What are invasive species, and what can we do about them?
The PLPA recently created an Invasive Species Committee to research invasive species, which are becoming a greater threat to natural plant and animal life on Adirondack Lakes. Some Invasive Species have already been identified in Peck’s Lake waters.
The Committee will be looking for volunteers this summer to help survey the lake. If you’d like to help click the link below. It will take you to the Contact page where you can send an email. In the Message section let us know you’d like to Volunteer for the Invasive Species Committee. Make sure you include all your contact information.
Invasive Species Committee
At the January 2023 Board meeting the PLPA Board unanimously approved the creation of a new committee to research the growing (literally) problem of invasive species, and learn what we can do to prevent further infestation at the lake. The committee will also be researching available remediation options to remove or reduce invasive species that have already been identified. Donna Coffey has graciously agreed to chair the committee. The following is Donna’s latest report:
Peck’s Lake Aquatic Invasive Species Committee Update
Donna Coffey – Chairperson
April 11, 2023
The committee held its second meeting in April to tackle the issue of invasive species in Peck Lake. We have a daunting task ahead of us but are fortunate to have excellent guidance from Brian Greene of APIPP (Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program).
Our first goal is to positively identify the invasive plants in the lake. Brian will be coming to the lake in July to help us with this task. We are fairly certain we have Eurasian Watermilfoil which is the most common invasive plant in the waters of the Adirondack Park. It can spread quickly forming dense mats that can degrade native habitat and impede recreational use.
We ask residents to remove any pieces of plants that are floating near the shoreline or on your boats. Eurasian Watermilfoil propagates primarily by fragmentation of pieces as small as one inch. It can also be removed from shallow areas by pulling up from the roots.
There is a program being offered by APIPP called Lake Protectors. Three training sessions are being planned for this summer. There will be a virtual one in late June. There will be in-person trainings in July and August. The July one will be in the southern Adirondack area. The exact dates and times will be announced in the next month. If you are interested in attending one of these programs, please email me for details or check on the APIPP website.