Greetings from the Invasive Species Centre | |
|
Hello and welcome from the Invasive Species Centre!
It's been a busy time at the Invasive Species Centre and everyone who shares an interest in invasive species.
Recently, we have been working with many partners on forest invasives, including some that are new to Ontario such as oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid, and beech leaf disease. We have some innovative training and monitoring and management programs running to mobilize action and enhance knowledge on these high-risk invaders. We welcome your participation.
And in lakes and waters, we see new aquatic invasive species such as hydrilla in Hillman Marsh near Leamington found for the first time in Ontario and Canada, and the first detection of water soldier in Lake Simcoe. Thanks to support from many partners, we helped create comprehensive communications plans on these new detections to spread awareness and are working with local partners to enact rapid response programs thanks to an investment from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
There's also a significant amount of ongoing work within the Ontario Phragmites Action program - a jointly delivered program by the Invasive Species Centre, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and numerous on-the-ground partners to support coordinated action on Phragmites across Ontario.
I'm also excited to announce that two invasive species granting programs will open for applications in November - please consider applying!
We welcome grant ideas on Phragmites through the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund. If your project relates to forest, aquatic, or terrestrial invasives, then please consider applying to the Invasive Species Action Fund. Receive updates on the call of proposals here.
Have a question or idea? Need resources or training? Please contact us at info@invasivespeciescentre.ca.
Best wishes,
| |
Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre | |
| Read on for |
|
|
|
|
| | Species Updates | Program Updates | Indigenous Action | Hot Topics | Events | More News | | |
|
The leaves are falling and our website keeps growing! Check out the ISC website's new species profiles on black locust, European cherry fruit fly, and Eurasian ruffe.
| |
|
New Global IS Database
Border interception and early detection are more cost-effective than eradication of invasive species present in an area. The Global Invasive and Alien Traits And Records (GIATAR) dataset provides consolidated dated records of invasive and alien species presence combined with biological information about pests of interest in a standardized, machine-readable format.
| |
New Funding from the Greenbelt Foundation | |
With new funding the from the Greenbelt Foundation, the ISC is expanding our resources and outreach to address the impacts of invasive species on Canada’s agricultural sector.
Check out our new Economics Page on this topic and watch the recent ISC webinar on invasive agricultural pests.
| |  |
Forum Call for Presentations | The ISC invites submissions for oral presentations at the 2025 Invasive Species Forum, taking place from Feb. 18 - 20, 2025! The submission deadline is Monday, October 28, 2024. | | |
Join the BLD Monitoring Network Reporting Campaign | Help protect beech trees in Ontario and join the 2024 Beech Leaf Disease Reporting Campaign. By joining this project and submitting a report of Beech Leaf Disease to iNaturalist in Ontario from September 22 to November 30, 2024, you will be entered for a chance to win a Community Science Monitoring Prize Pack, including a custom YETI (valued at over $100)! | | |
Recognize and Celebrate by Submitting an Awards Nomination |
Nominations for the Invasive Species Centre Awards are now open until November 24, 2024! Do you know someone who is a leader in invasive species issues? Recognize and celebrate their contributions by submitting a nomination. | | |
Indigenous Learning Resources | |
|
We are looking back to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day, for which we remind ourselves to strive every day to listen and learn more from Indigenous voices, cultures, and history to further progress toward Truth and Reconciliation. For continued learning, check out Outdoor Learning's recommendations for Indigenous Learning Resources.
| |
Michipicoten First Nation Takes On-The-Ground Action | | |
|
New publication in CSP by ISAC | |
|
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking feedback on a new directive which outlines phytosanitary requirements to prevent the importation and spread of spotted lanternfly including specific domestic and import requirements for nursery stock and logs of deciduous species with bark.
Comments should be sent to cfia-ias acia-eee@inspection.gc.ca by Friday, October 25, 2024.
| |
|
A peer reviewed adaptation of the 2023 white paper by the US Invasive Species Advisory Committee on climate change and invasive species has been published.
The new version has been expanded to include non-federal agencies and added examples from existing climate adaptation plans that showcase federal efforts to integrate invasive species into climate initiatives.
| |
ISC in the News
Extra, extra! The ISC has been featured in several media outlets this year, including the Globe & Mail and CBC, on topics ranging from Phragmites action to community science - check it out!
| |
| |
|
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference | |
National Forum on Biological Control Conference | |
|
|
The USDA Forest Service is organizing a National Forum for Biological Control in Natural Areas Conference in partnership with NAISMA and the National Association of State Foresters.
The conference will be held April 14 - 17, 2025 in Annapolis, MD. The meeting will focus on both weed and arthropod biocontrol and will be a venue for all biocontrol practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to come together to address the shared challenges and opportunities that exist in this area.
| |
Register to join us for a FREE Emerald Ash Borer and Black Ash Workshop at the Special Exhibits Hall, Science North, in Sudbury. This workshop will cover the latest on emerald ash borer (EAB) research, the status of black ash as a species at risk, and efforts to preserve this important species. Learn about the critical role of seed collection in safeguarding black ash genetics and how you can volunteer to help. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The workshop includes an outdoor field tour of EAB-infested sites on Science North property. | |
Visit from Minister Graydon Smith
Hon. Graydon Smith, Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources, visited the Invasive Species Centre earlier this month to discuss aquatic invasive species and the $500,000 investment from the Ontario government to manage and prevent the spread of hydrilla and water soldier.
| |
|
Indigenous Cultural Training & Team Building | ISC Team members participated in an Indigenous cultural experiential training and team building program with Thrive Tours in Sault Ste. Marie. Members took part in an interpretive medicine walk and kayaking with teachings. The ISC thanks Thrive Tours for providing this team building opportunity and enhancing our knowledge of Indigenous practices and culture. | |
Niagara Region Learned How to Identify and Report SLF |
The Invasive Species Centre, with support from the Greenbelt Foundation, delivered a workshop on spotted lanternfly impacts to Greenbelt lands, detection, and reporting in Fonthill this Thursday. The event featured an information booth and an in-depth presentation by the Invasive Species Centre. | |
September Oak Wilt Courses for Arborists |
|
In Coordination with ISA Ontario and with support from the Ontario Wildlife Foundation, the ISC hosted two Oak Wilt Qualification Courses for ISA certified arborists in the GTA. Day 1 trained City of Toronto foresters, and Day 2 was open to other local arborists.
| |
International Plowing Match and Rural Expo | The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo was held in Lindsay, Ontario and the ISC was present to discuss the linkages between invasive Phragmites and agriculture. Invasive Phragmites can impede drainage systems in agricultural settings, and the ISC was able to inform farmers and municipal staff on the social and economic impacts. | |
NAISMA 32nd Annual Conference | The 2024 NAISMA Annual Conference took place from September 30 – October 3, 2024 in Missoula, Montana with the theme of Celebrating Partnership. ISC staff attended with presentations on creating coordinated efforts for invasive species prevention and management through innovative communications, and advancing action on priority forest invasives in Ontario through partnerships and community science by Lauren Rogers and Mackenzi DiGasparro. | |
Join our Team - Communications & Web Development Intern
Are you passionate about protecting lands and waters in Canada from invasive species? The Communications & Web Development Intern will place valuable knowledge of invasive species into the hands of invasive species professionals and the public through the Invasive Species Centre and project websites, social media channels, in-person and digital events, and other multimedia products. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. More details here.
| |
Meet the New ISC Team Members! | |
|
Taylor Semeniuk
Entomology and Outreach Intern
| |
|
Madeline Schuster
Communications and Administration Coordinator
| |
|
Katelynn Schnei
Program Development Intern
| |
|
Teah Burke
Aquatic Invasive Species Intern
| | |
|
Follow us on social media. |
|
| Is the content of this newsletter relevant to you? | | | | | | |
