During the training, AWI’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program Director Brett Wimsatt welcomed the new cohort with an inspiring message from outdoor recreation and conservation advocate Doug Duren: “It’s not ours, it’s just our turn.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the mission of AWI stewards, whose work protects water resources of the Adirondacks for future generations.

In continued partnership with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Lake Champlain Basin Program and numerous local towns, villages and lake associations, AWI watercraft inspection stewards offer free inspections and boat washing services to the public. Stewards will be stationed at more than 60 boat launches and road-side locations throughout the Adirondack region, educating boaters, anglers, and other visitors on the harmful impacts of aquatic invasive species and emphasizing New York’s “Clean, Drain, Dry” standard.

“We deeply appreciate the boating public’s active participation in this effort. When you take the extra few minutes to stop for a boat inspection or boat wash, you’re not just complying with regulations, you are being a good partner in conservation,” Wimsatt said. “Our collective responsibility makes a difference in safeguarding the waterways we all enjoy.”

AWI’s extensive spread prevention network strategically places stewards at both popular, high-traffic launches, including those on Lake Placid, Great Sacandaga, and Lake Champlain, and along key travel corridors across northern New York. This comprehensive coverage also extends to smaller, more remote waterbodies, such as those found in the St. Regis Canoe Area, where the risk of invasive species introduction and rapid spread between interconnected lakes is particularly high.

Eurasian watermilfoil, variable leaf milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed are the most common invasives found in Adirondack waterways. Water chestnut, spiny water flea, Asian clams and zebra mussels are not as common but just are as threatening. These nonnative plants and animals degrade water quality, significantly limit fishing, swimming and boating opportunities, and cost towns and lake associations millions of dollars to manage.

The boat inspection and decontamination stations are cooperatively funded by New York’s Environmental Protection Fund and the Lake Champlain Basin Program who encourage everyone to learn and practice Clean, Drain, Dry techniques.

Information about inspection and decontamination station locations, aquatic invasive species ecology and steps the public can take to maintain the quality of New York’s waterways is at www.adkcleanboats.org.

The mission of Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute is to protect clean water, conserve habitat, and support the health and well-being of the people in the Adirondacks through science, collaboration, and real-world experiences for students. Learn more at adkwatershed.org.