Newark, NY, March 15, 2016 -  The 2016 edition of the Watercraft Inspection Program Leader educational webinar series developed by New York Sea Grant and featuring coastal science and AIS specialists begins on March 22nd.

Between late March and late April, New York Sea Grant will facilitate six free-access, hour-long webinars.

In the first of six, conducted on March 22, 2016, the topic was "Getting Started: How to Start a Watercraft Inspection Program."

Speakers included: (1) Brittney Rogers, NYSG's Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Leaders Trainer.



In the second of six, conducted on March 29, 2016, the topic was "Case Studies: Two Sustainably-funded Programs."

Speakers included: (1) Jane Smith, East Shore Schroon Lake Association; (2) Kristen Rohne, Lake George Association.



In the third of six, conducted on April 5, 2016, the topic was "Options for Watercraft Decontamination After Zebra Mussel Exposure."

Speakers included: (1) Eric Davis, David Wong, Willard Harmen - Biological Field Station, SUNY Oneonta; Biology Department, SUNY Oneonta.



In the fourth of six, conducted on April12, 2016, the topic was "Watercraft Data"

Speakers included: (1) Dr. Eric Holmlund, Adirondack Watershed Institute Steward Program, Paul Smith's College.



In the fifth of six, conducted on April19, 2016, the topic was "Emerging Invasive Aquatic Plants - Be on the Lookout!"

Speakers included: (1) Steve Young, LIISMA Coordinator, NY Natural Heritage Program.



In the sixth of six, conducted on April 26, 2016, the topic was "Clean, Drain and Dry: It's Not Just a Good Idea."

Speakers included: (1) Catherine McGlynn, Megan Phillips and Matt Brincka, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

More Info: Watercraft Inspection Series

This continuing webinar series offers watercraft inspection program leaders and those interested in developing a program the opportunity to learn about exciting, recent advances in aquatic invasive science.

Watercraft inspection is an effective mechanism for public education  about ecologically harmful aquatic invasive species. The standardizing of data collection by watercraft inspection programs across New York is enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of aquatic invasive species reporting, and encourages citizen stewardship of valuable water resources statewide.

This is the second watercraft inspection program development seminar series developed by New York Sea Grant. The New York Sea Grant Watercraft Inspection Webinar Series since 2015 is online at www.nyseagrant.org/watercraftinspection.

More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.

Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public.

The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Oswego and the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University in Long Island, Brooklyn College and Cornell Cooperative Extension in NYC and Kingston in the Hudson Valley.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly. Our program also produces an occasional e-newsletter,"NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog.