The Bad & The Ugly” on July 12. Photo courtesy Friends of Rogers
Friends of Rogers will host Paul Wrege, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Specialist with the USDA-APHIS, at 6 p.m. July 12 for “Exotic Species in New York: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.”
Learn about the good that plants, trees, and insects do for the environment. Dive further into the bad that these invasive species commit. Finish with what can be called the ‘ugly truth’ about invasive species here in New York.
Wrege will focus on invasive species commonly found in local backyards, and discuss strategic efforts to combat pest introductions, including work overseas, inspection of imported high-risk cargo, and environmental monitoring.
“Increased international trade over the past two decades has made it difficult to monitor the influx of foreign products pouring into New York from across the globe, resulting in an alarming increase of hitchhiking pests associated with imported cargo,” said Simon Solomon, Friends of Rogers Executive Director. “This interactive workshop will help participants understand what’s being done to protect native species from these unwanted visitors.”
“Exotic Species in New York: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly” will be held in the Visitor Center on state Route 80 in Sherburne; those needing to may use the adjacent parking lot, and the center is handicap accessible. Pre-registration is strongly recommended at $2 for members and $3 for not-yet- members.
Rogers Center is operated by Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for all ages. Summer hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (607) 674-4733 or visit www.friendsofrogers.org.