ICYMI: Fall 2017 PNW Garlic Mustard Working Group

On November 9th, the Pacific Northwest Garlic Mustard Working Group held their Fall 2017 meeting in Portland. Topics of discussion included Regional Survey Strategies to Detect New Populations & Management Gaps, Improving Prevention Strategies, and Data & Mapping Centralization. Additionally, both OISC and WISC Coordinators were in attendance and discussed the two Council's collaboration opportunities. 

The Pacific Northwest Garlic Mustard Working Group is a collaboration between invasive plant managers and field staff working on surveying and control of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Together, by sharing observations, identifying challenges and discussing survey and treatment strategies, the working group enhances the collective understanding of garlic mustard impacts and solutions across the region. Developing a platform for collaboration promotes timely sharing of key information and supports a region-wide effort to contain and decrease garlic mustard presence in the Pacific Northwest.

OISC Requests Nominations for New Council Members

The Oregon Invasive Species Council is seeking nominations for 5 at-large member seats that become vacant at the end of December 2017. Strong nominees will have expertise in one or more of the following areas: environmental law; marine and estuary ecology; aquaculture, horticulture; weed control; small woodlands; parks and recreation; science education/K-12; pet industry; regional coordination; and seed or nursery industry. The council is particularly interested in representation from Eastern, Southern, or Central Oregon. Nominees should be willing and able to serve for two years. Council members are expected to attend 2-3 meetings per year in various parts of the state, participate in conference calls, and contribute to other Council activities. There is a two-term limit. Council members are not paid, but are reimbursed for travel expenses associated with Council business, including Council meetings.                    

Nominations and questions about the process should be directed to Jalene Littlejohn, Oregon Invasive Species Council Coordinator (coordinator@oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org). Please include the individual’s name, title, phone, e-mail, and mailing address, as well as a brief description of their qualifications (self nominations are acceptable). In addition, the Council requests a statement from the person being nominated that explains their interest and contributions they are willing to make to the Council. Letters of support for the nominee are helpful. The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2017. The council will welcome the new appointees at the first meeting of the Council in 2018.

To view the press release, click here.

Tsunami Hitchhikers

It's been over 6 years since the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the  Tōhoku region of Japan on March 11, 2011-- but debris from this event is still washing up along the Oregon Coast. More impressive is the number of species that have survived the 4,000 mile journey, rafting over on everything from a bucket to a huge dock.

So far, establishment of these non-native species in North American waters has not been detected, but that doesn't mean it isn't already occurring. Oregonians along the coast will need to stay vigilant for any invasive species that might be popping up as a result. 

Sea slugs from a Japanese vessel that washed ashore in Oregon in April 2015.
Photo by John W. Chapman

To read more about the article written by Ed Yong and published in The Atlantic, click here. 

Emerald Ash Borer: Pushing Ash Trees Towards Extinction

The latest update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is out and now includes 87,967 species, 25,062 of which are threatened with extinction.

Included in this list are five species of ash (green, white, black, blue and pumpkin ash) – all of which are native of North America and are a key component of North American forests. 

The decline in native ash is due to the invasive emerald ash borer, a beetle native to Asia. This destructive beetle has the potential to kill almost an entire forest stand of ash within six years of infestation. Fortunately, the emerald ash borer has not yet been detected in Oregon. In order to keep Oregon's native ash (Fraxinus latifolia) off of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in the future, it is crucial for Oregon to focus its efforts on preventing emerald ash borer from entering the state.

To read the full article, written by Ewa Magiera, click here.

Growing Oregon 2017-2018: Beware the Invaders

The most recent issue of Growing Oregon features an article about the Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) collaborative efforts to protect Oregon from invasive species. The magazine, which is a guide to the state's food, farms, and markets, highlighted the important work of ODA and its partners in preventing, detecting, eradicating, and controlling invasive species in the state. 

Click here to read the article.