VERONA — A free information session to learn about invasive species, including their ecological impacts and their impact on local economieswill be held on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at: Madison-Oneida BOCES Triplexus Conference Room, 4937 Spring Road.

This session is free, but registration is required online at http://tinyurl.com/6w9ycag by email sconley@tnc.org or call 387-3600, ext. 23.

The public, elected officials, highway personnel, sportsmen and women, boaters, gardeners, landscapers, hikers, birders, photographers, farmers, campers and other interested persons are encouraged to participate, organizers said.

The partners of the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario - Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management said, "Invasive species of plants, animals, insects and microorganisms are among the most serious threats to native species, habitats and ecosystems.... Invasive species interfere with many types of outdoor recreation. They reduce crop yields and interfere with harvest operations on local farms. Along public roads and highways, invasive plants restrict visibility and create roadside hazards. Invasive insects and diseases kill trees in forested areas as well as along community streets."

The economic impact of invasive species in the United States alone has been estimated at $120 billion annually. Local communities have been challenged with controlling invasive species or remediating their impacts at costs ranging from several thousand to millions of dollars.