Free Public Events Scheduled across New York State to Engage and Educate New Yorkers about Invasive Species
The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and New York Sea Grant (NYSG) announced that the State's 12th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) begins Monday, June 9. Free public events, including webinars, hands-on workshops, guided hikes and paddles, and invasive species challenges will be offered online and across the state from June 9 to 15. Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation designating ISAW (PDF) to support the annual campaign to encourage New Yorkers to learn more and participate in the fight against the negative impacts of invasive species.
“Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity to further educate and engage New Yorkers about the need to protect our environment, economy, and public health from the risks posed by invasive species,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “Invasive species jeopardize the health of our native plant and animal communities, as well as the open spaces New Yorkers cherish for recreation, biodiversity, beauty, and the well-being of our communities. Working together, we can help safeguard New York’s rich biodiversity and ensure the resilience of our natural resources."
"We work closely with our fellow State agencies to combat the spread of harmful invasive species that can damage our agricultural crops, trees, and natural habitats,” State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. We’re grateful to the New Yorkers that have been instrumental in helping the State keep a watchful eye out for these invasive species of all kinds. With their assistance, we have been able to better monitor and, as a result, slow the spread of these invasives. We encourage citizens to join us during Invasive Species Awareness Week to learn more about how they can help to spot, identify, and protect against these non-native species."
Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are not native to an area and cause harm to the environment, agriculture, economy, or public health. New York is particularly vulnerable to these pests due to its role as a center for international trade and travel.
To participate in an ISAW event, visit the NY Invasive Species Awareness Week 2025 page on the nyis.info website to find a complete list of offerings. Registration information and full event details can be found by clicking on individual events. On Monday, June 9, New York Sea Grant will provide an overview of how to use the newly redesigned nyis.info website, which provides easy access to resources and information for addressing invasive species infestations and impacts.
DEC leads a comprehensive program to promote education, research, management, and control related to invasive species across New York State. This includes aquatic invasive species like hydrilla, round goby, and northern snakehead, as well as terrestrial plants including giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, and kudzu. DEC also tracks and manages forest pests such as southern pine beetle, beech leaf disease, and hemlock wooly adelgid. DEC works with numerous partners and administers eight New York State Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), which educate residents and visitors about how everyone can protect their lands, water, and forests from invasive species. ISAW educates New Yorkers to together to spread the word, not the species.
AGM works to control and eradicate various invasive species, such as spotted lanternfly, European cherry fruit fly, and Asian longhorned beetle, which can harm New York’s agricultural crops, particularly grapes, hops, and fruit trees. Staff conduct annual surveys for each of these pests and inspect the state’s nearly 9,000 greenhouses, retail markets, and nursery growers and dealers for compliance with invasive plant regulations. Horticultural inspectors also monitor for invasive pests and diseases, such as European pepper moth and boxwood blight that are harmful to New York’s lands. Learn more about the invasive species that are a concern for New York agriculture at agriculture.ny.gov/plant-
NYSG provides science-based information, education, curricula, and research related to aquatic invasive species and to promote coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness of New York State’s marine and Great Lakes resources. Updates on NYSG activities are available at nyseagrant.org and on Facebook, X, and YouTube.
In the recently enacted FY 2025-26 State Budget, Governor Hochul increased the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to a record $425 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history. EPF funding is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The budget includes a renewed $18.5 million in funding to manage invasive species.
Everyone can make a difference in the fight against invasives by helping to locate and map infestations, using only local firewood, properly cleaning watercraft before and after boating, cleaning dirt off boots after hiking, or removing invasive species from the yard. To learn more about invasive species and how to get involved, visit DEC's website.
