Recent Projects

Description:

New Jersey Aquatic Invasive Species Managment Plan

Little Bear has been contracted to work with NJDEP, NJ Water Supply Authority, NJFWS, and local stakeholders to develop the NJ AISMP. Creation of the following sections of the plan: introduced species in New Jersey, Pathways for exisiting & potential AIS introdutions, Exisitng and potential AIS species list and species profiles, Legislative/regulation recommendations, education & outreach opportunities, ecological risk assessments and prioritzation, statewide reporting database, rapid response plan.

Client:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Project Duration:

Jan 2023-Present

Description:

Lake Sebago Hydrilla Control Project

Hydrilla was discovered in Lake Sebago in 2022. Nicole was part of the response team and conducted a full-scale plant survey, tuber survey, and is currently creating a Management Plan in coordination with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and NYSDEC. Little Bear has been contracted by the Natural Heritage Trust to manage the control project.

Client:

Natural Heritage Trust / NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP)

Project Involvement:

2022-Present

Description:

Croton River Hydrilla Control Project

Little Bear Environmental managed the successful eradication of the aquatic invasive plant Hydrilla verticillata from the Croton River (Westchester County, NY). Project partners included the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, SOLitude Lake Management, and SePRO Corporation. Hydrilla’s escape from this infestation into the Hudson River Estuary was prevented following 6 seasons of herbicide treatment (2017-2022).

Project Reports:

Croton River Hydrilla Control 5-Year Management Plan
2018 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report (in prep)
Project Webpage

Client:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

Project Duration:

April 2018-Dec 2022

Description:

Peconic River Ludwigia peploides Control Project

Little Bear worked on the team to develop NYSDEC’s 5-Year Peconic River Ludwigia peploides Management Plan. A pilot combination herbicide treatment took place in 2021, followed by full-scale treatment of the aquatic invasive plants floating-primrose willow (Ludwigia peploides) and European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae). Project partners include SOLitude Lake Mangement (2021), The Pond and Lake Connection (2022-2024), and Adirondack Research (2022-2026).

Project Documents & Reports:

Peconic River Ludwigia Control 5-Year Management Plan
Ludwigia peploides Fact Sheet
Project Webpage

Client:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

Project Involvement:

2020-2022

Description:

Hydrilla Webinar

As part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR) Webinar Series Nicole presents: “Controlling Hydrilla in the Croton River: Containing an Emerging Invasive Species”

Project Info:

Webinar Recording

Client:

Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR)

Project Involvement:

2022

Description:

NEAPMS Plant Camp

Nicole was an instructor for the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society’s first Plant Camp! Plant Camp was held at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center in Cold Spring, NY in Sept 2022. Little Bear Environmental developed a video of some highlights.

Client:

Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS)

Project Involvement:

2021-2022

Description:

NEAPMS Winter Webinar Series

Nicole was a speaker for the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society’s Winter Webinar Series. March 2023. Here is a link to a recording of the webinar.

Client:

Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS)

Project Involvement:

2023

Description:

Organisms in Trade Virtual Symposium

ong Island-Metro Aquatic Organisms in Trade: Focus on Behavior Change
Virtual Symposium
March 15&16, 2020
NYSDEC hosted a virtual symposium focusing on the role aquatic gardening, aquaria, and live markets in invasive species introductions and how to promote behavior change in these target audiences.

Client:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

Project Involvement:

2020

Description:

Species Fact Sheets

As part of DEC’s Invasive Species Coordination Section (ISCS), Nicole developed a series of invasive species fact sheets.

Water Chestnut Fact Sheet
Northern Snakehead Fish Fact Sheet
Spiny Waterflea Fact Sheet
Hydrilla Fact Sheet

Client:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

Project Involvement:

2018-2022