Attend this virtual event to hear your questions about the Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-heaven mapping effort (nyimapinvasives.org/slf) answered by a panel of experts form the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the New York Natural Heritage Program (iMapInvasives).

SLF is an invasive pest from Asia that feeds on a variety of plants including grapes, hops, and maple trees, posing a severe threat to NY forests and agriculture. SLF has been found in several locations in NY but has not yet spread to much of the state. One potential pathway for the spread of SLF is its preferred host plant, tree-of-heaven (TOH), which is already found in many locations across NY. Agencies and conservation partners across the state are working to protect our state resources from these invasive species, and are requesting help from volunteers to complement these efforts.

NYS is seeking volunteers like you to look for two invasive species in your area: Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) and Tree-of-heaven (TOH). You can help protect New York's agriculture and forests by knowing what to look for and how to report it to New York’s official invasive species database, iMapInvasives.

This event will focus on audience questions, rather than provide a full training on SLF, TOH, or iMap. This event is intended for people who are already participating in the iMap-SLF-TOH webinar series, or the volunteer grid square effort (nyimapinvasives.org/slf).