Aquatic Restoration Initiative

Three phases of the restoration project at South Sandy Creek in Lakeview WMA have been completed. This has included an initial assessment, management of invasives, monitoring, and in 2023, restoration. Our goal for this project is to suppress the growing monocultures of invasive species occurring within riparian areas, which included invasive knotweed, phragmites, and goutweed. Another objective is to recover native biodiversity to increase the resilience of the ecosystem to external stressors and our changing climate.

Beginning June 23rd, 2023, 45 people contributed to over 650 total person hours, 25% of which were volunteer hours. Where 6,272 plants were placed in the ground throughout the riparian areas of South Sandy Creek spanning over nearly 30 acres within the Lakeview WMA. Volunteers and staff endured rainy hot weather, and worked hard to install the plants over the course of just five days!

Since the start of management at this site, we have been able to treat nearly 4 acres of invasive species. Following these efforts, we have been working to re-establish native species in the riparian areas with many additional goals including:

Supporting Wildlife – planting specialized native plants supports pollinator species like the monarch butterfly, selecting species that provide an abundance of food for wildlife, so we selected oaks and willows, sedges, and bur reeds.

Sequestering Carbon – Based on the iTree tools, we are estimating that in 30 years these plants, at 50% mortality, should sequester over 400,000 pounds of CO2.

Improving Water Quality – Planting native species in riparian areas will allow for reduced runoff and improved stability of banks, reducing the impact of invasive knotweed leaf litter in the creek as well.

Improving Aesthetic Value – Although not our first priority, by conducting this work we are providing many locals and tourists alike with an improved quality of paddle along SSC.

Following these efforts, our goal is to continue the management and suppression of the remaining invasive knotweed and phragmites at the sites in addition to long-term plans to continue native and invasive species monitoring at the site.

2022 ARI Phase III South Sandy Creek

Riparian Invasive Species Management and Restoration

Phase III of the Aquatic Restoration Initiative is now complete. This year, 3.2 acres of riparian invasive species, Japanese knotweed and common reed, were treated at South Sandy Creek. Following treatment, many dead stands were mechanically cut and/or removed from the site. This was followed the second phase of restoration, where 18 native species, including spotted Joe Pye weed, green-headed coneflower, common sneezeweed, and a series of grass and rush species were spread across the treatment areas. The final report and presentation on results can be found below. Any partners interested in this work can contact Brittney Rogers for more information.

2022 DRI Phase II North Sandy Pond

Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes Invasive Species Management and Restoration

Phase II of the Dunes Restoration Initiative is now complete. This year, 2 acres of common reed (Phragmites australis), were treated at North Sandy Pond. Prior to treatment, dead standing biomass was mechanically cut and removed from the site. This was followed by a native species inventory where 107 plant species were identified. Approximately 1,500 individual plants, of 20 native species were planted around the project site to improve stability of the dunes ecosystem. The final report on results can be found below. Any partners interested in this work can contact Brittney Rogers for more information.

2021 ARI Phase II

Aquatic & Riparian Invasive Species Management & Native Habitat Restoration

Phase II of the Aquatic Restoration Initiative is now complete. This year, 3.2 acres of riparian invasive species, Japanese knotweed and common reed, were treated at South Sandy Creek and Sandy Creek. Following treatment, many dead stands were mechanically cut and/or removed from the site. This was followed the first phase of restoration, where 11 native species, including spotted Joe Pye weed, green-headed coneflower, common sneezeweed, and a series of grass and rush species were spread across the treatment areas. The final report and presentation on results can be found below. Any partners interested in this work can contact Brittney Rogers for more information.

Phase II Photos From the Field

2020 ARI Phase I

Aquatic and Riparian Invasive Species Inventory and Habitat Assessment

The first phase of this initiative began our “Aquatic and Riparian Invasive Species Inventory and Habitat Assessment.” The assessment focused on three select tributaries that may be impacted by aquatic and riparian invasive species. The study was completed to also gain a better understanding of the presence of species such as; non-native crayfish, gobies, and mussels; macrophytes such as fanwort, water hyacinth, and hydrilla; and near shore plant species, like Japanese knotweed, common reed, and oriental bittersweet. The results of the assessment identified the most deserving areas in need of eradication, suppression, restoration, or management of invasive species and the need for restoration, and serves as the foundation for this project.

To scale-up this initiative, this work will focus on building partnerships with organizations within NYS and the Great Lakes Region, and information will be disseminated to any interested parties through outreach and educational resources. Any partners interested in this work can contact Brittney Rogers for more information.