Strike Team Wraps Up Its Second Season

With one final tree planted, Genesee Valley Conservancy’s 2026 invasive species strike team brought its second season to a close. On their last day together, the crew finished their work with a contribution that will continue growing for years to come.

The planting capped a season dedicated to caring for the Conservancy’s nature preserves and supporting healthy native habitats.

Established in 2025, the seasonal strike team brings dedicated help to the ongoing challenge of managing invasive species. These plants can crowd out native vegetation, reducing the diversity of plants that local wildlife depend on for food and shelter. Managing their spread helps protect the health of the region’s forests, fields, and other natural areas.

That work requires planning and persistence. In 2024, Conservancy staff inventoried invasive species across its nature preserves, documenting their locations and extent. They then prioritized management needs at each property, considering each species’ potential harm, ability to spread, and other factors. Those findings laid the foundation for a sustained approach to removal and long-term preserve care.

The strike team puts that planning into practice while giving crew members paid, hands-on conservation experience. Now in its second year, the program connects the needs of protected lands with opportunities for people to develop skills and explore careers in conservation.

The season’s conclusion also serves as a reminder that protecting land is only the beginning. Caring for it means returning year after year, building on previous efforts, and responding to new challenges.

For the 2026 crew, that work ended with a tree in the ground—and a lasting connection to the place they helped care for.