The Invasives Strike Force has an ambitious year ahead of them in 2023! There are eight ISF members this year, up from five last year, to tackle nearly 40 projects across the Lower Hudson region. Back again are early detection foes such as sticky sage, Scotch broom, and giant hogweed. These species have few enough populations across the region that with continued management, eradication is feasible! These long term projects have seen significant progress as number of individuals managed dwindles from year to year. One species getting extra attention this year is small carpetgrass, which enjoys a similar habitat to the dreaded widespread invasive stiltgrass. Multiple infestations reported in iMapInvasives were unknown to the land managers before the ISF notified them, but they will no longer go unchecked! The ISF will also be working to protect conservation targets, armed with new data from the New York Natural Heritage Program. One of the more charismatic conservation targets the ISF will be working with is the New England cottontail. The ISF will assist with a management plan that removes invasives and keeps the habitat suitable for cottontail forage and nesting. Throughout the season, the ISF will be hosting a number of volunteer workdays to teach the public about invasives ecology, the importance of native species and biodiversity, plant identification, and invasives management. Excitingly, due to the increased number of ISF members and diversified funding, the ISF will also be expanding to assist with projects that are of high importance to their host organization, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. The invasives targeted by the ISF should be shaking in their roots in anticipation for the upcoming field season! |