Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) is hosted by the NY-NJ Trail Conference and is dedicated to protecting the Lower Hudson region's biodiversity & ecosystems with a focus on controlling the harmful impacts of invasive species. 

From June 5-11, you can take part in local outdoor events, important community science, and engaging webinars to learn why invasive species are a problem and how you can make a difference!

The mission of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) is to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause by engaging community members in a wide range of activities across the state, empowering them to take action to help stop the spread. 

Clockwise from top left is crew leader, Zack, followed by crew members Avani, Nick, Joseph, Ashton, Niko, Crew Leader Layla, and Emily.

This season's Invasives Strike Force (ISF) crew consists of eight Conservation Corps members (up from five last year), and includes crew leaders Zack and Layla with crew members Ashton, Avani, Nick, Emily, Joseph, and Niko. With the added crew members, the ISF will be able to tackle more infestations of emerging invasive species—species that are new to the area with limited populations—throughout the Lower Hudson Valley with the goal of completely eradicating them from the region. This season, the crew will be managing sticky sage, kudzu, small carpetgrass, Scotch broom, giant hogweed, among others. Other projects include managing invasive species that impact rare, threatened and endangered species or habitats to help our natives thrive. 

All of the crew members have expressed their enthusiasm to make a difference and impact with their work in the ISF. We're certainly excited to see how these crew members grow (pun-intended) into environmental professionals this season!

This year's Hudson Valley Trail Stewards (top photo) consist of Leader Ryan and Crew Benjamin, Christina, Declan, Eleanor, Phoenix, Sarah, and Sydney. This year's Catskills Trail Stewards (bottom photo) consist of Leader Vanessa and crew Colleen, James, Jay, Madison, Matthew.

This year's Trail Conference's Conservation Corps Trail Steward program will engage visitors at popular high-use trailheads and summits in the greater New York metropolitan area to educate them on Leave No Trace principles, responsible outdoor recreation, hiker safety and preparedness, and ecological stewardship. This year, 14 stewards will be stationed at the following locations each weekend from May through October:

• Anthony's Nose and the Appalachian Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Putnam and Westchester Counties, N.Y.
  
• Breakneck Ridge and Wilkinson Memorial Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, N.Y.
  
• Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg Mountains, Giant Ledge and Panther, North Point, and the Blackhead Range in Catskill Forest Preserve, Ulster and Greene Counties, N.Y.
  
• Croton Gorge Unique Area and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, Westchester County, N.Y.
  
• Gertrude's Nose and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Ulster County, N.Y.

On Thursdays and Fridays throughout the season, the stewards will work on various trail improvement projects throughout the region. These projects will include trail maintenance, building and hardening, removal of invasive species, and more. These days are perfect opportunities for the stewards to collaborate with Trail Conference staff, volunteers, and other Conservation Corps crews. We're so excited to see everything these knowledgable Trail Stewards accomplish this season!