Invasive Species Awareness Week: What’s Wrong with Honeysuckle?

The serenity and beauty we see when we walk through a park or nature sanctuary mask a fierce, relentless battle for food, water, and life-giving sunlight—and the victors take no prisoners. Whether it’s a fragrant Japanese honeysuckle, a sticky sack of certain insect eggs, or half-inch, striped zebra mussels, invasive species—non-native species that thrive in our ecosystem—threaten the plants, insects, and animals that are native to Western New York.

Andrea Locke, coordinator of Western New York PRISM (Partnering to Protect Western New York from Invasive Species), is excited about the many opportunities to learn about invasive species in Western New York during the fourth annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. It takes place from Sunday, July 9, through Saturday, July 15.

“All around Western New York, our partners are holding free events that give people a hands-on way of learning about invasive species,” Locke said. “Whether you want to take a brief hike, watch a documentary, or learn how to help map the spread of invasive species, you can find a way to participate.” WNY PRISM is housed at Buffalo State’s Great Lakes Center Field Station and administered by Christopher Pennuto, research scientist and biology professor.

A partial list of events follows. An events calendar on WNYPRISM.org shows all events and provides the most up-to-date information including registration and program details. WNYPRISM’s web site also provides many resources for helping native species and Western New York’s own ecosystem.

Aquatic Invasive Species Display at Ellicott Creek Park/ Hydrilla Demonstration Project (Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal)
Date/Time: Monday, July 10, 8:30 a.m.­–4:30 p.m.
Location: Ellicott Creek Park, Tonawanda, NY 14120

Learn about aquatic invasive species and the Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal Hydrilla Demonstration Project.

Alien Invasions: Guided Walk at the Humphrey Nature Center at Letchworth State Park (family friendly)
Date/Time: Monday, July 10, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427

Learn about invasive insect species in trees during a 20-minute environmental story followed by a 30-minute guided walk

Yellow Flag Iris Removal/Volunteer Workday
Date/Time:  Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
Location: Clifford Furman Preserve of the Nature Sanctuary Society of WNY

Help remove Yellow Flag Iris, a non-native invasive species.

Noontime Seminar: Invasive Species–How to Choose Your Battles
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Location: Webcast

Hear Dr. Stuart Findlay, a senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, discuss the real-world problems of managing invasive species.

iMapInvasives Training Workshop
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Location: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013

Learn to use iMapInvasives, an online tool for tracking and identifying invasive species.

“The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: The Loss of an Ecosystem” (family friendly)
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Location: Humphrey Nature Center, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427

Understand the danger posed to the iconic eastern hemlock forests.

Hike and Strike at Whirlpool State Park
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Location: Whirlpool State Park - Natural History Room, Robert Moses State Parkway, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Work with the Niagara Region FORCES Invasive Species Management Steward and the NYS Parks Invasive Species Strike Team to control shrubby invasives along the rim trail below Niagara Falls

Honeysuckle Harvest
Date/Time: Thursday, July 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location: Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve, 11663 Old Strykersville Road, East Aurora, NY 14052

Work with the Western New York Land Conservancy and Western New York PRISM to remove invasive plants

Knotweed Knock Out
Date/Time: Thursday, July 13, 10:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Location: Beaver Island State Park, 2136 Oakfield Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072

Help NYS Parks Invasive Species Strike Team control Japanese knotweed around the historic River Lea House.

Franklin Gulf Volunteer Workday
Date/Time: Friday, July 14, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Franklin Gulf County Park, North Collins, NY 14111

Help remove invasive plants such as Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, and honeysuckle.

Hike and Strike at Letchworth State Park
Date/Time: Saturday, July 15, 2017; 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Humphrey Nature Center, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427

Learn about invasive species while working with the FORCES and the SUNY Geneseo Invasive Species Steward as they hike, identify, and control invasive species.

Making Waves: The Battle for the Great Lakes (documentary /panel discussion)
Date/Time: Saturday, July 15, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo NY 14222 – Bulger Communications Center West

Watch this documentary (110 minutes) about the invasive species that threaten the Great Lakes and about efforts to control the invaders. After the screening, enjoy refreshments and a panel discussion featuring Alexander Karatayev, director of the Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State, and Andrea Locke, coordinator for the WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.