Biology Professor Nets Nearly $100,000 Grant to Combat Invasive Species
In recognition of his dedication to environmental conservation, Professor of Biology Brad Baldwin has been awarded funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) totaling $98,592.
Baldwin’s project, titled “Protecting the Fishery and Recreational Value of Black Lake through Early Detection and Reduction of Water Chestnut and other Aquatic Invasive Species,” is one of only three awards granted in St. Lawrence County. He is also the lead scientist on another St. Lawrence County grant- funded project, this one in the Town of Oswegatchie, aimed at early detection and control of invasive aquatic and terrestrial species.
Governor Kathy Hochul, in an announcement detailing the allocation of nearly $3 million in grants across the state to support invasive species prevention projects, highlighted the importance of projects like Baldwin’s. The grants were distributed as part of NYS DEC’s initiative to address the adverse effects of invasive species on New York’s natural resources, economy, and communities.
Baldwin’s project focuses on early detection and mitigation strategies, particularly targeting water chestnut and other aquatic invasive species known to threaten the ecological balance of Black Lake, known as “the freshwater fisherman’s paradise.” By employing a combination of research, rapid response measures, and community outreach, the project aims to safeguard the biodiversity and recreational value of the lake, benefiting both local ecosystems and the regional economy.
Much of Baldwin’s expertise focuses on aquatic ecology and conservation issues related to food production. He has studied coral reefs, estuaries, deep ocean hydrothermal vents, acid rain impacts on Adirondack lakes, invasive species spread in the Great Lakes and Northern New York rivers, mercury contamination of fish, eutrophication of Black Lake, and the ecology of fishless bog lakes. He teaches courses such as Intro to Biology, Animal Biodiversity, Ecology of Lakes and Rivers, Carnivory, and Food from the Sea. He has also taught in the First-Year Program and Adirondack Semester program.
