Media Contact:       
Amanda Ely 
The Nature Conservancy 
Amanda.Ely@TNC.org

Keene Valley, NY, June 1, 2021 - The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program 

(APIPP) and its partners kick off this year’s Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW), June 6 – 12, with a free “Love Your Lakes” workshop on Wednesday, June 9, at 7pm. This online webinar will explore everything novice and experienced boaters need to know to prevent the spread of harmful invasive plants and animals when exploring North Country waters.  

“With so many new and returning visitors to our Adirondack waterways, this workshop is a great way to ‘dive’ into summer and learn how protect our lakes and rivers,” said Tammara Van Ryn, APIPP Manager. 
The Adirondack region’s five main watersheds host more than 11,000 lakes and ponds and over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.  

“The Adirondacks are unique,” added Van Ryn. “Unlike many other regions of New York State, here 75% of the waterways we have surveyed remain free of aquatic invasive species.”  

New Outreach Campaign 

APIPP is also launching a new outreach campaign during ISAW to help prevent the spread of aquatic and land-based invasive species. New, colorful and informative posters and brochures are available for free to Adirondack nonprofits and businesses that can help get the word out.   

"Ensuring travelers and residents have the information they need to safely and responsibly recreate in the Adirondacks is a top priority for us," said Janelle Hoh, Communications Coordinator at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. "As the summer season kicks off, we are excited to assist APIPP with the distribution of these important materials."  

Adirondack-specific posters and “rack cards” with the “Don’t Move Firewood” message are also available. Last summer the first infestation of the highly damaging emerald ash borer was found in the Adirondacks. Moving firewood is one of the main pathways the emerald ash borer can spread to new locations. Buying firewood near to where you burn it, or buying heat-treated firewood, is the best way to help prevent the spread of this devastating forest pest.  

For more information and to order these materials for your business, click here. 
“Whether recreating on the water or on land, please do your part to help prevent the spread of invasive species this summer. Together, we can make a difference and protect the waters and forests we love,” said Van Ryn.  
 

About the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program  

The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program is a partnership program founded in 1998 by The Nature Conservancy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Adirondack Park Agency. Its coordinated approach to invasive species management has been a model for similar programs across the U.S. APIPP focuses on 11 aquatic and 25 terrestrial invasive species of concern to the Adirondacks. For more information about managing invasives species, please visit www.adkinvasives.com.  
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Unfortunately, that does not mean boaters, anglers and others enjoying our waters can be complacent. All it takes is a few plant stems or tiny mollusks to start an infestation. For this reason, APIPP supports legislative efforts to permanently authorize the New York State law that requires that boaters take reasonable precautions to clean, drain and dry their boats to prevent the spread of invasive species.   

“We are thrilled to partner with APIPP on this timely workshop,” said Karrie Thomas, Executive Director of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. “It is so important for all boaters, whether operating canoes or kayaks or motorboats, to practice Clean, Drain, Dry.”  Other workshop sponsors include the Adirondack Watershed Institute and the Adirondack Mountain Club. You can register at https://adkinvasives.com/Events/.