Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) is hiring watercraft inspectors and decontamination technicians to work at boat launches and other key locations across the Adirondacks to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in the region’s waterways. [Read more…] about Seasonal Staff Sought to Protect Adirondack Lakes
Invasive Species
How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs
Have you noticed spongy moth egg masses in your neighborhood? Last year was a boom year for spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) caterpillar populations, especially in Central and Western New York.
Egg masses contain 600-700 eggs each and will hatch around May. If you find them now, you can scrape them off trees or buildings and drop them into a container of detergent to prevent the eggs from hatching. [Read more…] about How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs
Invasive Southern Pine Beetle Spreads North
New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have announced that southern pine beetles (SPB) were found farther north than previously documented and in greater numbers, suggesting their range is expanding and populations are on the rise.
SPB are destructive forest pests that pose a significant threat to the State’s pine forests, particularly pitch pine forests like those found in the Albany Pine Bush and Minnewaska State Park Preserve. [Read more…] about Invasive Southern Pine Beetle Spreads North
Adirondack Lake Survey Explores Merger with Ausable River Association
The governing boards of the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation and the Ausable River Association have announced plans for a merger. The merger is hoped to advance their shared goal of deploying critical field and laboratory science in the Adirondack Park to inform the protection of waterways, lands, and air for the benefit of all stakeholders. [Read more…] about Adirondack Lake Survey Explores Merger with Ausable River Association
Volunteers Sought For Oswegatchie River Invasive Removal Project
There is an infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River near the Village of Heuvelton, St. Lawrence County.
Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant that forms large mats that shade out native aquatic vegetation and has the ability to completely dominate surface waters. It reduces oxygen levels for fish and encourages sedimentation by restricting silt movement. The hard, pointy seeds of water chestnut can puncture vehicle tires or injure feet if stepped on.
If not managed, the infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River can grow and easily spread to connecting waterbodies, like Black Lake. It grows dense floating mats that impede outdoor recreation and reduce shoreline property values [Read more…] about Volunteers Sought For Oswegatchie River Invasive Removal Project
Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced a joint public comment period to solicit comments for a proposed amendment to the Generic Unit Management Plan/Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas.
The Generic UMP provides information on the environmental setting, inventory of facilities, organizational structure, issues, constraints, management objectives, and effects for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas in both the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. [Read more…] about Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities
Adks Conservation News: 5 Things You Need to Know
Large-Scale Lakes Survey Tops Scientists’ Wish List
The Adirondack Council and other environmental groups are pushing the state legislature to include $6 million in funding over three years to conduct a large-scale study of Adirondack water-bodies. The study of 400 or so lakes and ponds would create baseline data on the impact of climate change, algal blooms, and changes to water oxygen levels. The study is needed to assess the impacts to native fish and plant populations of changing carbon cycles, and the remote locations of many of the water-bodies allow researchers to differentiate the effects of climate change from those of agriculture or land development. [Read more…] about Adks Conservation News: 5 Things You Need to Know
Campground, Day-Use Area Plans Proposed to Combat Invasives
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on an amendment to the Campground and Day-Use Area Generic Unit Management Plan (UMP) that is hoped to support efforts to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS).
The proposed amendment includes the construction and permanent placement of storage facilities for decontamination equipment used to remove AIS from watercraft at these sites. [Read more…] about Campground, Day-Use Area Plans Proposed to Combat Invasives
Western Conifer Seed Bugs In The Northeast
I was settling in to answer a few emails when I heard, “Dad, some huge bug just flew into the lamp shade!” As the designated bug catch-and-releaser, I pressed into action.
A western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) had made its way into our house, and movement of boxes from the basement likely brought it to our living space. Even beyond human houses, this bug is considered invasive in the Northeast. [Read more…] about Western Conifer Seed Bugs In The Northeast
Join the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Winter Mapping Challenge
From February 12th through March 12th, NY iMapInvasives and the NYS Hemlock Initiative are hosting NY’s first statewide hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) Winter Mapping Challenge. [Read more…] about Join the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Winter Mapping Challenge