The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture and Markets (AGM) today announced that the State's 13th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) will run from Monday, June 8, through Sunday, June 14. Free public events, including webinars, hands-on workshops, and guided hikes and paddles will be offered online and across the state to encourage New Yorkers to learn more and participate in the fight against the negative impacts of invasive species.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Invasive Species Awareness Week is an opportunity to engage and mobilize the public to protect local ecosystems, agricultural, and public health from the threats of invasive species. These harmful invaders outcompete native wildlife, damage recreational spaces, and cause economic harm. Through collaboration among State and local governments, environmental organizations, researchers, industry partners, and the public, we can strengthen our efforts to detect, manage, and prevent invasive species. Whether you’re hiking, boating, gardening, or simply enjoying the outdoors, everyone has a role to play in safeguarding our environment for future generations.”
AGM Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Combatting the spread of harmful invasive species like the box tree moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly is critical to protecting our agricultural industry. We’re fortunate to have strong collaborations with our partners at DEC in advancing our shared mission of addressing these pests and their threat to New York agriculture and our natural resources. Together, we are working to educate farmers, plant growers and dealers, and the public about the impact of invasive species and how to preserve the health of New York’s farms, environment, and economy.”
To participate in an ISAW event, visit the NY Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026 page on the NY Invasive Species Clearinghouse website to find a complete list of offerings. Registration information and full event details can be found by clicking on the individual events.
Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are not native to an area and cause harm to the environment, agriculture, economy, or public health. New York is particularly vulnerable to these pests due to its role as a center for international trade and travel.
DEC leads a comprehensive program to research, manage, and combat the effects of invasive species across New York State. This includes tackling aquatic invasive species like hydrilla, water chestnut, and northern snakehead and forest pests such as southern pine beetle, laurel wilt, and hemlock wooly adelgid. DEC works with numerous partners and oversees eight NYS Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), which educate residents and visitors about how everyone can protect their lands, water, and forests from invasive species.
AGM works to control and eradicate various invasive species, such as the spotted lanternfly, European pepper moth, and European cherry fruit fly, which can harm New York’s agricultural crops, particularly grapes, hops, strawberries, peppers, and fruit trees. Staff conduct annual surveys for these pests, and inspect the state’s nearly 9,000 greenhouses, retail markets, and nursery growers and dealers for compliance with invasive plant regulations. Horticultural inspectors also monitor for invasive pests and diseases, such as Asian longhorned beetle and boxwood blight that are harmful to New York’s trees and popular landscape shrubs. Learn more about the invasive species that are a concern for New York agriculture.
In the recently enacted 2026-27 State Budget, Governor Hochul reaffirms New York’s commitment to environmental leadership by appropriating $425 million to the Environmental Protection Fund, using $25 million from the Sustainable Future Program to provide a record $450 million for important environmental programs. EPF funding is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The budget includes a renewed $18.5 million in funding to manage invasive species.
ISAW educates New Yorkers to work together to spread the word, not the species. Everyone can make a difference in the fight against invasives by helping to locate and map infestations, using only local firewood, properly cleaning watercraft before and after boating, cleaning dirt off boots after hiking, or removing invasive species from the yard. To learn more about invasive species and how to get involved, visit DEC's website.
