CAPITAL REGION PRISM

Announcement
The Capital Region PRISM is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP's) for the 2023 calendar year.
In order to supplement the great work that is already being done by our partners, we are able to offer subcontracts on behalf of the NYSDEC through a Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP process provides a method for the CR-PRISM to share and leverage limited resources within the partnership. In addition, the RFP process allows the CR-PRISM to help execute the goals and objectives that further our 5 Year Strategic and 2023 Work Plan. The RFP is not a grant program, and all project proposals are subject to NYSDEC Invasive Species Coordinate Unit approval prior to being awarded for funding. Contracts are also subject to insurance requirements through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County.
For the application and supporting documents please check out our RFP page.

Seasonal Positions
The CR-PRISM is seeking seasonal natural resource workers to participate in invasive species prevention, early detection, control, and restoration efforts. Positions will be rolled out and posted over the next four months. Click the links below and please check back frequently for additional positional applications.
(1) One AIS Watercraft Inspection Assistant Supervisor
(12) Twelve Watercraft Inspection Stewards
TBA: (3) Three Invasive Species Technicians

Current Species Highlight

Beech Leaf Disease (BLD)
Beech Leaf Disease is a relatively new pathogen of beech trees 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:

Take photos of symptoms, as well as the tree's leaves, bark, and the entire tree if possible. Photos of leaves held up to the light, or taken through the canopy, make it easier to identify BLD symptoms.
Submit a report through iMapInvasives (leaves website). Beech leaf disease is listed as the nematode Litylenchus crenatae maccannii.

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)

Previous Species Highlight

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF)
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant-hopping insect native to China and Southeast Asia. SLF has the potential to damage multiple agricultural crops in New York. SLF is a pest of apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnut, and others. New York is estimated to produce more than 30 million bushels of apples each year, while grapes in New York are valued at an annual harvest of $52.8 million. First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, quarantine efforts have managed to greatly slow it's spread into Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.

Nymphs and adults prefer to feed on the invasive Tree-of-Heaven, but also feed on a wide variety of other plants, including some of great agricultural value. Presence of SLF has led to crop loss, exporting issues, and increased management costs.

If you live outside New York City, you can help the Department by reporting SLF immediately after it is found. Follow these steps:

Take a photo
Collect a sample and place it in a freezer or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
Contact the SLF responders

After you have reported SLF in your area and collected a sample, you should kill any additional SLF you see by stepping on it or crushing it.

For quarantine information, agricultural impacts and more from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, click here.

For a compiled list of informational resources from the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences NYS Integrated Pest Management Program, with information about identification, why you should worry, management, and more, 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 and Spread

International Shipping
Vehicles-Cars, Boats, Trains, etc.
Clothing and Shoes
Pet and Wild Animal Transfer
Waterways and Storm Events

Role of the PRISM

The Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. The PRISM is financially supported through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation via the Environmental Protection Fund.

We are a not for profit quasi-government agency that is built on partnerships made up of representatives from state and local agencies, not for profit organizations, and citizen scientists. The Capital Region PRISM provides services in eleven counties in the New York State Capital Region: Albany, Columbia, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington, and parts of Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, and Warren.

Our functions include, but are not limited to:
Coordination of partner efforts
Recruiting and training citizen volunteers
Delivering education and outreach programming
Establishing early detection and monitoring networks
Implement eradication and control efforts
Provide funding for invasive species work

If you are interested in partnering with our organization, please contact us.

Report an invasive Species

iMapInvasives is an online mapping tool that provides statewide invasive species distribution information to natural resource managers, scientists, and citizens. Learn about the program and start contributing data by attending an iMap training session. To schedule a training for staff, volunteers, or the public, please contact PRISM staff.

Upcoming Events

Events Calendar

Contact a Coordinator

PRISM Coordinator: Kristopher Williams
Email: kbw44@cornell.edu
Office Phone: 518.885.8995 ext. 2218
Work Cell: 518.321.0189

Terrestrial Coordinator: Sam Schultz
Email: ss986@cornell.edu
Phone: 518.885.8995

Outreach Coordinator: Addison Kubik
Email: ask263@cornell.edu
Phone: 518.885.8995 ext. 2219

Aquatics Coordinator: Hannah Coppola
Email: hwe22@cornell.edu
Phone: 518.885.8995 ext. 2215

To Join our ListServ, send an email to:
cce-capitalprism-l-request@cornell.edu

Type "join" in the subject line with no quotes and do not leave a message or signature in the message box.

Join our Network!

Volunteer or Partner with the PRISM!
We welcome the participation of regional organizations, agencies, and individuals that have a common goal of stopping the spread of invasive species. To volunteer please contact a prism coordinator and will will add you to our list.

The PRISM listserv is a great way to stay connected and up to date on all things invasive species. To join the listserv, please email cce-capitalprism-l-request@cornell.edu with 'join' as the subject line (no quotes) and nothing in the body of the email, including signatures. You will receive a confirmation email when your request is processed successfully.

Photo Gallery

Become an Environmental Steward.
Check out these national campaigns to learn more about how
you can stop the spread of invasive species!

To learn more about the invasive species of New York, click on the guides below.

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.