Greetings from the Invasive Species Centre 
What a beautiful fall - crisp nights and lots of fall colours! 

It's also a time to reflect on a busy summer with many new Invasive Species Centre projects with partners, the joys of in-person outreach, and hosting invasive species workshops, webinars and walks. 

We are also sobered by the many sightings of new invasive species - Spotted lanternfly, an agricultural and forest threat found just across the border in Buffalo, New York, steps away from Niagara's significant wine and vegetable sectors. A new detection of forest pest, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was reported near Cobourg, Ontario and new aquatic invasives have been found in many lakes. We are seeing the impacts of changing climate driving many invasive species northward. The Invasive Species Centre is a leader working with partners to share knowledge on climate change and invasives. These new detections reinforce the need for urgent collaboration to increase monitoring, management practices, and communication.

We are here to facilitate this joint effort- please consider joining in our community science and municipal programs, free monthly webinars, and watch for our new training program and spring launch of the microgrants program to assist local groups on the front lines of managing invasives. We welcome your ideas and thank you for your partnerships.

Best wishes,
Sarah Rang
Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre
Learning about Invasive Species
ISC's new Online Training Program, which includes the Invasive Forest Pest Training course and the Oak Wilt Training course, are for anyone wanting to learn more about these invasive species and their impact to Canada’s ecology, economy, and society. Industry professionals will particularly benefit from the technical tools and resources provided throughout each course. Students, young professionals, and citizens seeking education can also benefit. 
Forests Ontario's program Forestry in the Classroom connects schools and community groups with forestry and natural resource practitioners to facilitate the delivery of forest lessons on a variety of topics. As one of their partners, the Invasive Species Centre delivers lessons that introduce students to the topic of invasive species and invasive forest pests such as the emerald ash borer and dog-strangling vine.
Our website has a database of free resources from invasive species groups. You can also view a recording of our Invasive Species in the Classroom Presentation or learn about post-secondary options that can lead to a career in invasive species.

The Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network is another great resource for educators interested in teaching about the environment and invasive species. Check out their Elementary and Secondary school resources pages!
Interested in learning about working in the field of invasive species?

We’re interviewing some of our team members on Instagram about their career journeys focused on preventing the spread of invasive species and protecting biodiversity.
Program Updates
European water chestnut (Trapas natans) is an aggressive invasive aquatic plant that has been detected for the first time in the Welland River in the Niagara region.

This past summer, the Invasive Species Centre led a Rapid Response Program to remove European water chestnut from the Welland River with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. 

Species Updates
On August 10, 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) near Grafton, Ontario.

You can learn more by viewing this special ISC webinar presented by Ron Neville, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Dr. Chris MacQuarrie, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, NRCan.
Last month, a new population of invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was found in Buffalo, New York. While SLF has not yet been detected in Canada, Buffalo is beside the border with Ontario.

To help support awareness and encourage reporting of SLF, the ISC has collaborated with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to develop new signage to be installed at sentinel sites in Ontario.
In July 2022, the Entomological Societies of Canada and America (ESC and ESA) adopted the name northern giant hornet as the new common name for the species Vespa mandarinia.

Please help in celebrating the northern giant hornet's new name by adopting it for use by your organization! Check out the Northern Giant Hornet Common Name Toolkit!
Research and Innovations
In a recent webinar with the Invasive Species Centre, Dr. Felipe Dargent from the University of Ottawa explained how he and his team used isotopes to track the dispersal and origin of an invasive species destructive to Canada’s boreal forests. Click the link in the title to read our full blog post about this research on the eastern spruce budworm moth.
Most people are not aware that the movement of firewood can spread invasive pests, according to a recent study from the collaboration between the Nature Conservancy’s Don’t Move Firewood campaign and Clemson University. In response, this study sought to pinpoint the most effective strategies of increasing awareness about the issue of invasive forest pests. Click the link above for our full blog post on this study.
Campaigns
Outdoor Journal Radio is a weekly podcast that explores environmental issues, topics, and events relevant to everyone who enjoys the outdoors! On September 8, they welcomed Liana Hryniewicz of the Invasive Species Centre to talk about Asian Carp.

Want to know which species of Asian carp can grow up to 200 lbs? Listen to the episode for information on why and how Asian carp were introduced into North America, the threats posed to the Great Lakes, and what we can do to prevent them. This fun, educational episode is perfect for anglers, outdoor enthusiasts or anyone who loves the Great Lakes!
Upcoming Events
Expressions of Interest are now being accepted for organizations interested in hosting or jointly co-hosting the 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species in 2024. Applicants in Canada or the United States are encouraged to apply before October 30, 2022, 11:59 PM ET.

If you have any questions or would like support in applying, please contact [email protected].
The North American Invasive Species Management Association will host its 30th Annual Conference from November 7 - 10, 2022 in an amended location at Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, FL.

The Invasive Species Centre will be presenting this year on a variety of topics from economics to eDNA! Check the complete agenda here.
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Invasive Species Forum, taking place virtually from February 7 to 9.

This year's theme is Invasive Species Action in a Changing Climate. Registration is free so stay tuned for when it opens up to save your virtual seat.

Interested in presenting at the forum? The ISC invites the submission of abstracts here for oral presentations addressing invasive species issues, research, and management. Due October 31.

This year, ISC award winners will be announced at the Forum. These awards recognize those who champion and demonstrate values of excellence, innovation, and leadership in invasive species prevention and management in Canada. Learn more and make your nominations here. 
Save the dates - the 65th annual Forest Pest Management Forum is happening virtually on December 6 to 8, 2022. The forum is the largest gathering of forest pest management experts, managers and practitioners in Canada. Organizations meet to discuss and coordinate important research related to forest insect and disease disturbances. Click the link for news and registration updates.
The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting between the Entomological Society of America, the Entomological Society of Canada, and the Entomological Society of British Columbia will take place November 13 - 16, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

David Dutkiewicz, Entomology Technician with the Invasive Species Centre will be presenting 'Illustrated genera keys to Canadian bark beetles (Scolytinae) and sap beetles (Nitidulidae): The process and results.' Check out the full program here.
The Invasive Species Centre continues to collaborate with experts in the field of invasive species management, prevention, and monitoring to discuss different topics each month.

On October 31 please join us for Knock, knock, knocking on non-natives’ doors to hear from Jesica Goldsmit, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, who will explain the Canadian Marine Invasive Screening Tool (CMIST), that can help to identify invasive marine species that could be of major ecological concern.

On November 17 please join us for I spy spotted lanternfly: Michigan's response to the new species detection where invasive species specialist Rob Miller, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who will provide information on spotted lanternfly and the response in the state of Michigan.

On December 6 please join us for Coming in Hot: Early Detection and Rapid Response Priorities in SE Michigan. Shikha Singh, PhD. will speak about priority invasive species in Michigan including red swamp crayfish and Japanese stiltgrass, and about challenges and success in management that can better inform land managers.
Ongoing Events
This year, the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference is being held from Tuesday, October 25 - Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the KI Convention Centre in Green Bay Wisconsin.

This year, the Invasive Species will be presenting! You can view the Preliminary Program for more information.
The ISC is presenting at the virtual 2022 Forest Health Review, today October 26, 2022. The Forest Health Review is a day dedicated to informative speakers and forest health discussion! This free virtual event is co-hosted by Forests Ontario, Natural Resources Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

The ISC will be discussing the new Forest Pest Online training module and program in the afternoon Resource Sharing session.
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