April is Earth Month! Take action by joining volunteer efforts and events, becoming a climate-smart gardener, aiding community science, and learning about invasive species that threaten your region. Check out the Earth Month Actions below to learn more! 

Get Involved!

One of the most rewarding ways to take action is to get involved in your community! SLELO PRISM and our partners invite community members to join us for volunteer efforts and events year-round!  Click the link below to learn of upcoming hikes, paddles, invasive species removals, and site restoration efforts that you can join. 

Join Opportunities

At a statewide level, you can get involved with the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM). The PRISM network raises awareness of invasive species, provides prevention guidance, and are involved in the management of invasives across the state.  Click the link below to learn more about the PRISM network.  

Learn More!

Be a Climate-Smart Gardener

Native plants increase biodiversity and reduce risks associated with invasive species, which supports resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change. 

Click the link below to learn of climate-smart native plants in the Northeast from the Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Network. 

Learn More!

Aid Community Science

You can aid community science by reporting invasive species observations to NYiMapInvasives- New York’s invasive species database. Using the NYiMapInvasives mobile app or website you can easily report presence and distribution data directly to invasive species management professionals. Data helps to locate new invasive species populations and strengthens management efforts. 

Report to NYiMapInvasives!

Learn

Invasive species threaten the lands and waters on which we all depend. You can help by learning what species are invasive in your region.

Check out the links below to view interactive storymaps that showcase invasive species that are threatening regions of New York State.

NYS DEC's One's To Watch Storymap
PRISM Networks's Invasives In Your Area Storymap

Virtual Toolboxes

Visit the Protector’s Virtual Toolboxes below to access resources themed for each category, and to learn more about how to protect your favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species. 

Lands & Trails

Lands & Trails

Protect your private or publicly accessible lands and favorite hiking trails
Open Toolbox

Forests

Forests

Protect your private or publicly accessible forested areas
Open Toolbox

Waters

Waters

Protect your favorite paddle-ways, boating and fishing destinations
Open Toolbox

Gardens

Gardens

Protect your backyard or community gardens
Open Toolbox

Communities

Communities

Protect your favorite parks or urban green spaces, and street trees
Open Toolbox

Did you enjoy this blog post? Take our Pledge to Protect and get monthly emails showcasing actions you can take to protect your favorite hiking trails, paddleways, forests, garden, and community from the impacts of invasive species! 

View the Blog Archive

Take the Pledge to Protect

The Pledge-to-Protect is a fun, positive, inviting, engaging and rewarding way to participate in invasive species prevention and management.

 

Here’s How It Works:
 
  1. Fill out the pledge form below and select the outdoor areas you spend the most time in.
  2. Check your inbox for your confirmation email.
  3. Explore the resources in the virtual toolkits or download the PDFs.
  4. Earn a virtual badge for each pledge you take.
  5. Every month, you’ll receive a special Pledge-to-Protect email about a prevention/management activity to help you fulfill your pledge OR a highlight of an invasive species to keep an eye out for.
First and Last Name(Required)
What will you protect?(Required)
Chose the pledge category that you spend the most time in or that you're the most interested in learning of applicable prevention and management actions you can take while enjoying these environments.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.