New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW): June 5-11, 2023
Join the CR-PRISM in celebrating the 10th Annual New York State Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW)! The mission of this statewide event is to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause to our environment, economy, and to human health.
Local events, webinars, workdays, and field tours help make ISAW a success. If you are interested in hosting your own event, contact ask263@cornell.edu . We have lots of resources available to help you plan and deliver a successful ISAW event!
Seasonal Positions
The Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (CR-PRISM) hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County is seeking motivated and qualified Watercraft Inspection Stewards to help protect our lands and waters by joining our team. Watercraft Inspection Stewards are responsible for delivering prevention, detection, management, and restoration programs designed to protect the environment from the negative impacts of invasive species.
The CR-PRISM is administering a set of deliverables for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with financial support through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Watercraft inspection stewards will work throughout the eleven counties of the Capital Region while advancing conservation programs. Come and join our team today and help protect our natural resources. Click the link below to fill out an application.
Watercraft Inspection Stewards
Limited Positions Available
Current Species Highlights
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Spongy Moth (Formerly known as gypsy moth) The spongy moth is a defoliating insect native to France and originally introduced in the US in 1869. Generally preferring to feed on the leaves of oak trees, they also feed on apples, maples, hickories, birches, pines and much more. Caterpillars eat young, tender leaves in the spring, and in outbreak years can lead to mass defoliation. Typically however, the leaves will regrow (albeit somewhat smaller) by midsummer allowing the tree to continue photosynthesizing as normal. For a fact sheet from the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences NYS Integrated Pest Management Program, with information about identification, control, when you should worry and more, click here (leaves website). For the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fact sheet with information on phenology, control options, helping trees recover from outbreak and more, visit the DEC fact page here (leaves website). For the leaflet from the USDA Forest Service with detailed information on life history, natural enemies, control and bio-controls and more, click here. |
Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) Beech Leaf Disease is a relatively new pathogen of beech and kills both native and ornamental species throughout the landscape. BLD was first reported in Ohio in 2012, and has since spread into nine more U.S. States and one Canadian province. There are still many unknowns associated with this disease (including the exact mechanisms of spread), but there is an association with a foliar nematode known as Litylenchus crenatae mccannii. BLD is especially threatening in New York as beech/birch/maple is the predominant forest type of NY, and beech is one of the most common tree species in the entire state. BLD causes damage to a tree’s leaves, leading to reduced vigor and eventually leading to tree mortality. BLD can kill beech of all ages and size classes, and unlike beech bark disease (BBD), kills both native and ornamental beech species. Mortality typically occurs in 2-3 years in younger trees and can take 6-10 years in older and larger trees. You can easily survey for BLD by walking along a trail with beech trees and looking up into the canopy as you go. The symptoms of BLD (as seen in the gallery) can be visible from May until the leaves fall off (which is very late in beech) and are most easily noticed by looking up into the canopy. If you think you have seen signs of BLD:
If you have questions about your trees, email photos and location information to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Or you may the Forest Health Diagnostic Lab via phone at 1-866-640-0652 For more detailed information from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, including known locations, current control efforts, and look-alikes, click here (leaves website) |
What are Invasive Species?
Invasive species are any non-native species (plant, animal, microbe, etc.) that have the ability to cause harm to the environment, economy, and/or human health.
Pathways of Introduction
International Shipping
Vehicles-Cars, Boats, Trains, etc.
Clothing and Shoes
Pet and Wild Animal
Waterways and Storm Events
Vehicles-Cars, Boats, Trains, etc.
Clothing and Shoes
Pet and Wild Animal
Waterways and Storm Events
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Become an Environmental Steward.
Check out these national campaigns to learn more about how
you can stop the spread of invasive species!
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To learn more about the invasive species of New York, click on the guides below.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County
50 West High St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020 |
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides financial support to the Capital Region PRISM via the Environmental Protection Fund.
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Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. Website ©2019 Capital Region PRISM
