Join the Invasive Species Team

volunteers stand knee and waist deep in a local pond removing water chestnut, an invasive species

OCCA’s Invasive Species Team is a year-round volunteer program designed to be flexible and accessible. As a volunteer, you choose your level of involvement—whether that’s reporting an invasive species you notice in day-to-day life, removing invasives from places you care about, or opting into our seasonal challenges.

Getting started is simple: join OCCA’s group on iMapInvasives, New York State’s official invasive species database, and report the invasive species you see or remove locally. You’ll also receive periodic emails from OCCA with seasonal ID tips, learning resources, and different group opportunities to get involved.

However you choose to participate, your observations will help protect local habitats and guide local conservation work.

Become a Volunteer

Winter ‘26 Seasonal Challenge

Opt into OCCA’s quarterly challenge to help survey for and remove local invasive species. Each season we release guided goals and resources needed for participation. Collect a unique button for each challenge completed.

The Challenge

  1. Create an iMapInvasives account, which is NY State’s official invasive reporting system

  2. Participate in this year’s Hemlockpalooza: survey for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid independently 2-3 times, reporting the results of your survey to iMapInvasives or filling out a data sheet.

  3. Participate in a group survey and celebration at Gilbert Lake State Park on February 28, 2026 (optional)

CHALLENGE RESOURCES

Explore the HWA PDF Library

Other Resources