Catskill Center Awarded Chesapeake WILD Grant to Advance Early Detection of Aquatic Invasive Species

ARKVILLE — The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development has been awarded a $53,600 Chesapeake Watershed Investments in Landscape Defense (Chesapeake WILD) grant to support early detection of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed through environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling.

The grant, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is part of a $6.9 million investment supporting 33 conservation projects across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

With this funding, the Catskill Center will conduct early detection eDNA sampling to identify aquatic invasive species that may be establishing in local waterways. Where invasive species are detected, the project will follow up with traditional field sampling methods to assess population density, distribution, and determine the most effective management and spread prevention strategies. This work builds on ongoing efforts to advance education, prevention, early detection, and control of invasive species through the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), a program managed by the Catskill Center.

The goal of the project is to proactively safeguard the long-term health of the New York State’s waterways and native biodiversity. By enabling the Catskill Center to detect invasive species earlier and across broader stretches of streams, rivers, and lakes, eDNA strengthens the region’s ability to protect the intricate web of native fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and plant communities that define the Upper Susquehanna ecosystem.

This technology may also help identify invasive species at early stages of establishment, when rapid response could help curb negative impacts to habitat, food webs, and water quality. The data generated through this project will inform invasive species management plans aimed at safeguarding rare, threatened, and endangered species within the watershed.

John Thompson, Catskill Center CRISP Director, said: “Using eDNA for early detection of invasive species is a powerful tool for identifying emerging populations before they become established and irreparably harm the ecosystems of the Susquehanna Watershed.“

The Upper Susquehanna River is a major tributary within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, connecting the Catskills to a broader network of ecosystems that support millions of people and thousands of species. By strengthening local monitoring and response capacity, this project contributes to shared conservation outcomes across the six-state Chesapeake region.

Chesapeake WILD was established to support collaborative, community-driven conservation projects that restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, build resilience, and enhance public access. The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with NFWF as part of the Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund.

For more information about the Catskill Center’s invasive species management program and early detection and prevention efforts, visit catskillcenter.org/crisp.