Finger Lakes PRISM

05/08/2026

Protect the waters you love! 🚣‍♂️🌊
Stopping the spread of invasive species starts with us. Whether you’re fishing, wakeboarding, or paddling, remember the three-step ritual before you head home:
✅ CLEAN: Strip off all mud, plants, and tiny critters from your boat and gear.
✅ DRAIN: Pull the plug! Empty your bilge, livewells, and motor.
✅ DRY: Give your gear time to dry completely before hitting a new spot.
👉Get resources from the Clean Drain Dry Initiative at https://rebrand.ly/f9ce5c

Let’s keep our lakes healthy for the next generation. Spread the word, not the weeds! 🌿🚫

are supported by Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management ( )- a statewide collaborative approach to invasive species management, prevention, outreach, and restoration in coordination with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The PRISM network includes Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program SLELO Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management Capital Region PRISM Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA) Finger Lakes PRISM Lower Hudson PRISM Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership WNY PRISM. Visit https://bit.ly/NYISinfo to connect with your local PRISM.

05/08/2026

Our Trail Survey Program has been off to a great start! With three workshops down and many more to go in the season, our team of volunteers have been finding Japanese barberry, honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and lesser celandine.

🌱 🌱 🌱

This is just the beginning! Join us anytime, anywhere, and become a citizen scientist today. You can register at the link in our bio. Shoutout to our amazing partners; we couldn’t do it without you!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from the Finger Lakes PRISM! Our staff is spending Earth Day the best way we know how: out in the field! From the lakeshore to the forests, we're working to protect the Finger Lakes region.

Earth Day is a reminder that protecting our environment starts with everyday actions, and that includes being mindful of invasive species. You can make a difference by following the tips below:

-Plant native to support local wildlife and pollinators
-Clean, drain, and dry boats and gear to stop aquatic hitchhikers
-Buy or burn local firewood to prevent spreading forest pests
-Check your boots, gear, and pets for seeds after spending time outdoors
-Learn and report invasive species in your community

Whether you're out on the water, on the trail, or in your backyard, small actions add up to big impacts.

04/21/2026

Reminder! Submit your artwork today!

CALL FOR ART:
"Art of Invasion in the Finger Lakes: An Invasive Species Exhibit” (June 8-19) - Submissions due May 1

In honor of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), Finger Lakes PRISM at the Finger Lakes Institute and the Provenzano Student Art Gallery (PSAG) are collaborating to host an exhibition of work by regional artists and community members. NYISAW is a state-wide initiative dedicated to educating communicates about the ecological, economic, and cultural impacts of invasive species. This call welcomes art that engages with the subject of invasive species through a variety of materials and perspectives.

This exhibition seeks to:
• increase awareness of invasive species issues in New York State and the Finger Lakes region
• highlight the intersection of art and ecology
• engage students, faculty, staff, and regional artists in creative stewardship
• provide a public platform for environmental creativity during NYSISAW

Call for Artwork Theme:
We invite submissions that creatively interpret invasive species and their effects on ecosystems, communities, and landscapes. Themes could include (but are not limited to):
• portraits of invasive species (plants, animals, insects, fungi)
• ecosystem disruption and biodiversity loss
• coexistence and resilience
• human roles in prevention, management, and restoration
• metaphorical or abstract responses to invasion, displacement, or ecological balance

Eligible Media: drawing, painting, photography, print, sculpture, textile arts, mixed media, digital

Exhibition Dates: June 8th-June 19th; opening reception on June 8th, 5-7PM

Location: Provenzano Student Art Gallery, Scandling Center, 300 Pulteney Street, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, N.Y., 14456

Submission Deadline: May 1st, 5PM

Art Drop-off/Delivery Deadline: May 29th, 4PM

Art Pick-Up: during the PSAG’s regular hours June 22-26th

Submission Guidelines:
• artists may submit up to 3 works total
• artwork must be original/created by the submitting artist
• submitted works must be safe for public display and transportable
• a brief artist statement (100 words or less) describing how the work relates to the theme
• digital images should be high resolution (min. 300 dpi)

How to Submit:
• submit a complete Google form with requirements listed above by 5PM on May 1st: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhC6WsdPFbFaheHs4TgAtZtWQ7JPl2tJKHVoYJIpoIu02aYA/viewform
• drop-off physical work at the Provenzano Student Art Gallery during open hours before May 29th at 5PM; Gallery Hours: M-F 10AM-4PM. Pick-ups may be possible upon request.

Selection & Exhibition:
A juried panel of FL-PRISM representatives, Provenzano Student Art Gallery staff, and HWS faculty will select works for exhibition. All selected work will be exhibited in the gallery for the full duration of the exhibit with an opening reception to be hosted on June 8th.

Timeline
- Call for Artwork Opens: March 28th
- Submission Deadline May 1st
- Jury Review: May 4th - 8th
- Artists Notified: May 11th
- Exhibition Installation: May 30-June 7th
- Opening Reception: June 8th, 5-7 PM
- Exhibition Runs: June 8th – June 19th
- Art Pick-Up: June 24th-June 29th

Questions? Contact Angelique Szymanek: [email protected]

04/20/2026

We had a wonderful first Trail Survey Program Workshop last Thursday with CCE Tioga and CCE Tompkins in Danby State Forest! It was a beautiful day and we were able to identify several invasive species on our list. Scroll to see a few we found!
•••
If you want to join us on a Trail Survey Program workshop this season or become a citizen scientist, register today at the link in our bio! Remember it is important to continuously survey for invasive species, even outside of our workshops. (Psst, our next ones are May 6th and 8th!)
•••
Species pictured:
- Slide 2: multiflora rose
- Slide 3: Japanese barberry

04/07/2026

We've updated some dates for our Trail Survey Program Workshops! Notably, the workshops at the Montezuma Audubon Center and Oatka Creek Park have been moved to May, making our workshop at Danby State Forest on April 16th our first workshop of the season!

Be sure to sign up for a Trail Survey Program Workshop here: https://forms.office.com/r/LDuRtaLVnu. We can't wait to see you on the trails!

04/07/2026

CALL FOR ART:
"Art of Invasion in the Finger Lakes: An Invasive Species Exhibit” (June 8-19) - Submissions due May 1

In honor of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), Finger Lakes PRISM at the Finger Lakes Institute and the Provenzano Student Art Gallery (PSAG) are collaborating to host an exhibition of work by regional artists and community members. NYISAW is a state-wide initiative dedicated to educating communicates about the ecological, economic, and cultural impacts of invasive species. This call welcomes art that engages with the subject of invasive species through a variety of materials and perspectives.

This exhibition seeks to:
• increase awareness of invasive species issues in New York State and the Finger Lakes region
• highlight the intersection of art and ecology
• engage students, faculty, staff, and regional artists in creative stewardship
• provide a public platform for environmental creativity during NYSISAW

Call for Artwork Theme:
We invite submissions that creatively interpret invasive species and their effects on ecosystems, communities, and landscapes. Themes could include (but are not limited to):
• portraits of invasive species (plants, animals, insects, fungi)
• ecosystem disruption and biodiversity loss
• coexistence and resilience
• human roles in prevention, management, and restoration
• metaphorical or abstract responses to invasion, displacement, or ecological balance

Eligible Media: drawing, painting, photography, print, sculpture, textile arts, mixed media, digital

Exhibition Dates: June 8th-June 19th; opening reception on June 8th, 5-7PM

Location: Provenzano Student Art Gallery, Scandling Center, 300 Pulteney Street, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, N.Y., 14456

Submission Deadline: May 1st, 5PM

Art Drop-off/Delivery Deadline: May 29th, 4PM

Art Pick-Up: during the PSAG’s regular hours June 22-26th

Submission Guidelines:
• artists may submit up to 3 works total
• artwork must be original/created by the submitting artist
• submitted works must be safe for public display and transportable
• a brief artist statement (100 words or less) describing how the work relates to the theme
• digital images should be high resolution (min. 300 dpi)

How to Submit:
• submit a complete Google form with requirements listed above by 5PM on May 1st: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhC6WsdPFbFaheHs4TgAtZtWQ7JPl2tJKHVoYJIpoIu02aYA/viewform
• drop-off physical work at the Provenzano Student Art Gallery during open hours before May 29th at 5PM; Gallery Hours: M-F 10AM-4PM. Pick-ups may be possible upon request.

Selection & Exhibition:
A juried panel of FL-PRISM representatives, Provenzano Student Art Gallery staff, and HWS faculty will select works for exhibition. All selected work will be exhibited in the gallery for the full duration of the exhibit with an opening reception to be hosted on June 8th.

Timeline
- Call for Artwork Opens: March 28th
- Submission Deadline May 1st
- Jury Review: May 4th - 8th
- Artists Notified: May 11th
- Exhibition Installation: May 30-June 7th
- Opening Reception: June 8th, 5-7 PM
- Exhibition Runs: June 8th – June 19th
- Art Pick-Up: June 24th-June 29th

Questions? Contact Angelique Szymanek: [email protected]

04/01/2026

So, you know how we've been hiring? Well, we're excited to announce some of our new team members! We are confident that with this new crew, we'll be able to spread invasive species...oh wait, we meant to say manage the spread...right? Either way, welcome aboard!

03/27/2026

Watch this short video on our 2026 Trail Survey Program! The program launches on April 1st and runs until September 30th, so be sure to register today!

Our 2026 Trail Survey Program will run from April 1 to September 30, with virtual trainings and in-person workshops the whole time throughout the region. You...