Last First Detector Workshop of the Year

We have one final First Detector Workshop next week in Joliet. And there is still time to register!

Participants are have enjoyed learning more about invasive species concerns in Illinois and gaining skills to help detect them.  

“I like to hear the latest disease/pest problems and invasive species. It helps keep us on the cutting edge, which helps build customer loyalty. Great speakers, we enjoyed this very much.” 

“All speakers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable” 

“Keep up the good work. I like the selections you've made so far” 

The workshop focuses on current and emerging pests of landscape and nursery pests. Sessions include emerging oak insect pests and pathogens and invasive plants. In depth training sessions will highlight identification, symptoms, management, and much more.

 Full details on the remaining workshop, including a link for registration can be found here. A $40 registration fee covers lunch and program materials.

 
Take this opportunity to come out, learn more about emerging pests, network with colleagues, and think about warmer weather!

Last Seasonal Issue of the Home, Yard, and Garden Newsletter

Issue no. 17 of the Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter is now available on the Web. Point your browser to:

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu

IN THIS ISSUE:

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Last Issue for 2013

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=543

This is the seventeenth and last issue of the Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Newsletter for 2013. Included is an index of this year's topics. We anticipate resuming publication in April 2014. Thanks for your interest and reports of pest situations that help us be more relevant to your situation.

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New Pest Management Guide in 2014

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=544

A new revision of the Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook will be available in 2014. We are currently on target for publication in January 2014. The last edition was in 2010, so it will be contain new insect pests, diseases, and weeds of trees, shrubs, turf, and flowers. Pesticide recommendations are updated to reflect current commercially available materials.

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White Grubs

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=545

The drought of 2012 and reduced irrigation of turf during that time greatly reduced the emergence of Japanese beetle adults and production of associated grubs this year. Masked chafers are influenced less by dry weather, and their grubs are present, generally in relatively low numbers.

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They're Back ... First Detector Workshops Scheduled for 2014

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=546

As promised, we have news on the upcoming 2014 First Detector Workshops. Dates have been officially set, and plans are taking place to make this second installment of the Illinois First Detector Workshops a success.

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Fall is Officially Here When the Stink Bugs Start to Appear

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=547

Over the past couple of weeks, I've received several reports of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) being found in or near homes. It's a sure sign that the seasons are changing and these home invaders are searching for their winter vacation spots.

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Water Now to Help Prevent Winter Burn to Evergreen Trees and Shrubs

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=548

In the May 13th issue of the newsletter I wrote about winter burn, a form of winter injury that commonly affects broadleaved evergreens such as rhododendrons and boxwoods. This type of injury can also affect narrow leaved evergreens such as yew, arborvitae and hemlock. It is more severe on drought stressed plants. Last year's drought and dry start to the winter likely contributed to the symptoms of winter burn and even the death of many evergreens in our area.

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Index 2013

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=549

An index to the pests and other topics addressed in the 2013 issues of the Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Newsletter is provided.

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Awards given out in Illinois as part of Invasive Species Awareness Month

From the Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Blog

May 30, 2013 – article by Chris.Evans@Illinois.gov, 618-435-8138 x131
photos by John Wilker, IDNR

 

2012 ISAM Awards

The Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month Committee would like to recognize the recipients of the 2012 ISAM Awards, for their outstanding contributions to the prevention, control, and management of invasive species in the state of Illinois.  Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month (ISAM) started in 2010 as a means of coordinating events across the state to increase the public’s awareness and knowledge about invasive species in Illinois.  This year, over 80 events are being held across the state as part of ISAM.  In 2011, the ISAM committee decided to initiate an awards program to formally recognize and honor excellence in invasive species work in Illinois.  Recipients in three categories (Professional, Professional Organization, and Volunteer) were officially recognized in May of 2012.

For 2012, two additional categories are being added: Business and Special Recognition Project. Like the previous award categories the Business award goes to one person or group.  However, the Special Recognition Project category can be given to multiple projects.  Recipients of the 2012 ISAM awards were officially recognized at an event in Springfield on May 29, 2013 at 1pm at the IDNR office.  IDNR Office of Resource Conservation Director Jim Herkert was on hand to present the awards.

2012 ISAM Award Winners
 L to R Cindy Kellogg (representing Frederick Law Olmsted Society), Connor Shaw  (representing Possibility Place Nursery), Glenn Seeber (representing Shawnee RC&D), and Alice Brandon.  Jim Herkert (far right) from IDNR presented the awards

This year’s recipients are:

Professional of the Year – Alice Brandon, Friends of the Forest Preserves

Alice is receiving this award for her leadership in the development and operation of the Calumet Conservation Corps.  This is an innovative program that utilizes local youth through involvement in the Student Conservation Association to control invasive species in remnant natural areas within the Southern Lake Michigan Watershed.  Not only does this project benefit the region through controlling invasive species, but it also provides the crew members with valuable work skills.  “Alice’s hard work and innovative thinking has led this program to thrive and it can serve as a model for other regions”, says Chris Evans, Illinois Invasive Species Campaign Coordinator, “This type of out of the box thinking is what we need to address the big problem of invasive species in Illinois.”

Professional Organization of the Year – Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc.

The Shawnee RC&D is receiving this award for their leadership in invasive species work in Illinois and their support of the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area, the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, and Invasive Species Awareness Month.  The Shawnee RC&D partnered with 11 other agencies and organizations to form the River to River CWMA and took on a leadership role within the partnership by serving as the fiscal manager and housing the CWMA coordinator.  The RC&D’s support of the CWMA has been crucial to its success.  In addition, the RC&D is supporting efforts to implement the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan through housing the Invasive Species Campaign coordinator and the Southern Illinois Conservation opportunity Area coordinator. 

“The Shawnee RC&D, despite being a small local non-profit, has played a major role in regional and now, state-wide coordination of invasive species issues”, says Jody Shimp, regional administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, “This organization has been committed to managing large grants and staff dedicated to addressing the many challenges that invasive species pose to our lands. “

Volunteer of the Year – Frederick Law Olmsted Society

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside is receiving this award for their leadership in invasive species education and management within the Riverside, Illinois region.  The FLOS society has organized workdays to remove invasive species and plant natives through the natural lands of Riverside, involving hundreds of volunteers donating countless hours towards these important stewardship activities.  In addition, the FLOS trained volunteers in prescribed fire techniques and took the lead in donations and fund raising for stewardship.  Their efforts helped increase the awareness within the community and the quality of land stewardship with the Riverside Region.

Business of the Year – Possibility Place Nursery

Possibility Place Nursery, owned and operated by Connor Shaw, is receiving this award for their leadership in conservation through their efforts to provide access to and raise awareness about native plants within the region.  Landscaping and horticulture are major pathways for the spread of invasive species and promoting native plants not only reduces this pathway, but also provides better habitat for native wildlife and garners appreciation of native species within the public.  “Mr. Shaw has been on the forefront of the movement to use locally grown plants that are already adapted to the northern Illinois region and has helped make many regional restoration projects a success.” says Cathy McGlynn, Coordinator of the Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership.

Debbie Maurer, Assistant Manager of Natural Resources for the Lake County Forest Preserve District, adds "Connor is a true pleasure to work with.  His knowledge of the propagation of our native trees and shrubs is an outstanding resource to the region and his passion for native plants and restoration is genuine and contagious. I always look forward to asking him questions or bouncing ideas off him when our paths cross.  Connor's success is a result of not only his professional knowledge and drive to produce high quality plant material, but in his sincere kindness, ever-present humor, and life-long curiosity of nature."

Special Recognition Projects

This year four projects were chosen as recipients for Special Recognition.

Representatives from the four projects receiving special recognition received certificates during the ceremony

Conservation@Home - The Conservation@Home project, administered by Conserve Lake County, is receiving this recognition for the project’s accomplishments in educating and assisting private landowners in Lake County on invasive species identification and control.  The vast majority of Illinois’ natural lands are in private ownership and these lands are crucial to conservation.  Conserve Lake County’s approach to assisting private landowners through Conservation@Home is an effective project to engage and assist landowners in Northeast Illinois.

Garlic Mustard School Competitions - The Garlic Mustard School Competitions project, administered by Green Earth Inc., is receiving this recognition for the project’s accomplishments in educating school children within the Carbondale area about the threat of invasive species and providing a venue for these children to contribute to local conservation. Through the competition school children learn about invasive species from presentations by biologists visiting their schools and visits to local Green Earth Property to help control Garlic Mustard and compete with other classes to see which group can pull the most.

"Green Earth provides valuable opportunities for the citizens of Carbondale to interact with and learn about nature.  One of Green Earth’s most influential and fun educational events is the annual Garlic Mustard Challenge program for local school groups,” says Karla Gage, coordinator of the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area, “Children are our future land stewards, and it is particularly important for them to be able to identify invasive species and understand why invasives are harmful.  The site where the event is held has a rich diversity of spring ephemeral native plants, further helping to show the children what plants do and do not belong in our native ecosystem – and the potential consequences of invasive species."

1^st Detector’s Training Program - The 1^st Detector’s Training Program, administered by the University of Illinois and the Illinois CAPS program, is receiving this recognition for their accomplishments in statewide education for forest invasive species and development of an early detection program for new forest invaders.  Early detection of new invasive species allows for natural resource managers to respond quickly and control, contain, or eradicate new populations before they are widespread and damaging.  “The 1^st Detector’s Training Program is one of the most effective statewide Early Detection Programs I’ve seen implemented” says Chris Evans, “This project was much needed and positions Illinois to be better able to address any new forest invasives that may sneak into our state.”

Calumet Conservation Corps - The Calumet Conservation Corps project, administered by the Friends of the Forest Preserves, is receiving this recognition because of the project’s efforts to restore natural areas in the Calumet region: Eggers Woods, Beaubien Woods, Dolton Prairie, and Kickapoo.  The Corps consists of five members from diverse communities in Calumet : Brian Mann, Brenda Elmore, Tyrone Mudro, Jessica Rosenthal, and Xochitl Lopez.  They have controlled 60 acres of woody invasive plants and detected and eradicated another 228 acres of invasive plants that are new to the Chicago region.  

“We’d like to thank the program for providing communities in the Calumet region with new opportunities to spend time outdoors as well as giving native plants and animals a second chance to use their native habitats.”, says Cathy McGlynn.

For more information on invasive species in Illinois or Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month, be sure to check out the ISAM website at www.illinoisinvasives.org.

First Detector Program Wrap Up

The 2012 First Detector Training Workshops are officially in the books. We received a tremendous amount of interest in this inaugural workshop series. Many of the workshops were filled to capacity and the enthusiasm at all seven events was terrific.

For those that might be unaware of this program, the first detector workshops this past winter focused on invasive tree pests. The goal was to provide in depth training sessions on emerging and current invasive insects, pathogens, and plants. Training in 2013 focused on emerald ash borer, thousand cankers disease, and three invasive plants – giant hogweed, Japanese stiltgrass, oriental bittersweet, mile a minute weed, princesstree, and Japanese chaff flower (depending on the location of the event). In addition to presentations by state experts covering identification, biology, hosts, sampling, management, look-a-likes, and regulation on each pest, participants also completed hands-on activities to put their new knowledge to work.

Statewide, 324 individuals completed first detector training in 2012. At each workshop, participants were asked to complete an evaluation form which consisted of a few questions to help us plan for future workshops as well as asking what their profession/interest was to help classify our audience. Participants were also asked to rate their degree of understanding of the presented material before and after training using a 1 to 5 scale (1= very little, 5 = a lot). About 70% of participants returned evaluation summaries.

Participants:

 

 

Degree of Understanding/Knowledge Gained:

Participants were asked to rate their degree of understanding of the presented material before and after training using a 1 to 5 scale (1 = very little, 5 = a lot)

 

 

Secondary Audience:

Participants were asked to indicate the number of people they encounter in regards to tree care. This number could be utilized to project how information learned during the first detector training might be disseminated and how many people this information may potentially reach.  

Based on the information provided, information gained during the First Detector Program, a secondary audience of as many as 51,950 people could be reached.

Needless to say, we are very excited about the future of this program. We are in the planning stages for the 2014 workshops. Stay tuned for updates about where they will be and what we will be covering. We look forward to seeing you there!