Prevent
People are primarily responsible for the introduction and spread of invasive species, which means our actions can have a direct impact on the environment. APIPP staff focuses on prevention because it is a lot easier to avoid spreading invasive species than it is to deal with them once they’ve arrived.
Aquatic invasive species can be spread when anything that enters the water—like boats, canoes, fishing waders, and personal floatation devices—is moved from one lake or stream to another. That’s why following proper Clean, Drain, Dry techniques on watercraft and thoroughly cleaning gear and equipment is so important.
On land, Invasive insects can be spread when people transport firewood for camping or heating. “Don’t Move Firewood” and “Burn It Where You Buy It” are both reminders to always source your firewood as close as possible to where you intend to burn it. I
Lastly, seeds and plant fragments of invasive plants can become attached to boots, tire tread, and outdoor gear and be unknowingly transported to uninvaded trail systems, which is why it’s important to always remember to Play Clean Go—brush of all of your gear before and after entering the woods.
Monitor
Knowing where invasive species are helps us to better understand them and it is essential to developing outreach and management plans. At more than 6 million acres, the Adirondack PRISM is enormous and having active and engaged volunteers monitoring our lakes and lands is essential to tracking the presence of invasive species. The data they collect is essential to our aquatic and terrestrial programs, and it becomes part of the larger statewide iMapInvasives database.
Manage
Managing an invasive species, either to suppress, contain, or eradicate it, takes a lot of time and effort, and it can be costly. APIPP empowers landowners to manage invasive species on their property by providing documentation and other guidance on management options and best management practices.
