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.

City of Portland Invasive Species Strategy 2020-2030 ("Invasives 2.0")

The City of Portland has announced the passage of a resolution package by Portland City Council that sets the stage for the next decade-plus of citywide invasive species targets, action plans, and policies. The City of Portland Invasive Species Strategy 2020-2030 ("Invasives 2.0") is the continuation of work that began in 2005 when the city developed an invasive plants strategy that resulted in policy and municipal code changes that were considered groundbreaking at the time for a city to implement. Invasives 2.0 continues that tradition, with goals and objectives that expand Portland’s policies to include invertebrates that threaten not just natural areas and the urban forest, but also traditional grey infrastructure such as pipes and pumps. Check out the two documents linked below:

• The City of Portland: Invasive Species Strategy 2020-2030, Portland at the Crossroads

• The City of Portland: 2020-2030 Invasives Strategy Report

For more information, please contact Dominic Maze with City of Portland Environmental Services (dominic.maze@portlandoregon.gov).

Jan 2020 Columbia River Basin (CRB) Team meeting

In case you missed it, the January 2020 Columbia River Basin (CRB) Team meeting provided an opportunity to share information on zebra and quagga mussel monitoring, boat inspections, and more. There were also many informative presentations about other aquatic invasive species by professionals from around the region that you can view here: www.westernais.org/portland-january-2020.

The Columbia River Basin Team is comprised of 100th Meridian Initiative partners primarily in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and British Columbia. The next meeting of the 100th Meridian Initiative Columbia River Basin Team will be in June of 2020 in Montana (https://www.westernais.org/regional).

January 2020 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a quick recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council meeting held January 28, 2020 in Salem. We had 40 attendees representing 29 organizations. Representation included 6 State Agencies, 5 Federal Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, 2 Tribes, and others including NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals.

The meeting included introductions from new and existing Council members, a presentation from Council member Rian Hooff on the OISC’s past and present, updates from Catherine de Rivera (2020 OISC Chair), discussion on finalizing an election timeline & process, Chair & Vice Chair responsibilities, and updates to OISC’s Administrative Rules. Council member Sam Chan and Program Assistant at Oregon Sea Grant, Noelle Moen, gave an update on an opportunity to collaborate with the organizers of the 2021 World Athletics Championship in an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species. The international event will be attended by people from an estimated 190 countries.

Council members and attendees working together during one of the two breakout sessions during the January 2020 OISC meeting.

Two multi-group breakout sessions were also held during the meeting: A Committee breakout session (Communications, Legislative, Education & Outreach, and Governance Committees) and a Working Group breakout session (Strategic Plan Update, Oregon’s Worst List, and Field Days). During these sessions, participants prioritized discussion topics, identified key action items, and mapped out a timeline for achieving these action items in 2020. Highlights of OISC action items for 2020 include: 

• Reorganize OISC website to make it easier to find resources

• Review education grant applications & announce awards

• Implement updates to Strategic Action Plan

• Schedule Awards for Fall 2020

• Assess & update Oregon’s Worst List

• And more!

We hope to see you at our next meeting in Central Oregon (June 2-3, 2020)!

OISC Welcomes Many New Council Members, Expands Capacity

The Oregon Invasive Species Council has greatly expanded to better represent the diversity of geographic regions and industries and natural resources key to Oregon. The Council broadened, increasing its ability to successfully thwart invasive species, following passage of Senate Bill 445​ (sponsored by Senator Roblan), in the 2019 Oregon Legislative Session. The bill diversifies member representation to enhance communication among local, state, and federal efforts and to advance invasive species coordination efforts throughout the state. Consistent with this new expanded structure, eight new voting Council members were selected in December 2019 from a pool of diverse and qualified nominations for an upcoming two-year term (2020-2021), following an annual request for nominations to fill available seats. Additionally, this year new ex-officio (not term-limited) member organizations and their representatives were added from various levels of government to fill out the OISC’s new structure per revised statute. These include:

• Oregon State Parks (represented by Noel Bacheller, Botanist/Natural Resource Coordinator)

• State Legislature:

  • House of Representatives (represented by Representative David Brock Smith,

    District 1)

  • Senate (represented by Senator Arnie Roblan, District 5)

• Oregon Governor’s Office (represented by Amira Streeter, Natural Resources Policy Advisor) 

• U.S. Federal Agencies from Department of Interior, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Department of Agriculture:

  • Bureau of Land Management (represented by Erin McConnell, Oregon & Washington Invasive Species Program Coordinator)

  • Bureau of Reclamation (represented by Heidi McMaster, Regional Hazmat & IPM Coordinator)

  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (represented by Brendan White, Conservation Partnerships Division Manager)

  • U.S. Customs & Border Protection - Agricultural Inspection (represented by Nicole Brooks, Agricultural Specialist)

  • Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (represented by Meg Raabe, Pest Survey Specialist)

  • U.S. Forest Service (represented by Karen Ripley, Forest Entomologist/Forest Health Monitoring Coordinator)

  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (represented by Kathy Pendergrass, Oregon Plant Material Specialist)

In addition to these ex-officio appointments, the OISC welcomes the following new appointed members:

Troy Abercrombie, Coordinator of Western Invasives Network (1st term on the Council)

Troy currently serves as the Coordinator for the Western Invasives Network (WIN), a network of 11 Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) that encompass 21 counties in western Oregon and southwest Washington. In this role, Troy facilitates and assists with the coordination of the CWMAs and their associated activities while serving as a resource to their membership, providing support for project development, partner recruitment, and community engagement. Troy represents an entity with a headquarters or principal operations in Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln or Tillamook Counties and with a purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

Jas. Adams, Public Member (2nd term on the Council)

Jas. developed a particular interest in invasive species issues while advising the OISC in the role of Attorney-in-Charge of the Natural Resources Section at Oregon DOJ (2007-14). His work on invasive species has included conceiving and crafting 2011 legislation making it mandatory for all boats being transported on roads to stop at check stations and be inspected for aquatic invasive species or be subject to civil penalties. This is his second term on the Council. During his first term on the Council (2015-2016), Jas. helped develop the 2017 Oregon Statewide Strategic Plan for Invasive Species by serving as committee chair and chief editor. Jas. is serving on the Council as a member of the public.

Peter Kenagy, Farmer at Kenagy Family Farms & Regional Representative of the Oregon Farm Bureau (1st term on the Council)

As a lifelong resident, farmer, and manager of 450 acres along the Willamette River in Benton County, Peter has seen firsthand the shifts in vegetation and pressures of invasive weeds both on agricultural lands and natural areas over the last 45 years. He is the Region 10 (Linn, Benton, and Lincoln County) regional representative on the state Farm Bureau Board and has been part of the Benton County CWMA since its inception. Peter has a unique and broad perspective on the issues and challenges that invasives present for both our natural areas and working lands. Peter represents an organization or association that advocates on behalf of private industry in this state.

Tim Newton,​ ​Chair of Malheur Soil and Water Conservation District (1st term on the Council)

Tim is the current Chairman of the Malheur County SWCD and has 50 years of experience working in agriculture with progressive irrigation and water conservation techniques. In his role, he works with producers and landowners in Malheur County to address invasive species issues. Currently, they have 6 on-the-ground projects that deal with invasive species. Tim represents an entity with a headquarters or principal operations in Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Klamath, Lake or Malheur Counties and with a purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

Dave Pranger, Weed Coordinator/Inspector in Morrow County (2nd term on the Council)

For nearly 30 years, Dave has been the Morrow County Weed Coordinator. He is also a board member and past President of Oregon Vegetation Management Association. This is Dave’s second term on the Council. During his first term on the Council, Dave was an active participant in Council meetings and serves as the Chair of the OISC’s Eastern Oregon Working Group, which he helped form. Dave represents an entity with a headquarters or principal operations in Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco or Wheeler Counties and with a purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

Cheryl Shippentower, Plant Ecologist at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (1st term on the Council)

Cheryl is a Plant Ecologist for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Department of Natural Resources. In this role, her primary responsibility is the protection, enhancement, and ecological restoration of First Foods that are critical to Tribal culture. Because invasive species impact ecosystems that support First Foods, invasive species management is a major component of her work. Cheryl represents a Native American or Indian tribe or association of tribes within this state.

Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, Oregon State Representative, District 17 (1st term on the Council)

Sherrie has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 2008. During that time she has been a member and Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, which frequently deals with invasive species issues. During her service in the Legislature and on the natural resources committee, she has become familiar with a host of issues relevant to the Council, ranging from wildlife management and conservation, to K-12 education, to parks and recreation. Representative Sprenger represents an entity with a headquarters or principal operations in Benton, Lane, Linn, Marion or Polk Counties and with a purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

Alex Staunch, Operations Manager/Project Manager at Mosaic Ecology (1st term on the Council)

Alex is an Operations Manager/Project Manager at Mosaic Ecology, a private habitat restoration contracting and consulting firm based in Portland, OR. In this role, Alex manages a diverse portfolio of monitoring, surveying, and mapping projects and he uses his background in taxonomy and plant systematics to identify rare natives and new non-natives on the ground. He also manages on-going wetland restoration projects in the Willamette Valley and leads terrestrial restoration efforts in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area. Alex represents an entity with a headquarters or principal operations in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington or Yamhill Counties and with a purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

The Council now inclu​des 28 members ​altogether. ​Dr. Catherine de Rivera will serve as the Oregon Invasive Species Council Chair for 2020. Catherine is a Professor of Environmental Science & Management at Portland State University, and represents the Portland State University ​Center for Lakes & Reservoirs on the Council. Wyatt Williams, an ​Invasive Species Specialist​ from the Oregon Department of Forestry, will serve as Vice-Chair.

The full press release can be found on the OISC Press and Media page (link here).

A full list of all OISC members can be found on the Council page (link here).