News stories tagged with "invasives"

(04/18/12) Hydrilla is one of the most aggressive, invasive water plants. Its long, trailing stems form thick mats that prevent native water vegetation and fish from getting enough oxygen, light and nutrients.

Hydrilla was found at Cayuga Inlet, near Ithaca, last August. If unchecked it could spread Cayuga Lake, other Finger Lakes, as well as Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Cornell Cooperative Extension is warning recreational boaters to take precautions and prevent the spread of the invasive plant. Sarah Harris has more. more

(04/09/12) A bill introduced in the state Senate aims to make the possession and sale of invasive species illegal.

The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. Betty Little, a Republican from Queensbury. Little says invasives are a major threat to water bodies throughout the state. Her bill would strengthen current regulations and help prevent their spread. Chris Morris reports. more

(09/27/10) Last week, biologists with New York's Conservation Department confirmed a new invasive organism in four southern Adirondack Lakes. The spiny water flea has been found in Sacandaga Lake near Speculator, Great Sacandaga lake, Peck Lake and Stewarts Bridge Reservoir. The tiny crustacean is already competing with native organisms and fish in Lake Ontario.

Brian Mann talked about the continuing wave of new invasive organisms with Hilary Smith. Smith is head of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program based in Keene Valley. more

(08/16/10) A thick cake of zebra mussels nearly shut down a water treatment plant in Sackets Harbor last week. The invasive species has been wreaking havoc in Lake Ontario for more than 20 years now. New regulations on the ocean-going freighters that first brought zebra mussels to these shores--and other measures--have led some to believe the invader has been contained. But, as Jonathan Brown reports, officials in Sackets Harbor now fear the species is rebounding.

(06/29/10) Gardeners are sort of like small-scale environmentalists. They create gorgeous little habitats that are often havens for birds and insects.

But gardeners can also cause a lot of problems, by using too many chemicals and by importing non-native plants.

There's a movement in the North Country to fill out lush and beautiful gardens with native plants.

Supporters say local alternatives are hardier -- more pest- and drought-resistant. Brian Mann visited a local plant sale in Keene and has our story. more

(06/22/10) A week ago, we heard from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy that there was a new pest to watch for in North Country gardens. The Clinton and Essex counties extension office had confirmed the leek moth last year in Plattsburgh. It attacks the onion family -- garlic, leeks, onions and chives and their relatives.
A Canton gardener who'd heard the broadcast went straight to the Canton extension office, with suspicious little caterpillars they'd just found on their garlic. Sure enough...leek moths. Martha Foley has more. more

(06/17/10) Residents of Upper Saranac Lake are fighting an invasive water plant with a book about food. Their new cookbook, with hundreds of recipes, comes with an environmental message.

In 2004, lake residents began an intensive struggle against the destructive milfoil with an underwater dive program that harvests the invasive plant by hand. It's an on-going challenge. All the proceeds from The Upper Saranac Cookbook will be used to fight eurasian water milfoil on the lake.

Todd Moe spoke with lake association member Marsha Stanley about the new cookbook and the battle to control milfoil.

(06/09/10) Researchers say the invasive algae didymo, widely called "rock snot," is spreading throughout Vermont and the Lake Champlain basin. Found last week east of Burlington, the algae could make its way into Adirondack waterways, and once it establishes a presence, it's just about impossible to control or eradicate. Scientists say the algae forms large mats along the bottom of waterways and chokes out native plants. Martha Foley has more.

(05/26/10) As seasonal residents and tourists start returning to the Adirondack North Country, the Department of Environmental Conservation is stepping up enforcement of bans against transporting firewood.

State environment officials are worried that visitors from other parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario will bring in wood infested with invasive insects.

Officials in these areas confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer, Hemlock Wooly Adeljid and Asian Longhorn Beetle. Each could devastate northern New York forests. But there are early signs that the DEC's efforts to contain--and even eliminate--these bugs are paying off.

Jerry Carlson is the department's chief of forest health and protection. He tells Jonathan Brown that after two years of trying to educate the public about the dangers of hauling infested firewood, the DEC is taking action.

(02/12/10) For the first time ever, the Adirondack Park Agency will allow the use of a chemical herbicide to kill invasive water plants inside the blue line. More than 1500 pounds of triclopyr will be used in Lake Luzerne in the spring, in an effort to fight Eurasian water milfoil. Yesterday's precedent-setting decision comes as more lakes and ponds across the Adirondacks are struggling with the invasive weed. As Brian Mann reports, this outcome reflects a dramatic shift from the debate over fighting milfoil on Lake George.