For Immediate Release: July 10, 2006
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – Adirondack Groups to Raise Awareness about Invasive Species
In early June, Governor George Pataki proclaimed the second week of July as Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week. The proclamation stated “invasive species awareness is an important first step towards behavior change that can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species and New York State joins to support the worthy goals of Invasive Species Awareness Week, which provides an opportunity for government to join forces with business, industry, environmental groups, community organizations and citizens to take action against the introduction and spread of invasive species.”
Numerous activities are scheduled this week, July 9 through the 15, as part of the first annual Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week. Various organizations are offering free workshops, field trips, boat tours, lectures and hands-on activities to raise awareness about the issues surrounding invasive species (both plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) and about the importance of native biodiversity in the Adirondacks.
See http://www.adkinvasives.com/InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek.html for a complete schedule of activities happening across the region.
Introduced to the Adirondacks outside of their historic ranges, invasive plants and animals threaten lakes, ponds, rivers, and forests, which are precious resources that underwrite the economy of many communities through recreation, tourism, forestry, and numerous other uses.