Stop the Spread: Help us “Bust” Invasive Plants!

Kingston, NY - Please help us “bust” the cycle of invasive plant invaders! Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC) will be holding two short recruitment events for the Blockbuster Citizen-Science Program on June 13 from 12:30-1:00pm and 5:30-6:00pm at our office, 232 Plaza Road in Kingston. You will learn how you can help CCEUC and the NYS DEC to survey for the presence of invasive plants in the Hudson Valley this summer. Please RSVP to Dona at 845-340-3990 ext. 335 ordm282@cornell.edu.

Training for the survey will begin in early July, several dates and locations will be offered. After the training you will pick a 5 km x 5 km block in your area and survey it for invasive plants. You will select the species that you feel comfortable identifying, so you do not have to be a plant expert to participate. As a Blockbuster Volunteer you will be part of a region-wide team of volunteers who will help us find and identify key invasive species and find areas that are free of invaders. Data collected will help scientists and natural resource managers direct their efforts most effectively. This program is part of the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management’s (PRISM) efforts to stop the spread of invasive species in the lower Hudson Valley.

To become a volunteer, or if you are interested but cannot attend the recruitment events on June 13, contact Dona Crawford at 845-340-3990 ext. 335 or dm282@cornell.edu.

For information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events go to http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/. Stay connected to CCEUC-friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact the program office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.