Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District

08/19/2026

The USDA deemed August as Tree Check Month for Asian Longhorned Beetle.

The ALB is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees. The insect prefers maple trees, but it also likes to attack birches, buckeyes, elms, and willows. Sometimes it attacks ash, golden rain tree, katsura, London plane tree, mimosa, mountain ash, and poplar. Infested trees become safety hazards. Branches can drop and trees can fall over, especially during storms.

Signs that a tree might be infested include:
- Round exit holes in tree trunks and branches about the size of a dime or smaller.
- Egg sites, or chewed spots, on the bark about the size of a quarter. Sap may weep out from these.
- Sawdust-like material called frass found on the tree, ground, or tree branches.
- Branches or limbs dying or falling from an otherwise healthy-looking tree.

Report any sightings on iMapInvasives, the state used database for invasive species management.

Please do not transfer firewood as this is the leading cause in it's spread.

07/10/2026

We are glad to have participated in Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District's water chestnut pull event on Oneida Creek yesterday!

07/09/2026

LPCS students head off erosion, protect local lake —

May 4 marked the fifth year of erosion field trips for Lake Pleasant Central School’s (LPCSD) fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Place-based erosion education was developed and led by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (District) in partnership with the Lake Pleasant Sacandaga Association (LPSA). This year, kids headed off erosion and protected a local lake by planting hundreds of native seedlings and willow stakes in a bioswale.

In 2022, LPCSD sixth grade teacher Kathy O’Connell and LPSA’s Charlie Asher asked the District to develop a hands on erosion experience for upper elementary students. That one day field trip morphed into a rotating three year place-based excursion that builds on the causes and harmful impacts of, and best management practices (BMPs) for erosion.

“Students gained a hands-on experience that helped them understand several things,” said O’Connell. “First, we can protect our lakes from harmful runoff by planting trees. Second, you can problem solve your way through challenges through trial and error. If the ground won’t accept the plants easily, try something else. Our solution was rerod and small sledge hammers to create holes deep enough for the plants to be successful. Finally, District staff needs to be in good shape. It was hard work!”

Pictured, Herkimer County SWCD’s Gerry Smithson (center) helps students plant live willow stakes in a bioswale. — Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District

Read more:
https://wp.me/peJPvR-4Ku

07/02/2026

06/03/2026

05/08/2026

The 32nd annual Herkimer County Envirothon was held May 6th at Herkimer College. What a great day!
Thank you schools, volunteers, Herkimer College, and all of our sponsors! We had 8 teams participate this year. The Ray Korce Memorial Award, for the highest scores in forestry went to CVA "Team C”!
Our first place team overall was Herkimer BOCES "Team A”, they will go on to represent Herkimer County at the New York State Envirothon!
Our second place team was CVA “Team C” and our third place team was CVA “Team B”. Great work everyone!

05/06/2026

We hosted our 32nd annual Herkimer County Envirothon this past week!

The Silver Sponsors of the 2026 Herkimer County Envirothon are:
Cedarville Fire Department, Central New York Forest Owners, Dupoint Trucking, LLC, Gary Miller, Heidelberg Group Inc., Illion Fish and Game Club, Little Falls Youth and Family Center, Poland Sand and Gravel, and the West Canada Creek Association.

These sponsors are financial contributors to the event. We would not be able to host such a quality event without them!

05/06/2026

We hosted our 32nd annual Herkimer County Envirothon today!

The Gold Sponsors of the 2026 Herkimer County Envirothon are:
Adirondack CatskillSCI Chapter, the Burrows Foundation, GPO Federal Credit Union, the Herkimer County Farm Bureau, the Herkimer County Supervisors Association, Mount Markham Optimist Club, the Town of Little Falls, and Tractor Supply Co..

These sponsors are the top financial contributors to the event. We would not be able to host such a quality event without them!