Invasive Plant Survey: Recruiting Volunteers

Blockbuster Survey

CCE Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Ulster along with the NYS DEC are recruiting for volunteers for the Blockbuster Citizen-Science Program Volunteers are needed  to survey for the presence of invasive plants in the Hudson Valley this summer.

In early July, training for the survey will begin, with several dates and locations offered. After the training you will pick a 5-km x 5-km block in your area and survey it for invasive plants.

This workshop prepares Lower Hudson PRISM volunteers to conduct BlockBuster Survey monitoring. The BlockBuster Survey program detects emerging invasive species introductions and fills data gaps in the Lower Hudson region. The Lower Hudson Valley counties have been divided into 5km by 5km (about 3 x 3 mile) blocks; volunteers will work with CCE educators to determine surveying locations.

Volunteer surveyors will be trained in field identification, GPS data collection and other skills which will help them estimate the extent or absence of targeted invasive species and note new occurrences in their assigned  block.

BlockBuster Surveyors will map the current distribution and abundance (or absence) of 27 terrestrial invasive plants such as scotch broom, mile-a-minute weed, black swallow-wort, wineberry, Oriental bittersweet and Japanese barberry.

As a Blockbuster Volunteer you will be part of a region-wide team of volunteers who will help us find and identify key invasive species and find areas that are free of invaders. Data collected will help scientists and natural resource managers direct their efforts most effectively. This program is part of the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management’s (LH-PRISM) efforts to stop the spread of invasive species in the lower Hudson Valley.

Download Blockbuster Survey Welcome Letter and Resources Here!

For dates and Registration Information View the Chart Below.

Training Location	Date	Registration Link	Contact
CCE-Dutchess 2715 Route 44 Millbrook,NY 12545	7/9/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1111	Joyce Tomaselli jdt225@cornell.edu (845) 677-8223 x 134
CCE-Dutchess 2715 Route 44 Millbrook, NY 12545	7/12/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1112	Joyce Tomaselli jdt225@cornell.edu (845) 677-8223 x 134
CCE-Putnam at Desmond Fish Library 472 NY-403, Garrison, NY 10524	7/5/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1107	Jennifer Stengle jjs95@cornell.edu (845) 278-6738
CCE-Putnam at Mahopac Library 668 U.S. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541	7/16/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1108	Jennifer Stengle jjs95@cornell.edu (845) 278-6738
CCE-Rockland 10 Patriot Hills Dr. Stony Point, NY 10980	7/5/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1109	Annie Christian-Reuter: Alc44@cornell.edu (845) 429-7085 x108
CCE-Rockland 10Patriot Hills Dr. Stony Point, NY 10980	7/7/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1110	Annie Christian-Reuter: Alc44@cornell.edu (845) 429-7085 x108
CCE-Ulster 232 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401	7/19/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1105	Dona Crawford  dm282@cornell.edu (845) 677-8223
CCE-Ulster 232 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401	7/23/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-training-trail-u-1106	Dona Crawford dm282@cornell.edu (845) 677-8223
Milkweed Art Gallery 2 Romers Alley Sugar Loaf, NY 10981*	7/25/2016	http://www.nynjtc.org/workshop/blockbuster-survey-...	Linda Rohleder lrohleder@nynjtc.org (201) 512-9348 x821

*If putting into GPS note that you should use 1372 Kings Highway, Chester NY 10918. The training will be held at the Milkweed Art Gallery located across the street.

Last updated January 3, 2018