May is Invasive Species Awareness Month!

Illinois residents urged to help combat invasive species

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Invasive plant and animal species are threatening Illinois’ agricultural and natural lands and waterways, consequently posing a threat to the state’s economy. Governor Pat Quinn has issued a proclamation declaring May to be “Invasive Species Awareness Month” to encourage Illinois residents to learn about ways in which they can help combat the introduction and spread of invasive plants and animals in the state.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Natural Heritage reports that animals and plants not native to Illinois at the time of European settlement are considered exotic species. Many species of exotic plants are harmless and very useful in windbreaks, landscaping, and in preventing erosion. However, some exotic species do have the potential to invade natural communities and displace highly desirable native plants. Such plants are invasive species. Invading plant species have become so well established in many areas throughout Illinois that they may be thought of as native species.

“Employees of local, county, state and federal agencies and hundreds of volunteers throughout Illinois spend millions of dollars and thousands of hours every year in attempts to eradicate, manage or control invasive plants and animals on the ground and in our waterways. The Governor and conservation agencies and organizations are working to make all Illinoisans aware of the impacts of invasive species to Illinois’ diverse landscape – and the environmental and economic costs we face if we lose the battle to control them,” said IDNR Marc Miller.

Wildlife managers spend more time carefully manipulating the physical and chemical environment of plants than in direct management of game animals since plants are the major component of both the habitats and the health of animal populations dependent upon them. The invasion by exotic plant species can turn high-quality habitat into degraded and undesirable habitat for wildlife.

Management tools including biological controls, prescribed burning, mowing, spraying and physically removing the plants by hand are available, but can be costly.

Increasing public awareness of invasive species is an essential goal because prevention and early intervention are the most effective and cost efficient approaches to address the economic and ecological impacts of exotic invasive species.

To recognize invasive species management efforts in the state during Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month, the IDNR and partner agencies will present the following awards in a ceremony on May 1 at the IDNR Headquarters in Springfield:

Karen Tharp, Professional of the Year: Karen Tharp is recognized with this award for her work as Volunteer Steward Network Coordinator and Supervisor of the Southern Illinois Invasive Plant Strike Team for The Nature Conservancy. Karen has greatly influenced invasive species efforts across the state of Illinois by organizing herbicide trainings for volunteers in the Chicago region, helping to start the New Invaders Watch Program, and working closely with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to develop the new amendment to the Illinois Pesticide Act.

Illinois Department of Transportation Region 1, District 1, Organization of the Year: IDOT Region 1, District 1 is recognized with this award for revolutionizing the working relationship between natural areas managers and transportation professionals. IDOT played a pivotal role in supporting the development and establishment of the Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership. IDOT is conducting a multi-year invasive plant mapping, control, and monitoring project along its highways. In spring of 2011, IDOT began to coordinate invasive plant control efforts along its rights of way with the efforts of regional natural areas managers.

Greg White, Volunteer of the Year: Greg White has worked with the Southern Illinois Weed Watch Project and has mapped invasive species at several natural areas, often requiring him to endure heat, tough climbs, mosquitoes and chiggers to finish his work. Greg also assisted with the hand pulling of Japanese stiltgrass along the Rocky Bluff Trail at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and helped the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area in its survey of bush honeysuckle at Trail of Tears State Forest.
For more information on Illinois invasive species awareness and management efforts, go online to http://www.invasive.org/illinois/

Some Invasive Species Facts from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

• Invasive species often invade and replace the native flora in a variety of ways and will sometimes out-compete the native species to the extent the native plants totally disappear from an area. Garlic mustard and the exotic buckthorns block needed sunlight, making it impossible for many of the needed native species to survive and reproduce. Such degraded habitats can quickly become a monoculture of only garlic mustard or buckthorn, meaning no food or shelter for native fish and game.

• Chemical toxins inhibiting growth of all other plants nearby are produced by garlic mustard and tree of heaven; these toxins are released from their roots into the surrounding soil, thereby eliminating competition for space, water, nutrients, etc. from other plants. The eliminated native species, in some cases, are very important food plants for native game animals. Because of the extirpation of many of native plants, a number of wild areas that once supported healthy populations of deer, elk, and other wildlife are no longer prime habitat for the species in question.

• Bush honeysuckles not only shade out most native plants, but they also form such thick stands of growth that hunters and anglers cannot walk through the area or see game from a blind or tree stand. Multiflora rose, with its strong thorns and tangled growth habit, forms thickets even deer and turkeys find inhospitable for protection. Such tangled growths of honeysuckle, multiflora rose and other similar invasive plants often destroy the attractiveness of what was once prime habitat for hunting, fishing, birding and mushrooming.

• Chinese bittersweet and porcelain berry grow to the tops of the tallest trees in the forest, creating dense, smothering foliage – and the weight of the vines will eventually pull the trees down.

• Many undesirable invasive species will compete more successfully than native flora for water, minerals, and other necessary nutrients, leading to very poor growth of the native plants. Replacement of the native flora with invasive species reduces the biodiversity of the area since invasion by only one species often results in the loss of several native species. This loss of biodiversity is of major concern to ecologists both locally and globally.

• The fruit, seeds, stems and/or the leaves of some invasive plants are poisonous, or at least result in illness when eaten. Leafy spurge can cause blistering in the mouth and throat of livestock including horses and is toxic if enough is consumed.

• Some invasive plants are of considerable danger if humans make direct contact with them. The juices of giant hogweed and wild parsnip cause severe blistering of the skin of humans soon after contact with the juice if exposed to direct sunlight. Scars from both of these plants will be noticeable for several years. Tree-of-heaven can cause intestinal and heart problems in people exposed to its sap.

• Exotic plants are introduced into new areas in a myriad of ways. The seeds of some plants pass through the digestive systems of many animals, including some birds, without being damaged. Some seeds are widely scattered by wind before germinating in habitat suitable for their growth and reproduction. Many of the smaller seeds, such as garlic mustard, are so small they are carried in the fur of raccoons, dogs, deer, horses and other animals, only to drop off as the animals move into new habitat. Others, such as leafy spurge and teasel seeds, collect on roadside mowers only to fall off farther down the road accounting for the linear distribution of some exotic plants along our roads and railroad rights-of-way.

• Oftentimes, people trim plants growing in their yards and gardens without thinking about proper disposal of the still-living cuttings which are then dumped into an area where they take root. Cuttings, stem pieces, and rhizome fragments can be blown about or carried downhill in runoff after a heavy rain before finding a new place to grow. Kudzu, honeysuckles, periwinkle, English ivy and Chinese Yam are just a few examples of plants that have invaded new areas in this manner.

• Many of today’s exotic invasive species, such as burning bush, wintercreeper, periwinkle, Callery pear, and the ornamental figs, were grown for years before they exploded into the natural landscape and became problems. Landscapers used more than 60 species of imported ornamental figs in Florida for several decades without any problems until the pollinating wasp for the laurel fig was accidentally introduced about 20 years ago. The previously sterile laurel fig then very quickly became aggressively invasive as it produced viable seeds that were easily dispersed, giving it the necessary mechanism to invade the surrounding natural areas and become a real problem. In some cases, experts are uncertain why or how an exotic plant becomes an invasive problem.

• For boaters and anglers, a reminder that invasive fish, snails, plants, disease, and viruses can be transmitted by dumping bait or even just the water from bait buckets, bilges, live wells, trailers, and equipment used on the water. Administrative rules in Illinois prohibit the removal of natural water from waterways of the state via bait bucket, livewell, baitwell, bilges or any other method. Regulations also prohibit removal of any watercraft, boat, boat trailer or other equipment from waters of the state without emptying and draining any bait bucket, livewell, baitwell, bilge any other compartment capable of holding natural waters. Regulations also prohibit using wild-trapped fishes as bait within the State of Illinois, other than in the waters where they were legally taken. To protect Illinois waters, inspect your boats and trailers for visible contamination of plants, mud, or water in bilges. By removing, cleaning, or draining the equipment, you help eliminate invasive species from establishing in Illinois waters.

• An invasive species of significant concern in Illinois is Asian carp. Unfortunately all four species of Asian carp – bighead, silver, grass and black carp – have been found in Illinois waters, likely escaping aquaculture facilities of the southern U.S. Bighead and silver carp are the focus of state, local, and federal efforts to reduce the populations and to keep this invasion from expanding into other watersheds, such as the Great Lakes. Check the website at http://asiancarp.us for updates of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee actions.

About Invasive Species Awareness Month

May 2011 is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Illinois (ISAM). ISAM provides opportunities for all citizens of Illinois to participate in invasive species awareness events around the state. Events and programs are being held across the state and everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about invasive species (check out the calendar on this website for a schedule of events). During May, you'll be able to volunteer to help remove invasive species, join a nature hike to see invasive species firsthand, or attend presentations to learn more about what they can to do help fight these threats. Over 40 invasive species events are taking place across the state during May.
Invasive species come in many forms, from plants and animals, to insects and diseases. Invasive species can greatly harm the ecology and economy of Illinois. Invasive species can reduce productivity of agricultural lands, impact diversity of natural systems, reduce wildlife habitat, and limit recreational activities. Illinois has its share of invasive species problems. Two of the most recognizable are Asian carp and emerald ash borer, but we also face many challenges with invasive plants such as garlic mustard, Oriental bittersweet, kudzu, bush honeysuckle, and leafy spurge.
Organizations, agencies, and groups from across Illinois are teaming up to make this Invasive Species Awareness Month a huge success. Central to this year's events is the theme that each person in Illinois can make a significant difference in battling invasive species, whether it is through cleaning water craft, volunteering at workdays, choosing to purchase species that are not considered invasive, knowing proper disposal methods for bait and unwanted aquarium pets or plants, or controlling invasive species on their lands.
So, please use this website to learn more about invasive species and find out how you can participate in Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month.

Invasive Species Awareness Month: Going abroad? Avoid bringing back unintended souvenirs.

Source: The Washington Post
By Joel M. Lerner

Saturday, April 17, 2010

If you're a gardener and planning a vacation out of the United States, be aware of what your travels can deliver. You might be bringing home more than you bargained for.

Carelessly imported plant materials could become a problem because they -- or the soil attached to them -- can harbor pests or diseases. In their native habitat these insects or pathogens might not be problematic, but when transported to another environment, they can thrive.

According to Bill Aley, a senior import specialist from the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, there are two categories of plant materials that are of concern: Plants intended for cultivation and those intended for consumption. Those for cultivation include flora with roots, seeds, bulbs, cuttings and tissue cultures. Edibles include fresh fruit, dried fruit and leaves for tea.

The goal of APHIS is to keep invasive insects and plant diseases that could ravage the environment out of this country. Weed seeds, insect eggs, nematodes, fungi, bacteria or viruses can also be harbored in imported soil. It's okay to bring back up to a dozen specimens from a trip abroad for planting, but for 13 items or more, you need to get an import permit.

For entry into this country, many foreign plant materials must be inspected and certified as safe. But this doesn't mean you can't buy a bag of bulbs at the airport in Amsterdam or take a tiny cutting from a camellia in southern England.

The animal and plant inspection service assesses the risk of plants coming into the country on the basis of country of origin. About 167 countries have determined what plant risks they want to keep out, and they all share information to facilitate and monitor shipment of plant materials.

Most plant material is normally examined by plant inspection services of exporting countries. If free of pests and diseases, it receives a clearance called a phyto-sanitary certification. In addition, there are pre-certification programs in which U.S. government employees overseas examine plant materials and determine if they're suitable for export.

It's highly likely that the bulbs you buy are pre-cleared and certified, but to be sure, you might want to look for this information on the package. Any plant material collection of 13 or more pieces that isn't pre-cleared could be confiscated and sent to one of a dozen or more inspection stations to be checked and cleared.

"Most plant material is enterable," Aley said, in three cases:

-- If there's no reason to keep it out;

-- If there is a reason to keep it out, but it has been identified with a phyto-sanitary certificate as being free of the possible disease or pest;

-- If it is part of a bulk shipment from shippers who have "Q37" permits, named for the government regulation allowing them to bring such things into the United States.

Tourists might be surprised by some items that are considered "plant material." A family friend had a statue shipped from Africa. When it arrived, the USDA impounded it, not because the government had suspicion about the contents, but to make sure the wood packing crate had been treated to eliminate traces of pests in the wood, such as the Asian long-horned beetle, ambrosia beetle or the emerald ash borer.

In some cases, efforts are aimed at keeping out different strains of a plant or animal pest that is already here to prevent crossbreeding that might create a "superpest." Currently the USDA is trying to keep Asian gypsy moths away from the West Coast while battling infestations of European gypsy moths on the East Coast.

Introduced in Massachusetts in 1869, the European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), is a plain-looking insect that wouldn't be noticed except in its caterpillar stage, when its markings make identification possible. A female moth lays an egg mass on and near trees, and each mass can hatch up to a thousand tiny caterpillars with ravenous appetites for tree leaves. They feed on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs.

The larval stages are effectively controlled with Bt, a bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), that only infects the larval stage of the gypsy moth. Caterpillars are large and hairy with five pairs of blue tubercles (bumps) in front and six pairs of red tubercles in back. Apply Bt to larvae and tree foliage. Caterpillars especially like oak, birch, sweetgum, willow and other hardwoods.

The Nature Conservancy, with nursery industry partners and scientists, is supporting revamped regulations in its efforts to block non-native insects and diseases. If implemented, the USDA rules would create a new category called NAPPRA (Not Authorized for Importation Pending Pest Risk Assessment), under which the nation could quickly stop the import of plants suspected of harboring pests until procedures can be implemented to ensure they are safe.

"Vigilant homeowners and gardeners have been the ones to detect the presence of foreign pests that had previously gone undetected in many areas," said Faith Campbell, senior policy representative in the conservancy's forest health program. For example, a Massachusetts homeowner who found a strange-looking bug in her backyard and reported it to the appropriate government agency helped prevent the Asian long-horned beetle from spreading through the United States.

Earlier this year, an alert greenhouse owner in Pennsylvania saw odd symptoms on his seedling bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). Experts confirmed that the plants were infected by the pathogen that causes sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum), a disease that has killed over a million trees in California. This is not the first detection of the pathogen in Pennsylvania or the eastern United States; however, to date, there have been no detections of the pathogen in the forestry environment on the East Coast. This disease is known to attack several kinds of oaks, magnolias, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel.

Bay laurel is a popular herb often grown by gardeners. If homeowners have recently bought bay laurel seedlings or seeds, they should examine these plants carefully. If the plants have dead or dying leaf tips or the entire plants are dead or dying, those symptoms may be caused by too much water or too little water, too much fertilizer, chilling or freeze damage -- or infection by the sudden oak-death pathogen or some other disease agent.

Make sure plant materials you want to import are certified safe. Check the labels on packaged materials. Leave the fruit behind. If you stick something into a bag and no one notices and you forget about it until you get home, dispose of it responsibly -- in the garbage disposal, not in your compost.

Don't forget the soil problem. Imported cars are checked to make sure there's no soil on the underbody that could harbor pests or diseases. If you drive off-road in Mexico, wash your tires before returning to the United States. And if you go hiking in another country, wash your boots at the hotel. Soap and water are usually effective in getting rid of pests.

Hikers are a relatively new concern. It has been only in the past 15 years or so that hiking abroad has become a popular enough trend to merit attention. The fear is that transporting soil on shoes can spread horticultural diseases to the wild environment.

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md.

Invasive Species Awareness Month: Firewood Regulations

Source: APHIS News for States, May 2010

Culminating a six month effort, the National Firewood Task Force (NFTF), has released a set of recommendations for State, Tribal and Federal officials that outline potential strategies to mitigate the movement of invasive forest pests on firewood. Firewood movement is viewed by many as a key pathway for the spread of forest pests such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle. To help address this threat, the NFTF was formed in October 2009 to develop recommendations on the issue. The Task Force includes representatives of the National Plant Board (NPB), National Association of State Foresters (NASF), U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and APHIS.

To develop the recommendations, the Task Force created three subcommittees to examine the primary areas the group believed needed to be addressed - regulatory activities, voluntary activities, and outreach efforts. Working via weekly conference calls, each subgroup identified key challenges and opportunities and developed recommendations for the Task Force to discuss as a whole. These recommendations were then vetted during a two-day meeting held at APHIS headquarters in Riverdale, Maryland in early January. Following this meeting, several members of the NFTF reviewed the group’s comments and developed a final version. This version is now in the process of being presented at the regional meetings of the NPB and is expected to be presented to the regional meetings of NASF later this spring.

Among the key recommendations listed in the report are the following:

Regulatory

- APHIS should pursue regulations on recordkeeping and labeling for the interstate movement of firewood as soon as possible, while at the same time evaluating possible options for treatment requirements that would be promulgated in a separate regulations.

- States should publish intrastate movement regulations with requirements similar to the Federal regulations for labeling, recordkeeping and treatment as needed. Moving firewood 50 miles or less would be exempt from intrastate regulations provided this does not violate any quarantine that may be in place.

- State, Federal, and private parks, forests and campgrounds should institute policies that encourage campers to use local firewood and to not move firewood out of the local area.

Voluntary

- Adoption of the NFTF’s Best Management Practices should be promoted for Firewood Producers, retailers, and consumers

- Promote adoption of an industry-run national certification program with labeling and recordkeeping requirements based on best management practices for National Producers and retailers

- Increase availability of local or treated firewood for public and private campgrounds

Outreach

- State and Federal agencies should convene a communications steering committee

- An online hub of firewood outreach materials should be developed and made available to the regulatory community

- The outreach activities identified in the report should be prioritized by the State-Federal communications committee and implemented in order of priority.

- Outreach activities should be oriented around supporting implementation of the voluntary and regulatory efforts identified in the report

It should be noted that several of the recommendations outlined in the report are already underway, including:

- APHIS has developed a BMP document that is accessible to all State and Tribal partners

- APHIS has developed an online database to compile firewood outreach materials and allow States and Tribes to access and rebrand the documents with their contact information

- APHIS is examining the possibility of a regulation for labeling and recordkeeping of firewood

The recommendations are available at:
http://nationalplantboard.org/docs/NFTF_Recommendations_Final_March_2010_1.doc

or via the APHIS firewood Hot Issues Page at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/invasive_species&firewood/index.shtml


For more information on the NFTF, please contact Jacob Hegeman at jacob.hegeman@aphis.usda.gov .

Invasive Species Awareness Month: Educational Materials

Looking for educational materials on invasive species? Field Guides? Posters? Here is a link to some great information!

Invasive Species Awareness Month: Aquatic Invasive Plants

Looking for a great kid's reference on Aquatic Invasive Plants? Check out Nab the Aquatic Invader website!