The Land Protectors Learning Experience is a unique opportunity to learn to identify, survey, report, and manage priority terrestrial invasive species through virtual and hands-on experiences. Sessions include seasonal training webinars and immersive field experiences. Summer sessions are held June-July, followed by fall restoration plantings, and a special winter hemlock woolly adelgid learning session.
2026 Learning Experience Overview: Summer Session: Held June- July & October
Webinar Training: A recording will be made available
- When: June 3rd, 1 PM- 2:30 PM
- Where: via zoom, register to receive link.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to identify and report priority terrestrial invasive species.
- Learn how to use community science identification tools, including iMapInvasives, iNaturalist, and Seek.
Summer Management Field Sessions: Equipment and guidance will be provided.
Session 1: Gain experience with field identification and manual management of yellow iris and swallow-wort.
- When: June 11th, 10 AM – 1 PM
- Alternate bad weather date: 6/18
- Where: Black Pond WMA: Black Pond WMA Access Rd, Henderson NY
Session 2: Gain experience with field identification and manual management of yellow iris with option to join a water chestnut pull being held at 9 AM at the site.
- When: July 22nd, 1:15- 3 PM
- Alternate bad weather date: 7/23
- Where: Lakeview WMA South Colwell Pond: Montario Point Rd. Ellisburg/Mansville, NY
Session 3: Gain experience with field identification and manual management of swallow-wort and learn about site restoration efforts.
- When: June 27th, 10 AM- 1 PM
- Alternate bad weather date: 6/28.
- Where: El Dorado Preserve: Grand Jean Rd, Henderson, NY
Summer Guided Survey Training Sessions: Gain experience identifying, surveying, and reporting beech leaf disease and elm zigzag sawfly.
Session 1: Target species: beech leaf disease.
- When: June 12th 10 AM- 12 PM
- Alternate bad weather date: 6/17
- Where: Salmon River Falls: 185 Falls Rd, Richland, NY 13144
Session 2: Target species: elm zigzag sawfly
- When: June 16th 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM
- Alternate bad weather date: 6/17
- Where: Walter Pratt Memorial Park: Old Keenan Road, Brasher Falls, NY 13613
Fall Restoration Sessions: Held in October
Join restoration plantings and learn about restoration efforts. Equipment and guidance will be provided.
Session 1:
- When: October 16th, 9 AM- 2 PM Times are tentatively scheduled
- Where: Deer Creek Marsh WMA: South Rainbow Shores Road, Pulaski, NY
Session 2:
- When: October 17th, 10 AM- 3 PM Times are tentatively scheduled
- Where: El Dorado Preserve: Grand Jean Rd, Henderson, NY
Contact megan.pistolese@tnc.org to list your events on our events page or to share social media posts.
Partner meetings are held in the winter, spring, and fall; to receive partner meeting announcements, please fill out the form on our Partners Webpage or email brittney.rogers@tnc.org.
The PRISM Network hosts a monthly Speaker Series on the last Wednesday of each month (except July, August, and December). To receive invitations, please sign up for the SLELO PRISM listserv.
iMapInvasives holds training webinars after the PRISM Speaker Series from 1 pm-2 pm. Visit the iMap website for details and to register.
View Events Pages of the PRISM Network