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The Hudson River is an expansive corridor that provides valuable habitat and migration pathways for native species across the Northeast US and beyond, as well as a myriad of ecosystem services for local (human) communities. It has been well established that invasive species pose a key threat to the ecological and economic resources that the River provides.
The Hudson River Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force brings together state, nonprofit, and community partners to coordinate invasive species monitoring and control in this important watershed. At present, our geographic scope includes the Hudson River and its tributaries.
Upcoming Events
Emerging Invasive Species Threats in the Hudson River- a new webinar series
We have started an exciting new webinar series highlighting the latest research and updates on new aquatic invasive species in the Hudson River Watershed. Stay tuned for upcoming events, and in the meantime check out recordings of past webinars below.
Resources
Webinar Recordings
Hydrilla in the Croton River: Containing an Emerging Invasive Species
November 30 2022
With Nicole White, NYSDEC and Little Bear Environmental Consulting LLT
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticiliata), a submerged noxious weed that can grow up to 30 ft in length and form dense mats in lakes and rivers, is considered one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants. Join us to learn about hydrilla’s impacts on our ecosystems and wildlife, as well as a multi-year effort to control the plant in the Croton River and prevent its spread to the larger Hudson River watershed.
Water Chestnut on the Hudson River: Impacts, Management, and Preventing the Next Invasion
October 11 2022
With Dr. Steve Pearson, NYSDEC; Kelly McKeon, MIT/WHOI; and Lynde Dodd, USACE
Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) is a widespread invasive plant that floats on top of lakes and slow-moving rivers. Learn how water chestnut impacts the Hudson River and the ability of its marshes to adapt to climate change; how researchers study water chestnut and prioritize areas for control; and how all of these dynamics may shift in response to a new species of water chestnut, T. bispinosa, that has emerged in the mid-Atlantic US.
Round Goby on the Hudson River: Status, Implications, and Preventing the Next Invasion
September 21 2022
With Scott George, USGS; Rich Pendleton, NYSDEC HREP; and Dr. Stuart Findlay, Cary IES
The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, an aggressive fish that inhabits the bottoms of lakes and rivers, has been classified as an invasive species in several parts of the world including North America, parts of Europe, and the Baltic Sea. Since its arrival in the Great Lakes in the ‘90s, researchers have watched with trepidation as the fish’s range expanded eastward. In 2021, the round goby was observed for the first time in the Hudson River and has spread rapidly since then. This webinar covers the latest research on the round goby’s impact in this new river system, implications for the biology of the Hudson River, and large-scale efforts to prevent future invasive species spread to new watersheds.
Best Management practices
PLANTS
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- Aldrovanada vesiculosa (waterwheel)
- Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed)
- Butomus umbellatus (flowering rush)
- Cabomba caroliniana (carolina fanwort)
- Egeria densa (brazilian elodea)
- Pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth)
- Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla)
- Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (european frogbit)
- Ludwigia adscendens (floating water primrose)
- Ludwigia grandiflora (large flower primrose willow)
- Ludwigia hexapetala (six petal water primrose)
- Ludwigia peploides (floating primrose willow)
- Marsilea quadrifolia (european water fern)
- Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot feather)
- Myriophyllum spicatum (eurasian watermilfoil)
- Nasturtium officinale (watercress)
- Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus)
- Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort)
- Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart)
- Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce)
- Stratiotes aloides L. (water soldiers)
- Trapa bispinosa (two Horned trapa)
- Trapa natans (water chesnut)
ANIMALS
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- Bithynia tentaculata (mud bithynia)
- Bythotrephes longimanus (spiny waterflea)
- Cercopagis pengoi (fishhook waterflea)
- Channa argus (northern snakehead)
- Corbicula fluminea (asian clam)
- Dreissena rostriformus bugensis (Quagga mussel)
- Gymnocelphalus cernuus (Eurasian ruffe)
- Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Asian shore crab)
- Hemimysis anomala (Bloody red shrimp)
- Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead carp)
- Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Oriental weatherfish)
- Procambarus clarkia (Red swamp crayfish)
- Procambarus virginalis (Marbled crayfish)
- Proterorhinus semilunaris (Tubenose goby)
- Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Rudd)
ID Guides and Tools
General
- A Steward’s Dichotomous Key For Aquatic Hitchhikers
- Pennsylvania’s Field Guide to AIS
- Aquatic Invasive Species Identification and Surveying Protocol
Plants
- Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
- Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
- Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)
- Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa)
- Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticilliata)
- European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
- Floating primrose willow (Ludwigia peploides)
- Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes)
- Water solider (Stratiotes aloides)
Animals
Meeting Summaries

Directory
The searchable directory of partners and projects below is intended to help connect invasive species researchers and stewards with similar interests.
Name | Title | Organization | Location | Geographic Scope of Work | Description of work and interests | Species |
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Lindsay Charlop | Estuary Training Program Coordinator | Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve | Staatsburg, NY | focused on the Hudson River Estuary | Coordinating and facilitating the Hudson River Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force | As needed |
Heather Gierloff | Reserve Manager, Marine habitat manager for regions 3 and 4 | Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve | Staatsburg, NY | Hudson River and focus on four intertidal component sites of the Research Reserve, Stockport Flats, Tivoli Bays, Iona Island and Piermont Marsh. | The Research Reserve is fostering the connection between the research community and the stewardship community. To better understand how aquatic invasive species impact the Hudson River aquatic habitats and how to prioritize actions to minimize the impacts. | We focus on protecting native species such as Vallisneria americana in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) beds. |
Sarah Fernald | Research Coordinator | NYSDEC and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve | Staatsburg, NY | Hudson River Estuary; specifically the HRNERR component sites, which are Stockport Flats, Tivoli Bays, Iona Island, and Piermont Marsh | I conduct baseline monitoring of estuarine habitats, specifically tidal wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). My work in invasive species involves mapping the cover and change over time in plant communities, focusing on the more widespread invasive plants (Trapa natans Phragmites australis, Myriophyllum spicatum) to study how they impact ecosystem functions and the resilience of these habitats to projected climate change stressors. | I currently work with Trapa natans, Phragmites australis, Myriophyllum spicatum. I was also involved in the initial detection of the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the Hudson RIver Estuary. |
Catherine McGlynn | Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator | NYSDEC | Albany, NY | New York State and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic/Great Lakes Regions | - Monitor and Survey habitat suitable for hydrilla; - Assist with Croton River hydrilla control Project - Water chestnut surveys/removal - Grass Carp detection and distribution - LI-Metro Aquatic OIT Symposium | hydrilla, Brazilian elodea, curly leaf pond weed, Eurasian watermilfoil, Ludwigia, European frogbit, fanwort, parrot's feather, water chestnut, Northern snakehead, grass carp, zebra mussel, quagga mussel, Asian clams, round goby, Chinese mitten crab, starry stonewort |
Steven Pearson | Research Biologist | NYSDEC | Albany, NY | New York State | Working to determine aquatic invasive species distribution, abundance, life history and management strategies. | Flora and fauna |
Nicole White | Croton Hydrilla Control Project Manager | NYSDEC Invasive Species Coordination Section | NYSDEC Region 3 | New York State | - Design of control projects and management plans for various aquatic invasive plant species in rivers, lakes, ponds in the Hudson River watershed - Field survey and data analysis for native and aquatic plant species abundance over time in HR watershed - Design of manual and chemical control projects for AIS - Work to facilitate close communication between NYSDEC ISCS, Lower Hudson PRISM, municipalities, and other regional partners to prioritize AIS early detection and rapid response - Environmental permitting for AIS projects | Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Floating primrose-willow (Ludwigia peploides), Water chestnut (Trapa natans), European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa), Brittle naiad (Najas minor), Curly leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) |
Dan Smith | Land Stewardship Coordinator | Scenic Hudson | Poughkeepsie, NY | Albany and Renselear Counties to Rockland and Westchester. Greater focus on Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, and Ulster Counties. | To this point our focus has been on terrestrial invasive species. However, we manage a number of river accesses and properties with tributaries to the Hudson and are interested in engaging with aquatic invasives more in the future. | Water chestnut (currently). |
Dan Shapley | Co-Director of Science and Patrol | Riverkeeper | Ossining, NY | Hudson River Watershed and NYC Watershed | - Impacts on native biota - Impacts on water quality - Impacts on drinking water quality - Impacts on habitat/ecology | |
David Decker | Land Steward | Constitution Marsh Audubon Center | Garrison, NY | We manage two Hudson River tidal marshes: Constitution Marsh and the RamsHorn-Livingston Marsh located in Catskill, NY in partnership with Scenic Hudson. | We work to preserve marsh habitat from the impacts of invasive species in order to protect the vulnerable wildlife species that use the marshes along the Hudson River. Our main project is a mechanical control project for Phragmites australis at Constitution Marsh | Phragmites, water chestnut |
Lynde Dodd | US Army Research and Development Center | Lewisville, TX | USACE Projects including reservoirs, rivers, wetlands, and other navigational authorities. | My research focus: invasion and restoration ecology of freshwater macrophytes. I currently work with a number of stakeholders including USACE, state, local, and NGOs in applied research to learn more about and manage invasive aquatic plant species to facilitate sustainable and resilience aquatic vegetation communities. | water chestnut, hydrilla |
|
Matt Brincka | Invasive Species Biologist | NYS OPRHP | Albany, NY | New York State | Invasive Species Biologist working for New York State Parks; Provide guidance and support on all invasive species, both terrestrial and aquatic; Work closely with partners on Statewide and Regional initiatives involving invasive species | Typically new or emerging threats |
Brian DeGasperis | Restoration Biologist | Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve | Staatsburg, NY | Hudson River (Westchester to Troy) | - Survey and assessment - Early detection and prevention - Management and control - Impacts on native species and ecosystem processes - Restoration of native habitat | Water chestnut, hydrilla, brittle naiad, curly leaf pondweed, milfoil, Phragmites, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, zebra mussels, Asian clam, goldfish, common carp |
Daniel Miller | Habitat Restoration Coordinator | NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program | Staatsburg, NY | Hudson River | Hudson River habitat restoration including shorelines, shallows and intertidal areas. Manage small scale Phragmites management efforts. | Phragmites |
Scott Cuppett | Watershed Program Manager | Hudson River Estuary Program | New Paltz, NY | Hudson watershed between Troy and NYC | Work involved instream and streamside restoration, such as dam removal, riparian vegetation restoration, and replacing culverts. Invasives in these disturbed areas can host aquatic and terrestrial/aquatic transition zones. Implementing project can also lead to newly disturbed areas for invasives to occupy. How to manage them during and after restoration can be a challenge. | Until now, its primarily been Japanese knotweed, water chestnut, and phragmities, although future barrier mitigation projects could be impacted by not wanting certain aquatics to occupy unavailable upstream habitat, such as brown Ttrout, or Chinese mitten crab. |
Rich Pendleton | NYSDEC | New Paltz, NY | Hudson River, Troy to George Washington Bridge | Long-term fish monitoring | Round goby | |
Gregg Kenney | Marine Biologist | NYSDEC | New Paltz, NY | Hudson River tidal estuary and tributaries | We manage the migratory fish in the Hudson. Our AIS priority is to prevent future invasions of aquatic species, particularly via swimming from connected watersheds. | Emerging aquatic invasive species |
Jessica Kuonen | Hudson Estuary Resilience Specialist | New York Sea Grant | Kingston, NY | Hudson River Estuary (Troy to Manhattan) | In my work, I serve waterfront communities, boaters, and water-based businesses on a variety of issues. There is interest from these groups in keeping up-to-date with the latest science and best management practices for aquatic invasive species. NYSG can play a role in connecting these groups to the proper resources. | None directly, but I hear from my stakeholders about water chestnut the most. |
Scott George | Biologist | U.S. Geological Survey | Troy, NY | Primarily New York, but able to work throughout the United States. | I have studied the expansion of round goby in central and eastern New York since 2016. I continue to conduct this research on the Mohawk River and am initiating a new phase of monitoring in the Champlain Canal. I am also collaborating with researchers studying round goby in the Hudson River estuary. | Round goby |
Steve Young | Chief Botanist | NYNHP | Albany, NY | New York State | We inventory and protect rare aquatic species in NY and invasive species are a main threat to their viability. We would like to detect invasive aquatic species before they become a problem in the Hudson River and lend our botanical expertise to help control established ones. | Aquatic Invasive Plant species, across New York State. |
Andrew Dangler | Biologist- Senior Project Manager | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Wartervliet, NY | NYSDEC Regions 4-5 | I currently review applications for Department of the Army permits pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Controlling the spread of invasive species and limiting their encroachment into mitigation areas are factored into the application review and approval process. | Primarily water chestnut |
Michael Spada | Aquatic Ecologist | NYC Department of Environmental Protection | Kingston, NY | Delaware, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Ulster and Westchester counties | Aquatic invasive species are of interest to me since I focused on zebra mussels for my Masters of Science degree, so beyond my intrinsic interest in AIS there are practical reasons for my interest. Several of NYC's drinking water reservoirs are in relatively close proximity to the Hudson River, and as such could be a potential source for infestation of NYC's water supply. Lastly, NYC has pump facilities on the Hudson River to augment the water supply during times of drought emergency. | Zebra and quagga mussels, Cercopagis pengoi, Corbicula fluminea, Orconectes rusticus, hydrilla (ancillary) |
Mark Solan | Section Chief | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Bureau of Pesticide Management | Schenectady, NY | Capital District, Hudson Valley | -Regulatory oversight for pesticides applications -Review Article 15 Aquatic Pesticide Permit applications -Render permit decisions relating to Article 15 Aquatic Pesticide applications | Primarily aquatic plants |
Meredith Taylor | Invasive Species Biologist | New York City Department of Environmental Protection | Kingston, NY | NYC Water Supply Watershed | - Early detection species moving into the area that pose a threat to water quality - hydrilla, quagga mussel, northern snakehead, Asian carp, round goby, etc. | Hydrilla, zebra mussel, Asian clam, water chestnut |
Hannah Coppola | Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager | Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (Capital Region PRISM) | Ballston Spa, NY | AIS management throughout the Capital Region PRISM Counties; Watercraft Inspection Steward Program at boat launch locations throughout the CRP | - As the AIS Program Manager for the Capital Region PRISM, I have a vested interest in understanding and preventing the spread of AIS on the Hudson River. - Surveys for AIS are conducted by Capital Region PRISM staff. - Multiple launch locations for the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program are located on the Hudson River. | - Predominately Eurasian water-milfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and water chestnut - Survey and work with all AIS throughout the Capital Region PRISM |
Devin DiGiacopo | Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator | Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LHPRISM) / Teatown Lake Reservation | Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY | Lower Hudson Valley, NY | My primary responsibility as the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator is managing the Aquatic Invasives Strike Force (an AmeriCorps program hosted by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and funded by the Lower Hudson PRISM). The crew surveys and maps AIS occurrences throughout the Lower Hudson region, assists in outreach events and trainings, participates in water chestnut removals and special partner projects, and conducts watercraft inspections for the LH PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward Program. | Primarily water chestnut (Trapa natans), but my crew surveys for all native and invasive aquatic plant species. |