Finger Lakes PRISM

10/08/2026

We can't believe our 2026 summer citizen science programs have come to an end, but of course we are already looking forward to next year! To ensure we continue to improve our programs year after year, we are asking for your valued feedback.

If you participated in either our Trail Survey Program or our Macrophyte Survey Program, we ask that you fill out our post-program evaluation form for whichever you participated in (maybe it was both!) Respondants to these forms have the chance to be entered into a drawing to win a Finger Lakes PRISM invasive species field guide.

Click here to fill out the TSP post-program evaluation form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Ba6s4hxCDP
Click here to fill out the MSP post-program evaluation form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/MDYtUc6dny

We can't wait to hear from you, and we hope that you'll join us for our future citizen science programs!

10/07/2026

Are you seeing spotted lanternflies around? Do you want to learn how to scrape their egg masses and learn about their impacts on our region? Register for our SLF Egg Mass Scraping event today!

It's the event announcement you all have been waiting for! Join us for our 2nd Annual Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Scraping Workshop on November 7th at the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges! 🔴🏮🪰⚫️

This workshop will introduce you to the different life stages of SLF and give you the opportunity to help the Finger Lakes PRISM with hands-on management of the known SLF population right out our back door. We'll also talk about actions you can take as a citizen in limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly and best reporting techniques.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jSfp66T8WV or by scanning the QR code on the flyer. We hope to see you there!

10/06/2026

Don’t forget to register; this is one you don’t want to miss!

It's time for our Fall 2026 Webinar, and for this one we are diving back into the water to talk about Round Goby! 🐡🌊

Join us to learn about current Round Goby monitoring and research from Dr. Susan Cushman, what our team has discovered through surveying waterways across the Finger Lakes, and how these efforts help us better understand the distribution and impact of this invasive fish. This webinar will also cover how to identify Round Goby and the practical steps community members can take to report sightings and contribute to tracking their spread.

Register today at the link in our bio or by scanning the QR code on the flyer 🔗📱

09/28/2026

With the beginning of fall comes the end of our field season and the beginning of reporting! While it’s a ton of fun to be out on the field doing work, it’s just as satisfying to see the data come together and report on our findings from all of the hard work.

When we get cross-eyed from staring at R Studio or ArcGIS, we remember who we are doing it for: the Finger Lakes region! 💦 ⛰️ 🍷 🍏

You can review our past reports on our website while you wait for the new ones from 2026! 📝

09/25/2026

It's time for our Fall 2026 Webinar, and for this one we are diving back into the water to talk about Round Goby! 🐡🌊

Join us to learn about current Round Goby monitoring and research from Dr. Susan Cushman, what our team has discovered through surveying waterways across the Finger Lakes, and how these efforts help us better understand the distribution and impact of this invasive fish. This webinar will also cover how to identify Round Goby and the practical steps community members can take to report sightings and contribute to tracking their spread.

Register today at the link in our bio or by scanning the QR code on the flyer 🔗📱

09/13/2026

Did someone say ✨restoration✨ with American eelgrass?

Our aquatic invasive species field team has been working with Region 7 DEC and SUNY Morrisville on an aquatic plant restoration project in Fall Creek, an area previously infested with invasive Hydrilla. Since it is such an aggressive invader, Hydrilla often leaves empty space in an ecosystem after it is treated, and planting native species can help prevent further invasions!

Fall Creek is ready to be rejuvenated with beneficial native species, such as Vallisneria americana (American eelgrass)! American eelgrass is a common and highly beneficial native species, providing crucial habitat for native fish and food for our lovely waterfowl. We are excited to expand this project in the coming years to continue improving our local aquatic ecosystems 🌊🦆🌱

📢Shoutout to partners on the Hydrilla Local Task Force for their continued involvement and dedication in the treatment and monitoring of invasive Hydrilla in Cayuga Lake 📢

09/10/2026

Yes, this is what we meant when we said ‘working meeting’ in our last email 💦

When you do invasive species fieldwork, sometimes you respond to an email in the craziest places! Whether it is doing point-intercept macrophyte surveys on the water or vacuuming up spotted lanternflies, our crew is always out working to prevent the spread of invasive species 🌱🪰💦



Video inspo from Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program

09/04/2026

It's the event announcement you all have been waiting for! Join us for our 2nd Annual Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Scraping Workshop on November 7th at the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges! 🔴🏮🪰⚫️

This workshop will introduce you to the different life stages of SLF and give you the opportunity to help the Finger Lakes PRISM with hands-on management of the known SLF population right out our back door. We'll also talk about actions you can take as a citizen in limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly and best reporting techniques.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jSfp66T8WV or by scanning the QR code on the flyer. We hope to see you there!

09/03/2026

Join us two weeks from today, September 15th, for a Trail Survey Program Workshop with Finger Lakes PRISM in collaboration with RMSC Cu***ng Nature Center !

We will explore and survey our trails from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. to identify terrestrial invasive species & how you can survey by yourself. Please register at the link in our bio.