Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Leaders Workshop Set for May 1, 2015 More>


NYSG Aquatic Invasive Species Education: By The Numbers More>
In 2014, aquatic invasive species (AIS) educators reached over 335,000 in New York via the "Clean and Safe Boat campaign," workshops and stewardship efforts and engaged audiences in the removal of invasives on 335 acres throughout New York State. New York Sea Grant's social media channels helped to deliver the AIS message to the masses.


Launch Stewards Serve Up Another Season of Educating Boaters on Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention More>
For a period of about 16 weeks beginning around Memorial Day, eight New York college students interested in environmental science careers worked with our program's Launch Steward initiative to demonstrate watercraft inspection at various sites along Lake Ontario's eastern shoreline. "The stewards provide this voluntary service for operators of motorized and non-motorized boats and share information on the easy-to-implement Clean, Drain, Dry method that boaters can use to help slow the spread of numerous aquatic invasive species," said New York Sea Grant Coastal Community Development Specialist Mary Penney, who serves as the Launch Steward Program Coordinator.

• Related News:
  
  New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Handbook More>
  
  Background on this Handbook More>

On YouTube, On Air: Great Lakes Shipwreck Display Enhances Boating Education Program More>
Now in its eighth season, the New York Sea Grant-initiated "Discover Clean & Safe Boating" was recently named a top notch safety program by Great Lakes Boating magazine. The exhibit has now been seen by more than half-a-million boaters and potential boaters and counting at over 50 events in all of New York state's coastal regions, including this year's Empire Farm Days and even the New York State Fair. Included are a series of the program's informative 2014 television and radio clips and boating safety tips.


Long Island Pitches in for NY’s First Invasive Species Week More>
As reported by Newsday, The Long Island Press and other local media, volunteers at Long Island's Caumsett State Park stuffed two dozen bags with invasive plants in two days this past July during New York State's first-ever "Invasive Species Awareness Week." But pitching in is something you can do any day in your own backyard. Learn more on "What You Can Do" via The Long Island Sound Study and the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse.


On YouTube: Sea Grant Research Helps Develop a Biological Control for Invasive Mussels More>
As reported in The New York Times, New York Sea Grant research has helped develop a safe, effective, patented biocontrol agent for zebra and quagga mussels that is cheaper than traditional control methods.


On YouTube, On Air: Sea Grant Partners to Discover a Bigger, Better Boating Education Program More>
Currently in it's seventh season, the New York Sea Grant-initiated "Discover Clean & Safe Boating" project has become a model industry-partnered educational effort that has expanded from Great Lakes' venues to sites statewide. The exhibit has now been seen by more than 500,000 boaters and potential boaters ... and counting in all of New York state's coastal regions. Here-replete with a series of informative television and radio clips and boating safety tips-we offer a snapshot of where the campaign has been since its inception in 2008 and where it's headed in 2014.

Here are some of the aquatic invasive species-related videos and content that were filmed/released in the last few years ...

• June 18, 2013 - Beware Invasive Species More>
  
  
• July 1, 2013 - Invasive Species More>
  
  
• July 8, 2013 - Practice Environmentally Friendly Boating More>
  
  
• June 2, 2014 - Boating Season Underway, More Risk of Invasive Species Being Spread More>

• May 14, 2014 - NYSG Offers Clean & Safe Boating Tips with 2014 ‘Water Mouse’ Exhibit More>
  

On YouTube: Study Proposes Ways To Keep Asian Carp Out Of Great Lakes More>
NYSG's Dave White speaks with Watertown's WWNY-TV 7 News This Morning newscasters about a January 2014-released report outlining eight options for keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes


On YouTube: Life Beneath the Surface - Spring Outlook for NY's Great Lakes More>
NYSG Specialist Helen Domske talks on WGRZ-TV Buffalo about how the cold winter has impacted New York's Great Lakes - from ice cover, evaporation and lake levels to invasive species control.


On YouTube: Comment Sought By December 23, 2013 On Invasive Species Proposals More>

"This law will begin to say, 'what are the rules and regulations for prohibiting their transport, their sale, their possession for scientific use, for public use, for commercial sale?'," said White. There's an opportunity for the public to be heard, too, with some public hearings and a comment period through December 23.

• On YouTube: NYSDEC to Host Hearings on Invasive Species Regulations More>
  Local experts like NYSG's Dave White say the threats from invasive species continues to grow every day. Dangers to ecosystems and potential health problems are a couple of reasons the state is hoping to make it much tougher for anyone to have those species. YNN's Brian Dwyer has more on a proposed DEC regulation and how you can make your voice heard.

On YouTube: NYSG's Launch Stewards Educate on Aquatic Invasives in New York's Great Lakes Region More>

• New Launch Stewards Blog Covers Waterfront from Sodus Bay to Oneida Lake More>
  
  
• NY Sea Grant Waterfront Launch Steward Program Expanding for 2013 More>
  The summer steward program coordinated by NYSG is expanding from Jefferson and Oswego counties to include waterfront sites in Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Wayne counties.

NYSG Researcher Featured in Phragmites Webinar More>
NYSG-funded reseacher Dr. Bernd Blossey from Cornell University is a guest speaker for a Webinar series lecture on Phragmites, the common reed that has invaded many wetlands throughout North America.


On YouTube: Volunteers battle water chestnut growth in Oswego County More>
As seen on YNN TV, a group of volunteers, including members of NYSG's Waterfront Launch Steward Program, gathered in Oswego County one Saturday morning in mid-July 2013 to help battle this invasive species that has taken over several bodies of water in that area.


On YouTube: Hydrilla Plants Invade Western NY; Invasive Species Found in North Tonawanda Waterways More>
What has helped Hydrilla, an aquatic plant native to Asia, proliferate in Western New York's waterways? Banned in some parts of the U.S., this Federally-designated noxious weed is still popular with aquarium owners who use is it until it overgrows fish tanks. NYSG's Helen Domske shares her thoughts in this YNN spotlight story and video clip.


On YouTube: Lake Ontario Most Stressed of all Great Lakes More>
A study released earlier this year found Lake Ontario to be the most stressed of the Great Lakes. YNN's Sarah Blazonis talks with NYSG's Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White.


On YouTube: Comment Sought On Invasive Species Proposals More>
As NYSG's Recreation/Tourism Specialist Dave White tells the newscasters at Watertown's WWNY-TV 7 News This Morning studios, New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing regulations to help control invasive species.


On Air: Asian Carp Could Pose Real Threat to Great Lakes Ecosystem More>
As NYSG specialists shared with WRVO Radio recently, bighead and silver carp have been detected very close to the Great Lakes, so the risk of a flood introducing them into the lakes is always present.


Fact Sheet: Lake Erie More>
This four-page fact sheet addresses invasive species, harmful algal blooms and other concerns for the shallowest, but one of the most productive Great Lakes in the system.


Brochure/Rack Card: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! / Clean Boats, Clean Waters More>
This eight-panel brochure and two-panel rack card provide boaters with how-to tips for slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and profiles for some AIS of concern.


New York Sea Grant Relocates Great Lakes Office at SUNY Oswego More>


New York Sea Grant to Assist Four Great Lakes Restoration Initiatives More>
NYSG will collaborate on four Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects. Award-winning educators David B. MacNeill, a fisheries specialist, and coastal education specialist Helen M. Domske will be key partners in efforts.


On YouTube: NYSG Educator on Danger of Invasive Asian Carp in Great Lakes (Currents, Late Summer 2012) More>
As seen in a Your News Now clip from mid-July, there is concern over an invasive fish species that could have a strong impact the Great Lakes ecosystems. Earlier this year, NYSG's Helen Domske and Dave MacNeill produced the fact sheet "Asian carp: Threats to the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River?"


NYSG and Other Volunteers Make a Dent in Invasive Water Chestnut Plants; Groups Plan Water Chestnut Pull at Port Ontario July 14 More>


On YouTube: Sea Grant has new info on invasive species More>


Students Needed for Spring - Fall 2012 Aquatic Invasive Species Resource & Watercraft Inspection Program More>


NYSG's Aquatic Invasive Species Education Series: Native or Invasive? More>


Take steps to watch out for unwanted aquatic hitchhikers when you move from one waterway to another with our "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" flyer (pdf)


Now is the time for NY’s marinas, boaters & anglers to battle Hydrilla More>

• NY boaters asked to help prevent spread of invasive water plant More>


• On YouTube - Calling all boaters: Help prevent Hydrilla More>
  
  
• A  brochure to educate boaters, shoreline property owners, anglers, and other water recreators on the prevention of spread of Hydrilla, an invasive water weed (pdf). Also, there's a A fact sheet for marina owners and recreational boaters on how to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (pdf).

• NYSG partners for treatment of invasive Hydrilla plant in Cayuga Inlet More>


• And, click here for more publication on aquatic invasive plants.

New Fact Sheet on Asian Carp (New York Coastlines, Winter 2012) More>
A possible invasion into the Great Lakes of several of the seven species of carp found in North America, but not in the Great Lakes – the silver and bighead carp (known collectively as Asian carp) – has raised concerns.

• Related fact sheet - "Asian Carp - Threats to the Lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River?" (pdf)
  
  
• NYSG Coastal Youth Educator on Great Lakes invasives: Devastation from zebra and quagga mussels holds lessons for Asian carp More>

NYSG programs on slowing the spread of Aquatic Invaders More>


NYSG's New Aquatic Invasive Species Education Program More>
 

New York’s 2011 Clean & Safe Boating campaign will focus on slowing spread of aquatic invasive species More>


A New Role for 30–Year Veteran Chuck O’Neill More>


Invasives to Watch: An Update from 2001's  “30 Invasive Species to Watch.” More>


Chuck O’Neill Appointed as NYSG's Interim Associate Director  More >


NYIS Info (The New York Invasive Species Information Clearinghouse) ... and its "go to" Web site More>


NYSG's Invasive Species Site is in the spotlight as the invasive Emerald Ash Borer is found in NYS More >


Nab the Aquatic Invader! Web Site Featured in Year of Science 2009 More >


NYS steps up battle against invasive species More >


30 Invasive Species to Watch (2001) (pdf)
Exotic or nonindigenous species are plants or animals that are transported to an area outside their native range where they compete with native species for food and habitat and may impact the ecosystem. These 30 species are considered invasive somewhere in New York waters. With New York’s fresh water, brackish, and saltwater coasts, a species indigenous to one area may be invasive in another.