Highlands Invasives Project
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the biotic communities of the Highlands Region. These invaders are wreaking havoc to the forests and waters of the region and cost millions of dollars every year to manage. In response to the encroachment of invasive species, state governments, universities, non-profit organizations, and citizens groups are taking action to protect their natural heritage.
HEnRI believes that helping to protect the biodiversity of the Highlands Region is one of our most important duties, and as a consequence has begun the Highlands Invasives Project. This project has been initiated to help coordinate the multitude of efforts across the four-state region of the Highlands in order to more efficiently and effectively combat the spread of invasives. Since invasive species do not stop at state or county borders, HEnRI will help to promote a regional perspective to solving this monumental problem.
Phragmites Eradication at Iona Island:
Last year - working with the Palisades Conservancy, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve - HEnRI was awarded a three-year DEC grant for aquatic invasive species eradication. This grant funds work that will eradicate ten acres of Phragmites australis from Iona Island in Bear Mountain State Park, NY.
The first year of this work included pre-eradication monitoring of both plant and marsh-resident bird species within the project area. These surveys were conducted in the spring and summer prior to eradication activities. In the summer of 2008 all ten acres of Phragmites were treated and standing dead culms were cut down in early 2009 to allow for better assessment of emergent vegetation in the spring. As we being our second year of work at Iona - a registered National Landmark, Important Bird Area, and part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve system - more information will be posted about the results of year one and our plans for years two and three.
The Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM):
Recently, in response to the threats posed by invasive species, a Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Managamenet (PRISM) has been formed. The PRISM is made up of members of local environmental organizations, state agencies, research institutes, and volunteers who are concerned about the damage being caused by invasives and wish to work together to slow their encroachment on biotic communities. HEnRI is proud to be a member of this PRISM, and continues to work with other PRISM members to detect and respond to new infestations of invasive species.
Recently, the Lower Hudson PRISM chose the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies as the host for the organization and is in the process of creating a web site that will be used to post information, inform group members, recruit volunteers, and educate the public. Once the web site is created, a link will be posted here.
Surveying by “Citizen Scientists”:
The NY-NJ Trail Conference and Rutgers University, funded by the USDA, have recently completed a three-year surveying project to determine the locations and quantities of invasive species in parts of the NY and NJ Highlands. This project relies upon "citizen scientist" volunteers to hike miles of trail in order to map the locations of phragmites, barberry, oriental bittersweet, ailanthus, and many other invasive plants.
In order to help facilitate the project, HEnRI provided its conference room to train the volunteers, and meeting space to collect and discuss the results of the work conducted during the first field season. For more information on the results of this project please visit the NY-NJ Trail Conference's web site, or the Rutgers University web site.
http://www.nynjtc.org/science/projects/2007/usda.html
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~trails/
Managing Black Swallow-wort in Harriman State Park:
As part of our ecological management activities, HEnRI works regularly with the PIPC to monitor and manage invasive species on their lands. Last year, with the goal of "early detection and rapid response", HEnRI worked with local volunteers to identify, map, and remove several patches of invasive Black Swallow-wort. Additionally, we have applied - jointly with the Palisades Conservancy - for a DEC terrestrial eradication grant to remove all infestions of Swallow-wort from within Harriman State Park. Once field season begins, work will continue toward that goal.
If you would like to volunteer for invasive species management activities through the Highlands Environmental Research Institute, please e-mail Matthew Shook, HEnRI's Assistant Director.
