Greetings from the Invasive Species Centre 
Hello and welcome to the fall edition of The Spread!

It’s been the "Summer of the Invasives" here at the Invasive Species Centre and for all our partners. A rapid fire of new detections of invasive species found for the first time in Canada or quickly spreading- new forest invasives such as oak wilt, increased detections of hemlock woolly adelgid, aquatic invasives such as marbled crayfish and grass carp sightings, and new sightings of spotted lanternfly. On the positive side, helping to draw attention to the invasive species issue is a new global IPBES report indicating the cost of impacts are $423 billion globally and new regulatory proposals to the Ontario Invasive Species Act to list additional species.

Through the ISC led Invasive Species Action Fund and the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, we are proud to support over 50 groups in "boots on the ground" successful summer management programs. Our teams are also removing European water chestnut in Niagara and Himalayan balsam with the Sault Ste. Marie community. 

Let's get together to share our knowledge at the upcoming ISC coordinated events including the 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species and the 2024 Invasive Species Forum.

Best Wishes
Sarah Rang
Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre
Program Updates
Invasive Species and Climate Change
Learn about the effects of warmer winters on the survival and spread of invasives, how the destruction of healthy trees can turn forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources, and how invasive species can reduce our ability to adapt to climate change.
Invasive Species Action Fund Recipient Highlights
The Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF) is a grant program designed to facilitate on-the-ground management and monitoring of invasive species in Ontario.

Thanks to support from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), the ISC was able to fund 151 groups in their on the ground efforts.

Several of these groups have made the news including: The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Couching Conservancy and Garden River.
Invasive Phragmites Control Fund Celebrates Success
The Green Shovels Collaborative is pleased to announce support for 21 projects from across Ontario through the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund.

The Invasive Phragmites Control Fund was made possible through an expanded investment of $250,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

These projects will increase coordination, volunteer, and land manager participation and capacity to address what some call Canada’s worst invasive plant. Learn more here.
ISC and Partners Expand Monitoring and Removal
The ISC’s Rapid Response Project had another successful year on the Welland River. This year, through expanded active monitoring and removal efforts, the team pulled 907 plants over the field season. This represents an over 50% reduction in European water chestnut (EWC) compared to the 2022 field season, indicating that removal efforts are having the intended effect of reducing EWC population along the Welland River.

This year, the ISC also piloted a new AIS Roving Unit alongside OFAH team members. The Unit, which consists of several invasive species technicians, supported removal activities of priority aquatic invasive plants in isolated populations across the province. This season, this included removing water soldier from Red Horse Lake near Gananoque and European water chestnut from the Castor River near Embrun.
Himalayan Balsam Community Project a Success
The Sault Ste. Marie Himalayan Balsam Community Project successfully brought together community members and eight local organizations to combat the city's growing Himalayan balsam (HB) populations. Results of the campaign:

• Seven public HB pull events
• 147 bags of HB pulled
• 202 volunteers and engaged _community members
• 183 volunteer hours
• 6600m2 managed
Introducing the HWA Monitoring Network
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Monitoring Network was initiated to increase early detection of HWA outside of known distribution and regulated areas. In this year’s pilot, the HWA Monitoring Network recruited volunteers to deploy 50 traps on public and private lands in the most at-risk areas in Ontario. 

Are you a member of the public looking to help? Visit the network’s webpage to learn more.
Student Discounts and Diversity Bursaries
ISC's Training Program offers courses for anyone wanting to learn more about invasive species and their impacts. As part of ISC's commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and education, special rates are being offered to BIPOC learners and students.

Email [email protected] for more information.
Species Updates
A Summer of Grass Carp Captures
Of the four species of Asian carp, grass carp is the most imminent threat to the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes. In the field season of 2023 alone, there were three confirmed captures of grass carp in Canadian waters.
New Species Profiles
Check out the ISC website's new species profiles on Chinese mystery snails, Japanese beetles, house sparrows and kudzu.
Phragmites Identification: Using Morphology to Distinguish Native and Invasive Populations
Distinguishing invasive phragmites from the native variety is a vital step in management and prevention. In new paper by McTavish et al. ‘Morphological traits for rapid and simple separation of native and introduced common reed (Phragmites australis)’ the authors examined 22 potential traits in genetically identified invasive and native phragmites populations. They used this information to compile a checklist of the five best traits to distinguish the two and how to best measure them.
New and Notable
Global Invasive Species Report Makes Recommendations
Regulatory Amendments to the Invasive Species Act
A major new report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) concludes that invasive species pose major global threats to food security, human health, economies, and nature.

The report found that invasive species play a key role in 60% of global plant and animal extinctions, while costing the global economy more than $423 billion a year.

The report recommends implementation of coherent policies across different sectors and borders, increased education and public awareness, and citizen science campaigns.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is Proposing regulatory amendments under the Invasive Species Act, 2015. These would classify 10 species and four genera of species as either prohibited or restricted invasive species.

These invasive species have the potential, or are already having negative impacts on the natural environment of Ontario, and their regulation would improve the province's ability to prevent their introduction or spread.

Click here to learn more about these proposed changes.
Campaigns
Fall Reminder to Play Clean Go
Fall out of love with invasives this fall and remember to clean your boots, clothing, equipment and pets of seeds, mud, and dirt when venturing outdoors.

Using a boot brush is a good way to prevent invasive species from hitchhiking to your favourite natural areas. Learn more about the Play Clean Go campaign here.
Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative Newsletter
Stay up to date on beech leaf diseases, EAB, HWA and more forest news by subscribing to the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative (GLB FHC) Newsletter!

The GLB FHC supports a network of partners in tree-resistance breeding activities for forest species that are threatened by invasive insects and diseases.
Events
Ontario Forest Health Review
The Ontario Forest Health Review is happening virtually on October 25, 2023. Attend this annual meeting for updates on the current status of forests in Ontario.

It will feature informative speakers taking part in a forest health discussion, including David Dutkiewicz, Entomology Technician from the Invasive Species Centre.
NAISMA’s 4th Annual Weed Biocontrol Summit
This summit communicates the latest in classical weed biocontrol research to North American invasive plant managers and educators.

This year, NAISMA is highlighting the role weed biological control can play in reducing wildfire risk and impacts throughout North America.
Register Today for the 2024 Invasive Species Forum

Registration is now open for the 2024 Invasive Species Forum, taking place virtually from February 12 to 15.

The Invasive Species Forum is a free annual event that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, and in neighbouring U.S. States.
Nominations Open for the Invasive Species Centre Awards
Do you know someone who is a leader in invasive species issues? Would you like to recognize and celebrate their contributions?

Nominate them for a 2024 Invasive Species Centre Award by November 15, 2023!
ICAIS 2024 Now Open for Registration
Register today for the 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, to be held May 12 - 16, 2024 in Halifax, Nova Scotia! We have an exciting lineup of plenary and keynote speakers planned on a variety of topics including genetic biocontrol of Asian carp, the use of AI in aquatic invasion science, biological control and more!

The ICAIS Oyster Program provides limited financial support to enable participation in the conference as an opportunity to advance careers in the field of aquatic invasive species through networking and collaboration. The online application form will be on the ICAIS website and opens on October 13, 2023 and closes on November 13, 2023. Learn more here.
Upcoming Webinars
The Invasive Species Centre collaborates with experts in the field of invasive species management, prevention, and monitoring on different topics each month.

Next webinar:

Wednesday, November 15 | 1:00 p.m. EDT

Visit our webinar page to keep up with our 2023 lineup.
A Look Back at Recent Events
Oak Wilt Workshop
Spotted Lanternfly Workshop
On September 7, the ISC hosted a free workshop in Windsor, ON for municipal, conservation, and forest industry staff interested in learning more about identifying, monitoring, and managing oak wilt in Canada and the US.
The ISC trained 30 people in Prince Edward County, Ontario on how to identify and report spotted lanternfly (SLF), a new threat to vineyards.

Participants of the workshop also learned how to detect and report SLF's preferred plant host, tree-of-heaven, as well as the ecological, economic, and social impacts of this invasive insect.
The North American Invasive Species Management Association 31st Annual Conference
The North American Invasive Species Management Association 31st Annual Conference took place in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 16-19, 2023.

The Invasive Species Centre attended, collaboratively presenting: 'Using Community Science to Better Understand Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Distribution in Ontario' by: Derissa Vincentini (ISC), Victoria Derry (Natural Resources Canada), and Nicole Mielewczyk (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
Other ISC News
Welcome New Staff Members!
Vincent La Tassa, Program Development Intern
Candy Marston, Office Administrator
Angeline Castilloux, Communications and Digital Media Intern
Elizabeth (Liz) Patterson, Programs and Science Policy Intern
Follow us on social media.
The ISC attended Sault Ste. Marie's annual Great Lakes Outdoors Show, sponsored by Great Lakes Outfitters. We were in good company with other booths promoting outdoor services and experiences available in the Algoma region.