New York Almanack

News and Views from the Empire State

Invasive Species

Another Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation Found At Lake George

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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid provided by DECAn infestation of invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) has been confirmed on Lake George in the town of Dresden, Washington County.

The affected hemlock trees were located near a campsite within Glen Island Campground on the shore of Lake George. This is the second known infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Adirondacks. The first was located at Prospect mountain near Lake George three years ago. [Read more…] about Another Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation Found At Lake George

Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Found in Adirondack Park

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Warren County.

While not unexpected given the EAB’s spread, this marks the first confirmed case of EAB within the Adirondack Park. The affected trees were identified by Department of Transportation personnel at the Warren County Canoe Launch on the Schroon River in the town of Chester. A sample has been sent to Cornell University Insect Diagnostic Lab for further review. [Read more…] about Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Found in Adirondack Park

Pool Owners Sought for Citizen Science Survey

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Asian longhorned beetle by Joe Boggs Ohio State UniversityDEC is encouraging New York pool owners to participate in their annual Asian Longhorned Beetle Swimming Pool Survey. This is the time of year when Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are most active outside of their host tree. [Read more…] about Pool Owners Sought for Citizen Science Survey

Invasive Knotweed, Milfoil Webinars Set

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invasives webinarsHamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District and Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program have announced two upcoming webinars focused on Aquatic Invasive Species. [Read more…] about Invasive Knotweed, Milfoil Webinars Set

Comptroller Audit Highlights Invasive Species Challenges

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Adirondack Watershed Institute Decontamination programAccording to an audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) needs to improve efforts to control invasive species such as zebra mussels, hydrilla and giant hogweed that have established footholds across New York state and threaten native species, agriculture and tourism, [Read more…] about Comptroller Audit Highlights Invasive Species Challenges

In The Dirt: Earthworms and Drought

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Earthworm courtesy Wikimedia user ArunaHit and miss rain showers and scattered thunderstorms have provided much of the precipitation over the New York State during this past month.

This has allowed some locations to maintain an adequate level of soil moisture while causing conditions in other places to become especially dry. [Read more…] about In The Dirt: Earthworms and Drought

Adirondack Park Boat Inspections Rise 25% Over 2019

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Adirondack Watershed Stewards have reported a 25% increase in the number of watercraft inspections at Adirondack boat launches compared with this time last year.

The Adirondack Region had already been experiencing increased tourism even before the current pandemic. This summer’s excellent weather has given a further boost to visitor numbers, even as the closed border keeps Canadian tourists home.  [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Boat Inspections Rise 25% Over 2019

Meddling With Nature: The Acclimatization Movement and Central Park Starlings

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A murmuration of starlingsEuropean starlings are one of the most common bird species in the United States. They are known for their stunning aerial displays (murmerations), but many observers consider them a curse.

Starlings aggressively compete for the nesting places of native birds; they can damage crops (grapes, olives, cherries, grain) and spread disease; they can mess up the environment and be a threat to aviation. The story of invasive starlings is part of a wider narrative that reflects both the ambitions and fears of the Victorian era. [Read more…] about Meddling With Nature: The Acclimatization Movement and Central Park Starlings

Fishhook Waterflea Infesting Lake Champlain

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Thousands of fishhook and spiny waterfleas coat a fishing lineBoaters returning from the waters of Lake Champlain at Shelburne Bay have reported large quantities of invasive fishhook waterflea fouling their fishing lines.

First identified in Lake Champlain in 2018, masses of fishhook waterfleas began to appear on the 20th of June this year, as observed by trained Lake Champlain boat launch stewards.

No known control methods exist to eliminate fishhook or spiny waterflea once established in a water body. Efforts now focus on preventing the spread of this species to other bodies of water in the region. [Read more…] about Fishhook Waterflea Infesting Lake Champlain