This season, the Trail Conference Conservation Dogs have been working with the Invasives Strike Force (ISF) Crew on Scotch broom, an emerging invasive plant in New York State (link here for general info on species). With only a few dozen populations in the Lower Hudson Valley, the goal of this project is to completely remove this species from our region, preventing its spread and protecting our local ecosystems - particularly meadow habitats (its preferred environment). With Scotch broom’s ability to create monocultures that push out native species and produce seeds viable for up to 30 years, the ISF Crew and Conservation Dogs have made this project a priority, returning yearly to manage infestation sites within Harriman and Bear Mountain State Park, newly discovered sites (thanks to Conservation Dog Peat’s skilled snoot!) in Storm King State Park, and elsewhere in the Lower Hudson Valley.
After the ISF crew has performed removals, Conservation Dog Peat (along with Conservation Dogs Program Coordinator Arden), returns to sites to sniff out any remaining plants accidentally left behind - which are then promptly removed. In Harriman State Park alone, there has been a nearly 60% decrease in the number of plants managed/removed (from 13,945 to 5,688), signifying this project’s continued success!
Kudos to the ISF Crew, Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Manager Ryan, Conservation Dogs Program Coordinator Arden, and Conservation Dog Peat for their persistence and impressive results! |