Invasive species are increasingly challenging communities and biologists as the plants and animals encroach on native species. Plants and animals like the spotted lanternfly, giant hogweed and spiny waterflea can cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars to control once they encroach on an area. This coming week, New York will hold its sixth annual Invasive Species Awareness Week to help educate people about the problem. The effort is coordinated through regional PRISMs or Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management. In northern New York, research and control efforts are coordinated by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. Director Brendan Quirion tells WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley awareness week is one of the most important statewide education and outreach events.
“This year’s focus is Early Detection. So it’s promoting a new or a recently updated citizen science mapping tool for invasive species called IMapInvasives 3.0. And it’s an app that you can download on your phone anyone can use to report invasive species that they see out in the landscape. And again reinforces why you need to be trained so it’s easier to identify and report these things so that we can respond in a timely manner.”
www.albanypinebush.org/discovery-center/invasive-species-awareness-week
