Imagine dipping your paddle into a quiet cove, the morning sun glinting off the water as you glide toward a patch of floating plants. Around you, a team of volunteers works together, pulling invasive water chestnuts from the surface, restoring balance to a fragile ecosystem. Or picture yourself walking beneath a canopy of trees, clippers in hand, helping remove invasive vines that threaten to choke out native growth. These small tasks are acts of stewardship that ripple outward, protecting the natural places we all cherish.
You’re invited to roll up your sleeves and join the effort to manage invasive species across the region. With a full calendar of volunteer events and educational opportunities, there are countless ways to make a difference—no experience necessary.
New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) will be observed June 9-15, 2025. This is a state-wide outreach campaign aimed at raising awareness and engaging the public to take action to protect their lands and waters from the impacts caused by invasive species.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Water Protectors
Do you enjoy spending time on the water or own waterfront property? Becoming a Water Protector is the perfect opportunity for you!
Step 1: Sign up for a training.
Step 2: Use the information on our website to familiarize yourself with our priority aquatic invasive species (AIS).
Step 3: ‘Adopt a water‘ to survey.
Step 4: Visit the adopted waterbody annually to monitor for AIS and report observations to NYiMapInvasive’s mobile app.
Land Protectors
Do you enjoy hiking, spending time in forests or own land? Becoming a Land Protector is the perfect opportunity for you!
Step 1: Sign up for a training.
Step 2: Use our VSN story map to familiarize yourself with priority invasive species you may encounter on land, and learn of suggested survey sites for each species.
Step 3: Visit your favorite lands and trails to survey for priority species and report observations to NYiMapInvasives.
Assist Biocontrol Monitoring
Assist an emerald ash borer biocontrol monitoring program occurring on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. from June 4th through September 10th at the SUNY Oswego Rice Creek Field Station. No experience is necessary and guidance will be given.
Invasive Species Removal Efforts
Play a pivotal role in the management and prevention of invasive species by joining terrestrial removal efforts occurring throughout July and August. No experience is needed, and tools will be provided.
Join us on the Water!
Join water chestnut removal efforts occurring in the SLELO region.
- July 11th: Oswegatchie River, Heuvelton, NY
- July 22nd: Lakeview WMA, Ellisburg, NY
- August 1st: Guffin Bay, Dexter, NY
Other Ways You Can Get Involved!
Get Notified
Can’t make it to an event? No worries! SLELO PRISM and our partners offer volunteer opportunities seasonally and sometimes throughout the year depending on needs. Sign up to be a volunteer to get notifications on upcoming events.
Actions You Can Take to Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species
Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals, disrupt ecosystems, and cause significant economic damage. By taking any of these suggested actions, you’re contributing to the preservation of your lands and waters for future generations and fulfilling your Pledge to Protect!
After boating or fishing, make sure to clean your gear thoroughly, drain all water from your equipment, and let it dry completely before entering another body of water. Learn more ways to beat the heat while protecting your water spaces with our Water Protectors Toolbox.
Before and after hiking, biking, or camping, clean your boots and gear to remove any seeds, mud, or plant material that could harbor invasive species. Learn more simple ways to protect your favorite trails and green spaces with our Lands & Trails Protectors Toolbox.
When gardening or landscaping, choose native plants over non-native ones. Native plants support local wildlife and are less likely to become invasive. Learn more simple ways to protect your garden this summer with our Garden Protector’s Toolbox.
Share information about invasive species with your friends, family, and community. The more people are aware, the greater the impact will be. Enhance invasive species awareness in your community using our social media toolbox.
Take the Pledge to Protect
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!
The Pledge-to-Protect is a fun, positive, inviting, engaging and rewarding way to participate in invasive species prevention and management.
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