Environmental DNA (or eDNA) is a powerful tool with a wide variety of applications in conservation, including for invasive species detection.  Interest in and use of this tool in New York State has expanded rapidly in recent years.

In response to this interest, in partnership with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and NY Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York Invasive Species Research Institute held a one-day workshop on eDNA Research Frontiers and Management Perspectives on September 21st 2017.

A synopsis of the day and recommendations emerging from the workshop can be found in the Post-Workshop Summary.

Panel Discussion at the September 21st Environmental DNA Workshop

Presentation pdfs from this meeting are linked below:

An overview of environmental DNA: Science & Application
Dr. David Lodge, Director, Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University

Detecting declining and extinct frogs with eDNA
Dr. Kelly Zamudio, Goldwin Smith Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University

Use of environmental DNA to detect and quantify brook trout populations in Adirondack Mountain streams
Dr. Barry Baldigo, Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Novel methods for early detection of the bloody red shrimp (Hemimysis anomala)
Dr. Meghan Brown, Associate Professor, Hobart & William Smith Colleges

Monitoring the expansion of invasive round goby in the Mohawk River/Barge Canal
Scott George, Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey

The next eDNA target: Microparasites
Dr. Rod Getchell, Assistant Research Professor, Cornell University

Detecting oak wilt using molecular techniques
Karen Snover-Clift, Director, Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, Cornell University

Using eDNA to inform invasive species management responses
Dr. Tammy Newcomb, Senior Water Policy Advisor, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Developing partnerships for early detection of aquatic invasive species using eDNA: A case study
Rob Williams, Invasive Species Program Coordinator, St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, The Nature Conservancy

Fish Trackers: Students, Scientists, and eDNA
Dr. Donna Cassidy-Hanley, Senior Research Associate, Cornell University

Responding to positive eDNA results: A fisheries management perspective
Steve LaPan, Section Head, Great Lakes Fisheries, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation