Not All Berries Are Created Equal

 Not All Berries Are Created Equal is the title to a great article posted on Wildlife Garden: Redefining Beautiful's website. It explains from a gardeners perspective why it is so important to choose native and non-invasive plants for your backyard. Both gardeners and wildlife benefit from using plants native to their own area. To read the article click here.

EU Strategy to Combat Invasive Species

The Institute for European Environmental Policy has prepared a study that analyses and outlines continued development for the European Union strategy to combat invasive species. The study provides options and approaches to prevent unintentional introductions, rapid response, management strategies, restoration and financial costs. Click here to read more and view the study.

Pulling Together to Fight Invasives in Hawaii

The Hawaii Early Detection Network hopes to educate and engage communities to monitor for invasive species infesting their own neighborhoods .
The Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) and Kohala Watershed Partnership (KWP) are offering training to interested volunteers in the Kohala area. Volunteers can learn how to join in the effort to preserve the integrity of their district’s landscapes, forests, farms, and watersheds. For more information and to read the article in Hawaii 24/7 click here.

Battling Invasive Species in Ballast Water

California's Bay area battles invasive species which contaminate the ballast water discharge from cargo ships. The state has issued a deadline for shipping companies to develop a way to purify the water coming into the Bay area on their cargo ships or pay large penalties. To read the article click here.

Green Roof Plantings Should Exclude Invasive Plants

Be careful when choosing plant species for your green roof or rooftop garden. Green roof plantings which contain invasive plant species can contribute to infestations in the surrounding area. Whether wind borne or carried by wildlife such as birds and mice, the seeds and fruit of invasive plants can be easily dispersed from rooftop gardens.  To read an article on this topic, click here.

Invasives Blamed for Great Lakes Bird Die-Off

Invasive species are being blamed for the thousands of bird carcasses that have washed ashore Lake Michigan this fall. The annual bird die-off in the northern Wisconsin and Michigan area happens each fall. Over the past 15 years, more than 100,000 birds have been claimed which have been linked to the spread of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The U.S. Geological Survey has studied mussels for over 20 years and rank them among the most destruction biological invasions in North America. To read more about the bird die-off in the Great Lakes, click here.

First Spanish Invasive Species Catalog

The Ministry of Environment has established the first Spanish invasive species catalog. The catalog is on 168 invasive animal species. The purpose of the new invasive species catalog is to eradicate the invasives because of their negative impact on the ecosystem. Click here to read more.

Invasive Mussel Found in Omaha Lake

Addison Krebs, a 13 year old Boy Scout, found a zebra mussel in Zorinsky Lake while collecting cans in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the first time zebra mussel has been found in a public lake in Nebraska. Native to Russia, these invasive mussels were introduced to the United States by international ships in the Great Lakes. Mussels produce millions of microscopic larvae, which spread by hitching rides on boats, wells and bilge water. Click here to read more.

Maritime Administration Funding $4 Million Anti-Invasive Species Project

The Maritime Administration is funding a $4 million project to help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, clean toxic pollution, and protect wetlands in and around the Great Lakes. The funding is part of the Obama Administration's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Click here to read more.

Invasive Turtles Threaten Hoan Kiem Lake

Environmentalists report that invasive red ear turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) in Hoan Kiem Lake, Vietnam are threatening local native species. The public is being blamed for releasing the invasive turtles into the lake for good luck. The red ear turtles multiply very quickly, appear to be thriving and compete with the native species for food. A public awareness campaign has been launched informing the public of the threat of these invasives and has urged the public to kill them. Click here to read more.

Noxious Weed Regulations Effective December 10, 2010

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending the regulations governing the movement and importation of noxious weeds. The new amendments add definitions of terms used in the regulations, add details regarding the process of applying for permits used to import and move noxious weeds, add a requirement for the treatment of Niger seed and add provisions for petitioning to add a taxon to or remove a taxon from the noxious weed lists. Click here to read more.

Destin Eradicating Invasive Species

The city of Destin has recently launched an effort to remove Chinese tallowtree from the city's parks and right of ways. Tallowtree is taking over Destin's wetlands and some fear they will wipe out existing native species. The public services department is also working with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance on a grant application to help eradicate Chinese tallowtree, cogongrass and other invasive species in the state of Florida. Click here to read more.

Invasive Cane Toad Discovered in Australia

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is urging residents to check their gardens for cane toads after the discovery of the invasive pest in a suburb in Australia. The resident who discovered the cane toad reported it to the Department of Agriculture and Food's Pest and Disease Information Service, which operates the cane toad hotline. To read more, click here.

Decorating with Oriental Bittersweet

Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), originally from Asia, was brought to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. Its bright orange roots and thick cluster of berries that grow along its dark brown vines make it beautiful to decorate with, especially around Thanksgiving. The trouble is that this invasive species and its little berries is an "ecological time bomb" that is waiting to spread and destroy the ecosystem. Click here to read more about the dangers of decorating and moving oriental bittersweet.

Outdoors Men & Women Can Fight Invasive Species

5 minute video created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and their many conservation partners to help outdoors men and women recognize invasive species and take action. Click here to see the video. 

Video "Invasion of the Snakeheads"

National Geographic and YouTube created a video on the invasive snakehead fish. Click here to watch the video.

Center's Image Database Featured

The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health's Bugwood Image Database System is featured on several images on this USDA invasive pests website. Click here to view the website and read more on invasive pests.

Invasive Species Around the World

The United States is not the only country dealing with the problems of invasive species. This article highlights other countries who also suffer from non-native pests. Click here to see pictures and descriptions of invasive species around the world.

Gulf Coastal Plains Forests at Higher Risk of Invasion by Tallowtree

A publication 'Invasion of tallow tree into southern US forests: influencing factors and implications for mitigation' by authors  Jianbang Gan, James H. Miller, Hsiaohsuan Wang and John W. Taylor, Jr.shows that Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) has emerged as the most pervading, stand-replacing, non-native tree species in forests in the southern United States. Their study shows that tallowtree invasions are most likely to occur on lower elevation flat lands and in areas adjacent to water and roadways. Sites recently harvested or disturbed, younger stands, and private forestlands are also at greater risk of invasion by tallowtree.  Monitoring and control strategies are proposed to assist areas of the south threatened by tallowtree infestations. To view or print the article click here.

Previously Unrecorded Invasive Seaweed Found

A previously unrecorded invasive, wakame seaweed, was found in the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation. Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is originally from the waters of China, Korea and Japan. It is large, brown, grows rapidly and has the potential to out compete native species. Scientists hope that the early detection of this invasive species and quick response will prevent further spread. Click here to read more and to see a picture.

The World's Ten Most Ugliest Creatures

Click here to watch a video on the world's ten most ugliest creatures.

New Invasive Species Conference Calendar

The USDA National Agricultural Library has posted their conference calendar online. Their main conferences are below:

• 15th Annual Southwest Florida Invasive Species Conference -- December 1, 2010
• Invasive Species Advisory Committee -- December 7-9, 2010
• Global Conference on Entomology (GCE 2011) -- March 5-9, 2011
• 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference -- June 20-23, 2011
• 51st Annual Meeting of the Aquatic Plant Management Society -- July 24-27, 2011
• Seventh International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions -- August 25-25, 2011

For more information, click here.

Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Detected in Alabama

According to forestry officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission, two beetles trapped in Mobile County, just north of Grand Bay, have been confirmed as redbay ambrosia beetles (Xyleborus glabratus). The specimens were collected and identified by Dr. John Riggins from Mississippi State University and confirmed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Section. This is the first confirmation of the presence of the beetle in Alabama.

The beetle carries a fungus that causes a destructive disease called “laurel wilt.” The fungus moves into the tree, and infects the sapwood. As this fungus spreads, it clogs the vascular system of the tree, causing it to wilt. The infected tree will exhibit wilting foliage that is reddish or purplish in color. Eventually, the entire crown wilts and reddens. In the latter part of the infestation, toothpick-like tubes appear on the trunk of the tree caused by fine sawdust and frass seeping through the entrance holes. If a cross-section of the main stem is viewed, it will show black discoloration of the sapwood. Approximately two weeks after the initial attack, the host tree dies from the disease.

Redbay (Persea borbonia) is the most susceptible tree, but sassafras, camphor and avocado are also known to succumb from laurel wilt disease. Other possible host trees in the Laurel family (Lauraceae) that may die from this disease are pond spice, pondberry, and swamp bay.

The public can help prevent the spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt disease by following these simple suggestions:

• Become familiar with the signs of laurel wilt disease and redbay ambrosia beetle and be on the lookout for evidence of the pest or disease on your trees.
• Use local firewood only – Redbay firewood should not be transported. Do not transport firewood of any kind from other states because destructive pests and diseases, such as redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt, can hitchhike into Alabama on infested firewood.
• Do not transport host trees (redbay, swamp bay, avocado, sassafras, pond spice, pondberry, and others in the Lauraceae family) unless purchased from a registered nursery.
• Avoid spreading the beetle and pathogen to new areas - Wood or chips from infested trees should not be transported out of the local area where the trees were found. Dead redbay or other Lauraceous tree species cut in residential areas should be chipped and left onsite as mulch, or disposed of as locally as possible.

For more information contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office or visit your website at www.forestry.alabama.gov/RedbayAmbrosiaBeetle.aspx.

How to Create a CWMA Workshop in Ohio

 The Midwest Invasive Plant Network and Cleveland Metroparks are holding a Northeast Ohio Cooperative Weed Management Workshop on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at North Chagrin Reservation. The workshop introduces Cooperative Weed Management Areas and provides valuable advice and experience on how to organize, develop, and benefit from cross-boundary cooperation and shared resources. For the registration form click here. To view or print the agenda click here.

Invasive Mussel May Have Arrived in Flathead Lake

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced that microscopic larvae suspected to be from exotic mussels may be in 4 of 17 plankton samples collected from the 200 square mile Flathead Lake this summer. The aquatic invasive species director for Montana FWP plans to send divers into Flathead Lake within the next several days to look for adult mussels. Invasive mussels hitch rides on anything from fishing gear to boats and travel by land from other infected waters. Mussels reproduce and spread quickly, attach to hard surfaces, clog irrigation systems, can foul boat motors, disrupt water purification systems and impact fisheries. To read more, click here.

$1.7 Million in Grants go to Buffalo State College’s Great Lakes Center

 $1.7 million in grants have been awarded to Buffalo State College’s Great Lakes Center to research Lake Erie pollution, the lake’s overall health and the water’s invasive species. The grants were awarded through the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. To read the article in BuffaloNews.com click here.

Free Public Lecture on Invasive Species in Ohio

Mary Gardiner, assistant professor of entomology at the Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Invasive Species. This lecture is part of Ashland University's 2010-11 Environmental Lecture Series and will cover the impact of invasive plants, aphids and lady beetles on Ohio's agricultural landscapes.It is a free public lecture and will be held in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium. For more information click here.

"Kill It and Grill It!"

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a 3,900 square mile under water national park, is licensing scuba divers to exterminate lionfish in "no take" areas where spearing and fishing aren't allowed. Scientist want people to kill as many of this invasive species as possible. Originally from the Far East, the invasive lionfish eats up nearly everything in it's path and has spread from the Bahamas and Florida up to the Carolinas. Click here to read more, watch a video and see pictures.

Minimize the Impacts Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

A 32 page booklet by the USDA Forest Service, "Eastern Hemlock Forests: Guidelines to Minimize the Impacts of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid", is available online and to print out as a pdf. To see or print the booklet click here.

22nd USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species

The 22nd USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species will be held January 11‐14, 2011 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland. To see the preliminary agenda and details on how to submit a poster click here.

Mediterranean Basin Fish Threatened By Invasives

The Forest Technology Center of Catalonia led an international team of researchers on the first large scale study of threats to Mediterranean fish. The study showed that the biggest threats to the fish were invasive species along with over exploitation of the water. Inevitably, this could lead some species of Mediterranean fish to extinction. Click here to read more.

You Want Me to Wear What?

Louisiana and New York are teaming up against the Nutria, a large non-native rodent. Wetland habitats are bearing the brunt of the damage caused by this invasive pest. A November 21st fashion show is planned featuring clothing and jewelry made from the fur and teeth of the animal. To read the article by Kim Brown in the Brooklyn Paper click here.

Pathways of Invasive Plant Spread

While this research was done in Alaska the information in the article from Invasive Plant Science and Management can easily apply to anyone who uses hay or straw from other areas. To read the article click here.

"Night of the Invasive Plants" by Ken Lonnquist

Click here to go to the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin's website and listen to Ken Lonnquist's song "Night of the Invasive Plants". It was written to celebrate the first Wisconsin Plants Out of Place Conference in March of 2001. Ken Lonquist, a song-writer and folk-singer from Madison, was hired to close out the packed conference (600 people attended) with a short concert.

Stop the Invasion

Experiments in Montana have shown that an SUV or truck driving on non-paved roads can pick up as many as 176 seeds in a 50-mile trip. ATVs can pick up as many as 200,000 seeds on a 48 mile off-road trip. Although not all of the seeds were from invasive plants, the problem is that hundreds of them were. To read the rest of the article by Dan Hilburn click here.

EDRR Success in Hawaii

The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has resulted in eradication of a highly invasive pest called Little Fire Ant (LFA). The ant was detected a year ago, delivers painful stings and was found infesting a half acre of a farm. The HDOA used a special experimental ant bait to eradicate the invasive pest. This new bait enabled treatment to be put in trees and vegetation where the ants nest. Because the little fire ants were detected early, pest control methods were a success. Click here to read more.

Check Out the Updated CoastScapes Website

Coastscapes, Native Plants, Landscaping for Wildlife, Invasives, Water Quality and Conservation are all topics to choose from on the CoastScapes website. Each main topic then provides a menu of related topics to choose from. For example, on the Native Plants menu there is a Coastal Plains Native Plant search engine as one of the choices. To check it out click here.

Stink Bug Population Explodes

Along the east coast this summer, the brown marmorated stink bug population exploded. This invasive insect, originally from Asia, is a major agricultural pest and a minor aggravating household pest. They have been spotted in New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and more. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working to find a natural enemy to fight the invasive insect. Click here to read more and to watch a video clip.

Professional Anglers Join Invasive Species Fight

Wildlife Forever and the National Professional Anglers Association have joined forces in the battle against invasive species. By enlisting in the battle together, they hope that other anglers will join the fight and learn how to "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!"
This is the kind of action which can help to bring everyone on board. We all need to take action and work together to protect the rivers, lakes and other natural areas we love or they will be gone, taken over by invasive species. To read more click here.

Asian Carp Barricades Completed

Barricades were completed along the Des Plaines River and I&M (Illinois and Michigan) Canal to prevent invasive species, including Asian carp, from migrating into Lake Michigan. The US Army Corps of Engineers designed and constructed the project which was funded through the U.S. Army Environmental Protection Agency. This project was part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. To read more click here.

Invasive Hemlock Insect Found in Kittery Point, Maine

Maine Forest Service entomologists announced that a new population of an invasive insect that damages hemlocks has been discovered in southern Maine. The insect is called elongate hemlock scale and can also damage fir trees. An invasive insect called hemlock woolly adelgid has already been causing damage to hemlocks. The addition of another invasive insect attacking hemlocks can accelerate the damage and mortality of the trees. To read more click here.

Help Collect Invasive Plant Best Management Practices from Across the U.S.

Cal-IPC is collecting documents on invasive plant Best Management Practices (BMPs)  Can you recommend additional documents that could be helpful?  This is part of a program to develop “stop the spread” BMPs and trainings for a variety of audiences. Email documents to Doug Johnson dwjohnson@cal-ipc.org.

New York Forests Threatened By Invasive Insects

New York forests have recently been threatened by several invasive insects that kill trees. These insects, also referred to as "the holy trinity of invasive species", are the emerald ash borer, the eastern longhorned beetle and the hemlock woolly adelgid. To respond to these invasions, the New York Department of Enviornmental Conservation (DEC) instituted several new regulations to limit the movement of firewood in the state. The import of firewood is prohibited unless it is first treated with insecticides. Local firewood can be transported no more than 50 miles from its natural area. And all firewood must be accompanied by a receipt. These regulations were all made in response to the invasive insects threatening New York's forests. Click here to read more.

North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course

The 2011 North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course (NAIPSC) is three days of intense instruction and learning for those interested in the basics of invasive plant ecology and management. The course combines classroom presentations, site visits, instructor-led discussion sessions and hands on workshops. The NAIPSC date are July 6-8, 2011. For more information on the short course, click here.

GA-EPPC Presentations Are Now Posted

Presentations from the Symposium Sponsored by: The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council on November 4, 2010 at Zoo Atlanta are now posted. Speakers include keynote speaker Dr. Damon Waitt, Senior Botanist and Director of the Native Plant Information Network at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin; Dr. David J. Moorhead, Professor of Silviculture at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and the Co-Director of the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health; Matt Nespeca, Marketing Manager for Nufarm Americas Inc.; Lee Patrick, Co-Owner of Invasive Plant Control; Jimmie Cobb, Forestry & IVM Sales Specialist for Dow AgroSciences; John and Lamyrl Atkinson owners of Towaliga Plants in Juliette, Georgia; and Karan Rawlins, Invasive Plants Coordinator at Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at University of Georgia. Click here to view the presentations.

Teeg Stouffer Talks About Invasive Species

In the video, Teeg Stouffer focuses on invasive fish: bighead and silver carp, common carp, yellow bass and white perch. He discusses what problems they cause and how to prevent their spread by never dumping aquariums into bodies of water and to not intentionally move fish from one place to another. Click here to watch the video clip.

Invasive Species: A Challenge for California

The California Invasive Species Advisory Committee put together a video entitled Invasive Species: A Challenge for California. The video is an overview of California's biggest agricultural threat. Click here to watch the video.

Watch the Playing Smart Against Invasive Species Videos

Videos 'Playing Smart Against Invasive Species' produced by the USDA Forest Service are wonderful resources for education and public outreach. These videos explain how people can enjoy the great outdoors and avoid spreading invasive species along the way. You can choose videos ranging from 6 to 27 minutes in length. To watch and to share the Playing Smart videos click here.

GA-EPPC Newsletter Available

The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Newsletter includes a letter from the President, Cynthia Taylor; a list of Board Members for 2011; a recap of some of the presentations delivered over the last year; and an update on the Non-native Invasive Plant List. Click here to read more or to print a copy.

Protecting Parks from Invasives

Over 30 University of Vermont students and members of the community worked together to remove invasive species from the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge. The park is over 290 acres and made up of diverse wetlands and woodlands. The park does not have the money to hire people to cut down and get rid of unwelcome invasive species and were very grateful for the help. The volunteers removed glossy buckthorn and Japanese honeysuckle from the park. This will enable the native plants to thrive again and will improve the wildlife habitat of the park. Click here to read more.

Michigan Fights Oriental Bittersweet

The Nature Conservancy funded $700,000 to the Land Conservancy of West Michigan to fight invasive species on the Lake Michigan shore from Indiana to the Mackinac Bridge. As part of the grant, the Land Conservancy just finished fighting oriental bittersweet on Mount Baldhead. Oriental bittersweet is an aggressive vine that pushes out native species and can kill small shrubs and damage trees. The invasive species is easily spread by birds feeding on its berries. Click here to read more.

Minnesota Restricts Firewood

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding deer hunters that only firewood purchased from a DNR approved vendor or from a state park may be brought onto any DNR administered lands. Visitors must keep their firewood receipt, bundle label or DNR approved vendor ticket to prove where they purchased the wood. A $100 fine may be given to visitors who bring in unapproved firewood. This firewood restriction is to help prevent the spread of an invasive beetle called emerald ash borer. The beetle kills trees, tunnels through the wood and cuts off the tree's water supply and nutrients. Click here to read more.

Converting Invasive Plants into Fuel

The Center for Invasive Plant Management at Montana State University and the Missouri River Watershed coalition are investigating a project that will convert invasive plants into fuel. The Center at MSU was recently awarded $1 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop innovative ideas for for managing invasive plants. Invasive plants cause ecological and economic problems, choke river systems, reduce water quality and quantity, restrict irrigation access and degrade wildlife habitat. The Missouri River is 2,540 miles long and drains around one-sixth of North America. In the Western United States, over one million acres are infested with Russian olive and salcedar alone. These two species could supply biomass far into the future. Click here to read more.

7th Graders Learn about Invasives During Ecology Day

Northbrook Junior High School students in Northbrook, Illinois helped clear out invasive buckthorn during Ecology Day. The students worked with Park District employees to cut down buckthorn near the Chicago river. During the half day of activities, students also participated in river and pond water quality tests and identified macro-invertebrates. Click here to read more.

Invasive Species Worth Admiring

Invasive species worth admiring? Yes! This article takes a minute to admire invasive species as living creatures, not just the invaders that mess up the ecosystem and kill off native species. Dandelions, pythons, Asian carp and wild boars are only a few of the invasive species discussed. Click here to read about and admire invasive species.

$1 Million Grant to Turn Invasive Plants into Biofuel Is Awarded to MSU

Converting invasive plants to fuel is being investigated by partners in a regional project headed by the Center for Invasive Plant Management at Montana State University and the Missouri River Watershed Coalition. They were awarded $1 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Innovation Grant program, to develop ideas for managing invasive plants and work with public and private partners in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming Colorado and Nebraska. To read the full article click here.

Call for Papers - Annual Southeast EPPC Conference 2011

The joint meeting of the 2nd Kentucky Invasive Species Conference and the 13th Annual Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council conference will encompass topics related to the research, management, outreach, education, and policy of invasive species in the eastern and central regions of the United States. We welcome contributions in the following major areas:
1. Ecology of invasive species and their impact on ecosystem functions and processes
2. Invasive species management
3. Invasive species education and policy
For more information on Submission of Abstracts click here.

WOC Urges Government Ratification to Stop Aquatic Invasives

According to the Wold Ocean Council (WOC), cargo ships transport between 7,000-10,000 aquatic species each day across oceans. This creates a major pathway for aquatic invasive species to spread. This being said the WOC has called for an urgent ratification of the Ballast Water Convention that was approved in 2004. The international treaty has not been enforced yet due to the lack of government ratification. One ratified, the Ballast Water Convention will enter 30 nationals, representing 35% of the world's merchant shipping. Click here to read more.

Antiguan Racer Making a Comeback

The world's rarest snake, the Antiguan racer, is making a comeback after being highly endangered for years. The snake was killed off by invasive mongoose and invasive Eurasian black rats, leaving only 50 Antiguan racers in the world. However, six conservation groups joined together to increase the snake's population. Now, 500 Antiguan racers exist and its territory has expanded to other islands. Click here to read more and view pictures.

Proposals Requested for Grant to Develop Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Special Regional Competition Funded Through Maryland Sea Grant College Program. The Maryland Sea Grant College, in partnership with the Sea Grant College programs in the Mid-Atlantic states, seeks proposals for a special 18-month (Mar 15, 2011 - Sep 14, 2012) funding cycle. This Request for Proposals seeks to support ecological and social science research to develop an aquatic invasive species prevention demonstration project for the mid-Atlantic region. To read more or submit your proposal online click here.

The Backyard Invasion Connection

As home gardeners we can make environmentally sound choices by becoming aware of the issue of biological invasions and understanding the connection between invasions and our own backyards. To read the rest of the excellent article, 'History of Southeastern Invasive Plants' in the American Nurseryman by Hallie Dozier of Louisiana State University click here.

'Dirty Jobs' Confronts Invasive Species Tonight

Tonight on the Discovery Channel show 'Dirty Jobs', Mike Rowe will learn to wrangle the creepy and destructive invasive species, sea lampreys. Lampreys invaded the Great Lakes during the 1920's. They are eel-like creators who have toothy, suction cup mouths that attach themselves to the side of fish, saw holes through the skin and feed on the fish's insides. These invasives had nearly destroyed several species by the 1950's. Tonight, Rowe and his crew will catch, transport and sort the lampreys by gender. After which, they will be poisoned or the males sterilized and released. Click here to read more and tune in tonight to watch the episode!

No Borders for Six Rivers CISMA

Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area located in Florida's Panhandle was established in 2009 as a network to address the growing threat of invasive species in Northwest Florida. But they did not stop with the six original counties in Florida. They have grown to include three counties across the border in Alabama. Congratulations to Florida and Alabama for truly working across borders. Are there other Cooperative management areas out there working across state or national borders to address invasive species issues? I would love to hear from you and post your story on our blog. Email your story to Karan krawlins@uga.edu.

EDDMapS Training Workshop at Local High School

The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health taught an EDDMapS training workshop at Tift County High School last Tuesday. Fifteen AP Biology students participated in the workshop. Karan Rawlins, the Center's Invasive Species Coordinator, first showed the class a powerpoint on the most common invasive species in the area. Then, she took the class outside to find and map invasive species. Students found Chinese privet and honeysuckle all over the school campus. Lastly, Rawlins taught the students to upload the information into EDDMapS (www.eddmaps.org). The workshop was a great success and the students were surprised to learn of the many invasives in their "own backyard". To learn more about EDDMapS workshops contact Karan Rawlins at 229-386-3298 or krawlins@uga.edu.

Invasive Mink Numbers Fall

According to a waterways wildlife survey, the number of mink seen on waterways this year has dropped by 36 percent. Mink is an invasive species that eats threatened water voles. This drop may be due to the increase of otters. Otters and mink compete for territory. This could also mean good news for the threatened voles. Click here to read more.

New York Town Adopts Invasive Species Law

In Harrietstown, NY last week, the town board adopted "The Town of Harrietstown Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Law". The new law prohibits planting or introducing invasives into, on or around the town's shorelines. And also requires boaters to remove all aquatic plants from boats and trailer before entering or exiting the town's waters. Violators will be charged a fine of up to $250. The state Department of Environmental Conservation, state police, and Franklin County Sheriff's Department are in charge of enforcing the new invasive species law. Click here to read more.