Throughout 2025, SLELO PRISM made exciting and meaningful progress in strengthening the ecological resilience of the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario region. Together, we advanced prevention, monitoring, management, restoration, and community engagement efforts that reflect our shared commitment to protecting native ecosystems and staying ahead of emerging environmental threats.

Prevention remains a foundational pillar of the PRISM. No Tier 1 invasive species were detected. The NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation and SUNY ESF Watercraft Inspection Stewards stationed at nine launches intercepted 242 invasive species and educated 7,155 visitors.

Early detection and rapid response efforts continued. Teams completed hemlock woolly adelgid surveys at 14 locations, undertook terrestrial surveys at 113 Highly Probable Areas, and conducted aquatic vegetation surveys across seven Priority Conservation Areas.

Invasive species management included the removal of over 9,600 terrestrial stems and 7,200 pounds of aquatic invasive plants, while 77 HPAs received focused chemical treatments to suppress persistent infestations. Giant hogweed efforts resulted in 44% of sites showing no regrowth.

Ecological restoration advanced across multiple landscapes. Nearly 1,400 native plants representing 22 species were installed at four high-priority restoration sites, while an additional 500 trees were planted at Rainbow Shores Preserve through collaborative reforestation efforts.

We recognize that our achievements are not the result of any single effort, but rather the collective commitment of a diverse network of partners. From the dedicated staff who work tirelessly in the field, to the agencies and organizations who provide guidance and support, each contribution strengthens our ability to safeguard native ecosystems and combat invasive species, SLELO PRISM Staff share our deepest gratitude for those efforts.

We invite you to dive deeper into these accomplishments and explore the full scope of our work in the 2025 Annual Report. Looking ahead to 2026, continued collaboration, community engagement, and science-driven action will be essential. Building on this year’s momentum will ensure the region remains protected, connected, and resilient for generations to come.

Thank you to our partners for being an essential part of this work. We’re excited to continue this journey with you all!