New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced more than $5.1 million to reduce the negative impacts of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species on natural resources, infrastructure, agriculture and local economies. The 51 awarded projects will strengthen prevention, early detection, rapid response, management and restoration efforts statewide, supporting long-term ecosystem health, economic stability and community wellbeing. 

“Managing invasive species and mitigating their negative impacts to our lands and waters is essential to the environment, public health, and quality of life,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Investing in science-based management and strong local partnerships is strengthening New York’s efforts to combat invasive species, protect biodiversity, build more resilient ecosystems, and protect our forests, waters, farms, and communities.” 

Projects are spread across four categories:

$467,810 for six aquatic invasive species (AIS) spread prevention or boat decontamination projects that will use boat stewards and/or decontamination equipment at boat launches and along travel corridors to educate boaters and intercept AIS before watercraft are launched into new waterbodies.

$1,664,197 for 18 invasive species early detection/rapid response and control (terrestrial and aquatic) projects to support the removal of invasive species through physical and mechanical removal, chemical treatments, and biocontrol release.

$699,142 for eight invasive species research projects to help improve invasive species control methodologies.

$2,286,727 for 19 invasive species restoration and resiliency projects to facilitate native plant recovery, restore habitat structure and implement measures to enhance ecosystem resiliency. 

Adirondack region awardees include:

Fulton County 

Town of Caroga: $65,000—Project will help expand a regional hot pressure washer decontamination and inspection program to help prevent the spread of AIS present in area lakes.  

Oneida County 

Town of Forestport: $45,000—Project will provide staffing for a seasonal Aquatic Invasive Species and Decontamination Station.  

Warren County 

Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District: $105,523—Project will focus on protecting the Lake George watershed from the impacts of hemlock woolly adelgid.  

Essex County 

Paradox Lake Association: $112,491—Project will utilize boat stewards for a spread prevention initiative targeting the region’s highest risk entry points for AIS.  

Franklin County 

Town of Tupper Lake: $75,000—Project will involve treating terrestrial invasive plants, primarily Japanese knotweed, at more than 130 sites on private properties in the Adirondacks. 

Upper Saranac Lake Foundation: $81,026—Project will focus on re-establishing native submerged aquatic vegetation in Follensby Pond to restore ecological function, stabilize sediment, and increase resiliency to protect against re-infestation by invasive macrophytes. 

Upper Saranac Lake Foundation: $61,496—Project will advance the Upper Saranac Foundation’s ongoing efforts to remove, control and prevent the spread of Eurasian and variable-leaf watermilfoil within DEC’s Fish Creek Public Campground.

Jefferson County 

City of Watertown: $80,000—Project will involve continued invasive species control in conjunction with the restoration of site habitats by planting tree and shrub seedlings and wildflower seeds.  

The grants announced today are supported by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026–27 executive budget proposes a record $425 million for the EPF, 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 Invasive Species Grant Program is administered by the Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health in DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests. For more information, please visit DEC’s website.