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Subscribe to Nature New York Magazine Nature New York magazine can't be found on newsstands! You can receive this exclusive member benefit with a donation of $50 or more to The Nature Conservancy of New York. "There is no way we can eradicate the vast number of invasives that have established roots on Long Island." — Kathy Schwager, Invasives Management Specialist Go Deeper The Nature Conservancy on Long Island On Long Island, we use a variety of approaches and work with many different partners to protect large landscapes, seascapes, and whole functioning ecosystems. The NYS Invasive Species Task Force A team of specialists that explore the invasive species issue and provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. The Nature Conservancy's Global Invasive Species Initiative aims to abate the threat to Earth’s diversity posed by invasive plants, animals, and diseases through a combination of prevention, early detection, eradication, restoration, research and outreach.

Long Island's proximity to New York City may be a blessing for some and a curse for others. When it comes to  invasives species, though, there is little doubt that New York’s proximity has brought the island nothing but headaches in the form of unwanted plants and animals.

“There is no way we can eradicate the vast number of invasives that have established roots on Long Island,” says the Conservancy’s Kathy Schwager, Invasives Management Specialist on Long Island.

With prevention no longer an option for many existing areas, the strategy has shifted to the eradication and containment of invasives from some of Long Island’s most ecologically valuable lands, like the Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region, Hither Hills/Hither Woods on the Montauk peninsula, and Connetquot River State Park, among others.

The plan calls for the creation of Weed Prevention Areas (WPAs) (see map below), which maximize limited resources by focusing on sites that are relatively free of invasive plants and have high ecological value. Many of these sites contain native species that are seriously threatened by invasives. Invasive plants on each site are mapped, management efforts are prioritized, and a site-specific management plan is written. As of May 2007 there were three WPAs under development.

At least five additional WPAs are planned for completion in 2008, totaling well over 25,000 acres. When it comes to holding the line against invasives, Schwager believes “WPAs can become a model for the rest of the state and the organization.”

Weed Prevention Areas on Long Island.  Click here to view larger version.

<< Back to Nature New York Spring/Summer 2007

Nature picture credits: Photo © The Nature Conservancy (Pipes Cove); Photo © Steve Dewey, Utah State University (Phragmites); Map © The Nature Conservancy.