Resources For Professionals

DEC's Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

The current plan (PDF) includes more than 50 actions designed to address prevention, detection, and response to aquatic invasive species (AIS). Priority actions from the plan include:

  • Expand the boat steward program and ensure consistency of these programs statewide
  • Develop an AIS response framework to guide decision making when AIS are detected, and communicate the reasoning for the response
  • Identify and evaluate risks associated with pathways for AIS introduction and movement within New York State.

Resources for Watercraft Inspection Steward Programs

DEC, NYS OPRHP (Parks), New York Sea Grant (NYSG), and several other partners have teamed up to provide support for watercraft inspection steward programs. This team of agencies works to standardize the training, messaging, and information that is collected and distributed throughout the state.

DEC, Parks, and the NY Natural Heritage Program have adopted the use of a digital survey for visitors called the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA). Based on visitors' feedback, we are able to see how lakes and rivers are connected within and beyond New York State. We also compare the aquatic invasive species found by stewards with species reports in the iMapInvasives database (leaves DEC website).

The following resources are available for watercraft inspection steward programs across the state.

Training Tools

Aquatic Invasive Species Education and Outreach Supplies

Tip strips:

Signs:

Fact sheets:

Watch Cards:

DEC has the following wallet-sized watch cards available for municipalities and organizations who do invasive species education and outreach. To request the below watch cards, please email [email protected].

  • Round Goby
  • Snakehead
  • Waterflea

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