Insect Eating Invasive Plant in the Everglades



Weevils munching as to war
Photo by  Gary Buckingham, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Weevils known as the Australian snout beetle, Oxyops vitiosa, are munching the leaves of melaleuca trees in the Everglades. The hope is that predation by this weevil will help to stop melaleuca from spreading seeds and turning sawgrass meadows into dense, water-sucking forests. Read an article on this project by William E. Gibson.

BOATERS: Clean, Drain and Dry – Why?

A special message from the Texas Invasives program for Memorial Day weekend which kicks off boating season. While you are out on the water this summer, be sure to protect your boat and our natural resources from harmful invasive species.

Texas Invasives website for more information.  

Hydrilla an invasive aquatic plant
photo by Wilfredo Robles, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org

Learn more about what you can do to help protect rivers, lakes and all the places you love from invasive aquatic pests!

Goats vs. Weeds: A Targeted Grazing Demonstration

For those hard to reach places!

Goats vs. Weeds: A Targeted Grazing Demonstration

Mountain goats
photo by Alfred Viola, Northeastern University, Bugwood.org

At the Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD 21660 on Thursday, June 2, 10 a.m.-noon and Saturday, June 4, 10 am - noon.
Invasive species crowd out native woodland plants and animals and can strangle trees and bring down limbs. Machines often can't reach problem areas, manual removal is very labor intensive, and herbicides can inflict collateral damage on water, plant, and animal resources. Targeted grazing with goats can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of controlling invasive species on your property. Goats graze in places that mowers can't reach and humans don't want to go, including bramble and poison ivy thickets.
This demonstration is your chance to see goats in action at the Arboretum and learn how to implement this practice on your own land. Presenters will include Nevin Dawson, forest stewardship educator, University of Maryland Extension; Sylvan Kaufman, Sylvan Green Earth Consulting, and Brian Knox, president of Sustainable Resource Management, Inc. and supervising forester for Eco-Goats. Light refreshments will be served, including goat cheese.
Fee: $15 members, $20 general public. For more information or call 410-634-2847.

Memorial Day-Leave Firewood at Home!



Never Move Firewood!
 photo by Rebekah D. Wallace, Bugwood.org

Lots of people have special plans for Memorial Day weekend. If your plans include camping or anything which involves building a fire...Remember to leave your firewood at home...Buy firewood from local sources and leave any leftover firewood for the next camper. You might even leave them a note reminding them of the dangers of moving firewood. Invasive pests and diseases which attack trees move into new areas quickly when they hitch a ride on firewood. They are often difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye so the best way to prevent moving them is to always use locally harvested firewood. For more information on this problem and ways you can help go to Don't Move Firewood.

Call For Papers Deadline May 27th- Natural Areas Conference

Natural Areas Conference 2011

 Call for Papers and Posters   

A Reminder -- Your Abstracts Submission
Must be Received by May 27th!

 View the Call For Papers>>

Everglades Nonnative Fish Round Up

The Everglades ecosystem is home to at least 22 non-native freshwater fish species. These non-native
fish may be causing detrimental changes to our native fish communities, particularly as the number of new species continues to increase, and known populations expand to new areas. In order to promote general awareness of invasive species, and the threats they pose , The Everglades Cooperative  Invasive Species Management Area, (ECISMA, a formal partnership of federal, state and local government agencies, tribes, individuals and various interested groups that mange invasive species within the Everglades ecosystem) is holding the second annual Everglades Non-Native Fish Round-Up. The 2011 Everglades non-native fish round up is a one-day event in which anglers will be ridding our waters of harmful species, while providing valuable information about their distribution and abundance. Participants will be working towards a great cause while enjoying a little friendly competition. For more information on ECISMA or this event please visit our website.  

Lionfish, NOAA Archives, Bugwood.org

Lionfish, NOAA Archives, Bugwood.org

Noxious Weed Reporting System Now Available in 11 Western States

Noxious Weed Reporting System Now Available in 11 Western States

Spring has finally arrived and many of us are once again heading back into the fields and rangelands, onto the rivers, and into the backcountry for work and for play. As our surroundings are greening up, we must remember that not all plant species are native to our region; some are noxious weed invaders that restrict access to irrigation, degrade wildlife habitat, reduce water quality and quantity, and decrease productivity of croplands and grazing lands. 

Early detection of new invasive plant infestations and rapid, coordinated responses are needed to eradicate or contain invasions before they become too widespread and control becomes technically and financially impossible. Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) programs are based on two simple concepts: (1) even the best prevention efforts cannot stop all invasive plant introductions; and(2) quick action to control an invasive plant infestation before it becomes widespread will greatly reduce control costs and damage to surrounding natural resource.

Entering and tracking locations of invasives within and between states can identify the “leading edge” of invasive plants heading our way. This knowledge allows land managers and agencies to prioritize control weeds and management strategies while populations are still small. Each new sighting of an invader is crucial information that should be shared as quickly as possible with your local county weed district, state department of agriculture, university Extension agent, or federal agency field office.

An even easier way to report noxious weed sightings is using the web-based, Missouri River Watershed Coalition-Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (MRWC-EDDMapS). Developed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia (aka Bugwood) and launched in September 2010, the MRWC-EDDMapS is fast, easy to use, and is freely available to anyone in the headwater states of Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The system allows for reporting of new sightings of select invasive species, automatically alerts state weed coordinators of those reports, automatically alerts EDDMapS users of verified reports, and generates distribution maps for reported species. Now, thanks to additional support from the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund and the US Forest Service, State and Private Forestry Program, this system has been expanded to five additional western states: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

It is going to take all of us -land owners, land managers, recreationists, and concerned citizens –working together and sharing information as quickly as possible, to keep ahead of new weed invaders. We encourage everyone to sign up and use this simple EDDMapS tool to report sighting of new plant invaders; all you have to do is click on this link: http://www.eddmaps.org/mrwc. For more information about the MRWC, please visit our website at: http://www.weedcenter.org/mrwc/index.

Invasive Plant Control Workshop

The 2011 Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council (GA-EPPC) Invasive Plant Control Workshop will be held at the Griffin Campus of the University of Georgia. This workshop is focused on practical applications of invasive plant identification , mapping and control measures.

Agenda
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Registration, continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. Welcome, GA-EPPC Board
9:10 a.m. –12:00 p.m. Field Work Stations on Identification, Control and Mapping of Invasive Plants

Field Stations

1. Proper Mapping Techniques
2. Invasive Plant Identification
3. Herbicide Calibration Techniques / Foliar Application
4. Non Chemical Control Measures
5. Cut-stem and Basal-bark Herbicide Treatments

12:00 p.m. Lunch (included with registration)

Presentations in Stuckey Auditorium

1:00 p.m. Defining the Problem: Invasive Plants in Georgia

2:00 p.m. Control of Invasive Plants

3:00 p.m. Planning Control of and Mapping Invasive Plants: EDDMapS

4:00 p.m. Adjourn

CEU's Approved for:

•          4.5 CEU’s for Category 1 Continuing Forestry Education Units.
•          4.0 credits for Commercial Pesticide categories 21,23,24, and 27
•          2.0 credits for Private Applicator Pesticide
•          Certified Arborist: 5.0 hours
•          Municipal Arborist: 5.0 hours
•          Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA): Science 2.0 hours, Practice 2.0 hours, Management  1.0 hours

Cost $35.00   Limited spaces available. To register click here.

Endangered Species Day Fair in DC

The U.S. Botanic Garden, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Endangered Species Coalition will host an Endangered Species Day Fair at the USBG’s Conservatory on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Children, families and individuals are invited to participate in tours of the USBG’s endangered and native plants, talks on endangered plants, visit with exhibitors from federal agencies and conservation organizations and learn about what you can do at home. Click for more information.

Polar bears, photo by Joy Viola, Northeastern University, Bugwood.org

Invasive Plant ID Videos for Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin Cooperative extension has a YouTube channel with a number of videos on invasive plant identification. They focus on species found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic area. Dr. Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin-Madison and his team want to help Wisconsin residents recognize species that are spreading along highway corridors. The videos are short and cover the basics of the plant's characteristics--good for those without much of any background in identification of invasive species.
Dr. Mark Renz, said that anyone can use the videos free for training purposes. Videos.

Invasive Species Partnerships Survey

Are you part of an Invasive Species Partnership such as a CISMA, PRISM or CWMA? Then this message is for you!
It has been just over 2 months since State Day was held at National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Washington, DC. During that day, we held a panel discussion entitled, “Strengthening Grassroots Partnerships - CISMA/PRISM/CWMA - What are our next steps?”
There were many participants in the audience and for those of you who were not able to travel to Washington, DC, many were able to participate online through our national Webcast. For more information about the NISAW panel discussion in March - see the archived webinar. 
There was a lot of great information and discussions during the session and we would like to keep the ball rolling. We have created a short Survey to gather responses from people all over the nation who are participating in, or interested in, these types of invasive species partnerships.
To take the Survey.  This survey should take about 10-15 minutes. Please respond by June 3, 2011.
Thanks in advance,
Chuck Bargeron, NA-EPPC Chair

Now Open for Comment: 'Not Authorized For Importation'

July 5, 2011 is the deadline for public comment on a new "category of plants for planting" aka 'nursery stock'. These plants would be "not authorized for importation pending pest risk assessment". This is the long awaited Q-37 final rule "Establishing a Category of Plants for Planting Not Authorized for Importation Pending Pest Risk Analysis" (NAPPRA). All comments received on Docket No. APHIS-2006-0011 on or before July 5, 2011 will be considered. Read the public comments made to date. For more information click on USDA APHIS website, Plant Import or Frequently Asked Questions or the Proposed Rule.

Working Together Is The Way To Win

Bret Shaw, an Extension environmental communication specialist and assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin at Madison Life Sciences communication department says a recent study shows what an important part the owners and employees of bait shops can play in educating fishermen and boaters to help to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Providing information and education materials to these businesses is a very useful strategy which can be used throughout the United States. Read the article, "In the battle against invasive aquatic species, Wisconsin bait shops are on the front line" by Bob Mitchell.

Dreissena polymorpha, Zebra mussels
photo by Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org

EDRR Alert: 'Cyperus entrerianus'

This research article by David J. Rosen, Richard Carter, and Charles T. Bryson in the Southeastern Naturalist,  Vol. 5, No. 2 (2006), pp.333-334, introduces a new invasive plant of bottomland hardwood forests. The article "The Recent Spread of Cyperus entrerianus (Cyperaceae) in the Southeastern United States and Its Invasive Potential in Bottomland Hardwood Forests", documents the observations of the authors that deeprooted sedge can dominate both disturbed and native habitats to the exclusion of native plants. Non-native plants which can dominate healthy native plant communities should be added to the EDRR watchlist of any state with these types of habitats.

Cyperus entrerianus, deeprooted sedge
photo by Richard Carter, Valdosta State University, Bugwood.org

Kristin Musgnug: Unnatural Histories

If you live in Houston, Texas or nearby, check out the art exhibition at the Inman Gallery at 3917 Main Street. In Unnatual Histories Kristin Musgnug has focused her attention on exotic, invasive species which now appear across the landscape of the Southeastern United States. For more information and to see a preview of the paintings by Kristin. The exhibition ends May 15th.

Arundo donax, one of the subjects chosen by  Kristin,
photo by Wendy VanDyk Evans, Bugwood.org



FREE Webcast "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land"

Join us the Stewardship Network for a FREE Webcast on Wednesday, May 11th. The Presentation, "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land" will be given by Steve Apfelbaum, Applied Ecological Services, Inc.; Alan Haney, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; and Lisa Brush, The Stewardship Network

• Date: Wednesday, May 11th 2011
• Time: 11:45am to 1pm Eastern
• Place: Your Computer!

 Click to view webcast

Southeast EPPC Conference

The last blog posted was about the upcoming joint meeting of the Kentucky Invasive Species Conference and the SE-EPPC Conference. The University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Invasive Species Council did a great job. The area was beautiful with the native black locust trees in full bloom. Over 175 people from across the Southeast attended. Three keynote speakers, 35 presentations in the breakout sessions, and 23 poster presentations made sure this conference had a lot to offer with many opportunities to learn new ideas and form new partnerships for working together to fight invasive species. Look for the next edition of SE-EPPC's publication, Wildland Weeds which is due out soon on the SE-EPPC website. Previous editions are also available.
And most importantly if you missed the opportunity to attend this conference, the National Exotic Pest Plant Council and the Natural Areas Association Annual Conference is coming up November 1-4 in Tallahassee, FL. Plan to attend now! Stay tuned for details.

Black locust in full bloom, a native tree in the Southeast,
photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org