New York Invasive Species Awareness Week NYISAW will be observed June 3rd-9th, 2024. This is a state-wide outreach campaign aimed to raise awareness and engage the public to take action to protect their lands and waters from the impacts caused by invasive species. Organizations and stakeholders across the state will be hosting outreach events during this week, and you can too!

Events and webinars will be held across the state, visit the New York Invasive Species Information Website for a schedule.

Below is a list of NYISAW events in the SLELO region. Reach out to megan.pistolese@tnc.org to collaborate on events in SLELO.

• • Monday, June 3rd, 1-2 PM- Storytelling and the Language of Invasive Species Virtual Workshop: Explore the art of storytelling and how to frame invasive species language in a way that reduces cultural biases, racism, and exclusionary concepts. Participate in interactive ad-lib style activities! Register for Zoom link.

• • June 4th & 6th Indian Creek Nature Center Conservation Field Days  (STR/SLELO PRISM are partnering to play an invasive species game with 5th graders) This event isn’t open to the public.

• • SLELO PRISM is inviting local schools and NYS Parks to participate in an invasive species themed art exhibit in observance of NYISAW. School students and park-goers are invited to create drawings, paintings, or other art mediums surrounding an invasive species theme. Art can be displayed inside participating schools or parks for viewing from June 3rd to 9th. Interested Schools or NYS Parks should fill out this Google Form to participate.

• • Join the NYISAW webinar series held each afternoon from June 6th to Friday, June 7th. Topics include invasive species storytelling tips, upcoming species to watch for, tips for gardeners, and much more! Get details.

• • Wednesday, June 5th, 6-8 PM at the Keewaydin State Park Marina Building. Join an Aquatic Invasive Plants Workshop. View pressed and live native and aquatic plants in a classroom setting, and learn how to identify and report invasive species by using community science tools. Registration is required to attend.

• • Wednesday, June 5th, 7 AM-3 PM Watertown Farmers Market. Visit the Tug Hill Commission/SLELO PRISM information table to learn about invasive species and win prizes!

• • Thursday, June 6th, 6-7 PM- Watertown Tree Walk. Meet in front of City Hall on Washington Street to join a guided tour of the tree arboretum and learn about trees and how to recognize signs of invasive tree pests. Registration is required to attend.

• • Thursday, June 6th, 6-7:30 PM- Pulaski Tree Walk. Meet at the Haldane Trail behind the Salmon River Hockey Building. Participants will learn about various invasive species threatening our region, in addition to native trees, and invasive pests that threaten the health of the trees. Participants are encouraged to download the following free mobile apps to get a demonstration on how to use them during the walk, iMapInvasvies, Seek, and iNaturalist. An optional tree pruning demo will be provided at the end of the walk. Registration is required to attend.

• • Friday, June 7th, 8:30 AM-4 PM- Indian River Lakes Water Quality Conference. Learn about the latest research on water quality and invasive species within the Indian River Lakes Watershed. Register and purchase tickets.

• • Saturday, June 8th, at the Minna Anthony Nature Center on Wellesley Island, join a Fishing event at 10 AM and a Don’t Move Firewood guided hike at 1 PM. Visitors are also invited to create an invasive species drawing or coloring to display in the Nature Center. Get details.