The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has awarded the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District and its Upper Susquehanna Coalition (USC) partners $207,650 through Round 4 of the Invasive Species Grant Program (ISGP). Funded by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), the ISGP supports projects led by municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions that address the impacts of invasive species through control, removal, research, prevention, restoration, and resiliency projects.
The USC, a coalition of 22 Soil and Water Conservation Districts located throughout the headwaters to the Chesapeake Bay, works collaboratively to address water quality across the region. At the administrative entity for the coalition, Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District will lead the grant effort in partnership with member Soil and Water Conservation Districts and local land trusts.
Through this award, we will implement 12 restoration projects addressing 64 acres impacted by invasive species. These projects will prepare degraded sites for the establishment of native forest cover by removing invasive vegetation and creating suitable conditions for forest restoration. Additionally, the initiative will support maintenance and management activities in previously restored riparian and upland forest areas where invasive species threaten the success of existing plantings.
Establishing forests, especially riparian forests, is a priority for the Chesapeake Bay program. Forests play a critical role in improving water quality, reducing erosion and nutrient runoff, enhancing wildlife habitat, and increasing the resilience of local ecosystems.
