June 6-12, 2021
New York Invasive Species
Awareness Week
What is #NYISAW all about?
Play the video to find out!
Long Island Events
Monday, June 7th | 5:30 – 7pm | In-Person
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Native and Invasive Plants at Red Cote Preserve
Comprised of an inviting mixture of woodlands and meadows that supports a wide variety of wildlife, Nassau County’s 30-acre Red Cote Preserve, managed by North Shore Land Alliance, is a popular Oyster Bay Cove destination for nature-loving Long Islanders. Join the North Shore Land Alliance in an introduction to the property and its delightful – and not-so-delightful! – plant inhabitants and learn about work to keep invasives in check as you contribute to these efforts.
Where: Red Cote Preserve (Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay Cove, 11771)
Space is limited so registration is required: please email jjackson@northshorelandalliance.org to register and for more information.
Tuesday, June 8th | 2 - 3pm | Virtual
Community Science on the Coast: Be an Invasive Species Explorer
Are you bored at the beach? Bring your family to this webinar hosted by LIISMA to learn how you can be a community scientist whenever you visit the coast; learn how to identify some new and notorious invasive species, how to use iNaturalist to help scientists and non-profits (like us!), and even how to DIY a seine to ethically explore critters in the water.
Thursday, June 10th | 1 - 2pm | Virtual
All it Takes is One Boat: Stopping the Spread of Aquatic Invaders
Join this statewide webinar hosted by LIISMA to hear stories about some of our most interesting aquatic invasive species, and simple ways that you can help stop their spread. Our guest speaker Ashley Morris (DEC) will speak about the Boat Steward program on Long Island and help us understand why it's so important.
Friday, June 11th | 9am - 4pm | In-Person
Water Chestnut Pull at Wantagh Mill Pond
Each summer NYSDEC staff, Nassau County Public Works, LIISMA, and volunteers work to remove invasive water chestnut from Long Island lakes and ponds. Last year, over 100 bags of water chestnut (approx. 3,000 lbs.) were removed from Wantagh Mill Pond, and Massapequa Reservoir.
Anyone is welcome to volunteer. You need to bring your own kayak or canoe, life jacket, bucket and gloves.
If you are interested in volunteering, you must pre-register, call (631) 444-0280 to sign up, or send an email with your name and contact information to fwfish1@dec.ny.gov.
#NYISAW and your family
Scavenger Hunt
Join this scavenger hunt to learn about invasive species and take action to prevent their spread. Post photos of your actions during the week to teach your friends, family, and community about all the different ways you can help steward your local environment in ways big and small.

  1. Download the gameboard at the beginning of the week.
  2. Explore the board and try to complete at least one activity per row during the week.
  3. Take a photo to post on Instagram with a description that will teach your friends and followers what you’re doing to help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals in your community. Include the hashtag #NYISAW in each post to track your game play throughout the week! 
  4. How to win: The person with the most activities completed will be selected from each of New York’s eight PRISM regions across the state and prizes will be mailed over the summer of 2021!

Long Island Bioblitz
Fun for all ages: Explore the coasts, estuaries, and other unique habitats of Long Island for important native and invasive species. Download iNaturalist and log observations to help conservation.
Virtual Training on June 23
Bioblitz June 27 - July 3
Stay tuned for more updates!
Join us for #NYISAW