The Roots of Renewal: Biodiversity and Habitat Enhancement (BHE) Project aims to create ecologically functioning habitats that support pollinators and enhance biodiversity in urban landscapes the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario region. BHE supports regional efforts to restore habitats, increase climate adaptability, and protect native ecosystems from encroaching invasive species.
The project is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County with support from the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. Through this collaboration, five sites have been selected to create demonstration gardens to enhance native biodiversity and habitat. To raise awareness of the BHE project and foster community engagement, two webinars and five planting events are open to the public to attend.
Events Overview:
Webinars: Register to receive Zoom link.
4/30, 6:30 PM- 8 PM: Cultivating Biodiversity & Habitat. Presented by, Cierra Williams, CCE Jefferson. Gain an overview of the BHE Project and learn about native plants you can use to support wildlife on your own property.
5/28, 6:30 PM- 8 PM: Invasive Species 101 Empowering Gardeners: Presented by, Megan Pistolese-Shaw, SLELO PRISM. Learn to identify and manage common yard invasives, discover beneficial native alternatives, and master control techniques. This session includes practical training on using community science tools iMapInvasives, iNaturalist, and Seek to track and report species; participants are encouraged to create user accounts and download the mobile apps for each of these tools.
Public Planting Events: Beginning at 10 AM and lasting up to 3-4 hours depending on needs. No experience is needed. Equipment will be provided but if you have your own shovel and gloves bring them!
5/11: Zoo NY Watertown – 1 Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601
5/12: JCC Watertown – 1220 Coffeen St, Watertown, NY 13601 (Parking Lot C next to the soccer fields).
5/14: Frederic Remington Art Museum – 303 Washington St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669 (rescheduled from 5/13 due to inclement weather)
5/15: Ives Park – 3 Riverview Dr, Potsdam, NY 13676
5/19: Downtown Canton – 64 Main St, Canton, NY 13617
Request to promote or record metrics of invasive species related events held in the SLELO region via the online forms.
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