Eric Paul helps protect the Adirondacks against invasive species this summer

2016 Jun 15

Eric Paul of Potsdam, N.Y., is helping to guard the Adirondack Park against the spread of invasive species this summer.

Paul, a 2012 graduate of Paul Smith's College, is a steward for the Adirondack Watershed Institute. That Paul Smith's College-led initiative protects rivers, lakes and other waterways against invasive species and teaches boaters how to keep an eye out for problems on their own.

Invasive plants and animals such as Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels and spiny waterflea pose a growing threat to area waterways and the economies of Adirondack communities. When invasive species take hold in a body of water, they can displace native species and rapidly multiply, making waterways impassible to motorboats and hurting tourism and other industries.

Paul and the 71 other watershed stewards attended a training session at Paul Smith's College in May before starting their duties. While stationed at boat launches across the Adirondacks, the stewards will conduct inspections of boats entering and leaving the water and operate boat-washing stations. They'll remove any invasive species that they find and convey the importance of clean boats, clean gear and clean waters to boaters.

The AWI is dedicated to protecting waterways and ecosystems across the six-million-acre Adirondack Park.