Volunteers needed to pull invasive water primrose from the Peconic tomorrow

The Peconic Estuary Program in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be removing the damaging water primrose plant, also known as Ludwigia peploides, from areas of the Peconic River on Tuesday, July 27, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Edwards Avenue dam and kayak launch site. 

The organizations are seeking volunteers to help to hand-pull the invasive plant from the water’s surface using kayaks, canoes, and other small crafts. Plants will then be collected in riverfront invasive species removal bins for proper disposal. Bring water, lunch, and sunscreen for this day-long event. Kayaks and PFDs are in limited supply. Please bring your own if possible. They will be provided as numbers allow. Bring waders if you can.

Volunteers can stay for as long as they want – a few hours to all day.

Advance registration is required. Email peptalk@peconicestuary.org for more information and to register.

Water primrose is a freshwater invasive plant in the Peconic River that out-competes native plants, reduces biodiversity, blocks sunlight to oxygen producing plants, and impedes fish habitat and recreational use of the river. If left unchecked this plant will rapidly colonize the river, preventing the use of some waterways for boating and fishing, as well as making the river less habitable for local wildlife.

The Peconic Estuary is one of 28 estuaries in the nation to receive the designation as an “Estuary of National Significance” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Under the Clean Water Act and as part of the Association of National Estuary Programs, stakeholders of the Peconic Estuary watershed are charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive conservation management plan with priority topics including harmful algal blooms, nutrient and chemical pollution, protecting living habitats and critical lands and climate change resiliency.

Since 1992, Peconic Estuary Program is an innovative partnership of local, state, and federal governments, citizen and environmental groups, businesses and industries, and academic institutions charged with carrying out the goals of improved water quality and ecosystem health through the Peconic estuary and surrounding watershed. Through outreach and education, the Peconic community can share in the responsibility of conscious land use to benefit our precious marine waters.

To register or for more information on the Peconic Estuary Program, the PEP Homeowner Rewards Program, or other educational programing click here to email Sherryll Huber Jones, PEP Education and Outreach Coordinator or call 631-727-7850 Ext. 353  

Source: Press release issued by Cornell Cooperative Extension dated July 26, 2016.