ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
This webinar was held on May 22nd, 2024. The first session in a 3-part learning series, the webinar provided an overview of our Water Protector’s Program. Identification of native and invasive aquatic plants and demonstrations for NYiMapInvasives mobile app were provided.
Presenters:
Brittney Rogers: SLELO PRISM Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
Megan Pistolese-Shaw: SLELO PRISM E/O Coordinator
Birds are biological indicators, meaning they are relatively quick to respond to changes in ecosystem composition, structure, and function; this includes those changes brought about by both the invasion and management of invasive species. Conservation Director of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, Neil Gifford, will discuss a bird banding and tracking program used at the Preserve to determine ecosystem health, the impacts of invasive species, and benefits of management, as well as ways homeowners and land managers can support birds.
Presented by: Neil Gifford, Conservation Director- Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Riparian areas play a vital role in water quality and provide many important ecosystem services. Invasive species can have a big impact on riparian areas by reducing biodiversity and altering ecosystem function. SLELO PRISM is working on enhancing the resiliency of riparian areas within the Eastern Lake Ontario region through invasive species management and restoration. This webinar will provide an overview of our multiyear Riparian Restoration Initiative and showcase the ecological importance of the project areas, the impacts invasive species can have on riparian areas, invasive species control, and restoration techniques applied during the projects, selected plants, community involvement, and future plans.
Presented by: Brittney Rogers, SLELO PRISM Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator.
This webinar provides an overview of jumping worms, identification, impacts, research, prevention methods, and how to report observations to iMapInvasives mobile app.
Jumping worms are invasive earthworms that reduce soil health in urbanized landscapes and forested areas. This invasive worm easily goes unnoticed and can unknowingly be spread by the introduction of infested soil from potted or transplanted plants.
Jumping worms have been reported present in Oswego, Oneida, and St. Lawrence Counties in the Eastern Lake Ontario Region, and are likely present but under-reported in other areas of New York State. Learn more about jumping worms on our website.
Presented by:
Annise Dobson -Associate Research Scientist at Yale University.
Megan Pistolese-Shaw-SLELO E/O Coordintor
Hosted on Friday, February 2nd, 2024 from 1 pm-2:15 pm, this webinar provided the latest updates on swallow-wort biocontrol research and field applications. Presented by professionals at SUNY ESF, Michigan State University, University of Rhode Island Biocontrol Lab, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Presenters:
Dr. Lisa Tewksbury- University of Rhode Island Biocontrol Lab
Dr. Marianna Szucs- Michigan State University
Dr. Ian Jones- Postdoctoral research fellow working with the Smith Forest Health Lab and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Dr. Dylan Parry- SUNY ESF
Robert Smith-SLELO PRISM Terrestrial Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator.
Invasive species like spotted lanternfly, elm zigzag sawfly, box tree moth, and beech leaf disease are not yet considered to be well established in the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Region, as well as in other parts of New York State. Detecting the presence of invasive species before their populations grow or spread helps to reduce their impacts. You can help aid early detection efforts by learning how to recognize these invasive species and joining early detection efforts occurring in the region and across the state. Hear from experts with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to learn about these species, as well as, from SLELO PRISM on how you can aid early detection efforts in the SLELO region and beyond.
Presented by:
Many invasive plants were once considered desirable ornamentals that were intentionally introduced to gardens and landscapes only to escape into our natural environments. You can play a vital role in the introduction and prevention of invasive plants by choosing to grow native species and taking action to control invasives you may find on your property. This presentation will provide an overview of native alternatives to common invasive garden plants, the benefits of native plants, and ways to get involved.
Presented by:
Megan Pistolese-Shaw, SLELO PRISM Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Lucas Russell, SLELO PRISM volunteer and CCE Oneida County Master Gardener.
Selecting what plants you will grow can be exciting but you could be playing a role in the introduction of invasive plants. Many invasive plants were once considered desirable ornamentals that were intentionally introduced to gardens and landscapes only to escape into our natural environments. You can play a vital role in the introduction and prevention of invasive plants by choosing to grow native species and taking action to control invasives you may find on your property. This webinar discussed native alternatives to common invasive garden plants, the benefits of native plants, general control methods, and a Pledge to Protect you can take to protect your garden and favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species.
Presented by: Megan Pistolese-Shaw, SLELO PRISM Education and Outreach Coordinator, and Melanie Cutillo- Owner and operator of Lazy Dirt Flower Farm.
Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an invasive insect that is killing hemlock trees and threatening the health of our forests. Although only the size of a sesame seed, HWA will have a big impact on our forests. The good news is that there are conservation and management strategies you can implement to protect hemlock trees.
This webinar discussed short-term and long-term HWA control options, hemlock conservation strategies, and approaches to secure funding for hemlock conservation that have worked in other parts of the state at a watershed scale. As well as, regional and state-wide volunteer opportunities to help slow the spread of this threat to our forests.
Presented By:
Caroline Marschner
Invasive Species Extension Associate-New York Hemlock Initiative
Megan Pistolese- Shaw
Education, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator
SLELO PRISM
Winter is a good time to start planning for your garden. Selecting what plants you will grow can be exciting but you could be playing a role in the introduction of invasive plants. Many invasive plants were once considered desirable ornamentals that were intentionally introduced to gardens and landscapes only to escape into our natural environments. You can play a vital role in the introduction and prevention of invasive plants by choosing to grow native species and taking action to control invasives you may find on your property.
This webinar discussed native alternatives to common invasive garden plants, the benefits of native plants, general control methods, and a Pledge to Protect you can take to protect your garden and favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species.
Presented by: Megan Pistolese-Shaw- SLELO PRISM
Hosted by The Nature Conservancy’s Invasive Species Council (TNC ISAC-North America Region), this webinar discussed current thinking on reducing xenophobia, bias, militarism, racism, and exclusionary concepts from the outreach, education, and management messages surrounding invasive species.
Presented by:
The elm zigzag sawfly has recently been discovered for the first time in New York State in St. Lawrence County. Three dead specimens were confirmed at Wildland in Brasher Falls in St. Lawrence County. Feeding patterns, characteristic of the elm zigzag sawfly, have also been reported at three locations in St. Lawrence County, the Brasher State Forest, Wilson Hill WMA, and the St. Lawrence State Park. This webinar will provide an overview of the elm zigzag sawfly, survey efforts that have occurred, and next steps including an early detection effort in which partners and community members can join.
Presenters:
A special eDNA project has been occurring in connected waters of the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario and the Adirondack region. This project is a collaboration between SLELO PRISM and APIPP PRISM. The results from this project will help to improve our understanding of aquatic invasive species distribution and enhance our aquatic early detection work. This webinar provides an overview of the project and the progress that has been made over the summer field season as lab results for collected water samples will be trickling in over the next several weeks.
Presented by:
Many invasive plants were once considered desirable ornamentals that were intentionally introduced to gardens and landscapes only to escape into our natural environments. You can play a vital role in the introduction and the prevention of invasive plants by choosing to grow native species and taking action to control invasives you may find on your property. This presentation will provide an overview of native alternatives to common invasive garden plants, the benefits of native plants, and ways to get involved.
Presented by Megan Pistolese-Shaw with SLELO PRISM and Cecilia Pershyn Western NY PRISM.
This webinar is part of the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) webinar series. Visit www.nyis.info/nyisaw/to learn of other webinars in this series
This webinar provides a brief overview of the Aquatic Restoration Initiative (ARI). Including, details for each phase of the initiative, along with restoration that has taken place and goals for restoring critical riparian corridors.
Presenter:
Brittney Rogers- SLELO PRISM Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
The Black River Trail is a 3.5-mile nature trail that follows the Black River beginning in Watertown and ending in the Village of Black River. There are many invasive species present along the trail that compromise native vegetation and the overall health of the ecosystem. To learn where the biggest invasive species problems were located, a feasibility survey was conducted in 2020-2021 by the St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) Early Detection Team, in collaboration with the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). This webinar will provide an overview of the strategic approach to and results of the study.
Presenters:
Brittney Rogers- SLELO PRISM Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
Robert Smith-SLELO PRISM Terrestrial Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
This discussion provides a bird’s-eye view of the Indian River Lakes watershed and explores funding sources and invasive species management permit needs, along with an overview of aquatic invasive species that may be invading your dock or shoreline and what steps you need to take to help manage them.
Presented by:
Brittney Rogers– SLELO PRISM
Sarah Trick-IRLC
Emily Sheridan– NYSDEC
Jessica Hart-NYSDEC
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that is killing ash trees in Jefferson County and other areas of Northern New York. For trees affected, near 100% mortality occurs within two to four years. In New York State, ash trees comprise roughly 7 to 25% of forests and is commonly used for landscaping. Whether you own or manage ash trees in an urban landscape or in a forest setting EAB will impact you. This webinar will provide you with research-based information on how to manage emerald ash borer and maintain the health of your urban forests in the path of this invasive pest.
Presented by:
Sue Gwise– CCE Jefferson County Horticulturalist and Master Gardener Coordinator
Michael DeMarco-Watertown City Planner and ISA Certified Arborist
Glen Roberts– NYS DEC Forester
Robert Smith– SLELO PRISM Terrestrial Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
Herb Frost- Arborcare Tree Service
The Hemlock Initiative has developed a decision guidance tool that generates a ranking system to help forest owners & conservation managers prioritize their hemlock stands to make an informed decision on where to focus their hemlock conservation efforts.This webinar demonstrates how to use the Hemlock Initiative’s Prioritization tool to conserve your hemlock forests. Partners who have used this tool to prioritize their hemlock stands will share their experience, and there will be an open discussion for regional and state-wide organizations to share what they are doing now to manage or prepare for hemlock woolly adelgid
Presenters:
Carri Marschner– NYSHI Invasive Species Extension Associate
Nathan Hayes- Director of the Cumming Nature Center
Anne Rhoads- Ph.D. Executive Director Edmund Niles
Huyck Preserve, Inc. and Biological Research Station
Bryan Ellis- Senior Forester: Division of Lands and Forests | Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health
Robert Smith- SLELO PRISM Terrestrial Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator
In our highly urbanized world, our yards often provide vital habitats for pollinators and native wildlife. Our yards also may be a pathway in which invasive plants may escape into our natural environments. You can support pollinators and wildlife and protect natural areas by choosing to grow native plants in your yard.
This webinar discusses the power of native plants, alternatives to exotic and invasive plants, some invasive species to keep an eye out for. Nature-based community science opportunities that you can participate in right from your own backyard will also be shared.
Presenters:
Megan Pistolese- SLELO PRISM
Sue Gwise- CCE Jefferson
Hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive forest pest that is killing hemlock trees. Hemlocks are a foundation species that benefit people and nature. Loss of hemlock trees will significantly impact our forests.
This webinar provides an overview of the importance of hemlock trees, how to recognize and report signs of infestation, and how you can help by taking a hike.
Presenters:
Megan Pistolese- SLELO PRISM
Wylie Huffman- IRLC
Nick Heintz-BREIA/BROEP
The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive pest from Asia that feeds on a variety of plants including grapes, hops, and maple trees, posing a severe threat to NYS forests and agriculture. SLF’s preferred host plant, tree-of-heaven (TOH), is already found in much of the state. SLF was first found in PA in 2014, and several populations have since been found in NY. Agencies and conservation partners across the state are working to protect our state resources from these invasives.
This webinar covers the current status of SLF and TOH in NY, potential impacts on the North Country, how to identify these species, and reporting observations to iMapInvasives, as well as a state-wide early detection survey effort that volunteers and professionals can get involved in.
Presenter:
Megan Pistolese- SLELO PRISM
The work that goes into managing invasive species often focuses on the treatment or removal of invasive plants and animals. But our work goes beyond the total number of acres treated or pounds of invasive plants removed; our work aims to protect the lands and waters in which we all depend on.
This webinar showcases the unique landscapes and ecological communities that make the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario or SLELO region so special and the work that SLELO PRISM and our partners do to protect our lands and waters from the impacts of invasive species.
Presenters:
Rob Williams- SLELO PRISM Manager
Steve Young- Chief Botanist NYNHP
Hemlocks are a foundation species, meaning they often create the habitat in which they exist in. Hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive forest pest that is killing hemlock trees in New York state and along the Eastcoast.
This webinar provides an overview of hemlock wolly adelgid, and hemlock tree ecology. A live demo of the iMap Invasives mobile app is also provided along with an overview of how volunteers can help protect hemlock trees.
Presenters:
Megan Pistolese- SLELO E/O Coordiantor
Caroline Marschner- NY Hemlock Initiative
Frank Williams- Conservation Volunteer
Urban forests provide immense beauty for our cities and many benefits for people and nature. Invasive tree pests and climate change threaten the health of our urban forests. This webinar focuses on a step by step approach that municipal leaders can take to make their urban forests more sustainable in the wake of invasive pests and climate change. An overview of the SLELO PRISM Urban Forest Sustainability Initiative and available resources are provided.
Presenters:
Robert Smith- SLELO PRISM
Megan Pistolese- SLELO PRISM
Program Director Rob Williams rwilliams@tnc.org
Education, Outreach, & Communications Coordinator Megan Pistolese-Shaw megan.pistolese@tnc.org
Aquatic Restoration & Resiliency Coordinator Brittney Rogers brittney.rogers@tnc.org
Terrestrial Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator Robert Smith robert.l.smith@tnc.org
Conservation & GIS Analyst Carolyn Koestner carolyn.koestner@tnc.org
During this time the best way to contact our team is via email.
