North American Invasive Species Network

Invasive Species Guidebook for Ontario

2013-04-04T10:44:00.003-07:00

Invasive Species Guidebook

Authors: Lisa M. Derickx and Pedro M. Antunes, Invasive Species Research Institute, Algoma University

Foreword by Professor John Klironomos, University of British Columbia

Exotic species are introduced as a result of human travel and trade. That is, directly or not, they are intricately linked to the choices we make as consumers. A fraction of introduced species become invasive and this represents an increasing threat to natural ecosystems, the economy and to society.

Protecting and alleviating natural and managed ecosystems from the pressures imposed by exotic invasive species is only possible through knowledge about why certain invaders are indeed detrimental and need to be controlled. Given the sheer dimension in terms of number of native species affected and area invaded, public participation through involvement in monitoring and control activities is crucial to counteract the problem. To this effect, it is important to know exactly what to look for and what tools are available to monitor and control exotic invaders.

This is the first comprehensive guidebook for terrestrial exotic invasive species in Ontario, Canada. It focuses on the biology, ecology and management of species that invade hardwood forests, which are major natural resource in Canada. The forestry sector accounts for billions of dollars annually and many thousands of jobs.

The book is divided in two main sections. The first provides an introduction to the importance of hardwood forests in Ontario as well as an overview about management practices. The second section focuses on invasive species accounts for fourteen plants, five insects and six pathogens. These species were selected based on science-based criteria stemming from their economic, environmental and societal effects. The book is aimed at a broad audience, including academics, students, natural resource managers, woodlot owners and the general public.

PRINT & ELECTRONIC COPIES

Printed copies are available fro $45 CAD either through the Invasive Species Research Institute (drop by our office) or AMAZON.com.

Electronic copies in pdf are free. Click here to download.

Python Challenge: 400 Sign Up For Dangerous Everglades Snake Hunt

2013-01-23T06:59:00.002-08:00

Nearly 400 people have signed up to enter the Everglades and do battle with Burmese pythons, the giant constrictors that have emerged as the latest and weirdest threat to South Florida's wildlife.
The 2013 Python Challenge, which begins Saturday, has attracted participants and media interest from around the United States for a monthlong event that will feature prizes of $1,000 for catching the longest snakes and $1,500 for catching the most.
Participants do not need hunting licenses, unless they're under 18, or have experience with snakes. The only required training can be done online. Given those slender requirements, some have questioned the wisdom of encouraging amateurs with firearms, particularly non-hunters, to take on pythons in the wild.
"Going out into the bush in Florida is a potentially dangerous thing to do," said Stuart Pimm, a prominent Everglades scientist who is professor of conservation ecology at Duke University. "This is very, very rough terrain. Getting stuck out there without enough water could be a life-terminating experience."
But assuming people use caution, he said, they could kill enough of the giant snakes to help the Everglades.
"This is a very serious threat indeed," he said. "It could radically change the composition of the species that we find in the Everglades, and the Everglades have enough threats without the snakes. I think extreme measures are extremely appropriate."

Continue Reading at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/python-challenge_n_2420764.html

Dr. John D. Madsen to Speak at Aquatic Plant Management Workshop in British Columbia

2013-01-14T12:58:00.000-08:00

Dr. John D. Madsen, Mississippi State University, has been invited to speak at an aquatic plant management workshop hosted by the Frasier Basin Council, British Columbia, on February 15, 2013 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He will be speaking on the biology, ecology, and management of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).

Dr. Madsen is part of the Geosystems Research Institute at Mississippi State University, a NAISN member organization.

Dr. John D. Madsen, Invited Speaker at Aquatic Invasive Plants – Approaches to Management in Ontario

2013-01-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

Dr. John D. Madsen, Mississippi State University, was an invited speaker to the workshop “Aquatic Invasive Plants – Approaches to Management in Ontario,” September 13, 2012 in Peterborough, Ontario. The workshop was organized by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and reviewed management programs and responses to invasive aquatic plants in that province.

Dr. Madsen is part of the Geosystems Research Institute at Mississippi State University, a NAISN member organization.

Dr. John D. Madsen, Invited Speaker at Symposium on the Biology and Management of Monoecious Hydrilla

2013-01-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

Dr. John D. Madsen, of Mississippi State University, was an invited speaker at the workshop, “Symposium on the Biology and Management of Monoecious Hydrilla,” September 11-12, 2012 in Syracuse, NY.

Dr. Madsen is part of the Geosystems Research Institute at Mississippi State University, a NAISN member organization.

The Symosium, organized by the City of Ithaca, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and US Army Corp of Engineers Buffalo District, was held in response to the discovery of monoecious hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Cayuga Lake, New York. His presentation was entitled “Does Monoecious Hydrilla Pose a Unique Threat to Glacial Lakes: Let Me Count the Ways.”

Gulf & South Atlantic Regional Panel On Aquatic Invasive Species - Traveling Trunk of Invasive Species

2012-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel (GSARP) on Invasive Species is making available an educational outreach awareness "Trunk". It is intended for use by conservation and environmental groups as well as secondary level educators. Loan of the "Trunk" is free of charge.
The "Trunk" consists of 3 sections:

A spiral bound manual of talking points for presentation, covering background, sources, impacts, and species profiles of 5 invasive plant species (Kudzu, Chinese Tallow, Hydrilla, Water Hyacinth, and Giant Salvinia) and 6 animal species (Zebra and Green Mussels, Orange Cup Coral, Lionfish, Python, and Nutria).
A PowerPoint presentation on CD containing images from the manual for projection.
Series of hands-on specimens of the 5 plant and 6 animal invasive species from the talking points manual. Specimens are embedded in acrylic blocks, laminated, or in their natural form.

There are currently 3 "Trunks" available for a loan of up to 10 days (including shipping time; longer reservations can be negotiated) from the GSARP office located at the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission in Ocean Springs, MS. The highlighted dates on the calendar below are unavailable. If you would like to reserve one of the "Trunks", please fill out the request form and you will be notified within 7 business days if the request is approved.

For more information visit the GSARP website.

NAISN Board Meeting

2012-04-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

North American Invasive Species Network
Strategic Planning Workshop and Board of Directors Meeting
April 22–23, 2012
Hotel Oasis Cancun • Cancun, Mexico
View Agenda

Android versions of Outsmart Invasives and Missouri River Watershed Invasives Now Available!

2012-04-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Many of you have been contacting us to find out when the Android versions of our Invasive Species Reporting Apps will be available. We have recently released the Android versions of Outsmart Invasives and Missouri River Watershed Coalition Invasive Species Reporting. These apps support the work of people in Massachusetts, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska who are trying to locate and manage invasive species.

Free Webcast: Garlic Mustard and the 2012 Challenge

2012-04-18T07:45:00.002-07:00

Join the Stewardship Network for

FREE Webcast Wednesday, April 11th,

"Garlic Mustard and the 2012 Challenge"

Presentation by: Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Tina Roselle, The Stewardship Network; and Lisa Brush, The Stewardship Network

Date: Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Time: 12 noon to 1pm Eastern
Place: Your Computer!
Click here to view webcast!
(Link will become live day of webcast)

It's that time of year again! Join us as we officially kick of the 2012 Garlic Mustard Challenge with our April webcast. Mark Renz will be joining us to give an overview of the biology of garlic mustard, emphasizing critical stages for management. Multiple management methods (Mechanical, hand removal, cultural and herbicide) will be discussed including a discussion of when and where it is appropriate to conduct each method. Tina Roselle, our Volunteer Garlic Mustard Challenge Coordinator, will also be joining us to talk about this year's Challenge, our goals, and what's new from previous years.

Join Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Tina Roselle, The Stewardship Network; and Lisa Brush, of The Stewardship Network, to learn more about this important topic in the next Stewardship Network webcast!

Press Release: USDA Urges Americans to Prevent Invasive Pests, Protect American Agriculture

2012-04-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Press Release: USDA Urges Americans to Prevent Invasive Pests, Protect American Agriculture

"WASHINGTON, APRIL 2, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced that it is dedicating the month of April to sharing information about the threat that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America's fruits, vegetables, trees, and other plants—and how the public can help prevent their spread. APHIS works each day to promote U.S. agricultural health and safeguard the nation’s agriculture, fishing and forestry industries.

“Invasive pests hit close to home and threaten the things we value,” said Rebecca A. Blue, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA's Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “We need the public’s help because these hungry pests can have a huge impact on the items we use in everyday life, from the fabric in our clothing, the food on our table, the lumber used to build our home and the flowers in our garden. During one of the most successful periods in history for U.S. agriculture, it is important that we step up our efforts to educate Americans about USDA’s good work to protect our nation’s food, fiber, feed and fuel from invasive pests.”

Invasive pests are non-native species that feed on America’s agricultural crops, trees and other plants. These “hungry pests” have cost the United States billions of dollars and wreak havoc on the environment. USDA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection—working closely with state agriculture departments and industry—are dedicated to preventing the introduction and spread of invasive pests. The goal is to safeguard agriculture and natural resources from the entry, establishment and spread of animal and plant pests and noxious weeds.
But federal and state agencies can’t do it alone. It requires everyone’s help to stop the unintended introduction and spread of invasive pests."

Click to learn about ways you can help.

Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course

2012-04-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

2012 NORTH AMERICAN INVASIVE PLANT ECOLOGY

AND MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

April 3, 2012. The date for the 2012 NAIPSC is rapidly approaching and organizers are anticipating up to 40 participants will be in attendance to hear and interact with the 14 instructors who have a wide range of expertise in invasive plant ecology and management.

This year’s participants at the NAIPSC will learn first-hand about the latest research on invasive plant water use and the implications this can have on restoration and other management activities in riparian and rangeland areas. Instructors will discuss the effects of introduced common reed (Phragmites australis) and native eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) on water resources and neighboring plant and animal communities.

Also, this year’s field site visits will be to privately owned land that is actively being restored with prescribed burning, revegetation, and various other techniques; a riparian area where research is being conducted on native plant stand age and establishment effects on invasive plant species; and a rangeland where techniques to identify and locate plants will be demonstrated using GPS/GIS technology.

These are just a two examples of the presentations, workshops, site visits, and instructor-led discussion sessions that will be part of the 2012 NAIPSC. For more information and registration details, go to the NAIPSC website. The NAIPSC is open to graduate students, researchers, land managers, and policy makers and has been approved for CEU and CCA credits, and graduate student credits through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Register now! Space is limited!

Give us your Oak Caterpillars!!!

2012-04-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the University of Georgia are initiating a regional-level study on oak caterpillar outbreaks in the southeastern U.S. Our project objectives are to better understand the ecology and distribution of caterpillars feeding on oak trees in early spring, and to provide guidance on management of caterpillars.

For the purpose of this project, we are requesting all folks who have seen caterpillars in large numbers on oak trees on their properties to send us samples. Specific instructions for collection are as follows:

Collect as many caterpillars from oak trees as possible. Caterpillars are nocturnal, and can be collected using tweezers directly from the tree. Bands of cloth can be placed on the tree trunk to stop the caterpillars from climbing the trees and to collect many insects at the same time.
We prefer >10 caterpillars per tree, but we will take up to 250. Place caterpillars in a small plastic container or a bag, and freeze them. Similarly, collect 4-5 leaves from each oak tree, and freeze them separately in a plastic bag. Collect from as many trees as possible from your property.
Number caterpillar and oak leaf bags from each tree individually. So, plastic bags labeled Tree 1 will have caterpillars and leaves collected from that tree, bags labeled Tree 2 will have caterpillars and leaves collected from that tree, etc.
Put all samples together in a small box, and include information about location and date of collection. Location information should include county and if possible full address so that we can estimate latitude and longitude. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
You can drop the caterpillars and oak leaves at the local extension office, and send us an email about it. Or, you can ship the frozen caterpillars and oak leaves (1-day shipping) to the address as follows:

Evelyn Carr
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
180 Green Street
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602

If you are unable to do either of these things, then please contact us to pick up samples. The samples need to be either alive or frozen so that we could extract DNA from them to determine caterpillar species. Any assistance with learning more about our native caterpillars will be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your participation in the project.

Zebra Mussel DNA Found in North Texas Lakes

2012-04-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Zebra Mussel DNA Found

in North Texas Lakes

A Fort Worth Star Telegram article by Bill Hanna states, ""Officials say...those lakes had some exposure to the mussels, but not enough to allow the creatures to become established. Since the first adult mussel was found in Lake Texoma in 2009, the shorelines of that reservoir have been covered with them. For scientists, the uncertainty is the threshold for establishing a colony. "We've had zebra mussels in the Great Lakes region for years, and there are still many bodies of water that don't have them," Britton said. "Those that are interested in keeping them out are successful.""

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/06/3789710/zebra-mussel-dna-confirmed-in.html#storylink=cpy

So if all boaters clean, drain and dry their boats when traveling from one lake to another, zebra mussels can be prevented from reaching high enough levels to become established. Read the entire article.
This shows just how important it is for every boater to clean, drain and dry their boat when traveling from one lake to another. Learn how to take action to help STOP the spread of Zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha.

Zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha
image by Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org

This video from Texas does a good job explaining the best way to prevent moving zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species from one area to another. Wherever you live, using these techniques will help to protect your favorite boating habitats from invasive species.

Flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris, native to some areas in the U.S and invasive in others

Image by Lisa Liguori, UGA Marine Extension Service, Bugwood.org