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. 

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.