Adirondack communities and organizations will celebrate the 3rd annual Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week July 6- July 12, 2008.

WHY: Invasive plants and animals threaten Adirondack lakes, ponds, rivers, and forests, which are precious resources that underwrite the economy of many communities through recreation, tourism, forestry, and numerous other uses.

WHAT: Learn about the issues surrounding invasive species (both plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) and about the importance of native biodiversity in the Adirondacks by attending workshops, field trips, lectures, and control parties.
WHO: Hundreds of citizens of all ages across the Adirondack Park.

WHERE: Nature centers, natural areas, lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, parks, campgrounds, institutions of higher learning, natural history museums…

HOW: Plan an activity for adults or youth. Attend a lecture. Visit a display. Lend a hand during an invasive species control project. Be involved.

Monday, July 7, 2008
8:00am – 5pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing) If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure – bring it by to have it ID’d by an expert for free! To have a plant identified, bring at least three intact plants to DFWI in a plastic bag or container with a small amount of water and the following information: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth at which the plant was growing, date of collection, the name and phone number of a person to contact with the results. Plants for identification should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

11:00am – 3pm (Display and Information Specialists, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in your own yard or community.

7:30pm (Presentation, Bolton Landing) “White Nose Syndrome: A New Threat to Bats in the Northeast.” Hosted by the Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI) and presented by Carl Herzog from NYS Department of Environmental Conservationt. Call DFWI at 518-644-3541 for more info.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008
8:00am – 5pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing) If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure – bring it by to have it ID’d by an expert for free! To have a plant identified, bring at least three intact plants to DFWI in a plastic bag or container with a small amount of water and the following information: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth at which the plant was growing, date of collection, the name and phone number of a person to contact with the results. Plants for identification should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

9:00am – noon (Paddle, Queensbury) Canoe/Kayak Paddle, Dunham’s Bay Marsh. Learn about aquatic invasives such as Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and purple loosestrife as you paddle about the bay. Staff from the Lake Goerge Land Conservancy (LGLC) and the Lake George Association (LGA) will supply the narration; you must provide your method of staying afloat. Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 or the LGLC at 518-644-9673 to register or for more info. Advance registration is required for this event. Meet at Dunham’s Bay Marina parking lot ($5 parking fee).

11:00am – 3pm (Display and Information Specialists, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in your own yard or community.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008
8:00am – 5pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing) If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure – bring it by to have it ID’d by an expert for free! To have a plant identified, bring at least three intact plants to DFWI in a plastic bag or container with a small amount of water and the following information: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth at which the plant was growing, date of collection, the name and phone number of a person to contact with the results. Plants for identification should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

9:00am – 10:30am (Family Program, Lake George) Alien Invaders, Shepard Park. Learn all about invasive species, how they get here, and why they cause a problem. See some samples of local invaders for yourself and make your own zebra mussel paper weight. Advance registration required; Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 to register.

11:00am – 3pm (Display and Information Specialists, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in your own yard or community.

Thursday, July 10, 2008
8:00am – 5pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing) If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure – bring it by to have it ID’d by an expert for free! To have a plant identified, bring at least three intact plants to DFWI in a plastic bag or container with a small amount of water and the following information: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth at which the plant was growing, date of collection, the name and phone number of a person to contact with the results. Plants for identification should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

10:00am – 11:00am (Interpretive Walk, Lake George) Forest Invaders, Lake George Rec Center. Led by Laurel Gailor, Cornell Cooperative Extension.

11:00am – 3pm (Display and Information Specialists, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in your own yard or community.

2:00pm – 3:00pm (Interpretive Walk, Lake George) Roadside Invaders, West Brook. Led by Laurel Gailor, Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Friday, July 11, 2008
8:00am – 5pm (Aquatic Plant ID, Bolton Landing) If you have a plant that you think may be Eurasian watermilfoil but you’re not sure – bring it by to have it ID’d by an expert for free! To have a plant identified, bring at least three intact plants to DFWI in a plastic bag or container with a small amount of water and the following information: name of collector, lake name, site of collection, depth at which the plant was growing, date of collection, the name and phone number of a person to contact with the results. Plants for identification should be directed to Lawrence Eichler. For more information or directions, contact DFWI at (518) 644-3541.

9:00am – noon (Paddle, Bolton) Canoe/Kayak Paddle, Northwest Bay. Learn about aquatic invasive plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil and purple loosestrife as you paddle about the bay. Staff from the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) and the Lake George Association (LGA) will supply the narration; you must provide your method of staying afloat. Call the LGA at 518-668-3558 or the LGLC at 518-644-9673 to register or for more info. Advance registration is required for this event; space is limited. Meet at Northwest Bay parking lot.

11:00am – 3pm (Display and Information Specialists, Lake George) Stop by the Lake George visitor center to talk to members of various local organizations about invasive species in the Lake George watershed. Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in your own yard or community.

Saturday, July 12, 2008
10:00am – 4:00pm (Celebration, Ticonderoga) “Waterfest,” at Bicentennial Park. Join in the fun at this day long event about everything water related. Help Ticonderoga celebrate their water resources through water related educational games, activities, interactive exhibits, demonstrations and much more!