Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program May 2025 Newsletter

The trees have leaves, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are greeting each day with their songs. Summer is about to arrive in the Adirondacks, and we have a lot of work to do! In the coming months, APIPP staff will be in the field managing and monitoring for invasive species. We will also be educating the public about how to prevent, identify, and report invasives—and that’s where we need your help. There is a lot of ground to cover (more than 6 million acres, to be exact), so we rely heavily on volunteers to be our eyes across the Park. Some invasive species like beech leaf disease are still relatively new to the region, but they’re spreading quickly across the landscape. Knowing where those species are helps scientists better understand them as management efforts are developed. And there are plenty of other aquatic and terrestrial invasive species that deserve our attention, including those that are not yet in the Adirondacks like hydrilla and spotted lanternfly.

Whether you’re new to monitoring for invasive species or you’re a returning volunteer, APIPP is here to help. We’re kicking off summer with a series of educational events, all geared toward getting people outside to learn more about invasive species. Next week, APIPP will collaborate with Ausable Freshwater Center to host its Annual Spring Partner Meeting on Thursday, May 20. The event will include updates, a tour of Ausable Conservation Nursery, and a hands-on activity that will allow participants to get acquainted with native plants. Click here if you’d like to register.

In June, three events are happening during New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week, which is June 9-15. On Monday, June 9, there will be a community invasive species pull at the Saranac Lake Free Library. On Wednesday, June 11, naturalists with APIPP, Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Champlain Area Trails will lead an educational invasive species walk along the Wadhams Lookout Trail in Westport. And on Thursday, June 12, APIPP staff will lead an educational walk at Boquet River Nature Preserve. We hope that you can join us for one or more of these fun events!

Species of Concern: Swallowwort

Vincetoxicum spp.

Originally from Europe, black and pale swallowworts were introduced to North America in the 1800s and have been spreading quickly ever since. A stand of swallowwort measuring 10 square feet can produce 1,000-2,000 seeds per year! These perennial climbing vines form extensive patches that overtake and smother native vegetation. They also produce toxins in their leaves, making them inedible to most wildlife. The toxins are particularly detrimental to monarch butterflies, which rely on milkweed plants to complete their lifecycle. The butterflies have been known to mistake swallowwort for milkweed and will lay their eggs on the invasive plant, a fatal mistake for the caterpillars that then eat the toxic leaves.

Like most invasive species, swallowwort is difficult to control once established. When cut, the plant resprouts vigorously, warranting the careful use of herbicide for larger infestations. Biocontrols for swallowwort are currently being tested including the Hypena opulenta moth from Ukraine, which was approved for release in the U.S. in 2017.

Key Identification Features

Dark green, glossy leaves arranged oppositely
Small five-petaled flowers present in June
Milkweed-like seed pods emerge in July and ripen by mid-August

Learn More

APIPP in the Field

NYSFOLA Conference

May is a month filled with presentations and meetings for the APIPP staff. Recently APIPP Program Director Brian presented at the New York State Federation of Lake Association Conference on our comparative study of monitoring methods for aquatic invasive species. Brian also spoke at the Adirondack Landowner Association meeting about forest pests and the importance of invasive species management plans. Meanwhile, APIPP Terrestrial Invasive Species Manager Ari spoke to highway and public works staff about safely managing roadside invasive plants. To hear about these topics and more, we hope that you can join us on May 20 for our annual partner meeting in Lake Placid.

Partners in the Field

NYS Department of Transportation

The state Department of Transportation has been an integral partner agency since APIPP was formed in 2003. NYSDOT and APIPP continue to work together on invasive plant surveys and control projects happening along many of our region’s county and state highway rights-of-way and maintenance facilities. We also partner to reduce the risk of spreading invasives and APIPP offers technical guidance for control and restoration efforts.

APIPP Terrestrial Invasive Species Manager Ari joined NYSDOT staff from Region 7 and beyond for a Spring Safety Day event held May 7 and 8 at the Tupper Lake Civic Center. Ari met folks from many different DOT divisions and gave a presentation about invasive species, APIPP, and hazards from species like giant hogweed. The APIPP team strives to be a valuable resource for agencies, associations, and homeowners in our collective efforts to protect Adirondack lands and waters from the negative impacts of invasive species.

Ask APIPP

A: First thing’s first—please don’t plant winged burning bush, it is an invasive species! Like many invasives, winged burning bush can spread quickly, crowd out native vegetation, and is extremely difficult to remove once established.

The best way to avoid planting invasives is to stick with native species, which are not only attractive additions to a property, they’re also appealing to local pollinators. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a fantastic native plant guide that is free to download, making it a perfect reference for planning any landscaping project. The DEC also has a list of plants that are prohibited in New York state, so be sure to avoid purchasing and planting anything that appears in this booklet.

It can also be helpful to become familiar with the invasive species of your region. APIPP has a free “Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Species of the Adirondacks” that describes 28 invasive species, which can be downloaded or ordered on APIPP’s website. If you want to take the next step in protecting the Adirondacks from invasive species, consider volunteering for our Forest Pest Hunters or Lake Protectors programs. APIPP has a lot of training materials to get you started, and you can always reach out to us directly if you have any questions.

Happy landscaping!

Do you have a question for APIPP? Email adirondackinvasives@gmail.com