ALBANY – Eight communities in the Hudson Valley are among dozens of others statewide that will be receiving some $5 million to reduce the negative impacts of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species on natural resources and local economies.
State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the 51 awarded projects will strengthen prevention, early detection, rapid response, management, and restoration efforts statewide, supporting long-term ecosystem health, economic stability, and community wellbeing.
In Putnam County, the National Audubon Society received a grant totaling $25,613 to focus on the eradication of common reed in Constitution Marsh and Ramshorn-Livingston Audubon sanctuaries in Philipstown.
Dutchess County’s Hudson Highland Fjord Trail received a grant of $67,022 to restore heavily degraded forest structure in Hudson Highlands State Park which is currently dominated by mugwort.
Orange County received four grants: Appalachian Trail Conservancy: $60,000 to enhance the ecosystem resiliency of the hemlock-northern hardwood forest along the Appalachian Trail on Bellvale Mountain which is currently impacted by hemlock wooly adelgid.
The City of Middletown will receive $88,530 for the mechanical and manual removal of invasive water chestnut to reduce existing dense growth and prevent further expansion within the project area.
Town of Montgomery will receive $136,620 to restore native habitat and reduce invasive species impacts at Benedict Farm Park and Riverfront Park through phased removal, replanting, and long-term stewardship.
Village of Walden will receive $11,000 to focus on rapid response efforts to control approximately 0.4 acres of Japanese knotweed at Micky Millspaugh Park.
In Ulster County, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will receive a $56,000 grant to research the effective control and prevention of mile-a-minute in Napanoch.
The Town of Shawangunk will also receive $27,915 to execute a baseline survey and mapping services to identify invasive species on the Shawangunk-Wallkill Rail Trail, Shawangunk Highway Department Garage, Galeville Park, and Verkeerderkill Park.
“Managing invasive species and mitigating their negative impacts to our lands and waters is essential to the environment, public health, and quality of life,” Lefton said, adding, “Investing in science-based management and strong local partnerships is strengthening New York’s efforts to combat invasive species, protect biodiversity, build more resilient ecosystems, and protect our forests, waters, farms, and communities.”