Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program

Principal Partner Organization Mission Statements

Adirondack Park Agency : The Adirondack Park Agency was created by legislation in 1971 and administers the Adirondack Park Agency Act, the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act, and the NYS Freshwater Wetlands Act. These acts are all concerned with the protection of the natural environment while balancing the economic and social needs of Park communities. The Agency has always been concerned with the perceived increase in colonization by exotic species, the growth of existing populations of exotics within the Park and their effect on natural systems. A suite of relatively recent invasive exotics have given greater urgency to the concerns.

Adirondack Nature Conservancy : The Adirondack Nature Conservancy is a chapter of The Nature Conservancy, an international organization, whose mission is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Invasive species pose a leading threat to this diversity, both globally and within the Adirondacks . The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program provides the mechanism needed to mobilize scarce resources and coordinate efforts with other partners, so as to address this threat strategically, at a regional scale.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation : The Department of Environmental Conservation was created on July 1,1970 to bring together in a single agency all state programs directed toward protecting and enhancing the environment. The mission of the department, taken from Section 1-0101 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, is to: "conserve, improve, and protect its natural resources and environment, and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well being.” The NYSDEC has had a long history of work on controlling the spread of exotic species. From the spread of non-native fish into Heritage Strain Brook Trout waters, to more recent concerns involving the expansion of zebra mussels, round gobies, mute swans and other species into New York 's lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands, the DEC has supported educational outreach and control efforts for a number of species. The expansion of this concern to involve invasive plants in the Adirondack Park is a natural extension of the DEC's work.

New York State Department of Transportation : It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to ensure our customers -- those who live, work and travel in New York State -- have a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound transportation system. One of the Department's priorities is to manage the transportation system by maintaining and operating the State's highways and bridges in a safe, cost effective and environmentally sound manner. NYSDOT recognizes the significant environmental threat posed by invasive plant species, especially in the ecologically pristine Central Adirondack Region. Historically, transportation corridors have provided pathways for the accidental introduction and spread of invasive species. The Department is committed to proactively managing it's roadsides to eradicate and control the continued introduction and spread of invasive plant species in this unique area.

Invasive Plant Council of New York State : The Invasive Plant Council mission is to provide coordination and guidance on the management of invasive plants so as to protect biodiversity in New York State .