Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA)

NYSDEC's Annual Water Chestnut Pulls
2024-05-31 09:00 - 2024-07-19 12:30 (America/New_York)
Help Us to Remove this Invasive Weed and PreserveLong Island’s Lakes!The removal of water chestnut is vital in preserving the natural beautyand recreational opportunities on Long Island lakes. The New York StateDepartment of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is excited to inviteyou to participate in this crucial invasive species removal event.Come volunteer with us and support our local ecosystem’s health andensure enjoyment of our waterways for generations to come.Where?Mill Pond Preserve, Wantagh and/or Massapequa Lake, MassapequaWhen?

How?Visit the link below to sign up for the best date and location for you:https://forms.gle/6Xgie1Cx9hESTGyn8

Why Join Us?– Invasive species like water chestnut can wreak havoc on the delicate balance ofour lakes, crowding out native species anddisrupting the ecosystem.– Preserving Long Island’s Lifestyle: Help protect the activities and traditions that make Long Island special, from leisurely angling to adventurous kayaking.

Gear is Provided:

DEC will provide waders for those in need and kayaks for select volunteers.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT CARLOS MORANTES ARIZAAquatic Invasive SpeciesProgram CoordinatorDEC Region 150 Circle RoadStony Brook, NY 11742

carlos.morantes-ariza@dec.ny.gov

May 10th LIISMA Partners Meeting & Workshop
2024-05-10 10:00 - 13:30 | LIISMA Office, 1725 Brentwood Road, Bldg. 2, Brentwood, NY, 11717, United States
Join LIISMA for our May Partners Meeting – a chance to connect with colleagues, share updates, and learn together!

In addition to a LIISMA update and roundtable partner discussions, workshop presentations include:

Protecting Biodiversity in Invasive Species Management – Field Applications and GIS Tools with Abby Marino, Conservation Areas Manager with LIISMA (in-person)

INHABIT: the Invasive Species Habitat Tool with Catherine Jarnevitch, Research Ecologist with USGS (virtual)

Invasive Plants Management Strategies and Sustainable Practices at a 160-acre Oak-Tulip Tree Forest in Nassau County with Stephane Perrault, Naturalist, of Greentree Foundation (in person)

Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required. RSVP below to join us in person or register for virtual attendance. Light refreshments will be served. Email kassidy@liisma.org with any questions. See you there!

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Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-27 12:00 - 15:00
at Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Join the Earth Day Celebration at Quogue Wildlife Refuge cohosted by Quogue Wildlife Refuge & Eastern Long Island Audubon Society for fun activities for all ages!

Activities include:

Crafts

Guided Bird Walks

Meet Live Animals (12:30pm & 2pm)

Environmental Exhibitors

Handmade Goods

Kayaking & Canoeing

MattiTaco Food Truck

Hampton Coffee Company

Electronics Recycling by EcoTech

Prescription Drug Take Back by HUGS, Inc. & Quogue PoliceDepartment

Free Native Tree Giveaway from Bartlett Tree, and more!

LIISMA will be there tabling, so come by for educational handouts and a chat about invasive species!

Invasive Species Volunteer Workdays at LI National Wildlife Refuges
2024-04-20 09:00 - 2024-08-10 12:00
The Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (LIC) is hosting a series of volunteer workdays to manage invasive plant species and protect our native wildlife!

Invasive species are a serious threat to our local ecosystems. By volunteering to remove invasive plants, participants can help to:

Restore native habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Improve the overall health of the refuge ecosystem.

Learn about local plants and the importance of conservation.

Volunteers will assist with tasks such as hand-pulling, digging, and cutting invasive plants. No former experience is necessary. All volunteers will receive training on invasive species identification and safe removal techniques. Tools and equipment will also be provided.

All workdays are scheduled on Saturdays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

April 20th: Target Rock NWR (Garlic Mustard)

April 27th: Wertheim NWR (Garlic Mustard)

May 4th: Elizabeth A. Morton NWR (Garlic Mustard)

July 20th: Wertheim NWR (Swallowwort)

July 27th: Target Rock NWR (Swallowwort)

August 3rd: Wertheim NWR (Swallowwort)

August 10th: Elizabeth A. Morton NWR (Grassland Restoration Project)

Contact Biological Science Technician Brooke Shellman to RSVP at brooke_shellman@fws.gov or call 631-289-0485 ext. 2132. See you there!

Phrag Fight at Westbrook with Seatuck
2024-04-19 09:00 - 2024-04-20 12:00
PHRAG FIGHT! Join Seatuck Environmental Association on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, as they work to safeguard the unique natural restoration underway at West Brook in Great River, NY. The work will take place at the site of the former West Brook Pond, which was a man-made pond until 2019, when its dam (built 120 years ago) failed and the water drained away.

With the pond gone, the brook has found its former channel and an amazing natural restoration has taken hold along its banks – seeds long dormant under the pond have sprouted into a freshwater meadow dominated by native plants!

But the restoration is threatened by incursion from the invasive common reed, phragmites. Over the past five growing seasons, Seatuck staff and volunteers have fought to keep the phrag at bay. We’re winning, but the fight’s not over yet!

To register, please click the links below:

Earth Day Work Day – 4/19/24

Earth Day Work Day – 4/20/24

Resilient Long Island Symposium
2024-03-08 08:00 - 17:00
Resilient Long Island is a symposium in which community members, researchers, and professionals are invited to learn how to foster resilient ecological communities. After learning about native plants, invasive species management strategies, restoration practices, and more, attendees will be inspired to take action. Whether you are interested in bolstering your community science program or implementing a restoration project, this event has something for everyone.

Hosted by the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area and Long Island Native Plant Initiative at Hofstra University– and other workshop locations– expect three action-packed days of presentations, interactive workshops, a poster session, and more!

LIISMA February Partners Meeting & Workshop (Virtual)
2024-02-09 10:00 - 13:30
Join LIISMA over Zoom for our February Partners Meeting – a chance to connect with colleagues, share updates, and learn together!

In addition to a LIISMA update and roundtable partner discussions, workshop presentations include:

Peconic River Aquatic Control Project: When Mechanical Options Just Aren’t Enough with Cathy McGlynn, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for the NYSDEC

The Impact of Invasive Plants on Salamanders with Rick Lehtinen, Professor of Biology at the College of Wooster

Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required. RSVP below to join us virtually. See you there!

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LIISMA December Partners Meeting & Workshop
2023-12-01 10:00 - 13:30 | LIISMA Office, 1725 Brentwood Road, Bldg. 2, Brentwood, NY, 11717, United States
Join LIISMA for our December Partners Meeting – a chance to connect with colleagues, share updates, and learn together!

In addition to a LIISMA update and roundtable partner discussions, workshop presentations include:

Managing Soil for Native Species While Mitigating Invasive Species with Dr. Nicholas Menchyk of Farmingdale State College

Weed Torch Talk & Demonstration* with Budd Veverka of Mianus River Gorge Preserve

Come prepared with long pants and socks for a walk to see the weed torch demonstration. Light refreshments will be provided. Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required. RSVP below to join us in person or virtually. See you there!

*Please note that the outdoor weed torch demonstration will not be streamed due to technological limitations and will not be viewable for virtual attendees. Thank you for your understanding.

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