Kristopher Williams: PRISM Coordinator

Kristopher is the Coordinator of the Capital Region PRISM. The Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. Kristopher is committed to working with county, regional, state, and federal agencies in his work.  He seeks to provide service to the community through environmental education and programming to non-profit agencies, corporations, school groups, and citizens.

The work completed in the PRISM covers 11 surrounding counties in the Capital Region.  The educational and coordinating duties performed by Kristopher encompass terrestrial and aquatic ecology along with  sustainability and restoration of the environment.  . The management of high threat invasive species to protect rare or threatened plants or animals is the focal point of Kristopher’s work.  Kristopher has held various leadership roles within the community and formerly taught earth science and chemistry at the high school level.  Kristopher holds a B.A. in Environmental Science/Geology from Alfred University and a Master of Science in Education from Sage College in Albany.  

Email: ​[email protected]
Office  Phone: 518.885.8995 (ext. 2218)
Work Cell:  518.321.0189

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Sam Schultz: Terrestrial

​Invasive Species Coordinator

Sam is the Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator for the Capital Region PRISM. Sam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Cornell University. Right after college, Sam worked with the New York Invasive Species Research Institute (NYISRI) working on BMPs for the PRISMs. Working with various state agencies, including New York Sea Grant (NYSG), New York State Parks (NYS OPRHP) and now the Capital Region PRISM, she has worked on various educational materials including the State Clearinghouse website for invasive species (NYIS.info), training materials for boat steward programs, and assisting in creating a priority waterbody list for the Capital Region PRISM. She has also surveyed for invasive species across western New York and had the opportunity to actively manage both terrestrial and aquatic species. Sam has worked her way up from a Lead Boat Steward to the Watercraft Steward Supervisor to her true passion working with terrestrial plants as the Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator. 
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Email: [email protected]
Phone: (518) 885-8995 (ext. 2211)

​​Alexa Howansky: Aquatic Invasive Species

Program Manager

Alexa is the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Manager for the Capital Region PRISM. Alexa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, also having double minored in Ecology and Food & Farming. During her time at SUNY Plattsburgh, Alexa participated in research on road salt pollution of Adirondack streams, as well as unique field- and lab-based coursework at the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, where she earned a certificate in Applied Environmental Science. While in college, Alexa started working as a boat steward for the Capital Region PRISM’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP) for two seasons, which she credits as the motivating factor that ultimately sparked her passion for aquatic ecology and led to the discovery of her desire to pursue a career in the field. Upon graduating she returned to the PRISM for a third WISP season, this time as the Steward Assistant Supervisor, helping to run the WISP program through data review and the oversight of staff. The following year, she landed her current position as the AIS Program Manager. Alexa has collaborated on many educational materials for the PRISM, including WISP quarterly reports, Watercraft Steward training materials, AIS presence lists for WISP launch sites, and Water Chestnut Response prioritization guidelines. Alexa participates in early detection, monitoring, and response efforts for AIS through means such as environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, water body macrophyte surveys, and AIS removals.

Email: [email protected]​
Phone: (518) 769-5153

​Addison Kubik: Invasive 

Species Education and

​Outreach Coordinator

Addison is the Invasive Species Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Capital Region PRISM. Addison obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. Addison’s experience with education began while he was in college, where he was a tutor and TA for ecology and a TA for dendrology. He has attended educational workshops through the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) and was a member of the Empire State Association for Two-Year College Biologists (ESATYCB), where he had the chance to attend workshops on STEM education. After college, Addison interned as a Forest Health Technician with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), performing field surveys for invasive species and forest pathogens throughout the capital region.  
Addison spent time honing his writing and photography skills on his educational Instagram account, where he teaches people about native plants. Addison is excited to use his past experiences to continue growing his passions for education and conservation at the Capital Region PRISM.​

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (518) 885-8995 (ext. 2219)