The Upper Saranac Foundation is pleased to share that we have been awarded two grants totaling $142,522 through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Invasive Species Grant Program (Round 4).
These awards are part of a $5.1 million statewide investment supporting 51 projects focused on preventing, controlling, and restoring ecosystems impacted by invasive species. USF was one of just five organizations in the North Country selected—highlighting the importance of this work in the Upper Saranac watershed.
This funding supports two priority efforts that build on years of sustained, science-based management:
Fish Creek AIS Control Project ($61,496)
We will continue targeted removal of invasive Eurasian and variable-leaf watermilfoil at the Fish Creek Public Campground using non-chemical, diver-assisted hand harvesting. This high-use area is a key point for potential spread, and this work helps protect not only Fish Creek, but connected waters throughout the watershed.
Follensby Clear Pond Restoration Project ($81,026)
Following successful control of invasive species, we are now moving into the next phase—restoration. This project will re-establish native aquatic plants, including Vallisneria americana (wild celery), to improve habitat, stabilize sediments, enhance water clarity, and strengthen the ecosystem’s natural resilience.
Together, these projects reflect a comprehensive approach—combining rapid response, long-term management, and ecological restoration—to protect water quality and biodiversity across the Upper Saranac region.
“These projects reflect a strategic, science-based approach to protecting water quality and ecosystem health across the Upper Saranac watershed,” said Executive Director Guy Middleton. “By investing in both control and restoration, we are helping ensure these waters remain healthy and resilient for years to come.”
These projects have been funded in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Invasive Species Grant Program, through appropriations from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
