Series kicks off October 12th (2:00-3:30 pm EST) with a webinar hosted by the Invasive Mussel Collaborative to discuss approaches to watercraft inspections and decontamination, focusing on voluntary programs within the Great Lakes region; Other Webinars focus on Aquatic Invasive Prediction Science, Data App, Logistics and Legislation

Contacts:

Brittney Rogers, NY Sea Grant Extension Aide, P: 315-312-3042, E: SGNewark@cornell.edu

Kara Lynn Dunn, NYSG Great Lakes Publicist, P: 315-465-7578, E: karalynn@gisco.net


Newark, NY, October 4, 2017 -  Invasive species are increasingly challenging New York water resource managers. New research making it more and more possible to identify waters at risk for future invasion is on the agenda for the new Watercraft Inspection Program Webinar Series developed by New York Sea Grant Extension of Cornell University and set to begin October 19.

Watercraft Inspection Data Collection App Pilot Program survey results, noting recent aquatic invasive detections aboard boats launching or leaving NY waters, as collected by six of the more than 20 watercraft inspection programs in New York State will be highlighted in one of the four sessions in the webinar series.

Watercraft-inspection related laws and regulations and small program logistics, including funding opportunities and development from volunteer to paid staff, will also be featured discussions.

Webinar participants can choose to participate in any or all of the free-access seminars. Register at http://ow.ly/ZO7930fuJXw.  For more information, contact SGNewark@cornell.edu.

New York Sea Grant will facilitate four free-access, hour-long webinars from 10 am to 11 am as follows:

• Thursday, October 12: "Approaches to Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Programs"
  A week before the the first of four webinars, one was hosted by the Invasive Mussel Collaborative to discuss approaches to watercraft inspections and decontamination, focusing on voluntary programs within the Great Lakes region. Speakers included: (1) Jo Latimore, Michigan State University; (2) Ed Rudberg, CD3; (3) Pat Conzemius, Wildlife Forever; (4) Erin McFarlane, University of Wisconsin Extension; and (5) Brittney Rogers, New York Sea Grant.
  
  
  
  
• Thursday, October 19: "NYS Watercraft-Related Legislation and Regulations"
  Speakers included: (1) Catherine McGlynn, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation AIS Coordinator; (2) Matthew Brincka, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Ocean and Great Lakes Educator.
  
  
  
  
• Thursday, October 26: "Small Watercraft Inspection Program Logistics, Funding and Partnerships"
  Speakers include: (1) Jane Smith: Adirondack Lakes Alliance, Inc. Associate Director; (2) Karen Winters: Black Lake Association former Steward Program Coordinator.
  
  
  
  
• Thursday, November 2: "New Data Collection App Pilot Program: Software, Results, Next Steps"
  Speakers include: (1) Heidi Krahling: NY Natural Heritage Program iMapInvasives Information Manager; (2) Meg Wilkinson, NY Natural Heritage Program Invasive Species Database Program Coordinator.
  
  
  
  
• Friday, November 10: "Predicting Aquatic Invasions in New York State"
  Speakers include: (1) Richard R. Shaker, Ryerson University, Toronto; (2) GeoEco Design, Syracuse; (3) Co-author of Predicting aquatic invasion in Adirondack lakes.
  
  
  
  

More Info: Watercraft Inspection Series

‘This new webinar series offers watercraft inspection program leaders and those interested in developing a program the opportunity to learn about exciting, recent advances in aquatic invasive science,’ said New York Sea Grant Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Leader Training Brittney Rogers, Newark, NY.

‘Watercraft inspection is an effective mechanism for public education  about ecologically harmful aquatic invasive species. The standardizing of data collection by watercraft inspection programs across New York is enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of aquatic invasive species reporting, and encourages citizen stewardship of valuable water resources statewide,’ Rogers added.

This is the second watercraft inspection program development seminar series developed by New York Sea Grant. The 2015 New York Sea Grant Watercraft Inspection Webinar Series is online at www.nyseagrant.org/watercraftinspection.

More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NSGCP engages this network of the nation’s top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources. Through its statewide network of integrated services, NYSG has been promoting coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources since 1971.

New York Sea Grant maintains Great Lakes offices at SUNY Buffalo, the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark and at SUNY Oswego. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Manhattan, in the Hudson Valley through Cooperative Extension in Kingston and at Brooklyn College. 

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG produces a monthly e-newsletter, "NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog. Our program also offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/coastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published 1-2 times a year.