Invasive Species Awareness Week!

New York State is having its first annual Invasive Species Awareness week! From July 6th-12th, events around the state will aim to educate the public on invasive species - what are they? where do they come from? why are they problem? - and how parks and preserves are working to manage the problem and conserve our native species.

The mission of the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) is to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species to help stop their spread by engaging citizens in a wide range of activities across the state and encouraging them to take action. Invasive species affect everyone - hikers, boaters, farmers, gardeners, birders, and foresters alike. 

For a complete list of events going on in the Capital Region, check out the NYS Invasive Species Clearinghouse's blog here: http://www.nyis.info/blog/category/capital-mohawk-prism/

Here at Huyck Preserve we're having 2 events as part of the NYSISAW: Our weekly Science Lecture Series on Thursday night and a guided hike on Saturday. Details on those events are below!

How invasive pests and plants shape our forest and backyard ecosystems
Free Guided hike! 
July 12th - 10 am to Noon
Hike Meetings at Eldridge Research Station, 284 Pond Hill Rd. Rensselaerville NY 12147
Description: Join Dr. Radka Wildova, postdoctoral associate at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, for a 2 hour guided hike of the Preserve to learn about the invasive species in this area. We’ll look at invasive insects, pathogens, and plants and talk about their impacts on native species and ecosystems. The invasive pests that we will see include viburnum leaf beetle, hemlock wooly adelgid, and beech bark disease, all of which can have major impacts on the Preserve’s ecosystems. We’ll also discuss some pests that are on the verge of invading our area, including EAB, and some that have affected the Preserve in the past such as the gypsy moth. Additionally we’ll see many species of invasive plants and talk about their effects on native plants and animals.


Stop the Invasion! Learn simple steps you can take to protect NYs lands and waters from invasive species
Free - Part of our Science Lecture Series
Thursday night - July 10th
Meet the speaker and join us for light fare at 6pm - please bring a dish to pass or consider a donation of $5 if you can't!
Talk starts at 7pm and runs about an hour
Join Leslie Suprenant of the NYS DEC and the NYS Invasive Species Council to learn about invasive species programs in New York and how you can get involved and help. Leslie headed the recent invasive species regulation creation for the DEC, and this talk is sure to be informative.