December 2021 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) meeting held on December 8, 2021. We had 28 attendees representing 24 organizations in total. Representation included 5 Federal Agencies, 6 State Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals.

Highlights from the December meeting include: 

• 2 outgoing OISC members were recognized: Dave Pranger (Morrow County) and Jas. Adams (Public Member). The Council appreciates and values their expertise, input, and knowledge over the years.

• The Council approved the nomination of Troy Abercrombie (Western Invasives Network) as Chair and Christine Moffitt (Friends of South Slough Reserve) as Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) gave an update on the 2021-2023 OISC budget, including the status of multiple federal grants. The Budget/Funding Committee will be working with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to figure out discrepancies in budget summaries.

• Rebecca McCoun (North Santiam Watershed Council) gave a presentation on Post-Fire Recovery in the North Santiam Watershed. View the presentation here. 

• Chris Benemann (Oregon Department of Agriculture) gave an update on new, upcoming quarantine rules. This includes making the 180-day emergency rule that was put in place following the interception of of zebra mussels on “moss balls” permanent. The permanent rule would require pre-notification of import into Oregon of these moss balls/marimo. ODA is also looking to implement a new quarantine for spotted lanternfly, which is already spreading rapidly on the east coast. The quarantine would be split into commerce (e.g. nursery stock) and non-commerce (e.g. people moving here from infested areas). 

• Catherine de Rivera (Portland State University) gave an update on the Memorandum of Understanding with ODA. Next steps include the Legislative Committee working with ODA to pursue insurance coverage for the OISC. 

• Karen Ripley (USDA Forest Service) gave an update on behalf of the Communications Committee. The 2020 Annual Report was finalized and is available here. 

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for the meeting! The next meeting will be held virtually on January 11, 2022. Information about upcoming OISC meetings will be posted on the OISC Meetings Page as details are confirmed. 

October 2021 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council meeting held on October 13, 2021. We had 27 attendees representing 22 organizations in total. Representation included 3 Federal Agencies, 7 State Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, Tribes, NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals. 

Highlights from the October meeting include: 

• Nikki Brooks (U.S. Customs & Border Protection) gave an update on the Invasive Species Information Hub progress and next steps. The Council approved publishing the Invasive Species Information Hub and for the Education and Outreach Committee to define and amend Hub terminology.

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) and Isaak Stapleton (Oregon Department of Agriculture) gave an update on the 2021-2023 OISC budget and workplan. The Council will be putting together a 2023-2025 budget package request by June 2022.

• Todd Adams (Oregon Department of Agriculture) gave an update on the Apple Maggot Emergency Funding Distribution. Council funds were instrumental to continue the response project’s progress made in 2020 and carry through the 2021 to completion. 

• Jalene Littlejohn (OISC Coordinator) gave an update on appointed membership nominations and the work plan for wrapping up 2021.

• Catherine de Rivera (Portland State University) gave an update on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Next steps include a meeting with ODA to talk about agreements.

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for the meeting! Information about upcoming OISC meetings will be posted on the OISC Meetings Page as details are confirmed. 

June 2021 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a quick recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council meeting held June 16, 2021. We had 25 attendees representing 20 organizations in total. Representation included 4 Federal Agencies, 5 State Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, and others including NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals.

Highlights from the June meeting include:

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) gave an update on the 2021-2023 OISC budget, workplan, and Coordinator contract.

• Paul Heimowitz (U.S. Fish & Wildlife) and Rachel Gregg (EcoAdapt) gave an overview of the Invasive Species & Climate Change: Northwest State of Practice Survey that received 300+ responses (link to presentation). Responses showed that management priorities included biodiversity, rare species and habitats, habitat connectivity, freshwater sources, and endangered species. Additionally, respondents reported spending more time addressing existing invasive species and 49% feel they are currently holding ground against invasives. 

• A rough timeline for 2022 Appointed Membership Nominations & Officer Elections was presented to the Council.

• The Council approved the updated OISC Bylaws, which included edits focused on Council and Committee procedures, delegation of tasks, working groups, communication flow, and statutory obligations. 

• Sam Chan (Oregon Sea Grant) of the Education & Outreach Committee gave a progress update for the Inclusive Language Working Group. They continue to work on problematic name nomenclature.

• The Council approved changing the concept of what was formerly referred to as the “Worst List” to an invasive species hub and associated categories and to continue to populate information to support those resources. Nikki Brooks (Customs & Border Protection) went over the process for publishing the invasive species information hub. The working group plans to coordinate with the Education & Outreach Committee to publish the list.

• Karen Ripley (USDA Forest Service) of the Communications Committee gave a progress update on the 2020 Annual Report and identified areas that are needing content. The committee hopes to reinstate a monthly meeting for July, August, September, and November. 

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for this meeting! Information about upcoming OISC meetings will be posted on the OISC Meetings Page as details are confirmed.

April 2021 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a quick recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council meeting held April 21, 2021. We had 31 attendees representing 26 organizations in total. Representation included 6 Federal Agencies, 6 State Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, and others including tribes, NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals.

Highlights from the April meeting include:

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) gave an update on the 2021-2023 OISC budget and workplan. The Council agreed to review education and outreach funding to determine the possibility of partially funding some of the top 2020 awardees, with a consideration for the time lapse and reduced available funds.

• Troy Abercrombie (2021 OISC Vice Chair, Western Invasives Network) shared with the Council a request that the OISC received to provide emergency funding to eradicate apple maggot fruit fly in the Milton-Freewater area. The OISC declared the apple maggot infestation in the Milton-Freewater area an invasive species emergency and approved $30,000 from OISC emergency funds to address the request.

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) gave an update on the detection and response efforts related to the zebra mussels detected on marimo balls. A few of the key things that were identified as missing or needing improvement included better communication protocols for notifications, spot inspections, identification of “aquarium dump sites”, and looking into other unusual vectors. 

• Sam Chan (Oregon Sea Grant), Catherine de Rivera (Portland State University), and Jalene Littlejohn (OISC Coordinator) gave a presentation on inclusive language and the use of invasive species common names. A new Working Group was created under the Education & Outreach Committee to continue exploring this important topic and what the OISC’s role will be in ensuring that we are promoting inclusive language.

• Karen Ripley (USDA Forest Service) gave an update on behalf of the Communications Committee and shared that the 2019 OISC Annual Report is available on the website. An effort to collect accomplishments for the 2020 OISC Annual Report is now underway.

• Troy Abercrombie (2021 OISC Vice Chair, Western Invasives Network) gave an update on the OISC Threats and Opportunities webinar (scheduled for May 18th). The Council approved creating an award inspired by Jim Seeley (former OISC Member) with an emphasis on cultural and collaborative focus that will be announced at the webinar.

• Nikki Brooks (U.S. Customs & Border Protection) gave an update on behalf of the Worst Invaders Working Group. The Council approved no longer calling the invasive species list ‘the worst invaders list’. A new name will be determined and shared soon!

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for this meeting! Information about upcoming OISC meetings will be posted on the OISC Meetings Page as details are confirmed.

OISC Publishes Invasive Species Threats & Opportunities: A Primer for Oregon Policymakers

The Oregon Invasive Species Council is pleased to share Invasive Species Threats & Opportunities: A Primer for Oregon Policymakers. The primer includes an overview of the importance of prevention and rapid response to avoid widespread consequences, examples of invasive species of concern across the state and the pressing invasive species threats within the geographic regions of Oregon, an overview of the state invasive species programs and lead state agencies, and more. 

This publication was developed through a collaborative effort of the members of the Oregon Invasive Species Council to provide a briefing of selected serious threats from invasive species and opportunities to address these issues that span jurisdictions.