State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos is confident Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature will prioritize funding for the environment and fighting invasive species across New York amid an upcoming bleak fiscal picture, he said Monday.

The state departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets held a first-ever Invasive Species Statewide Expo Monday to educate the public about invasive species being tracked across New York. The state is focusing on public outreach on invasive species as they increasingly plague all parts of the state, becoming more prevalent with the changing climate.

But the projected $36 billion deficit over the next three years is raising questions about how the state will be able to stave off their effects long-term.

"I'm optimistic that we have the support of both the governor and Legislature to hit our goals," Seggos said Monday during the expo held at Saratoga Spa State Park. "We have to. We know this summer has been one of the most disruptive summers on climate change in history, and we know that that's going to remain a priority.

"We'll have to weather the tough budgetary times and make things happen like we've always shown ability to do.”

The budget process is in its earliest stages as state agencies start to prepare their budget requests, directed to be kept flat in preparation for a $9.1 billion shortfall next year. The governor will set the budget in January.

"Until then...I and the other commissioners are full-steam ahead on all these really important programs that the Legislature has helped to give us with various laws," Seggos added.

State officials and experts want the public's help to mitigate invasive species and identify new ones that can threaten natural resources. 

The state has about 500 established or emerging invasive species in New York, with hundreds expected to come with the warming climate. The state has been fighting invasives for about the last 50 years, officials said.

In recent years, the spotted lantern fly has invaded most of New York City and Staten Island, impacting agriculture on Long Island. 

Meanwhile upstate, new species have been introduced at boat launches when boats are moved between bodies of water while European cherry fruit flies and box tree moths are the most prevalent pests in Western New York.

The beetle the Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed many of the state's ash trees, leaving many of them without leaves.

"The ash tree was the tree of a baseball bat, right? Now, it's really no more in New York," Seggos said. "It's important for people to take a second look around and look at what invasive species and what kind of threat it poses to our environment, our way of life and our economy."

Officials say they'll plan to work with the Legislature and experts in academia to prioritize the issue and our response to it.

Pests can impact agriculture and the larger state economy — critical with the state's questionable $229 billion budget lift as federal pandemic aid has expired.

Applications close Nov. 1 for a $3 million grant program for projects to target aquatic and terrestrial invasive species statewide. The investment is coming from $18.55 million of the $400 million Environmental Protection Fund earmarked to fight invasives.

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball says it's an important investment, and conversation as Congress debates the federal Farm Bill.

"There's an unprecedented level of uncertainty in our world today," Ball said during the expo. "There's a war going on on the other side of the world. Hunger is becoming increasingly obvious to everyone and the stresses on our food system. For farmers, there's probably never been more uncertainty in agriculture than today."

Ball recently participated in meetings with members of President Joe Biden's cabinet, including such as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Secretary and his counterparts in Canada and Mexico about the uncertainty facing agriculture.

Those at Monday's expo acknowledged the economic challenges ahead, but all agreed public education is key.

Sarah Coney, an aquatic invasive species manager with the Catskill Center and Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, said when the public learns about a pest, it's usually too late.

"If we catch it early, that's ideal, and that's when we can take care of them," she said. "The more the public is involved, the better we can do our jobs before they become a problem."