ALBANY – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Wednesday announced the signing of a five-year contract with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, an award-winning program focused on detecting and eradicating invasive species such as garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed and purple loosestrife in the Adirondack Park.

APIPP is one of New York's regional partnerships focused on the problem of invasive species, which have proliferated throughout the state's waterways, forests and farmlands. Because they typically come from other parts of the world, invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil often don't face natural ecological checks and balances and, therefore, reproduce and spread at alarming rates. Their negative impact is increasing largely due to the rise in global trade and travel.

APIPP's principal partners are The Nature Conservancy, DEC, Adirondack Park Agency, and State Department of Transportation. TNC hosts the program at its Keene Valley office and coordinates volunteer efforts.

"Invasive species compete with, prey upon and substantially alter the environment of our native species of plants, fish and wildlife, and they have a devastating effect, not only on the environment, but also on the economy," Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "The challenges they pose are so varied across New York's diverse landscape that a regional approach allows for the necessary commitment from stakeholders and the tailoring of programs to local needs. APIPP has served as a model for how to do just that."