Latest news with #PledgetoProtect
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Partnership encourages climate-smart gardening to help combat invasive species
May 25—A simple garden choice can have far-reaching effects. That's the message from the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. The organization's Pledge to Protect outreach initiative is highlighting climate-smart gardening as a practical way to support resilient ecosystems across New York state. As spring planting season begins, SLELO PRISM is encouraging residents to explore climate-smart gardening practices that prioritize native plants, reduce ecological disruption and promote long-term landscape health. The Gardener Protector Toolkit, part of the Pledge to Protect's suite of free resources, provides practical guides to help individuals choose native alternatives to invasive and ornamental plants and support local biodiversity. "Invasive species are often introduced unknowingly through landscaping and garden choices," said Megan Pistolese-Shaw, education outreach and communications coordinator for SLELO PRISM. "Climate-smart gardening gives people a way to take meaningful action right in their own yards, helping prevent the spread of invasive species and creating more climate resilient habitats for native wildlife." The approach emphasizes using plants adapted to local conditions, avoiding known invaders and rethinking popular ornamentals that pose long-term ecological risks. Visitors to the Gardener Protector Toolkit can also find resources such as the New York Flora Atlas, Native Plant Finder, Alternatives to Invasive Ornamentals (Cornell CALS), and easy-to-use guides from the state DEC to support landscape decisions that align with local ecosystems. For more information on how to get involved, visit To sign up for the Pledge to Protect, visit
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario starts Pledge to Protect initiative
NORTH COUNTRY, N.Y. (WWTI) – This April, the St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) is encouraging residents and visitors to the Eastern Lake Ontario region to take action for the environment through their Pledge to Protect initiative, which is an outreach campaign designed to inspire everyday environmental stewardship and combat the spread of invasive species. Bear that attacked luxury car was actually man in costume, insurance investigators say With Earth Month officially underway, SLELO PRISM has announced a series of hands-on events, community science tools, and learning resources to assist people of all ages in taking meaningful action. Highlighted Earth Month Events in the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Region: April 18: Earth Day Celebration & Month of the Military Child – Fort Drum April 19: Zoo New York Earth Day Celebration – Watertown April 22: Earth Day Cleanup – Cape Vincent, Fisher's Landing and Ogdensburg April 25: Arbor Day Celebration with Thousand Islands Land Trust – Cape Vincent April 26 at 9 a.m.: Watertown Tree Planting at Thompson Park (meet at the Veterans Memorial statue) May 3: I Love My Parks Day, join events happening across the region and the state 'Whether you're planting native species in your backyard or volunteering at a community event, your efforts help keep our region's ecosystems healthy and resilient,' says Megan Pistolese-Shaw, Education Outreach Coordinator with SLELO PRISM. In addition to attending events, community members are urged to sign the Pledge to Protect, which is an outreach campaign that urges participants to commit to taking basic steps to prevent the spread of invasive species and support biodiversity. Through this effort, SLELO PRISM provides a plethora of interactive tools to empower the public. You can find a handful of the tools featured in their most recent Protector's Blog and sign up for the Pledge to Protect. Use the NYiMapInvasives app to report invasive species sightings while hiking, paddling, or exploring the backyard. Learn about threats to local habitats through immersive story-maps from the NYSDEC and PRISM network. Explore climate-smart native plant guides from the Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Network to build pollinator-friendly gardens. Colgate, CHCNC launch free dental checks for children in St. Lawrence County These Earth Month activities are part of a larger effort by SLELO PRISM and the statewide PRISM network to engage the public in invasive species control and environmental education all year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
