New York Invasive Species Research Institute

Name: Veverka, Budd (Manager)

Institution: Mianus River Gorge, Inc

Description of invasive species management work:

I am the Director of Land Management for The Mianus River Gorge, Inc. Founded in 1953, Mianus River Gorge, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote appreciation of the natural heritage of the Mianus River watershed through land acquisition and conservation, scientific research and public education throughout the region. A 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation and education organization, Mianus River Gorge: protects over 1,100 acres in Bedford, North Castle and Pound Ridge, NY and Stamford CT, including one of the last stands of old-growth forest in the northeast US; manages the 938-acre Mianus River Gorge Preserve, which is open seasonally with more than 5 miles of hiking trails and outdoor exhibits, that includes 41 acres in the Twin Lakes Preserve and Taylor Preserve; conducts applied research and offers innovative research-based education programs for high school, undergraduate and graduate students; and works on initiatives to protect the Mianus River Watershed from its headwaters to the Long Island Sound. We actively manage approximately 40 species of invasive plants forest pests annually, both mechanically and chemically. We are currently studying the effects of non-chemical management techniques on stiltgrass, the severity of beech leaf disease in trees afflicted and not afflicted with beech bark disease, and the species distribution of Asian jumping across our preserves.

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Name: Vogler, Donna (Researcher)

Institution: SUNY Oneonta

Description of Expertise:

I conduct floras that include invasive vascular plants and am keenly interested in the ecology of early invasion. My students and I have studied the demographics of spread and developed risk maps for newly invaded Cirsium palustre, Syringa reticulata, and examined gender expresession in Fallopia hybrid swarms.

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Name: Wang, Ping (Researcher)

Institution: Cornell University

Description of Expertise:

molecular diagnostics of invasive pests

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Name: Ward, Jeffrey (Researcher)

Institution: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Description of Expertise:

My invasive species research has focused on primarily on the control and ecology of Japanese barberry, along with commonly associated co-invasives, to enhance forest regeneration, restore native shrubs and herbaceous species, and to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks infected with Lyme disease. Secondarily, I have examined methods of controlling Japanese stiltgrass and running bamboo.

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Name: Warren, Robert (Researcher)

Institution: SUNY Buffalo State

Description of Expertise:

My invasive species research focuses on the ecology and novel interactions between invasive and native species.

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Name: Wenskus, Tim (Manager)

Institution: NYS DEC

Description of invasive species management work:

With NYC Parks, managed hundreds of acres of invasive plants including all major vine species. Currently with NYS DEC managing invasives on State owned land in NYC. I am also involved with EAB and Oak Wilt.

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Name: Whitfeld, Timothy (Researcher)

Institution: Bell Museum, University of Minnesota

Description of Expertise:

Factors that influence invasibility. Impacts of invasion of native plant diversity.

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Name: Whitmore, Mark (Researcher)

Institution: Cornell University

Description of Expertise:

My research is focused primarily on the establishment of biological control of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). This work involves understanding the ecology of HWA in different systems so they can be manipulated to enhance predator establishment and production. I am also engaged in developing and monitoring efficacy of chemical controls for HWA and Emerald Ash Borer in forest settings.

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Name: Wickings, Kyle (Researcher)

Institution: Cornell University

Description of Expertise:

Research on soil invertebrates including beneficial and pest organisms. Work on invasive jumping worms in lawn and landscape settings. Invasive species management (earthworms and exotic insect pests) in managed grasses.

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Name: Williams, Scott (Researcher)

Institution: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Description of Expertise:

My research centers around Japanese barberry and the favorable microclimate it creates for blacklegged ticks, white-footed mice, and tick-associated pathogens. We are also investigating the impacts of invasive species control and deer herbivory on native and invasive regeneration.

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