No, the Martians aren’t landing. The aliens are the many species of plants and animals that are imported from foreign lands and, without the natural controls they evolved with, damage native ecosystems and cause billions of dollars of damage to crops. The key to defeating these invasions is to detect them before they spread. The more people who know what to look for, the more successful early detection is.
Friends of Letchworth State Park a 501-3-C not -for-profit, is hosting a Stewardship Day on June 9, 2018. From 9:00 am until 11:30 am there will be classroom sessions at the Humphrey Nature Center in Letchworth State Park to learn about invasive species, control measures and ways to map and report the same. Participants should bring a bagged lunch, beverages and snacks will be provided by Friends of Letchworth State Park. After lunch the group will take a short hike to practice identification and removal techniques. Andrea Locke, representing WNYPRISM (Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) and Meg Janis, regional biologist, Western Region OPRHP will be the speakers.
Interested parties may register by calling Sandra Wallace at Letchworth State Park at 585-493-3637. Pre-registration is requested to be sure enough materials are prepared. One training session will include instruction in using the iMapInvasives app, so email addresses will be asked for but not shared. Funding for materials is provided through a grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation.
Please join Friends of Letchworth State Park on June 9th to learn more about invasive species and the effort to control them in western New York and how you can help. Please pre-register at 585-493-3637. To reach the Humphrey Nature Center, follow the main park road south past the Visitor Center and turn right on the Trailside Lodge Road.