Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species
Run Time: 52 min.
January 23, 2023 at 7pm
Bedford Playhouse
Invasive species pose a threat to New York’s environment, economy, and our quality of life. To ensure New Yorkers understand this threat and what we can do to stop the threat of invasive pests, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species about the significant threat invasive species post to the state’s biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as public health and the economy.
A panel of experts will conduct a talk about local invasive removal programs following the film.
Presented in partnership with The Bedford Playhouse.
Reserve your tickets HERE.
Panel bios:
Donald Arrant is co-owner of Fat and Sassy Goats, LLC, a public benefit company providing goat grazing services to the Hudson Valley and greater NYC-region. Prior to co-founding Fat and Sassy Goats, he managed a diversified livestock operation on a non-profit farm located in the Hudson Valley where he utilized the targeted grazing of goats to control and eradicate invasive species of plants, primarily multi-flora rose.
The use of goats to manage unwanted species of vegetation addresses both the symptoms and causes. Goats fertilize and aerate the soil, creating a better growing medium for more desirable plants to flourish. Through planned, targeted grazing, goats will stress and eventually eradicate invasive plants while opening up the canopy to allow wanted species to thrive and complete.
Jessica A. Schuler is the Program Coordinator of Natural Resources for the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation. Jessica is a horticulturist and ecological restoration practitioner working to conserve biodiversity through sustainable land management, and works to protect our forests from invasive species. Invasive species have impacted and continue to alter our forests. In her talk, Jessica will focus on threats to our trees, specifically invasive pests and diseases.
She is responsible for Westchester’s Public Garden, Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial and currently, Westchester County’s Farm, Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center. She is part of the conservation team that manages natural resources across the 18,000 acres of Westchester County parkland. Prior to working for Westchester County, Jessica was the Director of the Thain Family Forest at The New York Botanical Garden.
Budd Veverka has been the Director of Land Management at Mianus River Gorge since 2016. Budd focuses his work on invasive species management, northeastern forest restoration, suburban black bear activity, white-tailed deer management, and student mentorship. He is the organizational representative to the Lower Hudson Partnership for Invasive Species Management and the New York State Hemlock Initiative, and is an active member of The Wildlife Society.
Early detection and minimizing spread are essential in local and regional invasive species management efforts. In partnering with the Bedford Garden Club, Mianus River Gorge staff experts adopted a community approach that emphasized awareness, education and involvement to stop the spread of invasive species. However, barriers remain with on-the-ground management efforts and large-scale removals.
