ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is making $2 million available to local governments and non-profit groups to help in the fight against invasive species.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration announced the funding on Thursday. The grants will support projects which seek to detect, monitor and stop the spread of non-native plants and animals.

Cuomo, a Democrat, says the funding is vital to helping the state control and remove invasive species and prevent them from doing damage to the local environment.

The grants range in size from $11,000 to $100,000.

Officials say preference will be given to projects that focus on early detection of non-native species.

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