Long island metro Aquatic invasive species task force (LIMAIS)
The Long Island-Metro Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force (LIM-AIS; pronounced lime-ace) is a collaborative of governmental agencies (federal, state, county agencies municipalities), non-profits, and public stakeholders.
We work together to:
- Increase awareness of aquatic invasive species
- Change behavior toward preventive measures
- Survey and monitor waterbodies for aquatic invasive species
- Control and manage aquatic invasive plant infestations, and
- Promote research to fill in knowledge gaps
Our organizations are working to tackle invasive species in different ways, from surveying and education to management.
- Water chestnut removal at Mill Pond in Wantagh
- Water chestnut removal at Swan Pond
- Aquatic plant survey of Forge Pond on the Peconic River
- Boat steward coverage at Forge Pond and Lake Ronkonkoma.
- Phragmites removal at Fox Pond, Sandy Pond
- Regional BioBlitz
- Aquatic plant surveys of coastal plain ponds
- Waterbodies spreadsheet and webmap development: Developing a full accounting of waterbodies of all sizes from across the region.
- Waterbody survey prioritization: Developing a method to prioritize surveying, monitoring and control efforts across the region. Develop survey protocols and survey teams.
- Ludwigia peploides monitoring and control on the Peconic River: Creeping water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) has been present in the Peconic River since at least 2003. In the nearly two decades since ludwigia was first observed some management efforts (manual pulls) have been undertaken but no comprehensive management plan has been established and the invasive plant has spread throughout the freshwater section of the Peconic River. The plant is now widespread and is causing ecological and economic harm. The taskforce is working to determine management strategies for this plant.
- Chronolog Project: Take pictures to help the NYSDEC track aquatic invasive species at:
If you or your organization wants to be involved with LIMAIS, email the following contacts:
- LIISMA: invasive@liisma.org
- Lower Hudson PRISM: lyoder@teatown.org
- NYS DEC: Steven Pearson at steven.pearson@dec.ny.gov
waterbody prioritization
surveying for invasive species? start with these waterbodies
Created to visualize prioritization for invasive species monitoring and management in waterbodies in the LI-Metro area. Waterbodies, depicted by points, have been prioritized in a model according to their proximity to features of conservation value and observations of invasive species. Points were assigned for each category and summed, creating the highest priority category as 7 (darkest blue in color).
Scoring was applied as follows:
- + 1 Within LIISMA Invasive Species Prevention Zone
- + 1 Within LIISMA Management Complex
- + 1 to 3 points relating to proximity of Rare Species or Significant Ecological Communities
- + 1 Emerging Invasive Species: Tier 1 or 2 species in proximity to waterbody
- + 1 Invasive Absence: No invasive species reported in iMap
- + 1 Threat: Invasive species present in proximity to rare species or communities
See the full interactive map.
Latest Updates
Quick Links
Task Force Members
- NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- NYS Department of State
- NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
- USGS
- USFWS
- Suffolk County Parks
- Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Peconic Estuary Program
- State University of New York at Stony Brook
- NYC Parks
- LIISMA
- LH PRISM
- Long Island Watershed Program
- GEI Consultants
- NY Sea Grant
- Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
- SOLitude Lake Management Consultants
