Take action to protect vital ecosystems by becoming one of our volunteers. Taking action today reduces the impacts of invasive species now and for generations to come. Below are some volunteer opportunities you can get involved in now and throughout the year.
Become a Volunteer
Sign up to become a volunteer to receive invitations to join early detection surveys, removal efforts, restoration plantings, and other opportunities as they arise. Win prizes for participation!
Aid Early Detection Efforts
Invasive species populations become more costly and harder to manage the longer their populations have to become established in an area. Finding populations early on, before they become too widespread enhances the success of controlling or possibly eradicating invasive species populations.
How You Can Help:
Join our Volunteer Surveillance Network and help detect invasive species. Sign up to receive training and learn to recognize invasive species in your region, and how to report observations to NYiMapInvasives.
Protect Hemlock Trees
Join survey efforts for an invasive insect that kills hemlock trees called hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). You can join a guided survey training and learn how to recognize and report HWA, or you can join a survey with our staff and help look for HWA.
Take the iMapInvasives Winter Mapping Challenge!
Put your mapping skills to the test! From February 1-March 15th you can win prizes by reporting hemlock woolly adelgid observations to iMapInvasives.
How to Participate:
- Get outside and look for hemlock trees! Check local state parks & public trails.
- Check for HWA egg masses (look for white fuzz balls on the undersides of twigs)
- Report your findings to NYiMapInvasives. Submit a presence or not-detected record to document your effort.
- The iMap users who survey the most sites for HWA will win the challenge and receive a PRIZE! Double points for surveys in gap counties along the “leading edge” of HWA’s spread (see shaded counties on the Challenge Dashboard).
The HWA Mapping Challenge is hosted by the NY Natural Heritage Program in partnership with the NYS Hemlock Initiative.
Assist Biocontrol Monitoring
SLELO is seeking volunteers to assist with an emerald ash borer biocontrol monitoring program occurring June through September 2025, at the SUNY Oswego University Rice Creek Field Station.
No experience is needed and guidance will be given during each monitoring survey.
Assist Bird Monitoring
Do you love to watch birds? Sign up for the Tug Hill Bird Quest and learn more about them! This opportunity is open to school classrooms, homeschools, youth groups, families, or individuals interested in observing and learning about birds in the Tug Hill region.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Take our Pledge to Protect and get monthly emails showcasing actions you can take to protect your favorite hiking trails, paddleways, forests, garden, and community from the impacts of invasive species!
Take the Pledge to Protect
The Pledge-to-Protect is a fun, positive, inviting, engaging and rewarding way to participate in invasive species prevention and management.
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