Congratulations to all of our PRISM partners and applicants who received funding to carry out special invasive species projects in 2023 through Lower Hudson PRISM subcontract awards. This year's awardees include Black Rock Forest who will develop and implement a new invasive species early detection survey protocol in Black Rock that we hope will serve as a model for the LH PRISM moving forward. Cornell Cooperative Extension-Rockland County will be focusing on developing and delivering invasive species training focused on municipalities and volunteer groups in Rockland County. A collaborative group that includes Vassar College, Sharpe Reservation/Fresh Air Fund, Fordham University's Calder Center and Hudson Highlands Land Trust as well as Westchester Parks Foundation (separately funded) will be running invasive species management internships that support community members underrepresented in the environmental field. Westchester Land Trust will be leading a Conservation Apprenticeship Program and the newly formed Beech Leaf Disease Coalition (which includes many of our valued partners in Westchester County!) in developing strategies to increase the feasibility and scale of forest restoration efforts in the face of beech leaf disease in our region. The Town of Lloyd was awarded funding to carry out aquatic invasive species surveys and water chestnut management work in Chodikee Lake this year. The Trail Conference, as the lead organization overseeing the LH PRISM Program, couldn't be more excited to support these important projects that will help protect the lands we love.
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