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Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species — Emmy Award-Winning, Essential Viewing
Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species, offers a compelling survey of the various invasive plants and insects now in New York State, and how The Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is battling a variety of threats: From the Emerald Ash Borer to The Spotted Lantern Fly to Japanese Knotweed, to emergent invaders.
The NYDEC demonstrates the various innovative methods they employ to manage invasive species — Dogs trained to smell and hunt down invasive plants, drones to track where the Spotted Lantern Fly egg cases are attached to tree trunks in a woods. Sometimes, though, hand pulling is the only or best option. What was particularly well done by the filmmakers was to let the experts on the different invasive species speak in turn about their methods. It helped too that they had Doug Tallamy, eminent expert on native plants and insects, and their interrelations, there to comment at various junctures. Read Nature’s Best Hope, his most recent.
Removal Will Be Labor Intensive
In the end, we must be persistent, for the invaders will be relentless. We need to come out regularly, and remove what we can. It is not a one day fix, but active stewardship. We also must all be aware of the issue of invasive species so that at a bare minimum we are not inadvertently aiding in the spread of invasive plants and insects.
May Uninvited Spark Awareness
I confess I only heard about the DEC’s documentary on invasive species when I saw where Basil Seggos, The NYS DEC Commissioner, posted that the documentary had won an Emmy, with two their staff, Josh Thiel, and Emma Antolos, being honored. Frankly, I couldn’t be happier, for this is very much the message that The Long Island Conservancy has been working to bring home: We must begin to recognize the invasive plants around us, and take measures to remove them professionally before they destroy local habitat, and in the case of Long Island, a way of life.
Invasive Species: The Dirty Dozen Campaign
Our Dirty Dozen Campaign, done in conjunction with The Science Museum of Long Island, The Town of North Hempstead, and Sands Point Preserve, is our local attempt to create public awareness about invasive plants. Throughout our campaign, we have relied upon the guidance of the NYSDEC. It’s important that we are all following best practices when it comes to dealing with the various threats invasive species pose. It is of the utmost importance, though, that people see the film. With so few knowing there’s a problem, a problem it will stay.
You Are All Invited to See Uninvited
Having now viewed the documentary and learned a great deal about New York’s invasive species and their management, I have to say this: It should be required viewing for everyone who works in maintenance for our town parks and public spaces. What are best practices? Anyone who works professionally as a landscaper should understand this. Any property owner or boat owner on Long Island needs to understand how they can help stop the spread of invasive species. The alarm is sounding about as loud as it could go.
I have seen where the Emmy award is driving viewership. Please share with your New York State friends, especially if you have an invasive plant problem!