Volunteer Monitoring

Overview

Early detection of invasive plant infestations provides the best opportunity for successful management and control. The Aquatic Invasive Plant Project provides a search and report method to document aquatic invasive plants in the Adirondack Park. Citizen volunteers and organizations may monitor a lake or pond of their choice and attend a summer training session to sharpen their identification skills of native and invasive aquatic plants and gain instruction on how to conduct a plant survey.

Methods

A volunteer survey involves canoeing or boating along the perimeter of the waterbody at least once during mid-July to mid-September to look for aquatic invasive plants. Volunteers then map the area of shoreline they surveyed and any occurrence of invasive plants. Where aquatic invasive plants are found, volunteers record such information as the name of the aquatic invasive plant, its location in the lake, and its abundance; they also send a plant sample to APIPP partners for secondary identification and storage.

Benefits to Participants

Information gathered by the volunteers is recorded in a central aquatic invasive plant database and presented as plant distribution maps and tables on this website. Such "up-to-date" documentation serves to better inform the public and their representatives about aquatic invasive plant infestations in the Adirondack Park and helps focus needs for management of aquatic invasive plants in this region. A listserve discussion group is also available to share ideas and exchange information regarding aquatic invasive plant issues and management in the Park. The APIPP plant educational and training materials are available upon request.

Six successful seasons were completed due to the interest and dedication of the Volunteer Plant Monitors and affiliated organizations.

Stay tuned for results from the sixth monitoring season!!

Help protect a lake or pond from new infestations by learning to recognize and report aquatic invasive plants.
Monitor a lake important to you!

2008 Training Schedule~
Volunteer training is usually scheduled during the last two weeks of June and the first week of July. 

Aquatic Invasive Plant Training
Date/Time:  Friday, June 20, 10-2
Location:    Bolton Landing
RSVP:       Wednesday, June 11
Contact:     Hilary Oles, holes@tnc.org, 518-576-2082

Aquatic Invasive Plant Training
Date/Time:  Tuesday, June 24
Location:     Saranac Lake
RSVP:        Wednesday, June 11
Contact:      Hilary Oles, holes@tnc.org, 518-576-2082

Aquatic Invasive Plant Training
Date/Time:  Thursday, June 26
Location:     Old Forge
RSVP:        Wednesday, June 11
Contact:      Hilary Oles, holes@tnc.org, 518-576-2082

Adirondack Waters Need Your Help!

Select a Lake of Your Choice to Survey,
Or,
Help Survey One of The Lakes Listed Below

Hilary Oles, Program Coordinator
Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program
c/o Adirondack Nature Conservancy
P.O. Box 65
Keene Valley, NY 12943
(518) 576-2082 ext 131