SLELO PRISM

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One observation can make all the difference! From discovering a spotted lanternfly population to preventing hydrilla from reaching Eastern Lake Ontario, volunteers and stewards played a critical role in protecting our region this year.

Volunteers are at the heart of conservation success. This fall, SLELO PRISM celebrated their contributions during its first Volunteer Appreciation Event and launched the Volunteer Engagement & Impact Program (VEIP). Designed around the growth of a healthy ecosystem, the program recognizes volunteer service, stewardship, and conservation impact through five achievement levels. Whether restoring habitat, removing invasive species, or supporting community science, volunteers continue to make a lasting difference across the region.

Meet Dannon Tarhan! From planting native shorelines to monitoring waterways as a Water Protector, Dannon is helping protect our region’s natural resources while gaining hands-on conservation experience. Read how one volunteer is making a difference and inspiring others to get involved!

Laurel wilt, a deadly tree disease spread by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, threatens several members of the laurel family, including New York’s native sassafras and spicebush. While currently limited to Long Island, tracking its spread remains important for protecting forest health across the state. Read this article to learn what signs to look for and how to report it.

Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District is working hard to strengthen ecosystems across the region. This year, approximately 60,000 trees were planted through collaborative reforestation efforts that improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. At the same time, science-based watershed planning is helping communities identify priorities and prepare for future environmental challenges. Together, restoration and planning are building healthier watersheds and stronger landscapes for generations to come.

Efforts to restore the iconic American chestnut reached a major milestone! Researchers at SUNY ESF’s American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project are studying blight-tolerant Darling chestnuts as a potential pathway for reestablishing this once-dominant tree. Recent regulatory progress has advanced the project toward expanded research plantings and future restoration opportunities. The work represents an important step in conserving biodiversity and restoring a species that shaped eastern forests for generations.

A partnership between SUNY Oswego and SLELO PRISM is giving students hands-on experience in ecological research and conservation. Working at Deer Creek Boat Launch, students are investigating invasive species impacts, collecting field data, and helping restore habitat through direct management activities. Along the way, they are developing valuable research skills while contributing information that can support future conservation efforts. The collaboration demonstrates the power of connecting education with real-world environmental stewardship.

Restoring aquatic connectivity requires balancing the needs of native species with the prevention of invasive species spread. Through work on the Little Salmon River and lessons learned from Black Creek, Syracuse University students are exploring how engineering solutions can support fish passage while limiting sea lamprey movement. The project highlights the importance of collaboration, thoughtful planning, and community stewardship in managing waterways. Protecting rivers means considering both ecological restoration and invasive species prevention.

Seeing conservation from a new perspective! Drone surveys help track invasive species, monitor habitat changes, and can improve management efforts in our region. This season, imagery revealed significant expansion of a non-native American lotus population, which led to a collaborative removal effort. Looking ahead, new partnerships and image-recognition tools may further improve monitoring and conservation outcomes. This emerging technology is giving us powerful new tools to protect the landscapes we love.

Meet the Eco Harvester! This season, the machine helped remove tens of thousands of pounds of invasive aquatic plants from local waterways. From water chestnut to non-native lotus, this new tool is helping improve management efforts and support healthier ecosystems.

Restoration, monitoring, and management all in one season! From releasing biocontrol agents to planting more than 1,500 native plants, conservation partners and volunteers are helping build healthier, more resilient habitats across the region.

A season of learning, stewardship, and restoration! From AISLE workshops and invasive species surveys to water chestnut pulls and a new aquatic restoration initiative, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate progress on the water this year.

This season offered a chance to reflect on the people and partnerships that make conservation possible. From celebrating volunteers through the launch of the Volunteer Engagement & Impact Program to learning alongside Indigenous partners and communities, the year highlighted the value of collaboration, stewardship, and shared knowledge. These experiences reinforced that protecting natural resources is about more than management alone. It is also about building connections, honoring responsibilities, and working together to care for the lands and waters we all depend on.