WATERTOWN — The 29th Annual NYS ReLeaf Conference will take place in Watertown with emphasis on helping professionals understand how trees play a role in managing the environment of our local communities.

The St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario (SLELO) Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) will present “Enhancing Urban Forest Resiliency” at the conference, Thursday, July 21, through Saturday, July 23, at Jefferson Community College.

According to the New York State Urban Forestry Council, “the goal of New York ReLeaf is to create partnerships among tree professionals, citizen volunteers, educators, government, and the private sector. The annual State conference brings together these interested parties from across the state’s nine regions to share experiences, ideas, and new information.”

The “Enhancing Urban Forest Resiliency” presentation is reflective of the Urban Forest Sustainability Initiative, which encourages communities to plant and maintain trees that are resilient to invasive species. It also aims to guide and educate residents on the importance of healthy trees within urban settings through the use of an Urban Forest Sustainability Guide. To date, SLELO PRISM has assisted local residents in planting over 100 trees.

In addition to this initiative, SLELO PRISM will also present on the Pledge-to-Protect Program. “The Pledge-to-Protect is a fun, positive, inviting, engaging and rewarding way for citizens to do their part in invasive species prevention and management,” according to the announcement. “Those who take the pledge on the SLELO PRISM website can select the outdoor areas they spend the most time in to receive more information. The program includes resources and monthly emails about simple prevention and management activities.”

About the Pledge-to-Protect

Invasive species are non-native species that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. Invasive species are easily spread by people and can have huge consequences when introduced to an area. According to SLELO PRISM, there are simple actions that people can take like cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft and equipment before entering a new body of water, cleaning their shoes before and after a hike, by not moving firewood and growing native plants in their gardens.

SLELO PRISM developed the ‘Pledge-to-Protect,’ where people can sign up for monthly updates on easy ways they can help protect their favorite hiking trails, paddle-ways, gardens, and communities from the threats of invasive species. 

People can sign up for the ‘Pledge-To-Protect’ online at iPledgeToProtect.org. At signup, they can select from five areas of action: Lands and Trails, Gardens, Forests, Waters and Community.

After signup, they will receive information each month via email about a different activity they can take to protect the chosen area or areas of action in which they’ve pledged to protect.