Episode 189: Invasive Species Update (Part 1)

This episode brings back our frequent guest, Kristopher Williams, of PRISM (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management). Eight PRISMs exist across New York State and work to prevent or minimize the harm caused by invasive species on our environment, economy, and health and welfare of residents. PRISMs are intended to coordinate invasive species management functions including coordinating partner efforts, recruiting and training citizen volunteers, identifying and delivering education and outreach, establishing early detection monitoring networks and implementing direct eradication and control efforts. Regional partnerships with nonprofits, municipalities, conservation groups and volunteers are devised to cast the widest net for control over an enemy that recognizes no artificial borders. The Capital Region Prism ranges from the Catskills to the Adirondacks, encompassing eleven Counties and three million acres.

Kris is our go-to expert about all things invasive. We previously have talked to him about invasive plants, insects and diseases. Today we asked Kris to tell us some of the success stories about his long career as an environmental advocate. Our earlier conversations with Kris have aired in episodes 23, 24 and 31, in case you want to look a little deeper into his work.

The team has five core members and sixteen seasonal members on staff. Their mission is to coordinate all available resources, public and private, along with volunteers, to combat the multitude of invasive problems and organize alternatives. Their mission includes massive public lands and advisory status for privately owned properties. They act as the glue, Kris says, to hold all entities together. PRISM delivers science and educational programs for maximum impact, and always keeps in mind the different objectives of local and statewide groups. Tim asked Kris for some success stories, since we have discussed so many problems in the past. Kris listed some of the lasting beneficial effects:

• people achieve self-actuation by becoming aware of and seeking resolutions to invasive incursions;
• celebrating local impacts to inspire further efforts;
• there is now an exposition on invasives every two years;
• college-level programs are now available educating about invasives and remedies.

The conversation drifted to the emotional part of treatment of invasives. Most of them got here because they were introduced for a particular feature, and then “escaped” because they were prolific and had no natural enemies. There are also “sleeper” invasives, a new designation. These are known invasives that are still being sold to the public. Unfortunately sixty-one per cent of all invasives are still being sold. There is a patchwork of states regulating and actively banning sale of certain plants.

One success story Kris talks about is the Grassland Bird Trust. Washington County had a 20,000 acre trust facing the issue of dealing with invasives. A management plan was devised and a board established. Kris detailed the progress over several years as a management system was put into place and assessed for success year by year. Tim asked about what happens with much smaller efforts, and Kris described available training in IPM (integrated pest management) and land management as well as other volunteer-led controls, with consultation with PRISM staff. Basic measurements to assess success include removal, restoration, and adapting responses to predetermined thresholds.

There's a lot of issues associated with invasive species management. Stay tuned for more in the next episode (Part 2).

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Kristopher Williams Photo: Grassland Bird Trust Production Assistance: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadows, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas

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