Keene Valley, NY (October 27, 2015) - Cornell Cooperative Extension has announced the launch of the Invasive Species Action Team (ISAT) program, a cooperative effort between the NYS 4-H Office, the NYS 4-H Foundation, and in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County and NYS Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs). The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) serves at the Adirondack PRISM and will be assisting in the development of the ISAT program.

This program is looking for local youth to become active citizen scientists, addressing the challenges posed to the environment and local economies by invasive species. This program will empower youth to be able to make an impact on public policy and public opinion regarding the threats posed by invasive species.

Under staff supervision, the ISAT youth ambassadors will benefit from hands-on educational activities that will provide them with information about local terrestrial invasive plant species of concern. The youth ambassadors will then use what they have learned to educate other students through informational posters or displays at local school events. Interested applicants must have the ability to travel to regional contact/training locations and be available for trainings that may include overnight stays.

This program is now open to youths of age 13 or older with 4-H educator endorsement. Applications are due by December 1, 2015 with final applicant selections being made by January 1, 2016. The program will run through the end of September 2016, and will also provide youth participants with a financial stipend of $400 in exchange for their completion of the program.

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States empowering over six million young people to “learn by doing.” The program is open to any youth ages 5 to 19 years old with opportunities to learn through clubs, after school and school enrichment programs and through the variety of programs offered through the Cooperative Extension offices.

For more information about 4-H or this new program, please call Marybeth Mitcham at the Warren County Cooperative Extension office at 518-623-3291 or 518-668-4881, by email at warren@cornell.edu or find Warren County 4-H on Facebook.