By DIANE VALDEN
ANCRAM—Ancram is the only town in Columbia County to be awarded a piece of the $3 million pie earmarked to address the negative effects of invasive species.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the 43 projects that will receive grants to reduce the negative impacts of invasive species on New York State’s natural resources, economy and communities. These grants are part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Invasive Species Grant Program, which provides funding for prevention of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species spread, early detection and rapid response, lake management planning, research, education and outreach.
The person responsible for writing Ancram’s successful grant application is town councilperson and Ancram Conservation Council Advisory member Colleen Lutz.
The $12,646 grant coming Ancram’s way will help the town’s Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) work with the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) to install boot brush stations at the trailheads of CLC properties in Ancram: the Drowned Lands Swamp at 654 County Route 3, Ancramdale and the Overmountain Road Conservation Area, Round Ball Trailhead at 503 Carson Road, Ancram and Kite Hill Trailhead at 138 Catalano Road, Ancram, Ms. Lutz told The Columbia Paper this week by email.
A kiosk will be installed at each station bearing information about how invasive plants are dispersed and how brushing one’s boots can reduce their spread. Additional pamphlets will have a list of species to look out for as people enjoy the trails, according to Ms. Lutz.
Ancram’s CAC “views this as good opportunity to provide outreach to the community and stop the spread of invasives into these recreational areas,” wrote Ms. Lutz, who is an assistant biologist with New York Natural Heritage Program.
“We are committed to protecting New York’s waterways, forest lands, and agricultural crops from dangerous invasive species. This funding supports projects across the state that will help prevent the spread of invasive species in New York, protecting our natural resources, economy and public health from the negative impacts of this threat,” Governor Hochul said in a press release.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the release, “DEC is pleased to offer this comprehensive grant program to address the negative impacts of invasive species. There is no single action that can address the threats invasive pests pose to New York’s environment. Simultaneous investments in researching control methods, actively managing invasive populations, addressing pathways for spread, and educating the public about invasive species, are essential for mitigation efforts. In Governor Hochul’s proposed 2024-2025 Executive Budget, the State’s Environmental Protection Fund would designate $17 million for projects and programs to help address invasive species across the state.”
Awarded projects total $2,992,793 spread across six categories:
*$263,390 to fund two aquatic invasive species watercraft spread prevention projects through boat steward outreach/voluntary inspection to help educate recreational boaters
*$340,437 to fund five projects related to aquatic invasive species watercraft spread prevention stewards and boat decontamination by deploying and utilizing high-pressure hot water decontamination equipment and delivering boat steward programs and site decontamination stations at boat ramps or road travel corridors
*$1,762,442 for 23 invasive species early detection/ rapid response and control (terrestrial and aquatic) projects to promote the removal of invasive species through physical and mechanical removal, chemical treatments, and biocontrol releas
*$269,682 for four invasive species research projects to help improve invasive species control methodologies.
*$159,598 for five lake management planning and implementation projects to help address the underlying causes of aquatic invasive species infestations and provide context for their control and management; and
*$197,243 for four invasive species education and outreach projects to increase public knowledge of invasive species and motivate the public to engage in invasive species management and community science.
Chosen in the Capital Region area of New York, Ancram won a $12,646 grant to pursue Invasive Species Education and Outreach.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com