Panels discuss what organizations are doing and what you can do
On Saturday, April 13, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) will host Protecting the Highlands from Alien Invaders, a community forum on invasive species, at the Highlands Country Club, 955 Route 9D in Garrison. The free event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature two moderated hour-and-a-half panel discussions. Children’s education programming will be provided in a separate room by members of HHLT’s River of Words education team. Participants will receive lunch.
The morning panel, We’re All in This Together — Regional Responses to Invasives, will present an introduction to dangers some invasive species present to native flora and fauna and highlight what organizations in our area are doing to combat them. Attendees will be invited to participate in the discussion and ask questions. Panelists include Paul Elconin, Open Space Institute; Eric Lind, Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary; Bob O’Brien, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Linda Rohleder, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference; and moderator Dr. William Schuster, Black Rock Forest Consortium.
The afternoon session, Plant This, Not That — A How-to Guide for Managing Invasives on Your Own Property, will focus on the difference you can make in your own backyard, offering tips for safe removal of invasives and providing suggestions for native plants. There will also be time for questions and comments from the audience. Panelists include Matt Decker, HHLT; Kim Eierman, the Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College; Rita Jo Riehle, horticulturist; Jennifer Stengle, Cornell Cooperative Extension; and moderator Katherine Whiteside, contributing garden editor, Architectural Digest.
The forum is open to the general public and free of charge, but registration is strongly recommended as space is limited. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event on a space-available basis. Contact HHLT at 845-424-3358 or [email protected] for more information or to make a reservation.
The HHLT is a community-based, accredited, nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the natural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands. HHLT offers free workshops and forums to bring environmental and sustainability issues to the forefront of public dialog. For more information, visit hhlt.org.
