CANTON -- St. Lawrence County residents can learn about invasive
species and their economic and ecological impacts at a session
from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at the St. Lawrence County
Cooperative Extension Learning Farm Classroom, 2043 State Rt.
68, Canton. Invasive species of plants, animals, insects and
microorganisms are among the most serious threats to native
species, habitats and ecosystems within the five county area
that define the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario (SLELO)
Region. Invasive species interfere with many types of outdoor
recreation, reduce crop yields and interfere with harvest
operations on local farms. Along public roads and highways,
invasive plants restrict visibility and create roadside hazards.
Invasive insects and diseases kill trees in forested areas as
well as along community streets. The economic impact of invasive
species in the United States alone has been estimated at $120
billion annually. Local communities have been challenged with
controlling invasive species or miti