Stewardship Program 2019 GLRI Report
Adirondack Watershed Institute
Daniel Kelting, Eric Paul, Brett Wimsatt, Sue O’Reilly, & Heather Coleates
Eastern Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River serve as the chief points of entry connecting the Atlantic Ocean with North America’s globally significant inland waterways comprised of the Great Lakes and connecting tributaries. For decades, transoceanic shipping has been the most consequential vector for introducing invasive species into the Laurentian Great Lakes, resulting in the highest rate of introduction of new invasive species to freshwater systems in the world (Ricciardi, 2006). Once established in the Great Lakes, secondary dispersal overland via recreational watercraft soon threaten inland waterways (Johnson, Ricciardi, & Carlton, 2001). Watercraft inspection and hand removal of aquatic invasive species are effective means of reducing the risk of introduction of new invasive organisms into inland waterways (Rothlisberger J. D., Chadderton, McNulty, & Lodge, 2010). Carefully designed and implemented AIS prevention public awareness campaigns with public outreach have shown promise in achieving the outcome of increased public adoption of Clean-Drain-Dry prevention protocol (Seekamp, et al., 2016). Boat steward programs are increasingly common strategies to protect the natural heritage of lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the Great Lakes catchment. Between 2010 and 2017, $446 million in federal funds have been invested in invasive species projects including AIS spread prevention activities and programs (GLRI, 2018). Since 2011, Paul Smith’s College has received a series of awards to implement boat inspection and education programs at various sites in the Eastern Lake Ontario watershed along tributaries originating in the Adirondack Park and entering either Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River. In 2019, the GLRI-funded program included boat steward activity at sites in the Black River, St. Regis River, Raquette River, Indian River and St. Lawrence River watersheds.