Invasive Species

Article and stories about invasive species in our state and other places.

Warren County survey shows emerald ash borer infestation has likely spread | Adirondack Explorer

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Warren County survey shows emerald ash borer infestation has likely spread | Adirondack Explorer

It appears more than just a few ash trees at the Warren County boat launch in Chester are infected with the emerald ash borer, surveyors are finding.

The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) and the state Department of Environmental Conservation began checking ash trees within a five-mile radius of the boat launch after the invasive insect was found earlier this month. It was the first known infestation in the Adirondack Park.

Dial 911 for invasive species?

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Dial 911 for invasive species?

I think possesses of an invasive species should be a felony. You should be able to dial 911 and the police should come with with the lights and sirens on and they remove the invasive species similar to narcotics.

Sounds silly? A fire might cost $250,000 in damages, a murder might cost $1 million in loss earnings or less for low income persons. A single invasive species not removed immediately could cost farmers, forest owners, and land owners billions. Invasive species should get the same attention from law enforcement and first responders as fire and crime.

Emerald ash borer documented for first time in Adirondacks | Adirondack Explorer

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Emerald ash borer documented for first time in Adirondacks | Adirondack Explorer

State officials confirmed Tuesday night that emerald ash borer has infested some trees in the Town of Chester.

The invasive bug has been documented all around the outskirts of the Adirondack Park, but this is the first time the state Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed an infestation within the park.

Emerald ash borers are metallic, green-winged beetles whose larvae feed on an inner layer of an ash tree. Once they’re grown, the adults exit the tree, leaving behind a D-shaped hole. Over time, the beetle’s lifecycle ends up killing the tree. They’re not great at flying, either, and typically get spread through people transporting wood shipping pallets or firewood.

The history books show the Dutch Elm disease quarantine was more successful than SLAM but I think that has more to the vector of disease - fungus versus insects. Dutch Elm disease did spread quicker during World War II when restrictions were lifted but it wasnt until the 1980s until it really got to devestating Upstate and further decades before got a serious hold in Ontario - really not until the beginning of the 21st century before Toronto lost its beautiful Elm lined streets.

The point is that humans might be an important vector but that doesn't mean that humans can necessarily break the chain. We are more helpless as a society to stop bad things from happening then the politicians want us to believe.

Some mystery seeds illegally sent from China identified – CBS News

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Some mystery seeds illegally sent from China identified – CBS News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified some of the plant species in bags of unsolicited seeds arriving in mailboxes across the United States. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species.

So far, however, the species appear to be innocuous. At least 14 of the seed species had been identified as of July 29, according to Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. They includes mustard, cabbage and morning glory as well as herbs like mint, sage, rosemary and lavender. He said hibiscus and roses were also found.

Building a healthy ecosystem

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I was out at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center earlier today and thinking about how when I own land, I would make it a major priority to eliminate invasive species and plant as many native species as possible and try to maintain a mixed successional landscape to promote healthy wildlife both for hunting, farming and observation purposes.

I doubt I would ever bother having much lawn – grass is good to grow for livestock not beauty. While I wouldn’t be afraid of chemicals and my homestead wouldn’t be organic, I would avoid excess plastic or unnecessary chemicals beyond what is necessary to make my land managent goals a success.