Troy shares in state funding to combat invasive species

ALBANY, N.Y. » The city of Troy is among 35 municipalities, colleges and nonprofit organizations across New York state to share in nearly $1.7 million in state funding announced Friday to combat so-called invasive species that can affect both land and water.

Troy is set to receive $100,000 from the state Environmental Protection Fund’s Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control Grant Program to fund a project to fight the spread of the emerald ash borer through trees along city streets. The emarld ash borer is a beetle native to northeastern Asia that feed on and breed in ash trees.

“Invasive species are a significant threat to the environment and economy of New York state, and these EPF grants will go far in reducing their spread,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the state department ofn Environmental Conservation, in a news release annoucing the grants. “Fostering partnerships and collaboration with local governments and other partners are essential to combat this urgent threat, and I look forward to watching these successful projects take off.”

Elsewhere around the Capital Region, the town of Malta is slated to receive $20,000 for a project to eradicate water chestnuts in Saratoga Lake whose growth depletes oxygen levels in the lake, leading to fish kills.

The announcement came with the declartion by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of July 9-15 as Invasive Species Awareness Week, with more than 130 events planned throughout the week across the state to build awareness of New York’s ecological communities.

“New York is home to unparalleled natural beauty that must be protected from invasive predators, and with this funding, we will continue to help ensure our environment remains sustainable, healthy and strong,” Cuomo said in the news release. “I encourage New Yorkers to continue in this state’s great tradition of environmental stewardship and join in our efforts to protect our forests, lakes and rivers for future generations.”