Volume 26 | March 2024
Monthly News & Updates

Welcome to March!


I was thrilled to see so many organizations participating in National Invasive Species Awareness Week last week! There were a ton of excellent talks, posts, and resources happening. One section below includes a few gems from the session on communicating about invasive species in our newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Corner.


A few additional updates include:


This month's newsletter is packed with a lot of updates from upcoming webinars, grant opportunities, and more!

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AFWA Invasive Species Committee

North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference


The 89th North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference will be held Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 



The Invasive Species Committee meeting will be on Tues March 26th and will have a few speakers lined up to talk about updates as they relate to Prussian Carp, proposed Aquatic Invasive Species legislation, and more. In addition, for those interested in pet trade and disease transfer, you might want to check out the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Committee meeting happening on Wed March 27th from 3:00-5:00 pm. If you are attending the conference and are interested in presenting, please reach out to Kerry Wixted.

Early Detection, Rapid Response Webinar Series

Thanks to those that responded to our earlier survey about the national Early Detection, Rapid Response Framework, we have incorporated your information into our first webinar on eDNA. This upcoming webinar will include an opportunity for on-the-ground managers to provide feedback via moderated breakout rooms.


When: Thurs April 4, 3:00-4:30 pm ET; Register Here

 

Join us for an environmental DNA (eDNA) 101 webinar that explores the basics of eDNA use for invasive species early detection and rapid response, its limitations and reliabilities, new technologies, and new tools being developed by the Department of the Interior and collaborators for future applications. This webinar will also feature several case studies, showing federal-state partnerships using eDNA tools for early detection and rapid response as well as breakout sessions to further dive into this topic from the on-the-ground manager perspective.

 

This talk is hosted in partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Closed captions will be provided via Zoom. Please contact Kerry Wixted if you have any questions or trouble registering.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species (Cycle 2)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on behalf of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, has posted F24AS00175- Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species to request proposals that support the rapid response to a new species introduction within freshwater, estuarine, or marine waters of the United States, including the U.S. territories. This is the second cycle of the fund. Proposals submitted under the first cycle are in the final phases of review and will be announced shortly. If you applied under the first cycle, but not selected, you will be contacted to review options to resubmit your proposal if desired.  


The Rapid Response Fund is administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated through the ANS Task Force. In July 2023, the ANS Task Force approved The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species that outlines a structure and process for operation of the Fund.


Please note: To streamline the application process, the Notice of Funding Opportunity has been modified to accept proposals on a rolling basis, or until the Rapid Response Fund is depleted. The deadline for proposals is July 15, 2024 yet submitted proposals will be evaluated and awarded on a quarterly basis (as funds allow) follow the timeline below:



  • Proposals submitted from January 16 – April 15 will be evaluated with an anticipated award date of June 1.
  • Proposals submitted from April 16 – July 15 will be evaluated with an anticipated award date of September 1.

 

General information about the Fund and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE. Additional questions may be directed to Susan Pasko, ANS Task Force Executive Secretary, at [email protected]. 

Please share this announcement broadly, thank you!

Invasive Hitchhiker Reminder

On behalf of the Organisms in Trade (OiT)- Hitchhikers workgroup (related to the Prevention Subcommittee in the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF)), please consider the following reminders concerning potential invasive hitchhikers in aquarium commerce. Over the last few years, documented cases of state regulated invasive animals have been detected when live aquarium related products have been purchased. Although protocols and policies are in place at the supplier and receiver ends of the supply chain, there is still work that needs to be done to minimize the risk of regulated hitchhikers within this pathway.  

 

Between late January through March, crayfish movement increases in southern states, increasing the likelihood of crayfish hitchhikers comingling with feeder fish shipments.  At this time, we have not received any reports for the 2024 season, but we would like folks to remain vigilant.   

 

Supplier Recommendations:  

  • Increase biosecurity protocols and unintended hitchhiker screening in shipments, particularly in the January-March timeframe.  
  • Include information on shipment return policy if hitchhikers found by receivers. 


Receiver Recommendations: 

  • Review company policy with staff concerning hitchhikers in shipments, particularly in the January-March timeframe.  
  • If hitchhikers are found, isolate and quarantine the hitchhiker. Do not release it into the environment, take it home as a pet, and/or provide it to a customer. Hitchhikers could be invasive species that cause harm to the environment.
  • Report hitchhikers to suppliers. If identification is needed, contact your state natural resource agency. 
  • If you do not have a company policy concerning hitchhikers in shipments and would like assistance with next steps, contact Pet Advocacy Network Government Affairs Director Ashley Brinkman ([email protected] ) , your industry advocate for pet care priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. 

 

State Agencies:  

  • If hitchhikers are found in shipments at stores, please document the store location and timing, follow your state’s protocol for hitchhiking organisms, and reach out to Kerry Wixted ([email protected]) and Kristen Sommers ([email protected] ) to help us work with industry to trace the shipments back to the supplier(s). 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Corner

Kudos to Tim Campbell ([email protected]) and those with the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) for putting on an excellent two-day workshop on invasive species language! Their workshop helped spur the idea to create a DEI corner in our newsletter to help bring forth topics on making our work more inclusive.


In our work, we often use metaphors to describe what is happening with invasive species. However, using the wrong metaphor can lead to misunderstandings, errors in reasoning and may even reinforce harmful stereotypes.


If you have a few moments, please consider reading Alien language: The importance of metaphor to understand how language use can sometimes have unintended consequences and how we can make simple changes to have a more inclusive impact.


In addition, check out the section further down in this newsletter on the new Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) which includes a new white paper on Invasive Species and Underserved Communities.

Recent News & Research

IPBES Invasive Alien Species Assessment Report now available

https://www.ipbes.net/ias


Wildlife Forever and Yamaha Rightwaters Expand National Partnership on Invasive Species 

https://www.wildlifeforever.org/2024/02/09/wildlife-forever-and-yamaha-rightwaters-expand-national-partnership-on-invasive-species/


White House National Science and Technology Council Unveils New Aquaculture Plan, First in 40 Years

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/white-house-national-science-and-technology-council-unveils-new-aquaculture-plan-first


Research reveals hope for managing invasive red swamp crayfish 

https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-02/research-reveals-hope-managing-invasive-red-swamp-crayfish


Government of Canada research facility accredited to international standards for eDNA work for early detection of aquatic invasive species

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/government-canada-research-facility-accredited-143000459.html


Minnesota DNR announces 13 invasive species as prohibited

https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-dnr-announces-13-invasive-species-as-prohibited


The less traveled pathways for species introduction to the Great Lakes

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the-less-traveled-path-ways-for-species-introduction-to-the-great-lakes-msg24-sturtevant24


Have fire regimes and fire effects changed in Sonoran desert scrublands?

https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/rmrs/news/highlights/have-fire-regimes-and-fire-effects-changed-sonoran-desert-scrublands#summary

Legislative & Administrative Updates

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA)


The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was introduced in the Senate on Thursday, March 30 and has the bill number - S. 1149 - in the 118th Congress.


America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act, H.R.7408

Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR), introduced the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act (AWHCA), a comprehensive bill that seeks to enhance fish and wildlife habitat across the country. The AWHCA would authorize $300 million in annual funding for the next five years to each state and territorial fish and wildlife agency as well as the District of Columbia to help conserve and manage fish and wildlife species, including at-risk species and those already listed as threatened or endangered. States have developed comprehensive conservation plans (SWAPs) that outline important habitat projects and actions that will aid in species recovery. The bill also encourages states and federal agencies to work collaboratively with private landowners to achieve positive conservation outcomes. Read the bill here.


America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act Reauthorization Update

On February 9, Sens Carper (D-DE) and Capito (R-WV), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee introduced a bill to reauthorize the ACE Act (S. 3791). The ACE Act will reauthorize important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country through Fiscal Year 2030. Click HERE for the AFWA press release.


Among its numerous provisions, the bill codifies the existing Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program, reauthorizes the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, and reauthorizes the NAWCA at a level of $65 million annually - a bump from its current authorization level of $60 million. It also reauthorizes another AFWA priority, the National Fish Habitat Partnership at a level of $10 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030. The current authorization level is $7.2 million.


There are also a series of programmatic tweaks, including adding the BLM to the Board, and authorizing $1 million to be appropriated for the competition of the National Fish Habitat Assessment to remain available until expended.


Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act of 2023

On Wednesday, December 13, Rep. Porter (D-CA) reintroduced the Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act (H.R. 6765). While we have not announced endorsement, we support the bill and the text is identical to the version introduced at the end of last year, which AFWA worked on extensively with House staff. Briefly, the bill would establish a fund for state and tribal agencies for disease surveillance, create a number of Task Forces/Working Groups/ Committees, a national wildlife health database, and an emergency response fund. 


EPA Formaldehyde Risk Assessment Update

Last month, our Government Affairs staff had an initial meeting with EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) to discuss concerns regarding the pending risk evaluations of formaldehyde and their potential impacts on the availability of formalin, a key fish therapeutant used by hatcheries and fish farms. While EPA is legally prohibited from considering costs in their risk evaluations, we were assured that consideration of impacts on critical uses and interagency review would both happen at the proposed rule stage. We feel the conversation was beneficial to both parties, as EPA is now aware that any regulatory action that inhibits manufacturing of formaldehyde will affect hatchery operations and efforts to recover threatened and endangered fish species. 


USCG Certificate of Number (CON) Update

We're continuing to follow this issue. At this time, Government Affairs staff are working with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to circulate a survey that will gather updated information on which states have been found to be out of compliance and the types of fees that need to be permitted in the legislation. If you have been notified about being out of compliance, please reach out, so we can ensure we have it documented as we continue discussions.


Rotenone Update

On January 18, the sole registrant of rotenone, CLS, was been granted another 90-day extension by the EPA. A response is now due April 17th. To proceed with re-registration, the EPA is requiring that CLS conduct a 21D neurotoxicity inhalation study. This study will cost $1M and is CLS is prepared to cover half. We will keep you informed as we learn more about how CLS intends to use this 90-day extension.  

America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative: America the Beautiful Challenge 2024 Request for Proposals

The next round of America the Beautiful grants is now open. In year three of the ATBC, approximately $119 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which we all depend.


  • Pre-Proposal Due Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time
  • Full Proposal Due Date (by invitation only): Tuesday, July 16, 2024, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time


The ATBC seeks to fund projects across the following themes:

  1.  Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds 
  2.  Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands and important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks
  3.  Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds, and seascapes 
  4.  Improving ecosystem and community resilience to flooding, drought, and other climate-related threats
  5.  Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities


For more information, please visit this page.

Invasive Species Advisory Committee Updates

Following the November 2023 meeting of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC), they adopted the following three white papers:



As a note, AFWA's Invasive Species Committee Chair, Dr. Nicole Angeli, has an ex-officio seat on the ISAC and can bring forward the state agency perspective to the ISAC. The next meeting will be April 30th-May 2nd, and members of the public are welcome to listen in. More details can be found below:

Professional Development

Upcoming Events:



Courses:
Save-the-Date

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