Invasive Species Awareness Week Begins July 12th

Lake George’s Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) begins next week, and coincides with the release of a new report by the New York State Invasive Species Council. Entitled: A Regulatory System for Non-Native Species, the report has been sent to Governor Patterson and the legislature for review.

Those interested in learning more about invasive species impacting Lake George and efforts currently in place to prevent their spread, or discussing the new regulatory system proposed by the state council, are invited to stop by the ISAW display at the Visitors Center in downtown Lake George, from 11 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday, July 12 – 16. Representatives from the Lake George Association, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, and other area organizations will be on hand.

Due to a lack of natural predators, diseases and parasites, invasive species can quickly become pervasive. When they do, these species can negatively impact the ecological balance of Lake George by out-competing native species for light, nutrients, and space.

The new report by the NYS Invasive Species Council introduces a process for assessing level of threat, assessing socioeconomic value, and assigning each invasive species into a distinct category for appropriate action.

State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said, “New York needs to take action now to curb the many pathways that invasive species use to make their way here. The system the Council is proposing strikes the right balance of minimizing the major threats to our ecology and economy
while allowing for the careful use of those plants and animals that pose lower risks.”

The new assessment process would allow the state to categorize invasive species as “prohibited,” “regulated” or “unregulated.” Species in the “prohibited” category would be the most restricted as they pose clear risks to New York’s economic, ecological and public health interests, and, therefore, would be banned from commerce entirely. “Regulated” species would be restricted, but not prohibited from commerce, and would require practical and meaningful regulatory programs. “Unregulated” species would be identified as those non-native species that do not pose a threat and therefore could be used freely in commerce.

Two “tools” would be used in assessing risks from non-native plants and animals. One evaluates the inherent, biological “invasiveness” of each species, i.e., some species are better “weeds” than others. The other tool looks at socio-economic values to help determine whether the social benefits of a plant or animal outweigh the potential harm. For example, earthworms have often been shown to have positive effects on soil structure and fertility in agricultural and garden ecosystems; however, glacial ice sheets that covered most of New York some 11,000 to 14,000 years ago left New York worm free. Today’s worms are actually European invaders and considered a non-native invasive species, but are clearly valuable.

The New York State Invasive Species Council’s final report is available online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/63402.html.

Washington County Beach Opens for Daily Use


Lifeguards; Carly Nichols, Cole Rocque, and Kelsie Benjamin stand in front of the lifeguard chair at the Washington County Beach

The Washington county beach at Huletts Landing is now open daily for the 2010 season. The park is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m – 8 p.m. and the swimming beach is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Washington county beach is the only free public beach on Lake George in Washington county.

The new manager for the park, Amanda Mazza, wants everyone to know that if any group or person wants to reserve the pavilion, they can stop by and see her in person. She will assist in booking the pavilion. She hopes to have a basketball tournament and perhaps even a summer reading program in place later in the summer.

One note about the park: it is a “carry-in” and “carry-out” destination. This means that any trash generated must be brought out by the same individuals bringing it in. Also canoes and kayaks can be launched but cannot be docked overnight.

So take a break and stop by for a swim or picnic. The Washington county beach is a huge asset to the community and the county!

Signup Now for Floating Classroom


The Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom will visit Huletts Landing twice during the summer of 2010, courtesy of the Friends of Historic Huletts

The Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom teaches children, and adults about lake ecology, geology and stewardship.

It is scheduled to make two stops in Huletts this summer: Saturday July 10th at 2 pm and again on Monday August 2nd at 2 pm.

A signup sheet is now in the Huletts Post Office for the Saturday, July 10th visit. Both of these events are sponsored by the Friends of Historic Huletts. The boat is limited to approximately 30, so signup is on a first come first serve basis. Children under the age of 5 may not understand the concepts discussed.

If for some reason, you cannot signup at the Huletts Post Office, I will be happy to take names through the comment form and add you to the list. I will add the names strictly in the order I receive them. If the July 10th date fills up, remember the Floating Classroom will return again in August.

Please do not contact the Lake George Association for sign-up information. Both of these events are sponsored by the Friends of Historic Huletts.

Lake George Village to Replace Docks

Lake George Village is in the process of applying for a grant to cover part of the funding to replace 6 public docks with new wider crib docks. The plan is for an improved and visually friendly area with benches and street lights.

These docks are presently used by the public to access the downtown area of Lake George. The plan is to have funding in place so that the new docks can be in place for next summer.

A trip to Lake George Village by boat, with a stop at the public docks and a visit to the many shops in downtown Lake George, is a fun summer day excursion.

New Invasive Terrestrial Plant Identified on Lake George – Wall Lettuce


Wall lettuce (Mycelis Muralis), one of the newer invasive species on a watch list for the Adirondacks, is now growing off of Rt. 9L near Dunham’s Bay in Lake George. The Lake George Association is gathering data to assess the spread of the species in the Watershed. Property owners who believe that this plant is growing on their land are asked to contact the LGA at 668-3558 or info@lakegeorgeassociation.org.

An invasive terrestrial plant, Mycelis muralis, commonly known as wall lettuce, has been identified growing alongside 9N near Dunham’s Bay in Lake George, the Lake George Association announced today. Wall lettuce is one of several newer species that was placed on a watch list earlier this spring by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. This is the first time that the plant has been known to exist within the Lake George Watershed, although it has likely been growing for a few years without having been identified. Citizens are asked to contact the LGA if they believe this plant may be growing on their property, so that the organization can assess the spread of its growth.

Wall lettuce is a slender herb with a smooth 3- foot stem that exudes a milky juice when broken. Leaves grow primarily near the base of the plant. The leaves are 2½ to 7 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. They are smooth with broad, terminal segments and earlike, clasping flanges at the leaf base. Tiny yellow flowers, with 5 strap-shaped petals, form rounded shapes at the very top of the plant. The plant dies back after flowering, and can act as either an annual or biennial.


A closeup shot of a wall lettuce leaf.

Due to a lack of natural predators, diseases and parasites, invasive species like wall lettuce can quickly become pervasive. When they do, these species can negatively impact the ecological balance of Lake George by out-competing native plants for light, nutrients, and space. Plants like purple loosestrife and common reed can alter hydrological processes, and can change drainage patterns, soil water holding capacity, and resistance to erosion.

The LGA ‘s Director or Education, Emily DeBolt, first noticed this new plant when she was working on a native landscaping project near Dunham’s Bay last year. The odd yellow flower was growing just off of Rt. 9L. She shared pictures of the plant with Dan Spada with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), but at first they were unable to confirm the plant’s identity. Still suspicious, Ms. DeBolt photographed a larger plot of the plant this past Friday and sent the photos to Mr. Spada again. This time Mr. Spada determined that the plant was in fact wall lettuce; Steve Young, the head botanist with New York State’s Natural Heritage Program, confirmed the identification.

Jim Sears, who also lives near Dunham’s Bay, attended the LGA’s native plant workshop this past Saturday, and brought photographs of a yellow weed he has been struggling to remove on his property, explaining that it spread rapidly this year, and has been present for several years. Ms. DeBolt identified this plant as wall lettuce as well.

“Purple loosestrife, phragmites, shrubby honeysuckle, and Japanese knotweed are invasive species that have been targeted for management activities in the Adirondacks for several years now,” said Ms. DeBolt. “We already have more than our share of Oriental bittersweet, burning bush, and Japanese barberry around Lake George – but wall lettuce is one that I was not familiar with,” she said. “Additional newer species that are we need to be on the lookout for as they start to make inroads into Adirondacks are swallowwort, yellow iris, Japanese stiltgrass, flowering rush, and lesser celandine. We need to keep our eyes out for these as well,” she said.

Bits of Everything

Georgia O’Keefe’s Lake George Years

The Free George does a good job detailing Georgia O’Keefe’s time in Lake George.

What Would Really Happen if NY Shut Down?

The Post Star opines on what might really happen if NY State shuts down.

Ground Zero Mosque?

Of Mosques and Men presents an original piece about the Mosque proposed near ground zero in NY City.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFzFIDbKpg

Safe Paddling Alternatives – Huletts Mentioned

The Adirondack Almanack talks about good places for paddling and Huletts gets a good mention.

Ti Cub Scouts Make Waves & Meet Requirements


A group of Ticonderoga Cub Scouts recently completed their requirements for Wildlife Conservation loops and pins aboard the Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom.

Last week, four dens from Ticonderoga Cub Scout Pack 72 enjoyed an eco-learning adventure aboard the Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom. Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo scouts learned how to use the tools of the limnology trade – field microscopes, Secchi disks, and plankton nets, and gained a better understanding of Lake George’s delicate ecosystem and how important it is to protect the Lake’s water quality.

The scouts were able to complete several of the requirements they needed for their Wildlife Conservation belt loops and academic pins, including: 1. explaining what natural resources are; 2. learning why its important to protect and conserve natural resources; and, 3. visiting with a person who works in wildlife conservation.

In addition to programs scheduled specifically for groups, the Lake George Association is offering a Floating Classroom program for the general public for the first time this summer. Every Wednesday during July and August, the Floating Classroom will leave the dock at Shepard Park in Lake George at 11 am, for a two-hour program. Reservations are required. Donations of $10 per adult and $8 per child are suggested.

LGA Workshop / Landscaping with Native Plants

The Lake George Association will present a free workshop entitled “Landscaping with Native Plants,” on Saturday, June 19, from 10 am – 1 pm. The workshop takes place at the LGA office and demonstration garden, at 2392 Rt. 9N in Lake George. A sale of native plants, to benefit the LGA, takes place after the workshop, from 1 – 4 pm. For more information, contact the LGA at 668-3558 or info@lakegeorgeassociation.org

I’ve also added it to the calendar.

Bookmark Winner Announced

The Lake George Association (LGA), on behalf of the Lake George Watershed Coalition (LGWC), has announced the winner of the third annual Lake George Bookmark Design Contest.

Clare Gillman, a 5th grade student at Lake George Elementary School, was the winner, with a multi-media color design featuring a frog in a marsh “leaping to action.” Her design will be printed on 10,000 bookmarks, distributed to schools, libraries and other locations throughout the Lake George watershed in time for summer reading programs. The reverse side features important facts about the stewardship of Lake George.

Students were asked to focus on lake and watershed issues such as water quality, invasive species, aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals, streams and wetlands, pollution, lake ecology and lake health. Through this activity students encouraged the protection of Lake George as an important natural resource.

The contest was open to students in Grades 4-7 from schools located within the Lake George watershed. There were 179 entries this year from the seven different area schools, including Bolton, Queensbury, Fort Ann, St. Mary’s, Lake George, Ticonderoga and Whitehall.

The contest was sponsored and judged by the Lake George Watershed Coalition through its Public Participation and Education Committee.

Congratulations Clare!