Spring has sprung in the Catskills, and with the reemergence of our native flora and fauna, invasive species are also happy to awaken. Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) Director John Thompson joins the Kaatscast to tell us what to watch out for, how to report our findings, and what we can do to stem the tide of invasive pests. Plus, two emerging invasives to add to our radar!

Report your findings at: www.nyimapinvasives.org/

May 11, 2023

Jun 4, 2020

Out There: Backyard Birding

Jun 4, 2020

Pete Salmansohn started with fish, as an angler. Connie Mayer-Bakall started with wolves, as an educator. But after decades of enjoying the outdoors, each was drawn to birds.

“There’s something comforting and soothing about realizing that while our whole world has gone crazy and surreal, the birds are still doing what they’ve done for millions of years,” says Mayer-Bakall, president of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, after checking the feeders in her yard. (Current sightings: Four rose-breasted grosbeak males and a couple of females, blue-winged warblers, an indigo bunting, and a northern oriole.)

Jun 4, 2020

Aug 13, 2019

This Carnivorous Plant Invaded New York. That May Be Its Only Hope.

Aug 13, 2019

Michael Tessler, a biologist at the American Museum of Natural History, holding waterwheels, a carnivorous aquatic plant, in Big Pond near New York’s Catskill Mountains.

Photo Credit: Brittainy Newman/The New York Times

Aug 13, 2019

Aug 8, 2019

EDITORIAL Take Control! Consider Otsego Lake Association

Aug 8, 2019

With so many areas of American life seemingly spinning out of control, there’s a contrary example in the Otsego Lake Association (OLA).

Its “100-percent volunteers,” according to Jim Howarth, co-president with David Sanford, are focused on a common mission: “Protecting the health, beauty and wellbeing” of the lake.

Aug 8, 2019

Jul 13, 2018

NYC DEP Unveils Tool At Catskills Trail To Brush Off Invasive Species

Jul 13, 2018

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has a new way to combat invasive species. The DEP installed a boot brush station at the foot of a trail in Delaware County. It is believed to be the first such station in the Catskills. WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne was there for

Jul 13, 2018

May 9, 2018

Weeding out what bugs us

May 9, 2018

NARROWSBURG, NY — Invasive species of plants and insects are one of the impactful issues for both flora and fauna, as well as human health, environment and economies, according to John Thompson, who is the coordinator of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) at the Catskill Center in Arkville.

May 9, 2018

Apr 4, 2018

Catskill Center announces the availability of funding for invasive species control, education and citizen science programs

Apr 4, 2018

ARKVILLE — In an effort to stop the spread of invasive species that threaten our region’s ecosystem, raise awareness about invasive species and encourage the public to participate in the study of invasives, the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) is seeking projects to fund in 2018.

Apr 4, 2018

Jul 2, 2013

Biologist saves lake from invasive plant

Jul 2, 2013

Aug 23, 2011

Invasive hogweed found in Woodstock

Aug 23, 2011

Aug 4, 2011

Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Looming: Wasps to the Rescue?

Aug 4, 2011

CRISP Reports

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Survey

CRISP partnered with The Nature Conservancy to perform a hemlock health and hemlock woolly adelgid survey throughout the largest hemlock stands in the Catskills. The results will be used to inform future biological control efforts and other conservation measures. Follow the link to a PDF report on our results!

Aquatic Nuisance Species Survey

In partnership with Bill Harman at SUNY Oneonta, CRISP identified aggressive high threat aquatic nuisance species and took a survey of aquatic exotic species found in lakes and streams of the Catskill region during the summer of 2011.

Learn more here: Aquatic Invasive Species Inventory

See the final report here: Aquatic Invasive Species Report

Credit: http://www.english-country-garden.com

Marsh Thistle Early Detection and Rapid Response

In partnership with SUNY Oneonta’s Biology Department, CRISP is responding to an early detection of an invasive plant that can take over wet meadows and roadsides.

Learn more here: Marsh Thistle Early Detection

Susquehanna River Assessment

In partnership with Otsego County Conservation Association, CRISP is sponsoring a five-day paddle along the Susquehanna River from Cooperstown to Sidney mapping invasive aquatic species such as water chestnut and removing small pockets of the spot

Learn more here:Susquehanna River Assessment

Credit: https://www.northernvirginiamag.com

Isolated Ash Grove Citizen Science Monitoring Project

In partnership with Olive Natural Heritage Society, CRISP worked with volunteers to promote monitoring and stewardship of isolated first growth as stands at high elevations in the Catskills as possible refugee from the Emerald Ash Borer(EAB).

Learn more here:Isolated Ash Grove Monitoring

Invaders of Disturbed Areas Inventory

In partnership with Hudsonia, CRISP sponsored a survey of non-native invasive plants in the Catskills in order to assess the feasibility of using disturbed landscapes as sentinels for early detection of non-native plants.

Learn more here: Invaders of Disturbed Areas