Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA)

USFWS NYISAW Events at the National Wildlife Refuges
2024-06-01 08:00 - 2024-06-08 17:00 (America/New_York)
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NYISAW is a campaign that aims to educate the public about invasive species. The LongIsland National Wildlife Refuge Complex (LIC) will be hosting tabling events, guidednature walks, workshops, and volunteer workdays. Follow Long Island National WildlifeRefuges on Facebook to learn a new fact about invasive species every day duringNYISAW!

Join USFWS for a week of events dedicated to raising awarenessabout invasive species and their impact on our environment!

Saturday, June 1: Seatuck National Wildlife RefugeAddress: 600 S Bay Ave, Islip, NY 11751Event: Invasive Species Volunteer WorkdayTime: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PMDetails: Meet in the Islip Town Beach Parking lot at 10 AM. Volunteers will work with refuge staff to manage mile-a-minute vine and conduct a beach cleanup. We will be working on a 0.6-mile stretch of beach accessible by walking only. All materials will be carried in and out from the worksite. Provided: Snacks, water refills, work gloves, insect repellent, and work tools. Bring: Refillable water bottle, sturdy close-toed shoes, light colored clothing, long pants, long socks, long sleeves, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Please be aware that ticks are prevalent. Volunteers must complete a Volunteer Services Agreement (VSA). Attendees should register and submit a VSA at least two days in advance*. *Volunteers under age 18 must have parental permission to participate. **Day of attendees may be permitted to join. Contact Biological Science Technician Brooke Shellman to RSVP at brooke_shellman@fws.gov or call 631-286-0485 ext. 2132.

Wednesday, June 5: Target Rock National Wildlife RefugeEvent: Invasive Species TablingTime: 12:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Table will be set up at Rocky Beach Trailhead. Learn about invasive species and take home handouts, coloring pages, stickers, and more!

Event: Guided Nature WalkTime: 2:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Meet at Warblers Loop trailhead to join refuge staff on a walk and talk about invasive species. The Warbler’s Loop Trail is approximately 0.8 miles, and the walk will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, moving at a leisurely pace.

Thursday, June 6: Wertheim National Wildlife RefugeEvent: Invasive Species TablingTime: 12:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Table will be set up at the White Oak trailhead. Learn about invasive species and take home handouts, coloring pages, stickers, and more!

Event: Guided Nature WalkTime: 2:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Meet at the Black Tupelo trailhead to join refuge staff on a walk and talk about invasive species. The walk is about 1 mile down the Black Tupelo trail and will take approximately 1 hour to complete, moving at a leisurely pace.

Friday, June 7: Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife RefugeEvent: Invasive Species TablingTime: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMDetails: Table will be set up at the trailhead. Learn about invasive species and take home handouts, coloring pages, stickers, and more!

Event: Guided Nature WalkTime: 10:00 – 11:00 AMDetails: Meet at the trailhead to join refuge staff on a walk and talk about invasive species. The Beach Trail is approximately 0.6 miles, and the walk will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, moving at a leisurely pace.

Saturday, June 8: Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife RefugeEvent: Invasive Species TablingTime: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PMDetails: Table will be set up at the trailhead. Learn about invasive species and take home handouts, coloring pages, stickers, and more!

Event: Guided Nature WalkTime: 2:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Meet at the trailhead to join refuge staff on a walk and talk about invasive species. The Beach Trail Loop is approximately 0.7 miles, and the walk will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, moving at a leisurely pace.

Saturday, June 8: Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Event: Invasive Species TablingTime: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMDetails: Table will be set up at the White Oak trailhead. Learn about invasive species and take home handouts, coloring pages, stickers, and more!

Event: Invasive Species WorkshopTime: 1:00 – 2:00 PMDetails: Presented by USFWS Biological Science Technician Brooke Shellman. Learn how to identify local, prevent the spread, and manage local invasive species. The event will take place in the multipurpose room.

Event: Guided Nature WalkTime: 2:00 – 3:00 PMDetails: Meet at the White Oak trailhead to join refuge staff on a walk and talk about invasive species. The walk is about 1 mile down the Connector Trail and will take approximately 1 hour to complete from the trailhead to the Friends Cabin, and back, moving at a leisurely pace.

2024 Long Island Invasive Species BioBlitz
2024-05-31 19:00 - 2024-06-10 00:00
Community members across Long Island and New York City are participating in the Long Island Invasive Species BioBlitz 2024 for Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), June 3 – 9. The BioBlitz promotes knowledge and understanding of invasive species and empowers YOU to help protect our local biodiversity!

Participants are encouraged to contribute invasive species observations, along with native species observations, from across the region of LIISMA region – including Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. LIISMA offered a Zoom webinar on May 30th to teach invasive and native species identification and the use of the free iNaturalist and iMapInvasives apps. The BioBlitz kickoff webinar has been recorded and is available here to view for training purposes.

How can I join the BioBlitz?

Join the Long Island BioBlitz project on iNaturalist:. Make sure you are logged in to iNaturalist, then click “join” in the top right of the project.

Start BioBlitzing! Make observations on iNaturalist between June 1 – 9 independently or at one of our BioBlitz events (your entries will automatically count towards the Blitz once you’ve joined the project!)

Questions? Email invasive@liisma.org for assistance.

Are you part of a local conservation agency? Become a BioBlitz partner to get your community involved!

Partnering on the BioBlitz with many local organizations is a great way to increase our reach and strengthen partnerships along the way! As a partner on the BioBlitz, you will have the opportunity to do one or more of the following:

Promote this event to the public through email, website, etc, and encourage your following to make independent iNaturalist observations during the Blitz.

(Optional) Contribute to the kick-off webinar by highlighting conservation topics specific to your organization (i.e. what stands to benefit from reporting species on iNaturalist? Rare species conservation, habitat restoration, reporting invasives, etc.)

(Optional) Host an independent or collaborative in-person BioBlitz event during NYISAW or encourage participants to join the BioBlitz at any NYISAW event you are hosting.

If you’d like to partner with us on the BioBlitz, email invasive@liisma.org to let us know!

NYSDEC's Annual Water Chestnut Pulls
2024-05-31 09:00 - 2024-07-19 12:30
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!

See the full agenda

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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!

See the full agenda

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Share your ideas for future LIISMA meetings

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.

See the full agenda

Register for virtual attendance

Share your ideas for future LIISMA meetings
