The 2011 Invasive Species Symposium: Databases and Beyond aims to bring together techniques, goals, and concepts for tracking invasive species in New York and surrounding states and provinces. This symposium will provide a venue for collaboration among land managers, agencies, researchers, educators, community groups, non-profit organizations, and citizen scientists concerned with invasive species.
Topics covered by the symposium will include:
- Collecting, sharing, and aggregating invasive species data
- Engaging educators, students, and citizen scientists in mapping invasions
- Early detection and rapid response
- Highlights of select invasions in New York and surrounding regions (e.g., PA, VT, MA, CT, NJ, Quebec, and Ontario)
- Species identification workshops (e.g., invasive aquatic plants and animals)
- Training sessions for iMapInvasives (to become a registered mapper for participating states)
Schedule Overview
Tuesday, April 5
At the Pine Bush Discovery Center, Albany, NY
1-5 PM: Invasive species workshops
- Registration for the Tuesday program is directly through the NYNHP: to register click here.
- There is no charge to attend, but space is limited
- For a pdf of the workshop agenda, click here.
Wednesday, April 6
At the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, in conjunction with the Northeast Natural History Conference
9 AM-Noon and 1-5 PM: Invasive species presentations
Noon-1 PM: Networking Lunch Forum (lunch included with registration fee)
For a pdf of the draft agenda for the Wednesday program, click here.
To register for the Wednesday program, click here.
About NYNHP
The New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, whose mission is to facilitate conservation of rare animals, rare plants, and natural ecosystems. NYNHP scientists and data management experts work collaboratively with partners inside and outside New York to support stewardship of New York's rare plants, rare animals, and significant natural communities, and to reduce the threat of invasive species to native ecosystems. NYNHP is also a key developer of iMapInvasives, a collaborative, web-based tool designed for invasive species data aggregation, mapping, decision-making, and action.
iMapInvasives: www.imapinvasives.org
NYNHP: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/29338.html
Funding provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund
... Note: The Northeast Natural History Conference begins immediately after the Invasive Species Symposium. The conference includes 4 sessions on invasive species, a variety of other botany sessions, and an invasive species workshop/field trip showing how sheep and a sheep dog can help to manage invasive species.