The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) and the Adirondack Garden Club are co-sponsoring a workshop for nursery growers, landscapers and gardeners to learn about New York State’s recently enacted invasive plant regulations and how businesses and landowners can adapt.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held Thursday, October 29th from 9:30 am to 3 pm at Fort Ticonderoga.  Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals will have the opportunity to obtain continuing education credits by attending. 

Invasive species, which threaten our environment and economically important industries such as farming, forestry and tourism, are difficult to manage and eradicate and cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

The New York State Invasive Species Prevention Act, enacted in 2012, regulates specific species as unlawful to possess with the intent to sell or introduce, as well as other restrictions. Nursery growers, landscapers and gardeners all play an important role in preventing the spread of invasive species by promoting the use of non-invasive plant alternatives.

This workshop will focus on the regulated plant species and the benefits of using non-invasive plant alternatives in nurseries and landscaping.

The planned presentations include:

“The Threats & Impacts Associated with Selling/Promoting the use of Invasive Plants in Gardening & Landscaping” by Brendan Quirion, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program

“New York’s New Invasive Species Prevention Act Regulations; What Nursery Growers & Landscapers Need to Know” by Leslie Surprenant, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation and Chris Logue, NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets.

“Lesser Known Invasive Plant Escapees Often Sold and Used in Gardening/Landscaping” by
Steve Young, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area.

“Native Plant Alternatives to Use in Adirondack Gardens and Landscapes” by Emily Debolt, Fiddlehead Creek Nursery.

Lunch will be provided, along with opportunities for networking and an informational tour of the Kings Garden at Fort Ticonderoga.

To RSVP for the event, contact Lynne Perry at (518) 359-2630 or lgper2@optonline.net.