New Bugwood Newsletter and Brochure

The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood Network) has developed and new brochure and newsletter to feature our current projects and activities. The first issue of the newsletter is available here: http://www.bugwood.org/newsletterJan08.pdf and the brochure here: http://www.bugwood.org/brochure2009.pdf

New Diagnostic Book for Insects and Diseases of Woody Landscape Plants

There is yet another book coming out on woody ornamentals. Mary Kay Malinoski and David Clement at the University of Maryland have written a diagnostic field guide on broad leaved woody ornamentals coming out in March. It is based in part on the Maryland plant diagnostic web site and has color keys to symptoms and causes of problems. Here is a link to get more information.

It was primarily geared toward the northeast region, but may work for other regions. They worked really hard to make this thing practical and useful for just about everyone. Eventually, they plan to put out companion field guides on needled evergreens and herbaceous ornamentals. If you have any questions, feel free to contact David Clement.

Tennessee Invasive Weed Awareness Week

Tennessee Invasive Weed Awareness Week

Governor Phil Bredesen has issued a state proclamation declaring Feb. 22-28, 2009, as Invasive Weed Awareness Week (IWAW) in Tennessee in conjunction with the 10th Annual National IWAW in Washington, D.C. The Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC), an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, is working closely with various local, state and federal organizations and agencies to promote public education on the harmful impacts of nonnative, invasive plant species through several ‘pest plant removal events’ around the state. Events are planned in Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Details on separate page.) We are pleased to acknowledge our list of supporting groups and organizations in this statewide education effort. (See separate list.) Several of these supporters have organized a plant pull in their area and have invited local citizens to participate.



Throughout both urban and rural areas, invasive, non-native plants pose numerous threats to the Tennessee landscape, especially public lands such as parks and state natural areas. Invasive plant species overrun a variety of habitats, displace native plant populations, disrupt plant/animal associations, deprive wildlife of needed food sources, significantly reduce plant and wildlife diversity, imperil rare and endangered plants and animals, support nonnative pathogens and pests, and can alter ecosystem processes such as fire frequency/intensity, water and nutrient availability, soil chemistry and erosion. In addition, invasive plant species have a significant negative impact on agriculture and forestry. Nationally, costs associated with control as well as crop and land losses reach into the tens of billions of dollars annually. Gardeners, farmers, boaters, hikers, wildlife watchers, landscapers, hunters, anglers, landowners, and many businesses, all have a stake in recognizing and doing what they can to combat the most troublesome plant species.



TN-EPPC’s volunteer role is to monitor invasive species in the state, provide advice and counsel to local, state, and federal government entities as well as private land managers and landowners. Our Web site, www.tneppc.org, features a list of plants exhibiting invasive behavior in Tennessee, along with information on the best control methods and alternative native plant species for landscaping. A board of directors meets quarterly to identify and develop invasion response protocols, important partnerships, and education and outreach opportunities.



National Invasive Weed Awareness Week, now in its tenth year, features events focused on educating our federal policy makers and elected officials about the environmental and economic losses caused by invasive weeds. State, regional, and national invasive plant organizations across the country participate. TN-EPPC sends a representative each year.



For more information on TN-EPPC, please contact:

Terri Hogan – Terri_Hogan@nps.gov (615) 893-9501

Claude Bailey, Jr. – cbailey@jscc.edu (731) 424-3520 ext. 204

Pat Parr – parrpd@ornl.gov (865) 576-8123

More Information at: http://www.tneppc.org/calendar_of_events.htm

10th Annual Great Air Potato Roundup

About 925 local residents climbed out of bed early Saturday morning to search for air potatoes, a non-native plant threatening Florida's wildlife. People from local environmental and volunteer organizations split up to uproot the plant throughout 33 sites in Gainesville, Florida.

More information at: http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/02/02/news/local/090202_potato.txt