ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Whether you spend time walking your woodland trails or simply enjoy the view of trees and wildlife from your window, your woods are something you treasure—and keeping them healthy matters.
Unfortunately, invasive pests and pathogens can cause severe damage to forests. Combined with the pressures of a changing climate, these threats can weaken trees, amplify the impact of invasives, and reduce forests’ ability to store climate-changing carbon dioxide.
The good news? The actions you take today can help your forest remain resilient, healthy, and vibrant for generations to come.
Agreeing to take these actions awards you this Forests Protectors Badge.
Download this image and share it on social media to show how you’re a Forests Protector! To download, right-click the image and select “save as” to save it to your device. Then upload it on social media – tag @sleloprisminvasives or use hashtag #iPledgeToProtect.
The resources below provide general management techniques that can be used to control invasive species.
Report invasives found in forests and assist early detection efforts.
Early detection is key. Searching for invasive species before their populations grow too large to manage is vital to protecting our natural ecosystems.
Learn more about the species we’re prioritizing for early detection and how you can join our Volunteer Surveillance Network to support this effort—training is provided.
NYiMapInvasives is an online, collaborative, GIS-based database and mapping tool that serves as the official invasive species database for New York State.
Click the links below to become familiar with iMap
Join a statewide early detection effort for spotted lanternfly and tree of heaven by adopting a grid square to survey for these species through iMapInvasives.
Watch webinars, view brochures and other resources to help you protect your lands and trails from invasive species.
New York State Hemlock Initiative
The New York State Hemlock Initiative (NYSHI) brings together research, management, and outreach to protect New York’s hemlock forests from multiple threats—most notably the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The initiative also helps coordinate conservation efforts across the state, uniting landowners, agencies, officials, and community members in the shared mission of preserving hemlock trees.
Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) is a comprehensive framework designed to support ash conservation and mitigate the impacts of emerald ash borer (EAB) at any stage of infestation. The program also engages community scientists in identifying stands of surviving ash—known as lingering ash—which are vital for selective breeding and long-term restoration efforts.
SLELO PRISM’s Urban Forest Sustainability Guide. An initiative to help our communities sustain urban forest health by maintaining diverse, climate adaptable, and invasive species resistant trees.
A tool to assess the resilience, health, and productivity of your forest. This assessment identifies 16 characteristics that may increase or decrease the risk of harm to a forest in a changing climate, which can then be discussed with a professional to plan forest management activities.
A community science-based platform where you can share observations of plants and animals with a community of naturalists and discuss your findings.
An easy-to-use mobile app that helps you identify native and invasive plants and animals.
Check out this YouTube playlist with a variety of invasive forest pests to keep an eye out for in your forests.
This playlist was developed by our partners at the Lower Hudson PRISM.
