The final 2019 Invasive Plant Program Accomplishments Report for the Pacific Northwest Region was recently released by USDA Forest Service. The report includes accomplishments of their State partners and lists the 170 different partners they collaborated with to control invasive plants on the National Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region. Check out the report here.
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.
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:
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).
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!
