Stewardship Network Webcast: Fall Preparations for Spring Invasives

FREE Stewardship Network Webcast Wednesday, August 14th, "Fall Preparations for Spring Invasives Control Work" 

Presentation by: Chris Evans, Coordinator of the Invasives Species Campaign of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan; and Lisa Brush, The Stewardship Network
Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Time: 12 noon to 1pm Eastern
Place: Your Computer!

Click here to view webcast!
(Link will become live day of webcast)
Stewardship, including invasive species management, is a year-round endeavor. Each season brings different challenges and new opportunities. Knowing the correct timing for conducting invasive species work can greatly increase efficiency and reduce costs. When you think of invasive species work for fall, you typically think of treating woody invasive plants. However, there are a lot of other tasks that need to be completed in preparation for spring work. In this webcast, we’ll cover some of the basic tasks that managers and stewards can do in the fall to prepare for next year’s invasive species work, including scouting, mapping, firebreak installation, equipment maintenance, and planning.
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Chris Evans- Chris is the Coordinator of the Invasive Species Campaign of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.  This position involves working with partners across the state to implement the actions set forth in the Wildlife Action Plan to address invasive species in Illinois.  Chris has a Master's Degree in Forest Biology from Iowa State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Biology from Murray State University.  Before working with the Wildlife Action Plan, Chris coordinated the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area in southern Illinois and served as an Invasive Species and Natural Resource Specialist for the University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Lisa Brush - Executive Director, The Stewardship Network. Lisa has worked in the environmental field in Michigan for the last fifteen years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Stewardship Network and has been involved with the Network since its inception more than 10 years ago. She has a wealth of experience helping non-scientific people understand scientific issues. For over nine years, as she has built and coordinated The Stewardship Network, she has emphasized effective and meaningful stakeholder involvement in developing and implementing all aspects of this program. She has a M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a B.A. (Science in Society) from Wesleyan University.
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Seeking Funding Support for Webcast Archives
We are currently seeking funding to make our complete archive of webcasts available to view for free. Each archived webcast requires a $10 fee to view (although that one time fee gives you unlimited access to that particular archive). These fees cover the cost of maintaining the recordings. If your organization is insterested in sponsoring our archives, or if you'd like to learn more about the benefits of sponsoring our archives, please contact Erin Mittendorf at emittendorf@stewardshipnetwork.org. Making these archives available for free will help provide valuable information to land and water stewards across the country. Thank you for your consideration! 

Click here to view the webcast archive!


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Take measures to prevent spread of invasive species while enjoying nature

by CHRIS YOUNG

GateHouse Media Illinois

Posted May 04, 2013 @ 07:21 PM

When it comes to preventing the spread of invasive species, people who love the outdoors should take steps to be sure they are not part of the problem.

Many invasive species — defined as plants and animals that can cause economic and ecological harm — crowd out native species and can be difficult to control.

Chris Evans, invasive species campaign coordinator with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said people need to learn to identify invasive species and help prevent their spread.

“One thing they can do is familiarize themselves with the invasives,” Evans said. “Learn what is in your area.”
One example is Japanese stilt grass, an annual that is a major invader of forests in southern Illinois.
Evans said the plant is making its way northward, probably because seeds are carried on boots, all-terrain vehicles and even horses.

“We re trying to get people to watch for it,” he said.

Officials in Illinois are keeping a close eye on hydrilla, an aquatic plant.

Photo via Wikipedia:

Hydrilla verticillata collection LakeSeminoleFL.jpg

“It’s not here yet,” Evans said. “But it is pretty abundant south and east and is showing up a few places in the Midwest. It can just dominate in a reservoir or aquatic system.”

It was once sold as an aquarium plant, according to www.protectyourwaters.net.

So great is the threat that a task force has been formed to plan a response should hydrilla appear in Illinois.
Like another invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian water milfoil, it spreads by plant fragments that can hitch a ride on boats.

As temperatures warm and people head outside, Evans said people should clean their shoes and equipment (including boats) before moving from one site to another.

For landowners who don’t know if they have a problem, Evans suggests a visit to a local University of Illinois Extension or U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service office. Local staff members will be familiar with problem plants in your area.

“If they don’t know the answer to your question, they will know who to ask,” Evans said.
Some of the invaders are in the news frequently — the advance of Asian carp is one familiar example. But carp and plants aren’t the only invaders....read more

Playing Smart Against Invasive Species

A new online resource! 

'Playing Smart Against Invasive Species' videos produced by the Forest Service are excellent resources for education and public outreach. These videos explain how people can enjoy the great outdoors and avoid spreading invasive species along the way. Videos ranging from 6-27 minutes targets outdoor recreational users and includes camping, horseback riding, canoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, biking, and others.