Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership

Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership The Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), hosted by the Catskill Center CRISP is hosted by the Catskill Center.

Our mission is to promote education, prevention, early detection and control of invasive species to limit their impact on the ecosystems and economies of the Catskills. We are one of eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) in New York State. For more information about the Catskill Center and the work that the organization does throughout the Catskill region in stewardship, collaboration and inspiration, please visit www.catskillcenter.org

Bringing firewood to your campsite? Think twice. 🔥Moving firewood might seem harmless, but it can spread invasive insect...
05/28/2026

Bringing firewood to your campsite? Think twice. 🔥

Moving firewood might seem harmless, but it can spread invasive insects and tree diseases to new forests.

Pests like the Emerald Ash Borer can hide inside firewood and travel long distances when wood is transported. Once introduced, they can cause serious damage to forests across the Catskills and beyond.

As you head out to camp, help protect our forests:

🔥 Buy firewood where you burn it
🔥 Burn it completely on site
🔥 Leave leftover firewood behind

Small choices like this help stop invasive pests from spreading.

Are you camping in the Catskills soon? Help share this with others!

Seeing chewed leaves and wondering what’s happening in the forest? You might be surprised to learn how resilient a tree ...
05/26/2026

Seeing chewed leaves and wondering what’s happening in the forest? You might be surprised to learn how resilient a tree can be, even under severe defoliation.

Join the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for a hands-on Learn & Plant Volunteer Series session: Spongy Moth in the Catskills on May 30th from 9 AM–1 PM along the Ashokan Rail Trail. You’ll take a closer look at spongy moth activity, what it means for forest health, and how these outbreaks impact the Catskills, then put your knowledge into action through hands-on stewardship work.

Come learn, get your hands dirty, and help protect our forests 💚

👉 Click here learn more and register: https://givebutter.com/learn-and-pull-volunteer-series-Spongy-Moth-in-the-Catskills

Invasive species often work together.When one invasive pest or plant weakens a forest, it can create opportunities for o...
05/19/2026

Invasive species often work together.

When one invasive pest or plant weakens a forest, it can create opportunities for other invasive species to move in.

In the Catskills, Emerald Ash Borer has killed large numbers of ash trees. As these trees die and the forest canopy opens, more sunlight reaches the forest floor, creating ideal conditions for invasive plants like Japanese Barberry, Multiflora Rose, and Garlic Mustard to spread.

At the Ashokan Rail Trail, Emerald Ash Borer devastated sections of forest, and the loss of ash trees allowed invasive shrubs and vines to take over the understory.

That’s why CRISP volunteers are helping restore forest functions by removing invasive plants and planting native trees that can eventually rebuild the forest canopy and support healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

Interested in helping restore native forests? Volunteer with CRISP and make a real impact on Catskills landscapes. Visit catskillinvasives.com/events to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is a reminder of how quickly invasive species can change our forests. 🌳Since arriving i...
05/18/2026

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is a reminder of how quickly invasive species can change our forests. 🌳
Since arriving in New York, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees, transforming forests, changing wildlife habitat, and creating safety hazards along trails, roads, and communities.

One visible sign of an advanced infestation is “ash blonding,” which happens when woodpeckers strip away the outer bark of ash trees while feeding on emerald ash borer larvae beneath the surface.

Ash trees are an important part of Catskills ecosystems, and protecting the forests we still have starts with awareness and prevention.
✔️ Don’t move firewood long distances
✔️ Learn how to identify ash trees and emerald ash borer damage
✔️ Report suspected sightings
✔️ Support local forest stewardship efforts

Small actions can help slow the spread and protect vulnerable forests across New York.
Visit https://www.catskillinvasives.com/emerald-ash-borer-1 to learn more.

Photo credit:
3- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry , Bugwood.org

Why do you sometimes see fenced areas in the forest?These are deer exclosures, used by researchers and land managers to ...
05/11/2026

Why do you sometimes see fenced areas in the forest?

These are deer exclosures, used by researchers and land managers to study how forests regenerate when white-tailed deer are kept out.

Deer prefer to browse many native tree seedlings and wildflowers. When deer populations are high, heavy browsing can prevent young native plants from growing and surviving. This creates an opportunity for invasive plants, which deer often avoid, to spread more easily.

By comparing plants inside and outside the exclosures, scientists can better understand how deer browsing affects forest health and regeneration.

Healthy forests need a balance. Protecting native plants helps give them a chance to grow and support the biodiversity of the Catskills.

🌿 Ever wonder how invasive species are prioritized and why some are more urgent to manage than others? When it comes to ...
05/05/2026

🌿 Ever wonder how invasive species are prioritized and why some are more urgent to manage than others? When it comes to invasive species, where you focus your efforts matters.

Join us for a hands-on Learn & Pull Volunteer Series session all about the CRISP Tier System on May 8th from 1–5 PM along the Ashokan Rail Trail. You’ll learn how species are ranked based on their impact and spread, then put that knowledge into action by helping remove invasives and protect native ecosystems.

Come get your hands dirty, build your ID skills, and make a real impact right here in the Catskills 💚

👉 Learn more and register or visit: https://givebutter.com/learn-and-pull-volunteer-series-Understanding-CRISP-Tier-System

Can you tell the difference between Tree of Heaven and Staghorn Sumac?These two trees can look similar at first glance, ...
04/28/2026

Can you tell the difference between Tree of Heaven and Staghorn Sumac?

These two trees can look similar at first glance, but one is invasive and spreads aggressively.

Tree of Heaven (invasive)
• Smooth leaf edges
• Strong peanut butter or burnt rubber smell when crushed
• Spreads quickly in disturbed areas

Staghorn Sumac (native)
• Serrated leaf edges
• Fuzzy stems that look like velvet antlers
• Red berry clusters that feed wildlife

Learning the difference helps prevent invasive species from spreading while protecting native plants that support wildlife in the Catskills.

🌿Give back to a place you love this spring 💚Join the Catskill Center and CRISP for I Love My Park Day, New York State’s ...
04/27/2026

🌿Give back to a place you love this spring 💚

Join the Catskill Center and CRISP for I Love My Park Day, New York State’s largest single-day volunteer event! This year, we’re heading to the iconic Kaaterskill Falls to help care for one of the most visited spots in the Catskills.

📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Scutt Road Trailhead Parking

With thousands of volunteers across 100+ parks, this statewide effort (led by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with NYS Parks and DEC) makes a real impact. At Kaaterskill Falls, high visitor use means stewardship matters more than ever—your time helps keep trails clean, protects surrounding habitat, and ensures a safer experience for everyone.

Whether you’re a regular hiker or just looking to give back, this is a great way to connect with your community and make a difference.

👉 Learn more and register at www.catskillcenter.org/events/i-love-my-park-day-kaaterskill-falls-clean-up

Every day is Earth Day when you protect native ecosystems. 🌎🌱Healthy forests, wetlands, and streams depend on native pla...
04/22/2026

Every day is Earth Day when you protect native ecosystems. 🌎🌱

Healthy forests, wetlands, and streams depend on native plants and balanced ecosystems. But invasive species can disrupt that balance by outcompeting native plants, altering habitats, and reducing biodiversity.

This Earth Day, you can help protect the Catskills:

🌿 Learn to identify invasive species
🥾 Clean your boots and gear before and after hiking
🔥 Burn firewood where you buy it
📍 Report invasive species using iMapInvasives

Want to make an even bigger impact?
Volunteer with CRISP and help remove invasive plants to give native ecosystems a chance to thrive. Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities: https://www.catskillinvasives.com/events

Together, we can help protect the landscapes, wildlife, and biodiversity that make the Catskills so special.

🌎 This Earth Day, give back to the forests that give us so much.Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail for a hands-on volunte...
04/15/2026

🌎 This Earth Day, give back to the forests that give us so much.

Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail for a hands-on volunteer day exploring assisted forest migration—an approach to help native species adapt to a changing climate. 🌱

You’ll learn how our forests are shifting and take part in real restoration work to support healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

📅 April 22 | 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 Ashokan Rail Trail

Come learn, get your hands dirty, and make a real impact this Earth Day.

🔗 Click to learn more and sign up: https://givebutter.com/learn-pull-volunteer-series-Assisted-Forest-Migration-of-Native-Species

Address

43355 State Highway 28
Arkville, NY
12406

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18455862611

Website

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