Keene Valley, NY (May 16, 2016) - The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) is hosting numerous events across the Adirondack region this summer, including invasive plant management trainings for landowners, aquatic invasive plant identification and survey trainings, and a summit on invasive forest pests that threaten Adirondack forests. The kick-off event, an iMapInvasives training, is this Friday, May 20 and will provide a way for citizen scientists to contribute their invasive species observations to a statewide database. All events are free and open to the public.

iMapInvasives Training

APIPP and the iMapInvasives program are co-hosting a training event at the SUNY ESF Center for Nature Interpretation in the Adirondacks in Newcomb this Friday. Participants will learn how to identify, map and report invasive species infestations to become citizen-scientist volunteers in New York’s ongoing invasive species early detection and rapid response efforts. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience by taking part in an invasive species mapping blitz of the property.

Friday, May 20th (11:00am-2:00pm) – ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), Newcomb, NY

Terrestrial Invasive Plant Management Trainings

APIPP’s terrestrial invasive plant management training sessions for landowners will provide instruction on how to manage troublesome invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed and purple loosestrife. Participants will learn how to identify common invasive terrestrial plants and how to apply effective management techniques for them on their own lands. The training will include both presentations and in-field demonstrations. Recertification credits will be offered for state licensed herbicide applicators. Landowners, landscapers, gardeners, and highway department staff are encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, June 28th (10am-1pm) – Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths, NY

Wednesday, June 29th (10am-1pm) – Clifton-Fine Central School, Star Lake, NY

Friday, July 15th (10am-1pm) – Village Pavilion, Speculator, NY

Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification Training

APIPP’s aquatic plant and animal identification trainings will train participants on how to identify aquatic invasive plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, as well as how to perform simple surveys to detect their presence in a waterbody. The aquatic animal training will focus on species such as Asian clam, zebra mussels and spiny waterflea. Invasive species distribution data collected by participants after these trainings will aid in regional prevention, early detection and rapid response efforts. Since 2002, 764 volunteers have surveyed 343 lakes throughout the Adirondacks, providing critical data on the status of our lakes and ponds.

Tuesday, June 21st (10am-2pm) – Darrin Freshwater Institute, Bolton Landing, NY

Thursday, June 23rd (10am-2pm) – Pine Room at Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths, NY

Thursday, June 30th (10am-2pm) – Town of Webb Visitors Center, Old Forge, NY Aquatic

Invasive Animal Identification Training

Tuesday, August 9th (1pm-4pm) – Town of Webb Visitors Center, Old Forge, NY

Adirondack Forest Pest Summit

APIPP is hosting a Forest Pest Summit at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek on July 11th to raise awareness of invasive forest pests threatening Adirondack forests. Participants will learn from state and national experts about invasive forest pests, how to prevent their spread, and anticipated impacts to the Adirondack region.

Monday, July 11th (10am-4pm) – Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek, NY

For all events, RSVP to APIPP’s Seasonal Educator, Mitchell Jones, at Mitchell.jones@tnc.org or (518) 576-2082 ext. 120. Please include your name, email address, phone number, town of residence and be sure to specify which training you will be attending. Walk-ins are welcome.

APIPP is a partnership program of governmental and nongovernmental organizations hosted by the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in Keene Valley.