Tuesday, October 25, 2016

ONR Sponsors Anti-Fouling Hydrogel Research

ONR Sponsors Anti-Fouling Hydrogel Research (10/13/16)<http://maritime-executive.com/article/onr-sponsors-anti-fouling-hydrogel-research>

The U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) is sponsoring work by Dr Xuanhe Zhao, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, into the development of new hull fouling technologies.  Zhao and his team have created an adhesive hydrogel that can help barnacle-fighting coatings stick to metal hulls better and longer, retain moisture and not dry out and avoid the use of toxic chemicals and other pollutants. Currently, the Navy uses copper-based paints and coatings to kill barnacles or prevent them from latching onto hulls. While effective, these toxic materials leach into the water, negatively impacting aquatic life. The Navy is seeking environmentally-friendly coatings that can keep hulls clean and reduce fuel costs…..


BALLAST WATER/BIOFOULING Liberia provides lead with BWMS proposal to IMO

BALLAST WATER/BIOFOULING


Liberia provides lead with BWMS proposal to IMO (10/21/16)<http://www.marinelink.com/news/provides-proposal-liberia417220>

The Liberian Maritime Administration is to introduce a proposal to the meeting of the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC70) in London on 24 October to allow certain ships additional time beyond 2020 to install adequate ballast water management systems as required under the Ballast Water Management Convention, which comes into force in September 2017. The proposal, says Liberia, would ensure that enough adequate systems and sufficient dockyard space are available…..

Port Director’s View: Set uniform federal standard on ballast water to protect US waterways (10/19/16)<http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/4140793-port-directors-view-set-uniform-federal-standard-ballast-water-protect-us-waterways>


Among the stack of bills in Washington, D.C., awaiting congressional action by the end of the year is a piece of legislation both parties can and should endorse: a long-awaited, common-sense reform to this nation’s ballast water treatment regulations…..

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

European Union won't ban imports of American lobster


The European Union has decided the American lobster isn’t an invasive species after all, averting a ban on the live import of Maine’s iconic crustacean. The EU’s Committee on Invasive Alien Species told Sweden, the member nation that had sought the ban after discovering American lobsters off its coast, that it would not list Homerus americanus for technical reasons, even though Sweden’s argument had persuaded the forum of EU scientists who study alien species to pursue the listing just one month ago<http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/06/swedens-proposed-ban-on-american-lobsters-allowed-to-move-forward/>…..

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

SD: Belle reservoir faced zebra mussel worry


…..State fishery director John Lott said GF&P employees have been inspecting and disinfecting boats when they come out of the water at Lewis and Clark Reservoir so the zebra mussels aren’t carried to other waters of South Dakota. At Belle Fourche Reservoir<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Belle+Fourche+Dam,+Belle+Fourche,+SD+57717/@44.731096,-103.8174946,11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x532d7919b0724937:0x93f5be722666026a!8m2!3d44.731096!4d-103.6774189>, dredging equipment that last worked at Lake Superior turned out to be carrying zebra mussels. Lott said the barges were shipped to Rapid City for power-washing and cleaning with chlorine disinfectants….. “Right now I don’t know if we could take to the Legislature a plan for how to stop this no matter how much money you threw at it,” Lott said. “I don’t know if money or more manpower is the answer.”

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

TX: McMahon to expand study of invasive zebra mussels in Texas Lakes

DREISSENID MUSSELS
TX: McMahon to expand study of invasive zebra mussels in Texas Lakes (10/7/16)<https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/10/Robert%20MacMahon.php>

A professor emeritus in biology from The University of Texas at Arlington who is an esteemed expert in freshwater and marine invertebrates is expanding his research into the spread of invasive zebra mussels into Texas lakes. Zebra mussels’ invasion of North American water bodies has resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in ecological services, human recreation, and in mitigation and control of mussel fouling in potable water, power station and industrial raw water facilities. “A female zebra mussel can produce up to a million externally fertilized eggs within a single spawning season that develop into planktonic larvae,” said Robert McMahon, professor emeritus of biology and principal investigator on the new grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department….

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

UT: BLM, local groups work to eradicate invasive ravenna grass at Mill Creek



Ravenna grass — currently dormant at this time of year — grows along the banks of Mill Creek east of Moab. Several local groups are working to eradicate the grass, which is considered an invasive species that chokes out many native plants. Surrounding the basketball court next to Star Hall, around the Center Street Gym and in yards around Moab, tall feathery plumes of the common ornamental plant known as ravenna grass bob in the wind. Though beloved by landscapers, ravenna grass has escaped to Mill Creek and other streams, where it is crowding out native plants, local official say…..

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492

Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

MN: Watershed tackles flowering rush in 4 Becker County lakes

MN: Watershed tackles flowering rush in 4 Becker County lakes (10/3/16) <http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/10/03/science-aids-fight-minnesota-aquatic-invasive-species>


Stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species can seem like an uphill battle but one Minnesota group is claiming success keeping non-native flowering rush in check in four Becker County lakes. Minnesota spends millions of dollars every year trying to slow the spread of zebra mussels, Eurasian milfoil and other non-native invaders with mixed results. The experience with flowering rush could offer lessons on how to manage those other threats, chief among them that a scientific approach and persistence can lead to success….

Boise pond shut down after discovery of invasive minnow

Boise pond shut down after discovery of invasive minnow (10/12/16)<http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/boise-pond-shut-down-after-discovery-of-invasive-minnow/334833192>

BOISE -- Redwood Park Pond in Boise will be shut down starting immediately as Idaho Department of Fish and Game officers work to eradicate an invasive species of fish discovered inside it. The pond will be dosed with a substance toxic to fish to kill off rosy red shiner, a type of minnow from the Midwestern US that is popular in aquariums. The shiner were illegally added to the pond, officials say. Fish and Game officials say rosy red shiner are not native fish and have not been found anywhere else in Idaho. They want to keep it that way, according to Fish and Game fisheries manager Joe Kozfkay.

Latest AIS News from Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Enjoy

_____________________________________________________
Tammy Davis  /  Invasive Species Program Coordinator ADF&G /P.O. Box 115526 / Juneau, AK 99811-5526
P: (907) 465-6183 / C: (907) 209-2492


Be part of the solution… Report Invasive Species: 1-877-INVASIV

Gentle reminder: it's Bat Week! Invasive plant pulls are scheduled nationwide

Gentle reminder: it's Bat Week! Invasive plant pulls are scheduled nationwide to promote native plants, beneficial insects, and healthy bat populations.

A list of invasive plant pulls can be found here: http://www.batweek.org/index.php/find-an-event
Invasive plant fact sheets and wanted posters can be found here:



We hope you all get out there and Pull (invasive plants) for Bats!

Europe's struggle to strengthen phytosanitary regs

hello, forest pest mavens!

I have posted a new blog at www.cisp.us - this one summarizes a recent article outlining how vulnerable Europe is to non-native tree-killing insects and pathogens and saying that the European Union is trying to strenthen its phytosanitary rules.  Unfortunately, World Trade Organization rules will make it difficult to adopt the most effective approaches.

The UK is now going it alone - so it will have both the opportunity & burden of adopting more effective phytosanitary regs.

I make some comparisons to the U.S.' situation, too.


Faith

"Knocking Out Noxious Weeds on Rangelands" Workshop Series


Links....

  
Workshop website




"Knocking Out Noxious Weeds  
on Rangelands"
Workshop Series 

Many weeds invade California's rangelands and other types of working landscapes, highlighting the need for cost-effective management approaches. A series of workshops will be held this Fall to share recent developments in IPM applications.
   Woodland - Nov. 9
   Salinas - Nov. 16
   Fresno - Nov. 17
   Eureka - Dec. 13
   Susanville - Dec. 14 

CE credits for DPR and SRM licensing are pending. Register for $15 online at: http://knockoutweeds.com!



California Invasive Plant Council, 1442-A Walnut St. #462, Berkeley, CA 94709


Sent by dwjohnson@cal-ipc.org in collaboration with

Monday, October 24, 2016

1st Washington Botanical Symposium

SAVE THE DATE: March 15, 2017 - 1st Washington Botanical Symposium, Seattle, WA
The 1st Washington Botanical Symposium will be held on Wed. March 15, 2017 at the Center for Urban Horticulture on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.  This day-long conference will feature presentations by botanists throughout Washington on topics ranging from aquatic plants and climate change to invasives species, rare plants, and a revised regional flora.  In addition to learning about ongoing projects, the conference will be a great opportunity to connect with colleagues within and across disciplines.

Additional details will be sent out in the coming weeks regarding a list of speakers and topics, timeline for the day, and registration.   The conference is co-sponsored by the University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum, UW Botanic Gardens and the Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program (Rare Care), Washington Natural Heritage Program, and the Washington Noxious Weed Control Board.


Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

College of the Environment

Thursday, October 20, 2016

USDA Grants Handbook FY17

Below please find a link to a pdf version of the USDA Grants FY17 handbook document.  It contains millions of dollars available to our stakeholders to use on invasive species issues of mutual interest.  Please share it widely among your contacts.

https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/download/attachments/543245253/USDA%20Grants%20Workbook%20FY%202017%20FINAL%2017%20Oct%202016.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1476992173362&api=v2

Thank you.

Hilda Diaz-Soltero
USDA Senior Invasive Species Coordinator


Webinar: Highlights of the Unique Challenges and Successes of Riparian Restoration and Invasive Plant Management in the West

Highlights of the Unique Challenges and Successes of Riparian Restoration and Invasive Plant Management in the West
Join us for a webinar on Oct 28, 2016 at 11:30 AM EDT.
Register now!
Rivers in the Southwest are often ribbons of green through dry desert ecosystems that provide unique habitats that wildlife and plants rely on for survival. However, these areas are often heavily impacted by outside forces such as dams, water regulation, development and invasive species invasions. These alterations to the ecosystems result in a loss of suitable native habitat, threats to endangered species that rely on these unique habitats and river systems with novel plant community composition, soil types and geomorphology. This webinar will address the broader issues of riparian restoration and invasive species management in the southwest including the value of partnerships and the importance of long-term, reliable funding sources. We will highlight the successes and challenges of the work being done by a watershed partnership group on the Verde River in Arizona and will discuss some of the unique challenges of removing tamarisk (an invasive species) and the potential impacts to endangered bird species.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Faith's new blog - invasive plants as extinction driver

Dear Forest Pest Mavens & others,

I have posted a new blog at www.cisp.us    This one summarizes the arguments made by Downey and Richardson re: the role of non-native invasive plants in pushing native plant species along the "extinction trajectory".  Downey and Richardson are countering arguments by some that invasive plant species have trivial impacts and so should not become the focus of expensive or difficult management efforts. 

I hope you find it interesting ... and will share it with your colleagues.


Faith

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara in Protected Areas

Dear All

Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara are probably two of the most widespread and abundant invasive plants in Asia and Africa – lantana also in Australia. We would like to compile a list of all protected areas around the world that have been invaded by these noxious weeds. If you know of any PA’s that have been invaded please could you send me an email (a.witt@cabi.org) with the following information:

Species:
Country:
State/Province/County:
Name of Protected Area:
Percent invaded (an approximation would be fine):
Main habitats invaded (grassland, savannah, woodland, forest edges/gaps etc.):
Any relevant references:

Thanking you in advance – please forward to others that may be able to contribute.

Kind regards
Arne

Arne Witt
Regional Coordinator - IAS
CABI Africa
P.O.Box 633-00621
Nairobi
Kenya

Visit us at: www.cabi.org

CABI improves people's lives worldwide by providing
information and applying scientific expertise to solve
problems in agriculture and the environment

Monday, October 17, 2016

Invasive species management world's loss of a great person

I am sorry to be writing to you to share the sad news of Rita Beard's passing. Those of us who knew Rita and had the honor of working with her in any capacity know what a great loss this is for all of us. She was an iconic figure in the weed world devoting time to the USFS and the NPS as well as working on issues related to invasive species at the national level. Rita was responsible for the oversight of invasive species management issues within the NPS for many years including ensuring a robust and successful EPMT program. She was also an integral part of a dynamic FICMNEW in its early days.

We will miss her greatly and honor her years of service and lasting legacy.

As more information becomes available, I will share it.

--
Terri Hogan, Invasive Plant Program Manager

Landscape Restoration & Adaptation
Biological Resources Division
Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
1201 Oakridge Dr, Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Phone:  970-267-7306
Cell:  970-889-0108
Fax:  970-225-3585



Thursday, October 6, 2016

October is Firewood Awareness Month; thinks you can do

Hello colleagues!

I am emailing to announce the launch of our new “October is Firewood Month” outreach effort, which is a partnership between the Don’t Move Firewood and Hungry Pests campaign. We’ve got all month to share materials, encourage press releases, reach out on social media, and give this pilot year a really great start!

Right now, the two partners - USDA APHIS Hungry Pests and The Nature Conservancy’s Don’t Move Firewood campaign -  are launching the first week of Firewood Awareness Month. The primary goal is to raise public awareness about firewood movement as a forest pest and disease pathway. The timing is strategic, as October is a month that brings a visceral reminder that home heating season is coming, with colder temperatures in most of the U.S, as well as travel for hunting. Firewood Awareness Month is intentionally not species-centric – it is a focus on a critical pathway - and it offers a chance to reach target audiences who pose the greatest risk for moving firewood in the fall season.

Please help get the word out:

Please contact Leigh Greenwood (lgreenwood@tnc.org) with questions. Thank you for promoting Firewood Awareness Month!

___________

October is Firewood Awareness Month and we need your help to raise public awareness about firewood movement as a forest pest and disease pathway. Each week of October focuses on a theme that allows you to strategize when to “chime in” according to your preferences, audiences, and professional time constraints. There is no minimum requirement to participate.

Oct. 2 – 8: General information regarding the issue of firewood as a pathway for forest pest spread.
Oct. 9 – 15: Messages targeted to fall recreationalists- especially hunters, anglers, and RV owners.
Oct. 16 – 22: Firewood's important role as a forest product during National Forest Products Week
Oct. 23 – 29: Messages targeted to people that buy or gather firewood to heat their homes or cabins.
Oct. 30 – 31: General information and fun Halloween related tie-ins.

To make it easy to find materials that will help you participate, we’ve created a partner page, named Free Resources for Firewood Month blog, http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/blog/free-resources-firewood-month.html . On this page, one of the most valuable items you will find is the 2016 Firewood Awareness Month Stakeholder Toolkit – it contains regionally tailored messages, messages by week and target audience, suggested social media posts and tweets, and graphics. You’ll also find a lot of great partner resources, such as videos, kids activities from Plant Heroes, and more.

Please help amplify the key messages: Moving firewood long distances can spread forest pests. Your firewood choices matter. You can protect the places you love by preventing the spread of forest pests on firewood. Don’t move firewood – instead, you can buy firewood where you’ll burn it, buy certified heat treated firewood, or gather on site when permitted. You have the power to slow the spread of forest pests. Note: please tag all social media posts #FirewoodMonth to allow for campaign tracking of metrics.

Thanks for helping protect what we love by spreading the word about responsible firewood choices.

Leigh Greenwood
Don’t Move Firewood Campaign Manager
The Nature Conservancy, Forest Health Program
255 West Front Street*, Missoula, MT 59802
lgreenwood@tnc.org
Mobile: (406) 544 - 5099 note: mountain time zone
Alternate: (406) 640 - 3250


*PLEASE NOTE MY OFFICE STREET ADDRESS HAS CHANGED

Alaska Invasive Species Conference Agenda

An unofficial agenda is online.  The official agenda will be up soon, and the only expected difference will be formatting and logos.  So please visit our Alaska Invasive Species Conference Webpage <http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/cnipm/annual-invasive-species-c/>, for information on the conference.

Don't forget to book rooms at the Wedgewood resort using our conference code.

--
Gino Graziano
Invasive Plants Instructor
UAF Cooperative Extension Service
907-786-6315

Western Native Plants Conference open for registration


December 6-8, 2016
Vancouver, WA

Seed treatments, art and science of restoration, IPM strategies and pollinators are just a few of the topics covered at the 7th Western Native Plants Conference. Learn more about this event at the link below: 


Western Forestry & Conservation Association
4033 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97221   503-226-4562

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

USFWS proposes i`iwi as Threatened species

Dear Forest Pest Mavens,

I have posted a new blog at www.cisp.us ... this one reports on and laments the rapid devastation of another of Hawai`i's beautiful forest birds, the i`iwi ... and notes the many invasive species threatening its survival.  Among these are Rapid Ohia Death (Ceratocystis fungus) and ohia wilt

Please share with your colleagues, especially any who share my love for Hawai`i's wonderful `ohi`a-tree fern forests and the birds that (used to) inhabit them!


Faith