Ludwigia poses a major threat to the Peconic River as it acts as unsuitable fish habitat, outcompetes native plants, reduces biodiversity, blocks sunlight to oxygen producing submerged plants, and severely impedes recreational uses of the river.

Whom - The Peconic Estuary Program and many partners-New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, The Nature Conservancy, Peconic Lake Estates Civic Organization, Freshwater Anglers of Long Island, Long Island Bassmasters, Peconic River Fish Restoration Commission, and the Town of Riverhead, New York.

When - The multi year monitoring and eradication program was initiated in 2006. Because this invasive grows only in warm weather months, several volunteer removal events are planned throughout the late spring and summer every calendar year.

Potential Partners & Contributors - The success of this project is attributed to the numerous partnerships with user groups and organizations. Fishermen and kayakers have donated use of boats, Suffolk County Water Authority has donated bottled water for volunteers, and grant awards from the NYSDEC and New York Chapter of the CWRP have supported the purchasing of tools and materials, such as tarps, gloves, dumpsters, and food for use at the volunteer eradication events. Together, since the projects inception, volunteers have removed over 120 cubic yards of Ludwigia from the Peconic River. Frequent monitoring suggests efforts have been successful in controlling the invasive, and project partners are hopeful that full eradication is possible.