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

Adirondack communities and organizations will celebrate the 4th annual ISAW July 5- July 11, 2009.

   
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 4th Annual ISAW in 2009?
Contact Hilary Smith, hsmith@tnc.org

                                  
The 2009 Schedule Is Updated Regularly
Please Check Back Often and Join Us If You Can!

Please contact Hilary Smith at 518-576-2082 to schedule activities.

Sunday, July 5 
9:00am - 3:00pm (Celebration, Minerva)  Stop by "Minerva Day," a town-wide celebration located at Courtney Park in downtown Olmstedville.  Many activities will be underway, including an invasive species display where you can pick up information about invasive species and ways you can help to stop their spread in Minerva and throughout the Adirondack region.

Monday, July 6
8:00am - 5:00pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing)  If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure - bring it by to have it expertly ID’d for free! Bring at least three intact plants to Darrin Fresh Water Institute in a plastic bag with a small amount of water and this info: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth the plant was growing, date of collection, name and phone number of a person to contact with the results.  Plants for ID should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

9:00am (Invasive Plant Paddle, Little Wolf Pond, Tupper Lake)  Join APIPP's Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Tyler Smith to help survey an Adirondack lake for invasive aquatic plants.  This will be a great opportunity to brush up on your plant identification in the field and help to monitor a lake in need.  Please RSVP to Tyler at tyler_smith@tnc.org or 518-576-2082 by July 3.

11:00am - 3:00pm (Display, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Display will include info on terrestial and aquatic invasives.

Tuesday, July 7
8:00am - 5:00pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing)  If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure - bring it by to have it expertly ID’d for free! Bring at least three intact plants to Darrin Fresh Water Institute in a plastic bag with a small amount of water and this info: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth the plant was growing, date of collection, name and phone number of a person to contact with the results.  Plants for ID should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

8:00am until 12:00pm (Benthic Barrier Installation, Hague Town Boat Launch) The Hague town boat launch will be closed for benthic barrier and hand harvesting work. Stop by to see the action and learn about milfoil management.  

9:00am (Field Sampling, Newcomb)  Are invasive earthworms in the Adirondacks? Come out to the Adirondack Ecological Center at the Huntington Wildlife Forest and learn about the ecology and potential impacts of nonnative earthworms in our northern forests. Although earthworms are known to be beneficial in our gardens and farmlands, they may be dramatically changing soils, native plant diversity, and animal communities of the leaf litter layer. Join SUNY ESF graduate student Caitlin Snyder on a field trip to unearth worms, discuss invasive species ecology, and learn about her current research. Rain or shine!  RSVP is requested by Monday July 6th to cmsnyder@syr.edu.

9:00 am - 12:00pm (Canoe/Kayak Paddle, Dunham’s Bay Marsh, Queensbury)  Learn about aquatic invasives such as Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels and purple loosestrife as you paddle about the bay.  Kathy Bozony from the Lake George Waterkeeper will supply the narration; you must provide your method of staying afloat. Call the LG Waterkeeper at 518-668-5913 to register or for more info. Advance registration is required for this event; space is limited. Meet at Dunham’s Bay Marina parking lot.

11:00am - 3:00pm (Display, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Display will include info on terrestial and aquatic invasives.

4:00pm (Interpretive Boat Cruise, Upper Saranac Lake)  Learn firsthand about this monumental Eurasian watermilfoil control project, now in its 4th year.  Join the dive crew for a boating tour of the lake as they share lessons learned about milfoil removal techniques and how those lessons are now being applied in new ways and in new places.  Please RSVP to Andrew Lewis by Monday, July 6th at lewisa45@gmail.com or 240-818-1070.

Wednesday, July 8
8:00am - 5:00pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing)  If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure - bring it by to have it expertly ID’d for free! Bring at least three intact plants to Darrin Fresh Water Institute in a plastic bag with a small amount of water and this info: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth the plant was growing, date of collection, name and phone number of a person to contact with the results.  Plants for ID should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

8:00am until 12:00pm (Benthic Barrier Installation, Hague Town Boat Launch) The Hague town boat launch will be closed for benthic barrier and hand harvesting work. Stop by to see the action and learn about milfoil management.  

9:00am (Invasive Plant Paddle, Piercefield Flow, Piercefield)  Join APIPP's Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Tyler Smith to help survey a lake for invasive aquatic plants.  This will be a great opportunity to brush up on your plant identification in the field and help to monitor a lake in need.  Please RSVP to Tyler at tyler_smith@tnc.org or 518-576-2082 by July 7.

11:00am - 3:00pm (Display, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Display will include info on terrestial and aquatic invasives.

2:00pm - 3:00pm (Interpretive Walk: Forest Invaders, LG Recreation Center, Lake George)  Enjoy a leisurely walk through the woods with Laurel Gailor, a Natural Resource Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, while learning how various plant and animal invasive species are changing our forest ecosystems. Meet at the parking lot at the LG Rec Center. Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 to register or for more info.

7:30pm (Presentation, Paul Smiths) "Invasive insects and tree diseases: what they mean to Adirondack forests" - A presentation by Dr. Charles D. Canham, Senior Scientist with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.   On the heels of the first detection of emerald ash borer in western NY, this is one presentation you won't want to miss!

Thursday, July 9
8:00am - 5:00pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing)  If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure - bring it by to have it expertly ID’d for free! Bring at least three intact plants to Darrin Fresh Water Institute in a plastic bag with a small amount of water and this info: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth the plant was growing, date of collection, name and phone number of a person to contact with the results.  Plants for ID should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

9:00am - 3:30pm (Training, Warrensburg)  If you care about Adirondack forests, then this training is for you.  Learn tips and techniques to survey for Asian longhorn beetle. Stay tuned for more information about this important event!

11:00am - 3:00pm (Display, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Display will include info on terrestial and aquatic invasives.

3:00pm - 6:00pm (Information booth, Speculator)  Stop by the Invasive Species Booth at the Speculator Farmers and Crafters Market at the Speculator Ball Field across from the Lake Pleasant Public Beach.  Rt 30, Speculator.

Friday, July 10
8:00am - 5:00pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing)  If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure - bring it by to have it expertly ID’d for free! Bring at least three intact plants to Darrin Fresh Water Institute in a plastic bag with a small amount of water and this info: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth the plant was growing, date of collection, name and phone number of a person to contact with the results.  Plants for ID should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

10:00am -11:00am (Family Program: Alien Invaders, the stage in Shepard Park, Lake George)
Learn all about invasive species, how they get here, and why they cause a problem. See some samples of local invaders for yourself and make your own zebra mussel paper weight. Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 to register.

11:00am - 3:00pm (Display, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Display will include info on terrestial and aquatic invasives.

2:00pm - 3:00pm (Interpretive Walk: Roadside Invaders, West Brook, Lake George)  Meet at the Lake George visitor center to take a stroll with Laurel Gailor, a Natural Resource Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, to West Brook and learn about how invasive species change the ecosystems of lakes and streams. Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 to register or for more info.

Saturday, July 11
10:00am - 12:00pm (Presentation, Northville) Help Stop the Invaders!  Learn what YOU can do to stop the spread of terrestrial invasive plants.  The presentation will discuss biology, adverse impacts, and management techniques, followed by a Nature Walk (weather permitting) to identify invasive plants in natural habitats and management techniques.  Join us at the Northville Public Library located at 341 S. Third St.  For more information, contact Caitlin Stewart at the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District:  518-548-3991 or caitlinstewart@frontier.com

Sunday, July 12
9:00am - 3:00pm (Celebration, Keene)  "Dig It: The Adirondack Green Festival," at Marcy Field.  Join in the fun at this day long event about biodiversity and sustainability.  Celebrate the Adirondack's natural and agricultural resources through educational activities, interactive exhibits, demonstrations and much more!  Participating organizations include the Essex County Garden Club of America, Adirondack Harvest, Adirondack Green Circle, Essex County Cooperative Extension, The Nature Conservancy, and more.