The Oregon Invasive Species Council seeks nominations for five council seats

For Immediate Release
Contacts 
Glenn Dolphin | 2023 Oregon Invasive Species Council Chair | Glenn.DOLPHIN@boat.oregon.gov 
Robyn Draheim | OISC Coordinator | coordinator@oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org |

The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) is seeking nominations for five appointed member seats to serve a 2-year term January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025. Could you, or someone you know, be a good addition to the OISC? Send in a nomination by October 6, 2023. 

Invasive species have the potential to devastate Oregon’s infrastructure, economy, and natural resources that Oregonians hold dear. The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) acts as a catalyst for the collaborative effort to protect Oregon from invasive species across the network of its members, including state and public agencies, tribes, researchers, land managers, industry leaders, educators, and members of the public. Strong council member nominees will have experience or expertise that relates to invasive species prevention or control and/or specialize in a related area of interest. The Council is seeking the appointment of five members representing the following categories for 2-year term positions that conclude December 31, 2025: 

• A member who represents an entity, regardless of the form of the entity, with a headquarters or principal operations in Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Klamath, Lake, or Malheur Counties with the purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

• A member who represents an entity, regardless of the form of the entity, with a headquarters or principal operations in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, or Yamhill Counties with the purpose of responding to invasive species concerns.

• A member who represents a Native American or Indian Tribe or association of Tribes.

• A member who represents an Organization or Association that advocates on behalf of private industry.

• A member who represents the public.

Council members’ primary role is to support the advancement of Oregon’s Statewide Strategic Plan for Invasive Species. Members benefit from multi-agency communication and collaboration that the OISC provides through meetings, committees, events, and communication. Council members are expected to participate in 4-6 meetings per year depending on the format (in person or by teleconference), multi-day meetings may be possible twice a year. Council members are allowed to designate an alternate if they are unable to attend a meeting. Council members are not paid, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses associated with attending Council meetings. 

Additionally, Council members are required to serve on at least one committee and support communication with and/or convening other interested groups to contribute to Council activities. Membership is limited to two consecutive two-year terms. 

The deadline to submit nominations is October 6, 2023. Fill out the nomination form online here: https://www.oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org/nominations 

Complete nominations must include submission of the following information: 

1. The individual’s name, title, phone, email, and mailing address (self nominations are accepted), and the member seat(s) of interest. 

2. A brief description of the nominee’s qualifications. 

3. A statement from the nominee that explains their interest, relative experience, and contributions they are willing to make to the Council. 

4. Letters of support for the nominee are highly encouraged. 

The Council will notify appointees in November, 2023  and welcome the new appointee at the first OISC Council meeting in 2024 (date and location to be determined).

Oregon dad spots the first emerald ash borers on the West Coast during summer camp pickup in Forest Grove

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2022

Contacts:

Andrea Cantu-Schomus, ODA Communications Director, andrea.cantu-schomus@oda.oregon.gov

Jim Gersbach, ODF Public Affairs Specialist, 503-508-0574, jim.gersbach@odf.oregon.gov

Oregon dad spots the first emerald ash borers on the West Coast during summer camp pickup in Forest Grove

FOREST GROVE, Ore – On June 30, Dominic Maze, an invasive species biologist for the City of Portland, was waiting outside a summer camp in Forest Grove to pick up his children when he noticed several ash trees in decline. When he took a closer look he recognized the distinctive D-shaped holes made by adult emerald ash borers (EAB), an invasive and destructive pest, as they exit an infested tree.

“When my kids arrived, I asked them to look for adult beetles,” said Maze. “My son promptly found one crawling on him. Knowing how many millions of ash trees across the country these beetles have killed I felt like I was going to throw up.”

Maze’s discovery of EAB in a parking lot in Forest Grove is the first known sighting on the West Coast. Maze was familiar with EAB and signs of it in ash trees through educational materials federal and state agencies have been providing to Portland and other Oregon cities. He immediately called the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Forest Health Unit to report the EAB sighting.

ODF Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl drove to the site that same day and identified an adult EAB, known for their metallic, shiny green color. She then alerted the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Her identification was verified later by two additional invasive species specialists – Max Ragozzino with ODA and Wyatt Williams with ODF.

“We are so thankful Mr. Maze was paying attention and took action,” said ODA Biocontrol Entomologist Max Ragozzino. “We now need the public to help by learning what the emerald ash borer looks like and keeping an eye on their local trees. If they spot an ash or olive tree that appears infested, we ask that they please make a report online at the Oregon Invasive Species Council hotline. This will help us know how far and how fast this destructive insect is spreading in Oregon.”

EAB is native to eastern Asia and has spread to about three dozen states since its first detection in Michigan two decades ago. EAB is now considered the most destructive forest pest in North America. Although harmless to people, pets, and animals, it has proven deadly to all ash species in North American and Europe, including the native Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia). EAB can also infest American fringe trees (Chionanthus virginicus) and European olive trees.

The infested ash trees in Forest Grove were cut down and chipped within 48 hours of discovery. ODF and ODA are now working closely with industry partners, including urban foresters and nursery producers, to provide information and resources as Oregon launches a response to the discovery of EAB.

The state is using the Emerald Ash Borer Readiness and Response Plan for Oregon as a guide in its response. The plan was finalized in March 2021 and created through the collaborative efforts of a diverse group of stakeholders and state agencies. The state will be consulting with local and federal governments and providing updates to the public and industry as it moves through its response efforts.

To report sightings of emerald ash borer please make a report online at the Oregon Invasive Species Council hotline. For more information about EAB please visit ODA’s Emerald Ash Borer webpage.

For more information about impacts of EAB to Oregon’s urban forests and the risks to native ash trees please visit ODF’s Forest Health page.

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Oregon Invasive Species Council Launches Digital Information Hub

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) has created an interactive tool to search, learn, compile and share available information for aggressive non-native species that pose a threat to Oregon’s environment, economy, or public health. Species profiles provide information about numerous species from various taxa groups. The profiles include recent and active alerts, species descriptions, introduction pathways and distributions.

“We hope this will become a comprehensive resource where Oregonians can learn about the myriad threats of invasive species,” said Troy Abercrombie, chair of the OISC. “This is a collaborative effort between many state, federal, tribal, private, and non-profit partners and we hope it will be one additional tool for us to help protect our economy and environment by keeping the public, practitioners and policymakers informed.”

Please visit the OISC Digital Information Hub and stay tuned as additional species profiles are uploaded into the database. The OISC welcomes feedback and contributions from taxa experts, whichcan be provided directly through the hub page.

About the Oregon Invasive Species Council

The Oregon Invasive Species Council’s mission is to protect Oregon’s natural resources and economy by planning and leading a coordinated and comprehensive effort among state and public agencies, tribes, scientists, land managers, industry leaders, educators, and members of the public. The Oregon’s Statewide Strategic Plan for Invasive Species was adopted in 2017 and outlines strategies to achieve the following objectives: 1) Prevention; 2) Early Detection and Rapid Response; 3) Control and Management; 4) Education and Outreach; and 5) Coordination and Leadership. More information and a full list of OISC members can be found at www.oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org.

Media Contact:

Patrick Sieng

coordinator@oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org

503-558-5815

PRESS RELEASE: OREGON INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW COUNCIL MEMBER FOR 2022

Invasive species pose a serious threat to the economy, infrastructure, and food & water systems, and can impact outdoor recreation opportunities and tourism. The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) is a group of state and public agencies, tribes, scientists, land managers, industry leaders, educators, and members of the public who provide leadership and coordination in the collaborative effort to protect Oregon from invasive species. Each year, the OISC sends out a request for nominations to fill available appointed member seats. One new member was selected to serve on the Council for a two year term (2022-2023) and six Council members were re-appointed for a second term.

In addition to the new council member, Troy Abercrombie (Western Invasives Network & North Coast Cooperative Weed Management Area) will serve as the OISC Chair for 2022 and Christine Moffitt (Friends of South Slough Reserve) will serve as the 2022 Vice Chair.

The OISC welcomes the following new and returning members:

Katie Murray, Oregonians for Food & Shelter

1st term on the Council

Katie is the Executive Director of Oregonians for Food & Shelter (OFS), having joined the organization in 2020 after 14 years at Oregon State University. Katie has over 16 years of experience working on pest issues around the state, including coordination with state natural resource agencies and a broad array of stakeholders. Like the Oregon Invasive Species Council, OFS aims to protect Oregon’s natural resources and economy through the integrated and responsible management of pests, including invasives. OFS is a broad coalition of more than 500 members across agriculture, forestry, and urban settings who are concerned with the protection of modern tools for healthy working and urban lands and spaces. Katie is serving on the Council as a member of the public.

Troy Abercrombie, Coordinator of Western Invasives Network

2nd 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, southwest Washington and parts of Montana, Idaho and British Columbia. 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.

During his first term on the Council, Troy served on numerous committees and brought forward the perspectives of the WIN membership. In 2021, Troy served as the Vice-Chair of the Council and worked hard to move Council objectives forward, including education & outreach products, interagency agreements and public webinars.

Edward “Chuck” Fisk, F5 Wildlife Control

2nd term on the Council

Chuck 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.

Chuck is the owner and operator of F5 Wildlife Control. One of the main components of effective wildlife control is the mitigation and elimination of invasive species. F5 is frequently called upon to control invasives such as nutria, opossums, and starlings. Primarily serving as a field technician has enabled observations and reports of illegal aquarium dumping as well as yard waste disposal while occasionally cataloguing and reporting invasive plant species.

During his first term on the Council, Chuck was able to inject the viewpoints of private business into council deliberations as well as the practical reality of where science intersects with social and economic concerns. This helped maintain a diverse council atmosphere where many professional and public concerns were considered.

Peter Kenagy, Farmer at Kenagy Family Farms & Regional Representative of the Oregon Farm Bureau

2nd 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 active with both the Oregon Farm Bureau and Benton County FB in addition to being on the board of directors for the Specialty Seed Growers of Western Oregon 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.

During his first term on the Council, Peter co-chaired the legislative committee in 2020 and met with and helped recruit the legislative liasons to the OISC

Tim Newton, Chair of Malheur Soil and Water Conservation District

2nd 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.

During his first term on the Council, Tim has been a valuable contributor at regular meetings and on committees.

Cheryl Shippentower, Plant Ecologist at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

2nd 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.

During her first term on the Council, Cheryl served on The Oregon Invasive Species Hub committee and hopes to make positive and meaningful contribution to the Council’s mission.

Alex Staunch, Operations Manager/Project Manager at Mosaic Ecology

2nd term on the Council

Alex is a Natural Resource Scientist at Mosaic Ecology, a private natural resource management 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.

For his second term on the Council, Alex will be involved in the education & outreach community, will contribute to The Oregon Invasive Species Hub, and hopes to better communicate the Council’s work with those in the Portland Metropolitan area and beyond.

December 2021 OISC Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, here is a recap of the most recent Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) meeting held on December 8, 2021. We had 28 attendees representing 24 organizations in total. Representation included 5 Federal Agencies, 6 State Agencies, 2 Educational Institutions, NGOs, advocacy groups, and individuals.

Highlights from the December meeting include: 

• 2 outgoing OISC members were recognized: Dave Pranger (Morrow County) and Jas. Adams (Public Member). The Council appreciates and values their expertise, input, and knowledge over the years.

• The Council approved the nomination of Troy Abercrombie (Western Invasives Network) as Chair and Christine Moffitt (Friends of South Slough Reserve) as Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

• Rick Boatner (2021 OISC Chair, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) gave an update on the 2021-2023 OISC budget, including the status of multiple federal grants. The Budget/Funding Committee will be working with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to figure out discrepancies in budget summaries.

• Rebecca McCoun (North Santiam Watershed Council) gave a presentation on Post-Fire Recovery in the North Santiam Watershed. View the presentation here. 

• Chris Benemann (Oregon Department of Agriculture) gave an update on new, upcoming quarantine rules. This includes making the 180-day emergency rule that was put in place following the interception of of zebra mussels on “moss balls” permanent. The permanent rule would require pre-notification of import into Oregon of these moss balls/marimo. ODA is also looking to implement a new quarantine for spotted lanternfly, which is already spreading rapidly on the east coast. The quarantine would be split into commerce (e.g. nursery stock) and non-commerce (e.g. people moving here from infested areas). 

• Catherine de Rivera (Portland State University) gave an update on the Memorandum of Understanding with ODA. Next steps include the Legislative Committee working with ODA to pursue insurance coverage for the OISC. 

• Karen Ripley (USDA Forest Service) gave an update on behalf of the Communications Committee. The 2020 Annual Report was finalized and is available here. 

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us for the meeting! The next meeting will be held virtually on January 11, 2022. Information about upcoming OISC meetings will be posted on the OISC Meetings Page as details are confirmed.