of the
Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan:
Designate an annual Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week.