Invasive species affect every county in NYS. Invasive species extract a significant price, measured in dollars, damaged crops and infrastructure, power failures, food and water shortages, environmental impacts, and human and livestock diseases. For example, the annual bill for controlling the Asian long-horned beetle in New York City and Long Island has ranged from 13 to 40 million. Other species of particular concern to NY include purple loosestrife, the emerald ash borer, West Nile virus, the Swede midge, Phragmites, zebra mussels, the sirex wood wasp, Japanese knotweed, Southern bacterial wilt, and giant hogweed.

New York’s agriculture, horticulture, forestry, parks, tourism and diverse natural resources are at risk. For example, agriculture covers about one-quarter of the state. Our residents enjoy over 4,000 freshwater lakes, major portions of Lakes Erie and Ontario, 70,000 miles of waterways, and over 2 million acres of freshwater wetlands. NY is home to 504 separate populations of state endangered or threatened species. Chapter 324 of the Laws of NY (2003) called for an Invasive Species Task Force to explore the invasive species issue and provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. At least two of the Task Force’s 12 recommendations are of direct interest to Cornell University and CCE: (4) Establish a comprehensive education and outreach effort, and (8) Establish a center for invasive species research. Funding for both of these initiatives is expected to come to CCE and Cornell University this year from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

A well-informed public will be the first line of defense against invasives. CCE is uniquely positioned to provide the all-important linkage between research and the public. Educators in at least half of the county associations are already dealing with such issues, particularly agriculture, horticulture and natural resources educators. A new Invasive Species Program Work Team has recently been established to provide guidance to invasive species research and outreach efforts. This pre-conference in-service will address the invasives issue in detail and provide CCE educators an opportunity to be part of the process of planning where CCE will head in undertaking the statewide invasive species education program.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Program Work Team invites educators and researchers involved in energy programming to participate in this working session. We will review materials in development by the PWT, including a “white paper� inventorying energy related activities underway at Cornell, Public Issues Education case studies documenting how New York municipalities are addressing energy issues, and schematics of renewable energy technologies (e.g., biodiesel, biomass, methane digestion, wind, solar) developed to identify opportunities and gaps in research and policies promoting renewable energy industries. These materials will provide background for a discussion among workshop participants contributing to a “blueprint� for CCE’s future energy programming.
Thursday 9:15 - 10:45AM
Presenters - PWT Members

Every County in NYS is required to develop an Animal Response Plan for emergencies and CCE offices are listed as local resources. This workshop will provide educators with: (1) Basics of county animal response teams (CARTs)
(2) How CARTs fit into the emergency response system
(3) Resources to assist in preplanning, including a practical tool kit for animal owners
(4) Extension's role with CARTs, guidelines developed by EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network)
(5) A resource strategy to engage the media in this effort.
We will address preplanning needs for both family pets and large animals regarding evacuation and care in the event of an emergency. CCE staff will develop a better understanding of their expected role during the phases of a disaster and the importance of interagency coordination.
Thursday 11:15AM - 12:45PM
Presenters - David Chico, Ellen Abend

Researchers at SUNY-ESF have been investigating and improving the potential for willow as a renewable energy source suitable for production in NYS. The current knowledge about the potential for energy, production issues including breeding and varieties, and economics with respect to NYS will be presented. Resources for Extension educators working with producers will be identified.
Thursday 11:15AM - 12:45PM
Presenter- Timothy Volk

This session will explore the results of data gathered during a 2 year, SARE funded, project to develop a distance learning course with Extension Educators for forest landowners. Issues of digital literacy, impact of connection speed and effective delivery of multimedia learning content will be addressed.
Thursday 11:15AM - 12:45PM
Presenters - Paul Treadwell, Louise Buck, Ken Mudge, Rebecca Hargrave

This tour will look at land use issues from a variety of perspectives:
the multifunctionality of landscapes, sustainability, resource utilization and local foods. We will also attempt to highlight the intersection of decisions made by individuals and businesses and those made by municipalities. The premise is that CCE has a role to play at this "intersection." Participants will see examples of ideas for generating land-based local enterprise that can lead to local economic development, open space preservation, and general environmental protection. The tour will begin with a plenary discussion of the CCE of Tompkins County survey on local land use interests. Participants will split into two groups, choosing options such as meeting with local officials on local planning initiatives designed to reduce urban sprawl, visiting a local commercial composting operation, and touring Ithaca's EcoVillage. We will wind up with a discussion with Cornell Dining on initiatives such as buying locally and institutional composting. Dinner will be at a Cornell dining hall.

"Jerry Cherney, EV Baker Professor of Agronomy will discuss farmer opportunities to grow and sell grass for pellet stoves.
Joseph Lawrence dairy farmer from Jefferson Co will present the installation and results of round-bale burning on their dairy farm to supply the heating needs of their milking operation. "
Friday 8:30 - 10:00AM
Presenters Jerry Chrney, Joseph Lawrence, Anita Deming

A follow-up to the 2006 introduction to Extension invasive species outreach programming, this session will provide a status report on the new statewide CCE invasive species outreach project as well as providing an opportunity for a roundtable discussion of where and how that programming should be heading at the campus and county association levels. Little presentation - lots of roundtable discussion.
Friday 8:30 - 10:00AM
Presenters - Chuck O'Neill, Deb Grantham

Capitalization of residential energy conservation investments is an alternative to "return on investment" when deciding on how much to spend on which energy conservation measures to implement in a home.
Friday 10:30AM - Noon
Presenter - Joseph Laquatra

Introduction to aerial photographs and maps for exploring the landscape - science, math and technology skills applied to resource inventory. Broad applications to environmental issues. Exposure to spatial data resources in hard copy and digital including web resources.
Friday 10:30AM - Noon
Presenter - Susan Hoskins