Media, Research, and Events Scan: September 17

G E N E R A L

Attacking invasive plants at Towson University - 'Goats go where mowers can't go' - September 22

"Goats go where mowers can't go," said Cassilly. She explained they can climb steep slopes, eat ten pounds of vegetation a day, and don't injure or kill wildlife such as turtles or snakes, as a mower can. They also can replace spraying herbicides, thus polluting streams.

How climate change and invasive species work in tandem to destabilize the environment - September 19

According to the U.S. Bureau of Information Resource Management, invasive species and climate change represent two of the five major global threats to ecosystems.

In most cases, the introduction of a species into a new environment is usually accidental and caused by humans, whether through an insect trapped in a car, seeds on someone’s clothes or marine animals stuck in boats.

Quincy native invents ecofriendly fertilizer from invasive Asian carp - September 17

An invasive Species is turning into a local ecofriendly fertilizer.

Quincy native, Mike Owsley says he created a solution that takes Asian carp and turns them into a liquid fertilizer at his facility in Pearl, Illinois.

Ecoacoustics is being used to detect invasive species in water systems

- September 15

Ecoacoustics is an emerging field that combines acoustics and ecology. It can be used to assess and monitor the biodiversity of an ecosystem by studying its soundscape. To date, most ecoacoustic research has focused on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, but Jack Greenhalgh, a freshwater ecology researcher at the University of Bristol, specialises in recording the surprisingly vibrant soundscapes of ponds.

Japanese knotweed could lower cancer risk of processed meat

- September 23

These results potentially cast a new perspective on the Japanese knotweed, a perennial plant that is commonly seen as an invasive species and a pest in North America and Europe. Invasive Species Centre notes that at this stage, use is for research only. Japanese knotweed is an aggressive and destructive invasive species and should not be planted.

Beware of invasive shrubs sold at garden centers - September 17

Some shrubs that are commonly found at garden centers are actually invasive species. They may appear harmless but have the potential to cause widespread environmental harm when they escape cultivation.

Invasive shrubs are popular because they tend to grow fast, leaf out before other plants, and produce a lot of berries.

A Q U A T I C

Holding advance of invasive carp: A ride-along seeing contract netters manning the front lines - September 25

Removing invasive carp—silver, bighead, grass, black—is to help prevent them from reaching the Great Lakes via the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). Between the electric barriers near Romeoville and the netting, advancing invasive carp stalled well downstream of Lake Michigan.

Waterfowl hunters reminded to help prevent spread of invasive species

- September 24

Duck hunting season starts in north central Wisconsin this weekend, but before heading out on the water, there are a few things hunters should look out for.

Be on the look out for any mud, plants and or water that fills up in the boat. This is because as boats move through the water they may move wildlife with them mixing different ecosystems together.

Boaters reminded to take end of season precautions against invasive species - September 23

The summer boating season is coming to an end. As recreational boaters decide it’s time to bring their boats to shore and store them for the winter, there’s a lot more to consider than where you will winter your water craft.

Hundreds of invasive species have infiltrated Ontario’s lakes, rivers, and forests putting native fish, plants, and animals, and their habitats at risk.

Volunteers work to save local lakes from invasive snails - September 22

Lake stewardship continues to be a high priority for many who call Haliburton County their home.

This past summer, under the direction of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Associations (CHA), more than 420,000 invasive snails – either banded mystery snail or the Chinese mystery snail were removed from the area lakes.

Wildfire aviation across the country aims to prevent spreading invasive aquatic species - September 20

The super scooper is a breed of firefighting planes that is new for many states this wildfire season, including Montana. Its ability to timely dump an immense amount of water on a wildfire makes it an asset in many wildfire conditions. But its water sources of lakes across the country means dipping into waters infected with invasive aquatic species.

Zebra mussels intercepted by Saskatchewan Environment near Manitoba border - September 16

Saskatchewan Environment officials said swift action by inspectors and conservation officers prevented zebra mussels from entering the province.

The ministry said a boat contaminated with invasive zebra mussels was intercepted on Aug. 30 at a watercraft inspection station by Moosomin near the Manitoba border.

F O R E S T

Asian jumping worms are an invasive species destroying our forests, and already in our yards - September 25

Earthworms seem to be ubiquitous in our soil, but did you know that the worms we see in Cambridge today are not native to the Northeast? The last ice age (which ended about 10,000 years ago) wiped out earthworms as far south as northern Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of goldfish pulled from P.E.I. river - September 23

P.E.I. wildlife officials recently hauled 220 goldfish — an invasive species — from a local river, which they believe had recently been released there.

A conservation officer spotted the fish in a pond just below a dam and reported their presence.

The fish were isolated in the pond, and officials used special electrical gear to stun them so they could be removed.

A Kansas boy entered a unique insect at the state fair. It triggered a federal investigation - September 16

A boy showcasing his bug collection at the Kansas State Fair last week didn’t know it, but he had a rare and dangerous specimen lurking in his midst. His find has triggered state and federal investigations.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive species that has been wreaking havoc for years out east.

Digging into the threat of Oak Wilt to Ontario - September

Oak wilt, though not currently found in Canada, is inching closer to our borders with the closest known occurrence of this tree disease being less than 1km from Windsor, Ontario on Belle Isle in Michigan. Oak wilt is a vascular disease that impacts oak trees that is caused by the invasive fungus, Bretziella fagacearum.

P L A N T

St. Clair Shores Beautification Commission tackles purple loosestrife, phragmites - September 23

An age-old problem is experiencing a resurgence in St. Clair Shores — invasive species choking out native plants and changing the environment for local wildlife.

“This is an old problem. It is not a new problem. We need your support,” Beautification Commission Chair Lil Claycomb said to City Council Sept. 7.

Invasive cheatgrass spreads under city lights - September 23

In his seminal 1949 book A Sand County Almanac, American naturalist Aldo Leopold warned of the perils of cheatgrass—a tall and hairy invasive plant that originated in Europe and Asia. Today cheatgrass outcompetes native species across large swaths of the western U.S., displacing sagebrush steppe grasses and threatening grain and cattle farms.

Green Team removes invasive species from White Rock’s West Beach - September 20

The Lower Mainland Green Team returned to White Rock beach last weekend, helping clear the area of invasive species and other unwanted plants. Despite a rainy, overcast start to the day Saturday, members of the team, along with nearly two dozen volunteers, worked to remove 14 cubic metres of Himalayan Blackberry.

M U N I C I P A L

‘They’re just a nuisance’: Okoboji business reacts to growing zebra mussel population - September 28

An invasive species continues to impact the Iowa Great Lakes with no signs of relief. The Iowa Great Lakes have been dealing with zebra mussels in its waterways. They’re considered an invasive species and have been damaging to the surrounding environment.

The wall lizard invasion of Vancouver Island - September 27

Native to the Mediterranean, the reptiles seem perfectly happy sunning themselves throughout the southern half of Vancouver Island. Hanke estimates their current population in British Columbia to be between 500,000 and 700,000. They grow as long as 23 cm, but are generally smaller. And with climate change, they appear to be spreading: last year, a few were even spotted on the Lower Mainland, near Chilliwack.

Meetings with Wolastoqey held, rotenone spraying in Miramichi delayed until 2022 - September 22

In August, Wolastoqey grandmothers and mothers paddled canoes on the lake, preventing volunteers from spraying it with rotenone — a fish-killing pesticide. The chemicals can't be sprayed when people are on the water.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation filed a court injunction to remove the women, but it was dismissed for lack of notice to the Wolastoqey.

R E S E A R C H

Bouman, T., Steg, L. (2020). Engaging city residents in Climate Action: Addressing the personal and group value-base behind residents' climate actions. Urbanisation.

Jorgensen, N., Renz, M. (2021). Assessing the performance and accuracy of invasive plant habitat suitability models in detecting new observations in Wisconsin. Invasive Plant Science and Management.

Kao, S-Y. Z., Enns, E.A., Tomamichel, M., et al (2021). Network connectivity of Minnesota waterbodies and implications for aquatic invasive species prevention. Biological Invasions.

Kim, J., Huebner, C.D., Park, Y-L. (2021). Plant species composition and interactions within communities invaded by Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonaceae). Northeastern Naturalist.

Mangan, A.M., Piaggio, A.J., Bodenchuk, M.J., et al (2021). Rooting out genetic structure of invasive wild pigs in Texas. The Journal of Wildlife Management.

Rogosch, J.S., Olden, J.D. (2021). Comparing opportunistic and strategic removal efforts to manage invasive fish species using a dynamic multi‐state occupancy model. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Solé, M., Fortuño, J-M., van der Schaar, M., et al (2021). An acoustic treatment to mitigate the effects of the apple snail on agriculture and natural ecosystems. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering.

Stoneburner, A.L., Meiman, P.J., Ocheltree, T.W., et al (2021). Simulated trampling by cattle negatively impacts invasive yellow-flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) when submerged. Invasive Plant Science and Management.

I S C-- A N D --P A R T N E R S H I P-- E V E N T S

GSGP Leadership Summit Aquatic Invasive Species Panel

Virtual | October 4, 2:00pm

Invasive Species Centre: Ldd Moth: Taking Stock of Current Management Options in Ongoing Outbreak

Virtual | October 13, 11am

ICAIS: Call for Abstracts of Oral and Poster Presentations

Deadline: October 18, 2021