Invasive Plants Workshop at Allegany State Park, NY

Mile-a-Minute Weed, Asiatic Tearthumb, Polygonum perfoliatum(from Purdue University)

from Meg Janis, Natural Resource Steward -Biologist, Letchworth State Park

Forests, streams, lakes and fields are being degraded or irreparably damaged by alien invasive species. The cost to eliminate or mitigate the effects from these species will be vastly higher the longer we wait. The economic damage suffered by other parts of the country will happen here unless we are vigilant now. Emerald Ash Borer is confirmed just south of Cattaraugus County; Asian Long-Horned beetles have been found in the Long Island Region; Mile-a-Minute Vine and Giant Hogweed are in Cattaraugus County.

Mile-a-Minute Weed Range (from USDA

Allegany State Park is offering a free workshop on May 7. Learn how to properly identify the invasive specie and then what to do in response to help eradicate the problem. The three main topics at the workshop are aquatics, plants and insects.

Speakers are: Mike Goehle (USFWS) - Aquatics; Paul Furhman (Ecology and Environment, Inc.) - Plants; and Melissa Plemons (OPRHP Invasive Species Biologist) - Insects.

Bring your own lunch. The closest restaurant or store is a 10-minute drive away.

Schedule:
9:00-9:30 AM       Registration
9:30-10:00 AM       Welcome
10:00-11:00 AM       Presentation #1
11:15-12:15 PM       Presentation #2
12:15-1:00 PM       Lunch
1:15-2:15 PM       Presentation #3
2:15-3:00 PM       Wrap-Up

Please pre-register by May 1 with Cassie Wright or (716) 354-9101 ext 236. There is space for only 80 participants.

See Skip the Sushi- New Tapeworm in Great Lakes
See Biological Pesticide Found for Zebra Mussels
See Bloody Red Shrimp Invades the Great Lakes
See Birch Leafminer Controlled in Northeast