New York’s native ecosystem is under attack. Invasive species
such as zebra mussels, round gobies, and water chestnuts
threaten our waterways; garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed
threaten our beautiful native flora; and even our beautiful ash
trees are in danger from the emerald ash borer. The Great Lakes
Center at SUNY Buffalo State received a five-year $1.1 million
grant from the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation to establish a Partnership for Regional Invasive
Species Management (PRISM) office in Western New York. The
office will establish a surveillance network, perform training,
arrange workshops, and develop a volunteer team for monitoring
invasive species. It will also coordinate activities of existing
environmental groups that are addressing invasive species and
the ensuing damage.