Paul Smiths, NY – This month, the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) of Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 ended another successful season protecting the region鈥檚 lakes, ponds and waterways from harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS). The 2025 season, which ran from May through October, marked one of AWI鈥檚 most effective years to date, with 10% more boats inspected than last year.
The program, a long-standing partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), stations trained watercraft inspection stewards at more than 60 key locations across the Adirondacks. Stewards inspect and, when necessary, decontaminate boats that could be carrying invasive species between waterbodies. They also collect valuable data to guide future prevention efforts and educate boaters on the 鈥淐lean, Drain, Dry鈥� best practices to keep Adirondack waters healthy.
In total, 83,300 boats were inspected this season, with a total of 160,374 visitors engaged and 3,820 decontaminations performed. AWI stewards identified invasive species on nearly 1% of inspected boats. The most intercepted species included Eurasian watermilfoil, variable-leaf milfoil and zebra mussels. The busiest stations this year were at Second Pond Boat Launch outside of Saranac Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake and the Adirondack Welcome Center on I-87 North.
鈥淚nvasive species can wreak havoc on Adirondack lakes and watersheds,鈥� said Brett Wimsatt, AWI鈥檚 AIS Director. 鈥淏y inspecting and decontaminating boats before they enter the park, we鈥檙e stopping harmful invasive species at the gate. This program shows what鈥檚 possible when the state, local communities and the public work together – and every clean boat helps protect the health of our lakes and the future of Adirondack waters.鈥�
鈥淚nvasive species can alter aquatic habitats, reduce native biodiversity and impact local economies and recreational activities,鈥� said Scott Jamieson, DEC State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Coordinator. 鈥淭he AWI of Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉, contracted by DEC, is one of the front lines of defense against AIS. AWI stewards engage directly with boaters on the importance of AIS spread prevention and following 鈥淐lean, Drain, Dry鈥� protocols. We look forward to continuing our partnership with AWI and are encouraged by this year鈥檚 effort and public support.鈥�
About Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉:
At Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉, it鈥檚 about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith鈥檚 provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
About the Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉:
The is a program of Paul Smith’s 美女萝莉 whose mission is to protect clean water, conserve habitat and support the health and well-being of people in the Adirondacks through scientific inquiry, stewardship and real-world experiences for students. More on AWI鈥檚 stewardship program to protect Adirondack waters from aquatic invasive species can be found
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