Invasives Strike Force
April Newsletter
Happy Spring!We're ready and excited to see some more green on the trees, and we're greatly looking forward to getting back out on the trails with you! Spring brings blooms, and unfortunately, some of those blooms will be invasives! So let's get to work! If you're like us and itching to get outside, here are some volunteer opportunities to get you hiking with purpose! Interested in any of the below events? Click on the linked date for more information and to register. There are a few events coming up in early April, so be sure to check them out! |
Invasive Cytisus scoparius |
Volunteer OpportunitiesInvasive Plant SurveyorWant to learn more about native plant ecosystems along the trails? Surveyors are taught plant identification and survey protocol and then assigned a 1-2 mile trail segment to hike and survey. ISF survey data is used to alert our removal crew of potential work sites. A.T. Endangered Plant MonitorWant to help preserve rare and endangered plant communities along the Appalachian Trail? Each volunteer is assigned to check on a single species in a specific location along the A.T. A background in plant identification is preferred. To learn more, click here. Invasive Insect Trap MonitorWant to protect rare pine communities? Help us find a new forest pest, the Southern Pine Beetle. We have limited opportunities for volunteers to adopt a trap to check at local New York state parks. To learn more, click here. BlockBuster SurveyorWant to join our invasives scavenger hunt? BlockBuster Surveyors are assigned a 3x3 mile block to search and survey. This valuable data is used to map the distribution of invasives throughout the Lower Hudson Valley. Invasives Strike Force Trail CrewWant to show the invasives who's boss? Come out and help us remove invasve plants from our beautiful parks! We bring the tools, and you bring the muscle! Email us at isftrailcrew@gmail.com to be added to our upcoming work day mailing list! Learn more about how to hike with purpose! Interested in any of the above opportunities?
Invade our inbox at invasives@nynjtc.org
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Invasive Berberis thunbergii
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Training WorkshopsResponding to Forest PestsTuesday, April 4 10:00am to 3:00pm Ossining, NY
Want to learn more about invasive insects and their impacts on forest ecology? This workshop to be held at Teatown Lake Reservation will discuss the threats and management approaches to various pests including emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale. A.T. Endangered Plant MonitoringSunday, April 9 11:00am to 12:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Would you like to help protect rare plants along the Appalachian Trail? This course is part of a program led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the National Park Service to monitor and protect known rare and threatened plant populations. Pre-registration screening is required. Invasive Plants & Native Alternatives: A Primer for GardenersSunday, April 9 2:00pm to 5:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Ever wonder why invasive plant species can be such a big issue? Want to know how to deal with them effectively and what alternatives there are? Invasive Plants and Native Alternatives–A Primer for Gardeners is a broad-based information-packed session that will teach you the basics about invasive plants and native alternatives. Invasive Insect Trap Monitor TrainingSunday, May 7 11:00am to 1:00pm Mahwah, NJ
The Trail Conference is supporting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in monitoring the invasive Southern Pine Beetle in New York state. This course will teach trap monitors about the ecological threat of invasive insects, how to spot an infestation, and trap check procedures. Invasives Strike Force Surveyor TrainingSunday, June 11 9:00am to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Saturday, June 24 9:00am to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Ever wonder what makes a plant an invasive species or how to identify one? Would you like to help protect our environment while you hike? You’ll learn easy ways to identify a set of invasive plants commonly found along the trails and how to record information about their locations. This workshop is an intensive class-room style training session with an outdoor practice component. Advanced Invasive Plant IdentificationSunday, June 4 1:00pm to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Saturday, June 10 1:00pm to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Would you like to take your invasive plant identification skills to the next level? Do you wonder what the next problem invaders are that we should be watching out for? Advanced Invasive Plant Identification is a course focusing on emerging invasive plants. Early detection can help protect the region’s native species. BlockBuster Survey TrainingsMultiple training dates to be announced for June
Love scavenger hunts? BlockBuster Surveyors will be assigned a 3x3 mile block to search and survey for invasive plants within. This workshop will teach identification of 27 invasive plants and survey protocol. |
Invasive Emerald Ash Borer
Native Trillium erectum
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Wildflower ExhibitAttention artists! The New York - New Jersey Trail Conference is holding a call for entries for a Wildflower Art Exhibit. The submission deadline is April 17. To enter, please visit this link. The exhibit will be open to the public from June 15th until September 29th at the Trail Conference Headquarters. |
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Native Plant Landscaping WorkdaysSunday, April 2 1:00pm to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Sunday, April 30 1:00pm to 4:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Thursday, June 1 10:00am to 12:00pm Mahwah, NJ
Join volunteers from the Bergen - Passaic chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and our landscape architect to plant some new tree seedlings from the New Jersey Tree Foundation in our native habitat around the Trail Conference headquarters. We'll also be removing weeds and invasive plants and learning about some of the native plants in our habitat. Bring work gloves, and your favorite gardening tools if you have some. |
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Native Plant SaleApril 29 10:00am to 1:00pm Valhalla, NY
Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College
Beat the winter blues by planning your spring planting. Select from among 50 beautiful and beneficial species of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and ferns. No need to wait: peruse the catalog and plant photos, download the order form, and place your order today! |
Native Symphyotrichum novae-angliae |
Native Plant Society MeetingApril Monthly MeetingWednesday, April 12 7:30pm Mahwah, NJ
Would you like to learn about some native plants you can use in your garden? Come hear Eric Rohsler (of Rohsler's Allendale Nursery) talk at this month's meeting. Plants will be available for sale, and attendees will receive a discount coupon for the nursery. |
Native Claytonia virginica |
2017 New Jersey Invasive Species ConferenceWednesday, April 5 9:00am to 3:00pm
Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ
Hosted by the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team, the fifth annual conference will offer expert presentations about emerging invasive species secies and management issues in the Garden State. The Conference will offer Continuing Education Credits for Master Gardeners, Pesticide Applicators and for participants in the New Jersey Community Forestry Program. To learn more and register, please click here. |
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I Love My Park DaySaturday, May 6 9:30am to 3:30pm
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Join the Trail Conference's Invasives Strike Force as we celebrate I Love My Park day in New York with other organizations in Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park. We'll be removing invasive plants along the trail. Anyone can participate. No experience is necessary; we provide on-the-job training. You will need to bring leather work gloves, plenty of water and a lunch you can eat on the trail. We provide the tools. To register, please click here. |
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National Trails DaySaturday, June 3
Trail Conference Headquarters Mahwah, NJ
Save the Date! Join us on Saturday, June 3 to celebrate National Trails Day and the Trail Conference Open Hosue at our Headquarters in Mahwah, NJ. Sponsored by REI, this all day celebration will feature various trails-themed events, including an invasives walk and an invasive plant removal at Ramapo Valley County Reservation. More details to come soon! |
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Thanks so much for reading! We hope to see you out on the trails!
MORE TO EXPLORE
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
| April 2: Native Landscaping Work Day Trail Conference Headquarters, Mahwah, NJ | April 9: A Primer For Gardeners Trail Conference Headquarters, Mahwah, NJ |
| May 6: Rock the Ridge 50-mile Endurance Challenge Join us or donate to the TC Team! | May 7: Invasive Insect Monitor Training Workshop Trail Conference Headquarters, Mahwah, NJ |
