Invasive species field guides now available

KEENE VALLEY Two organizations that work to protect our region’s lands and waters from environmental and economic harm caused by invas i v e s p e c i e s T h e N a t u r e C o n s e r v a n c y ’ s Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program and the Lake Champlain Basin Program have released a pair of free complementary guides on invasive species in the Adirondacks.

Together, APIPP’s “Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Species of the Adirondacks” and LCBP’s “Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Invasive Species Guide” provide information on more than 70 invasive plants and animals that have been identified in the Adirondack region

Both booklets can help people identify these plants and animals, and include the defining characteristics of each species, common look-alike species, habitat descriptions and photos

L C B P ’ s n e w g u i d e c o v e r s a q u a t i c i n v a s i v e species and includes anatomical diagrams and k n o w n d i s t r i b u t i o n w i t h i n a n d n e a r t h e L a k e Champlain watershed.

APIPP’s new guide focuses on terrestrial invasive species, and includes information on managing terrestrial invasive species and a primer on plant identification It also includes information about how to use the iMapInvasives app to enter data into New York state’s invasive species database.

Both guides were developed to help outdoor recreationists, property owners and others recognize potentially harmful non-native species in the region’s lands and waterbodies in order to help reduce the spread of these species

To download or order a copy of the field guides or other free outreach materials, visit www adkinvaisves com or www lcbp org

For a species to be considered invasive, it must be non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and the species’ introduction must cause, or be likely to cause, harm to the economy, environment or human health

More than 70 terrestrial invasive species have been documented in the Adirondack region, and species like small carpetgrass, Japanese hops and oak wilt are found just outside of the region

Lake Champlain is home to 51 known aquatic non-native or invasive species The last invasive species detected in Lake Champlain was the fishhook waterflea in 2018, but several species, including round goby, quagga mussel and hydrilla, pose an imminent threat The Great Lakes, Hudson River, and St. Lawrence River, which are all connected to the lake, harbor dozens more potential invaders

(Staff photo Lauren

¯ Lake Champlain: Port Douglass DEC boat launch

¯ Lake Champlain: Willsboro DEC boat launch

¯ Lake Champlain: Port Henry DEC boat launch

¯ Lake Champlain: Ticonderoga DEC boat launch

¯ Lake Champlain: South Bay DEC boat launch, Whitehall

¯ Lake George: Mossy Point public boat launch

¯ Lake George: Rogers Rock Public Campground and boat launch

¯ Lake George: Norowal Marina, Bolton

¯ Lake George: Million Dollar Beach launch

¯ Lake George: Dunham’s Bay Dock and launch

¯ Lake Placid: DEC boat launch

¯ Long Lake: Route 30 pull-off

¯ Loon Lake (Warren County): Town boat launch

¯ Northern Schroon/Paradox (Severance): Route 74 pull-off

¯ Piseco: Poplar Point campgrounds

¯ Saranac Lake: Second Pond DEC boat launch, Route 3

¯ Schroon Lake: Horicon DEC boat launch

¯ Speculator: Route 8/30 pull-off

¯ Star Lake: Route 3 pull-off

¯ Upper Saranac Lake: DEC boat launch

¯ Upper St. Regis Lake: Municipal launch

Just outside the Adirondack Park, the following boat wash stations were in place last summer:

¯ Colton: Route 56 pull-off

¯ Glens Falls: Adirondack Welcome Center (I-87 Northbound Between Exits 17 & 18)

¯ Lake Champlain: Peru DEC boat launch

¯ Lake Champlain: Plattsburgh DEC boat launch

Certificates

Boaters can get certificates one of two ways:

¯ By visiting a DEC-designated aquatic invasive species inspection station Boat stewards will inspect or decontaminate watercraft and provide boaters with a certification card.

¯ Self-issue your own certificate after performing the Clean-Drain-Dry steps yourself An electronic Self-Issued Certificate is available as a PDF download stand by their informational tent in July 2022 at the Lake Placid lake boat launch off Mirror Lake Drive. They offered free boat inspections to make sure motorboats are free of invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. This boat launch also features a decontamination station at the village’s water plant to wash boats if necessary. suedcertificate1.pdf. Just print out the certificate, fill it out and have it with you during your boating trip

Clean: Be sure to clean your boat and equipment by removing any visible plants, animals, mud or debris. Also, discard items far away from water and on dry land, in trash cans or in one of the invasive species disposal stations that have been installed at many boat

Continued on Page 54 launch sites.

D r a i n : D r a i n a l l w a t e r - h o l d i n g c o m p a r t m e n t s , including live wells, bait wells, ballast tanks and bilge areas.

Also, don’t forget to check fishing gear, floats and the outboard motor for any residual water prior to leaving the launch.

Dry: Dry boats, trailers and all equipment before use in another water body

There are about 2,800 lakes and ponds, and over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams in the Adirondack Park

“With an abundance of high-quality water resources comparatively uninvaded by the scores of invasive species in other state waters, the Adirondacks present a crucial opportunity for stewardship and AIS prevention,” the AWI states on its website

The Adirondack Park Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program is funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund

Certificates are not needed for canoes or kayaks H o w e v e r , p a d d l e r s a r e a l s o r e q u i r e d t o Clean Drain Dry their vessels and equipment

FAQs from DEC

1 What is the purpose of Cleaning, Draining and Drying?

We know that all watercraft can transport aquatic invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla, and zebra mussels Cleaning, draining, and drying protects New York’s waters by reducing the possibility of aquatic invasive species being introduced into new waterbodies

2. Is cleaning, draining, and drying my boat mandatory?

YES New York state law requires that every boat (including motorboats, kayaks/canoes, and associated equipment) operated anywhere in the state is to be cleaned, drained, dried or treated before launching into a public waterbody. This requirement can be met by the boat operator OR by visiting a watercraft i n s p e c t i o n s t a t i o n A t s e l e c t l o c a t i o n s w a t e r c r a f t inspection stewards can assist with watercraft and

Boat steward Oliver Hess, right, inspects a motorboat with New Jersey plates looking for possible signs of invasive species in July 2022 at the Lake Placid lake boat launch off Mirror Lake Drive.

(Staff photo Andy Flynn) gear inspections and direct boaters to a decontamination station if AIS are found or suspected

3 What’s involved in clean, drain and dry?

Follow these steps to make sure your equipment is not harboring any invasive species: a Clean any mud, plants, fish, or animals from your boating and fishing equipment (trailer bunks, axles, rollers, lights, transducers, license plates, motor props, tackle, waders, etc ) and discard the material in trash cans, at a disposal station, or well away from the waterbody, so it won’t get washed in during a storm b Drain all water holding compartments, including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas, before you leave an access site c Dry everything thoroughly before using your boat or equipment in another waterbody. (Drying times can vary but a minimum of 5-7 days in dry, warm conditions is recommended ) d. Disinfect boats, trailers, and equipment when possible Use high pressure, hot water that is at least 140 degrees F or visit a boat steward/decontamination site to perform this step. Water holding compartments including bilges and live wells should be disinfected

Ausable Chasm

Ausable Chasm: 2144 Route 9, 518-834-7454, h t t p : / / a u s a b l e c h a s m c o m S i n c e 1 8 7 0 , A u s a b l e Chasm has amazed the public More than 10 million visitors have witnessed what mother nature has provided: a uniquely-carved, vertical-walled canyon made of 500-million-year-old rock As one of the earliest and oldest attractions in the U.S., Ausable Chasm has developed a history filled with adventures, disasters, and many famous visitors A horse nail factory was located here on the east bank below Rainbow Falls between 1877 and 1910

North Star Underground Railroad Museum: 1131 Mace Chasm Road, 518-834-5180, northcountryundergroundrailroad com The North Country U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d H i s t o r i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n researches, preserves and interprets the history of the Underground Railroad, slavery and abolition along the Upper Hudson River-Champlain and Canal-Lake Champlain corridor of northeast New York.

Keeseville

The history of Keeseville can be seen along the Ausable River, which helped drive industry in the 19th century. It is home to Adirondack Architectural Heritage (aarch.org), a nonprofit historic preservation organization that gives regular tours of properties in the Adirondack region. AARCH is located in the form e r o f f i c e b u i l d i n g o f t h e A u s a b l e H o r s e N a i l Company The circa 1849 stone building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of Keeseville’s large historic district Adjacent to the AARCH building is an 1849 stone mill This is a rare surviving group of mid-19th century, water-powered, industrial buildings, which were once the heart of the booming horse nail manufacturing industry

2023 Fort Ticonderoga schedule

TICONDEROGA

Here is the 2023 schedule for Fort Ticonderoga (www.fortticonderoga.org).

¯ May 6: Daily visitation begins 10 a m to 5 p m Tuesday-Sunday through Oct 29 Each day, follow the story of 1760, as British and American provincial soldiers make one last push into the heart of French Canada See Fort Ticonderoga’s garrison of British regular soldiers, guarding this supply and naval base along Lake Champlain

¯ May 26: Carillon cruises begin

¯ May 27-28: Memorial Day Weekend. Join the Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga for a special commemorative ceremony on Memorial Day

¯ June 17: Scots Day. Discover your own Scottish connection by visiting clan tents and vendors and enjoy the sounds of Scottish music

¯ June 28: Fifes & Drums begin daily performances (through Aug 24)

¯ J u l y 1 - 4 : I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y W e e k e n d Celebrate freedom by exploring the year 1777.

¯ July 8: Battle of Carillon commemoration Stand on the very ground where the epic Battle of Carillon took place on July 8, 1758. Remember the daylong battle where the British had suffered casualties of nearly 2,000 men killed and wounded The Battle of Carillon would prove to be France’s greatest victory of the French & Indian War

¯ July 22-23: Battle Reenactment: Defiance and Independence. Witness the epic 1777 siege of American-held Ticonderoga

¯ July 29: The Heroic Corn Maze: A Corn Maze Adventure opens. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Oct 15

¯ Aug. 5: Annual King’s Garden Party

¯ Aug. 5-6: Sound of 1776. Hear the rousing sounds of the Fifes & Drums, which hoisted the spirits of an American Army in 1776 Through m u s i c a l c o n c e r t s , l i v i n g h i s t o r y v i g n e t t e s a n d weapon demonstrations discover the story of the Northern Continental Army, which rebuilt itself at Ticonderoga beginning in July 1776.

¯ Sept. 8: Homeschool Day

¯ Sept. 30: Heritage Harvest & Horse Festival.

¯ Oct. 14: Girl Scout Day

¯ Oct. 14: Bon Voyage Cruise

¯ Nov. 11: Living History Event: 1775 British Prisoners of War Discover the stories of captured British soldiers and their families as they were escorted through Ticonderoga. Following American victories at forts along the Richelieu River in the fall of 1775, British soldiers and their families that were unlucky enough to be captured faced an uncertain future as they were marched south

¯ N o v . 1 8 - 1 9 : W i n t e r W o r k s h o p S e r i e s : Regimental Coats. Learn the latest research on Revolutionary War enlisted regimental coats as you build your own

¯ Dec. 2: Winter Workshop Series: Men’s & Women’s Cloaks Build one of your choice of outwear; women’s cloak, sentry’s cloak, or horseman’s cloak.

¯ Dec. 16: Living History Event: Noble Train of Artillery Relive Henry Knox's epic feat as he prepared to move a massive cannon from Ticonderoga to Boston to force the British evacuation in 1776

¯ Adirondack Regional Tourism Council: https://visitadirondacks com

Clinton County

¯ Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau: 7061 Route 9, Plattsburgh, 877-242-6752 http://goadirondack.com.

Essex County

¯ Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and Lake Placid Convention/Visitors Bureau: 518-523-2445, with offices in Lake Placid (2608 Main St.) and Crown Point (814 Bridge Road), www lakeplacid com

¯ Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau: 5753 Route 86, Wilmington, 888-944-8332, www whitefaceregion com

¯ Lake Champlain Region: 866-843-5253, www.lakechamplainregion.com.

¯ Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce: 94 Montcalm St , Suite 1, Ticonderoga, 518-585-6619, https://ticonderogany.com.

¯ Town of Newcomb: 5639 Route 28N, Newcomb, 518-582-3211, www.discovernewcomb.com.

¯ Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce: 1075 Route 9, Schroon Lake, 518-532-7675, www.schroonlakechamber.org.

Franklin County

¯ Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce: 39 Main St , Saranac Lake, 518-891-1990, www.saranaclake.com.

¯ Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce: 121 Park St , Tupper Lake, 518-359-3328, www.tupperlake.com.

¯ Malone Chamber of Commerce: 497 East Main St , Malone, 518-483-3760, www.visitmalone.com.

Fulton County

¯ Fulton County Tourism/Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce: 2 North Main St , Gloversville, 800-676-3858, www.44lakes.com.

¯ Northville Civic Association: 518-863-7199, www villageofnorthville com

Hamilton County

¯ Hamilton County Department of Economic Development & Tourism: 102 County View Dr., Lake Pleasant, 800-648-5239, www adirondackexperience com

¯ Town of Long Lake Parks, Recreation and Tourism: 1130 Deerland Road, Long Lake, 518-624-3077, https://mylonglake com

¯ Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce: 6301 Route 30, Indian Lake, 518-648-5112, www indian-lake com

¯ Inlet Information Office: 160 Route 28 at Arrowhead Park, Inlet, 315-357-5501, www inletny com

¯ Adirondacks Speculator Region Chamber of Commerce: 2960 Route 30, Speculator, 518-548-4521, www speculatorchamber com

Herkimer County

Town of Webb Visitor Information Center: 3140 Route 28, Old Forge, 315-369-6983, www oldforgeny com

Lewis County

¯ Lewis County Chamber of Commerce: 7576 South State St , Lowville, 315-376-2213, https://adirondackstughill.com.

St. Lawrence County

¯ St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce: 101 Main St , first floor, Canton, 877-228-7810, www visitstlc com

Saratoga County

¯ Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau: 60 Railroad Place, Suite 301, Saratoga Springs, 518-584-1531, www discoversaratoga org

Warren County

¯ Warren County Tourism Department: 1340 Route 9, Lake George, 800-958-4748, www visitlakegeorge com

¯ Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce: 2176 Route 9, Lake George, 518-668-5755, www lakegeorgechamber com

¯ Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce: 4928 Lakeshore Dr., Bolton Landing, 518-644-3831, www boltonchamber com

¯ North Warren Chamber of Commerce: 3 Dynamite Hill Road, Chestertown, 518-494-2722, https://northwarren com

¯ Gore Mountain Region Chamber of Commerce: 228 Main St., North Creek, 518-251-2612, www gorechamber com

¯ Lake Luzerne Regional Chamber of Commerce: 37 Main St., Lake Luzerne, 518-696-3500, https://lakeluzernechamber org

¯ Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce: 518-623-2161, https://warrensburgchamber.com.

Washington County

¯ Washington County Tourism: 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, 888-203-8622, https://washingtoncounty fun