Invitation for Public Comment on Washington 2020 Statewide Invasive Species Strategy

The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2006 and tasked with providing policy level direction, planning, and coordination for combating harmful invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of others that may be harmful. 

A cornerstone product of the council is  a strategic plan designed to build upon local, state, and regional efforts, while serving as a forum for invasive species education and communication.  The Washington Invasive Species Council Strategic Plan provides priorities, and direction and formalizes the council’s commitment to invasive species control and prevention.   

The WISC is seeking input from partners and the public on  a strategy for 2020-2025, which builds upon the  2008 strategy  and  2015 strategy  and clarifies  council recommendations and proposed actions.   All are invited to review the  draft 2020 strategy, and comment  by  e-mailing  InvasiveSpecies@rco.wa.gov  before December 10, 2020. The Washington Invasive Species Council will review and approve the updated strategy at the December 10 meeting  so implementation of the important and time-critical work may begin. 

Contact: Justin Bush, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office
Cell: 360-704-0973 
Email: justin.bush@rco.wa.gov

The information provided above was originally shared via the Nov 25th, 2020 WISC News Release

Asian Giant Hornet Update from WSDA

On July 24th, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) released an Asian giant hornet stakeholder update. Below are a few important takeaways from the update:

• Volunteers have put up over 1300 traps, which is in addition to the hundreds of traps managed by WSDA!

• The Washington Invasive Species Council contributed $3,000 toward the cost of billboards in Whatcom County, WA to help raise awareness and encourage reporting of Asian giant hornets.

• WSDA is partnering with the Washington State University Master Gardeners to provide a training (August 11 at 10 a.m.) for Master Gardeners who might be answering questions or receiving suspected Asian giant hornet specimens from clients. Master gardeners who are interested in participating in this webinar should contact their program coordinator for  information on how to attend the training.

All Asian giant hornet stakeholder updates from WSDA can be found here. If you would like to receive updates from WSDA’s Pest Program on Asian giant hornet (and other topics), click here. The OISC’s original Asian giant hornet News Channel post can be viewed here.

The Results are in from the 2020 Great Scotch Broom Census!

Throughout the month of May, those in Oregon and Washington were asked to help collect data on Scotch Broom by submitting sighting reports through iNaturalist as part of the 2020 Great Scotch Broom Census. The iNaturalist project received over 1,000 observations across Oregon and Washington (with hundreds more on the Washington Invasives app) and the outreach campaign had over 150,000 views from social media, news outlets, etc.!

A certificate of appreciation was given to Patrick Birkle, Lynn Jackson, and Shawn Sharrah in recognition for their outstanding dedication to invasive species awareness through their participation in the Great Scotch Broom Census. Thank you to Patrick, Lynn, and Shawn!

The Great Scotch Broom Census was a part of the Scotch Broom Ecology and Management Symposium (June 2nd-4th, 2020), which was hosted online by the Washington Invasive Species Council, in cooperation with the 10,000 Years Institute, Washington DOT, Western Invasives Network, the Oregon Invasive Species Council, and many others.

Recap of 9th Annual Columbia Gorge Invasive Species & Exotic Pest Workshop

There are many annual conferences and meetings related to invasive species management that occur throughout the Pacific Northwest. One that should not be missed is the Columbia Gorge Invasive Species & Exotic Pest Workshop (ISEP). On February 27th, land managers from numerous agencies and organizations gathered in Stevenson, WA to share on-going projects and learn from one another’s experiences. The event was co-hosted by the Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA), the Washington Invasive Species Council, Washington State University Extension, and The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 

OISC Member Wyatt Williams of Oregon Department of Forestry presents to the meeting attendees.

OISC Member Troy Abercrombie (Western Invasives Network, Cascade Pacific RC&D) and Sam Leininger (Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District) pose with a pest.

The workshop contained a great blend of presentations that touched upon a variety of taxa and strategies for invasive species management. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife highlighted the threat invasive bullfrogs pose to the state-listed Western Pond Turtle, while the Oregon Department of Forestry provided an overview of a variety of plants, insects, fungi, and diseases that threaten our PNW forests. Most importantly, information was shared on how to detect these species, prevent their introduction or limit their spread, and what progress is being made to reduce negative impacts. Additionally, the Boise Bicycle Project and Friends of the Columbia Gorge shared the amazing progress that each group has had in reducing puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) in Boise and the incredible volunteer engagement that occurred after the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017 in the Columbia Gorge. For more details on presentations and announcements that occurred at the meeting, please visit: columbiagorgecwma.org/2020-isep.

Whether you are a land manager working in the Pacific Northwest, or an engaged community member that appreciates our natural environments, consider joining the Columbia Gorge CWMA and partners for their 10th annual workshop in 2021.

Thank you to OISC Member Alex Staunch of Mosaic Ecology for writing this News Channel post.

Stop the Invasion: Weed Management 101

Join the fight against invasive species in the Columbia River Gorge by attending a FREE class on May 6, 2017! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about indentifying, reporting, and controling invasive weeds common to the area. This class will help you gain control over garden pests and contribute to the ecological health of the region. 

The Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area, Washington Invasive Species Council, Washington State University Extension, and the Oregon Invasive Species Council welcome everyone to attend! Reserve your FREE ticket here. 

View fullsize