From NRCS: "The Rancher in the Rye"

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently posted a great article about how one Oregon rancher, with the help of the NRCS, used a conservation plan to improve hundreds of acres of land that were inaccessible, overgrown with invasive weeds and thick brush, only a few years ago. 

"Buying more land isn’t always an option. But often, you can make your existing land go much further. By removing invasive weeds, seeding rye grass and adopting rotational grazing, Oregon rancher Jeff Baxter was able to produce a whole lot more on the same number of acres."

Read the full article here.

Reclaiming over 100 acres of land from invasives means better grazing for Jeff's cattle and a cheaper hay bill. Courtesy photo by Jeff Baxter.

Jeff Baxter (left) and David Chain review the conservation plan that transformed Baxter Ranch. NRCS photo by Spencer Miller.

Congratulations to the Gorse Action Group!

Earlier this week, the Gorse Action Group (GAG) signed a Declaration of Cooperation (DOC) to address the issue of controlling ---and eradicating--- Gorse. This noxious weed introduced to Bandon in the 1890s rapidly invades land, creating a very thorny problem for parks, roadsides, ranches, farms, and forests. It is also highly flammable and one of the most difficult weeds to manage in the world. This is a serious issue for the vitality of the South Coast, and anywhere else that Gorse spreads!

Join the fight against Gorse - check out the GorseActionGroup.org website for more information. 

Mary Schamehorn, Mayor of Bandon, seen signing the DOC.

Jim Seeley, Executive Director of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance and Co-convener of the Oregon Solutions Gorse Project, seen signing the DOC.

Extended Deadline for New Council Member Nomination

OREGON INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL REQUESTS NOMINATIONS FOR 5 COUNCIL SEATS

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Statewide, OR... DEADLINE EXTENDED.  The deadline for nominations has been extended to December 11, 2017 at 10:00 am.  

The Oregon Invasive Species Council is seeking nominations for 5 at-large member seats that become vacant at the end of December. 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

• 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 11, 2017. The council will welcome the new appointees at the first meeting of the Council in 2018.

The Council is comprised of representatives from seven state agencies: Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University (Sea Grant), Portland State University (Center for Lakes and Reservoirs), Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Marine Board, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Ten at-large members are appointed by the agency representatives. Council members are drawn from government agencies, universities, industries, organizations, and individuals with an interest and expertise in some aspect of invasive species management.

Choose Local Firewood This Winter!

The Oregon Department of Agriculture wants to remind everyone to buy their firewood locally and to Burn it Where you Buy it! 

Asian longhorned beetle (photo by Michael Bohne, USDA Forest Service)

Emerald ash borer (photo by Leah Bauer, US Forest Service)

“Firewood is still one of the bigger vectors for accidentally transporting diseases and insects from one state to the next,” says Helmuth Rogg, director of ODA’s Plant Protection and Conservation programs. “Buy your firewood locally and burn it where you buy it. That way, you reduce the risk of bringing in invasive species. You also support a local industry.” 

“We’ve been lucky,” says Rogg. “As more people move to and through Oregon, the risk increases– especially when they bring firewood with them.” 

To read the full news story, originally posted by ODA on 11/16/2017, click here. Also, don't forget to check out our Don't Move Firewood campaign page.

100th Meridian Initiative - Columbia River Basin Team Meeting

The next meeting of the 100th Meridian Initiative Columbia River Basin Team is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday November 28-29, 2017 at Embassy Suites – Portland Airport 7900 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97220 (503-460-3000). 

The 100th Meridian Initiative is a cooperative effort between local, state, provincial, regional and federal agencies to prevent the westward spread of zebra/quagga mussels and other aquatic nuisance species in North America. The Columbia River Basin Team was established as part of the 100th Meridian Initiative to address the special needs of the Columbia River Basin and is comprised of 100th Meridian Initiative partners primarily in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and British Columbia.

If you plan on attending the meeting, please email Susan Anderson at (sanderson@psmfc.org) or call her at (503) 595-3100.

If you would like to view/download the final agenda for the upcoming meeting or meeting minutes from past Columbia River Basin Team meetings, click here.