Adirondack Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification Training Announced: Volunteers Needed

Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification Training Announced: Volunteers Needed

Contact:
Meghan Johnstone
APIPP Aquatic Invasive Species Project Coordinator
518-576-2082 x 119 or mjohnstone@tnc.org

For Immediate Release:
Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification Training Announced: Volunteers Needed

KEENE VALLEY The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) will host its annual volunteer training sessions in aquatic invasive plant identification and survey techniques on June 20th at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing, June 25th at Paul Smith’s College, and June 27th at the Raquette Lake School. All sessions are from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Please RSVP by June 13th to Meghan Johnstone at 518-576-2082 x 119 or mjohnstone@tnc.org. Returning volunteers, new volunteers, or individuals simply interested in learning about aquatic plants are encouraged to attend.

Aquatic enthusiasts can help protect the Adirondack region from invasive species. Hundreds of citizens in the Adirondack region keep watchful eyes for new aquatic invasive species infestations which can lead to quick removal. To-date, nearly 600 citizens volunteered over 6,500 hours to survey 300 waterbodies. Their vigilance each year in APIPP’s early detection program, now in its twelfth year, has established a baseline to better understand the distribution of infected waters.

Armed with this information, organizations and communities take prescriptive prevention and management actions, such as having stewards at boat launches to inspect watercraft for attached plant fragments or starting control programs to remove invading plants.

At least 88 Adirondack lakes and ponds are infested with aquatic invasive plants, like Eurasian watermilfoil and water chestnut, and aquatic invasive animals, like spiny waterflea and Asian clam. Hydrilla, an aquatic invasive plant relatively new to New York State but not yet detected in the Adirondacks, may be on the move this summer. Plant fragments are easily spread from lake to lake by “hitchhiking” on boats, gear, and trailers. Fragments can start new infestations that clog waterways, degrade recreational opportunities, and push out native plants.

Luckily, as the boating season begins, volunteers help survey lakes and ponds to search for these non-native invasive plants. The number of “invasive-free” lakes surveyed by APIPP volunteers and partner staff is more than two times that of infested lakes. A real opportunity exists in the Adirondacks to protect widespread degradation by aquatic invasive species.

The APIPP is a partnership program among governmental and nongovernmental organizations that is housed by the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Learn more about APIPP online at www.adkinvasives.com and follow APIPP’s activity blog at www.adk-invasives.blogspot.com.