Volunteering is one of the best ways that you can help protect your lands and waters from the impacts of invasive species. SLELO PRISM and our partners offer volunteer opportunities seasonally and sometimes throughout the year depending on needs. Attending any of the events hosted by SLELO or our partners counts towards achievements with our Volunteer Challenge.
Check often as more opportunities will be added as they are received.
If you are a SLELO Partner and have a volunteer opportunity to list here contact megan.pistolese@tnc.org or submit them here.
Sign up to be a volunteer and receive email notifications for upcoming opportunities.
SLELO PRISM Opportunties
Spend time on the water and help remove water chestnut, an invasive aquatic plant that impedes aquatic recreation and reduces ecosystem health.
Water chestnut pulls are held annually usually in July and August in waterbodies in the SLELO region and across the state.
2024 Water Chestnut Pull Events in the SLELO region:
- Thursday, July 25th Oswegatchie River, Heuvelton, NY. Registration is required. Get details.
SLELO is seeking volunteers to assist with an emerald ash borer biocontrol monitoring program occurring on Wednesdays at 10 AM from June 5th through September 25th at the SUNY Oswego University Rice Creek Field Station.
A virtual training will be provided in May and guidance will be given during each monitoring survey.
Help Remove Terrestrial Invasive Species
What: Manual removal of invasive plants.
When: Multiple dates in July and August
Where: Multiple locations in Oswego & Jefferson Counties.
Details: No experience is needed, and tools will be provided.
The Aquatic Invasive Species Learning Experience (AIS LE) is aimed to empower waterfront property owners and recreationists to protect waterbodies in the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Region.
This training is perfect for, waterfront property owners, lake associations, kayaking groups, seasonal staff, or anyone who wants to learn more about aquatic invasive species (AIS). Participants will be invited to become a Water Protector and ‘adopt-a-water’ to survey for priority AIS.
Partner Opportunities:
Volunteers are wanted to assist in a trap monitoring project for an invasive tree pest called the Elm Zigzag Sawfly (EZS) in St. Lawrence County. Named after its unique zigzag feeding pattern, the larvae of EZS defoliate elm trees which can lead to reduced tree health or mortality. Learn more about EZS.
Traps have been deployed at the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area in Massena by SUNY ESF. Volunteers are needed to check the traps for the presence of the EZS. Volunteers also wanted to set up and monitor traps at Brasher Falls and Lost Nation State Forests in St. Lawrence County.
If you’re interested in assisting this project, please click the button below to sign up and you will be emailed details.
The Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC) maintains 28 miles of trails open to the public across 5 different land preserves. Learn of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities hosted by IRLC that you can get involved in, click the link above to view details on their website.
Save The River’s new Riverkeeper Volunteer Program trains volunteers to be our eyes and ears out on the River, by teaching the basics on assessing River health and identifying potential pollution problems.
The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) protects over 12,000 acres of land, both fee-owned land and conservation easements, including important wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats. They host guided hikes, stewardship opportunities, and kids programs.
If you have a passion for the outdoors and love to show the world what you love about it, then becoming a Campground Ambassador could be for you! Ambassadors assist DEC campground staff in welcoming and serving the millions of visitors who camp in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks each year.
This is a great opportunity to help introduce new campers to DEC facilities and other outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
NYiMapInvasives is New York’s invasive species observation database. You can join state-wide early detection efforts for invasive species by becoming a member and reporting your observations.
Click the links below to become familiar with iMap
Contact megan.pistolese@tnc.org to list your events on our events page and on Facebook.
SLELO PRISM Partner Meeting Schedule: Our partners have decided to meet on a seasonal/quarterly basis. We will meet the third week of these months: January, April, July, and October alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting at 10 am.
If you want to receive partner meeting announcements please email rwilliams@tnc.org .
Save the Date for 2023 Partner Meetings:
Thursday, October 12th
Keewaydin State Park – Marina Pavilion, 10 am-12 pm 45165 State Route 12, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
The PRISM Network hosts a monthly Speaker Series on the last Wednesday of each month (except, July, August, and December).
View the Webinar Schedule & Access Recordings
iMapInvasives holds training webinars after the PRISM Speaker Series from 1 pm-2 pm. Visit the iMap website for details and to register.
View Events Pages of the PRISM Network