OISC SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS BY FEBRUARY 23, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2024

Contact: Robyn Draheim, OISC Coordinator Sam Chan, OISC Chair

coordinator@oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org samuel.chan@oregonstate.edu

OREGON INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL SEEKS AWARD NOMINATIONS BY FEBRUARY 23, 2024

SALEM, Oregon - The start of the new year is the ideal time to reflect on the challenges of invasive species of the past years and recognize those whose contributions and efforts help to protect Oregon’s economy and environment.

In past years, the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) has highlighted, through special recognition awards, those people and organizations protecting Oregon’s natural resources, economy, and quality of life from the devastating effects of invasive species. Although the pandemic sidelined the awards ceremonies, the work of protecting Oregon from invasive species continued apace.

In recognition of these efforts, the OISC is seeking nominations for people and organizations who have done outstanding work in Oregon from 2022-2023. There are six public categories and a seventh for service to the Council, including:

Jim Seeley (Regional Leadership & Collaboration) Award | presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated leadership at the local or regional level and beyond through collaborative efforts to protect cultural, natural, and economic resources from invasive species. The OISC created this award in honor of Jim Seeley (OISC Council Member 2015-2018), former Executive Director of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance (WRCA) and avid supporter of gorse, sudden oak death, and other invasive species management. He served the WRCA and the South Coast region through his final days.

Eagle Eye Award | presented to the person or persons reporting the most critical sightings of an invasive species in 2022-2023. A prior Eagle Eye Award recipient was Nona Gobel, for identifying and alerting the Oregon Department of Agriculture to the first-ever Oregon detection of Asian jumping worm.

Invader Crusader Award | presented to the Oregon student(s) making a difference in protecting Oregon from invasive species.

Sandra Denyes Diedrich Award | presented to the person(s)/organization (non-government) making the most outstanding contribution to protecting Oregon from invasive species. Past Sandra Deneys Diedrich Award winners include Lindsey Wise for her dedicated efforts to manage Oregon IMapInvasives and update the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline website and Vern Holm for his work relative to the Northwest Weed Management Partnership.

Outstanding Agency Partner Award | presented to the person(s) or unit in a government agency going above and beyond the call of duty to keep new invaders out of the state. The previous Partner Award went to Eric Coombs, on his retirement from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, for his extensive contributions to combatting invasive species through biological control and mentorship of young scientists.

Protect the Northwest Industry Award | Presented to a company that make a difference in protecting Oregon from invasive species

Service Award | presented to the person or persons who have demonstrated extraordinary service to the Oregon Invasive Species Council.

Winners will be recognized at an awards reception on March 21, 2024. If you would like to nominate a person or organization, please visit the Oregon Invasive Species Council website to enter your nominations - https://www.oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org/award-winners - by February 23, 2024.

The Council will discuss the nominees, choose the winners, and invite them to the awards celebration in March.

About the Oregon Invasive Species Council | www.oregoninvasivespeciescouncil.org

The Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) is a group of representatives from state and public agencies, scientists, educators, and members of the public who lead Oregon’s fight against the threat of invasive plants and animals. They collaborate with a broad coalition of people to spearhead initiatives to increase citizen understanding and involvement in protecting the state against the harms of invasive species. The OISC provides the means for multi-agency communication and collaboration to meet the state's goals. Notable activities and achievements are categorized under the responsibilities of the Council, as set forth in ORS 570.755. These include maintaining an invasive species reporting hotline, educating the public about invasive species, developing a statewide plan for invasive species, and providing an emergency grant program for the eradication of invasive species. The OISC was created by the Oregon legislature in 2001 and receives funding through a variety of state, federal, and private donations.

Student Invasive Species Management Projects

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Portland State University students in Dr. Catherine de Rivera’s Ecology & Management of Bioinvasions class created invasive species management projects for community partners: OISC members and other invasive species professionals. The projects focused on invasive species that threaten Oregon’s infrastructure, economy, natural resources, and food & water systems, and those who can impact outdoor recreation opportunities and tourism. Students worked with their community partners to create management products that would be useful in addressing an active invasive species issue.

Below is a list of the 2023 projects that were completed (click the links to learn more about each project):

Pamphlets for the Center for Lakes & Reservoirs

Protect Oregon's Waterways Against AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES Javier Gonzalez

Creeping Invaders Pamphlet Michelle Hesek

Don’t Move a Mussel Krista Jovag

New Zealand Mudsnail Juliana Vucurevic

Offshore Wind and Bio-Invasions

Lydia Lyall, Trajan Bitner, Izzy Mize, Caroline Kovacs, Dawson Davis

Storymap

State of the Coast Poster

Annotated Bibliography

Fact sheets for ODFW on Virginia Opossum and Northern Crayfish

Trever Gelling, Ruth Henderson

Fact Sheets

Species Impacts on PNW Coastal Indigenous First Foods, for Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC)

Jasmine Beach, Zosia Lynch, Caitlin Sharpe, Rowan Irene and Macayla Mesaros

First Foods Write up & Species Profiles for OISC Info Hub

Investigation of Broadleaf Perennial Herbicide Fusilade on Velvet Grass Holcus lanatus

Haley Cohn, Patrick Gresh, Ariel Myton

Velvet Grass Report for Nestucca Bay NWR

Horizon Scan Species Profiles

Gilli Williford, Ella Honmeyer, Chloe Maharg, Ian Taylor, Sean Chadduck

Common Salvinia, Salvinia minima

Indian Swampweed, Hygrophila polysperma

Wingleaf primrose-willow, Ludwigia decurrens

Crested Mosquito Fern, Azolla cristata

Fairy Moss, Mosquito Fern, Azolla caroliniana

Green Crab Episode featured on OPB's Oregon Field Guide

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In 2006, invasive green crabs were just starting to show up in Oregon bays. Nearly two decades later, these non-native critters are multiplying at alarming rates and threatening Pacific Northwest shellfisheries.

This week, OPB's Oregon Field Guide will take you to the Oregon coast, where Portland State University professor (and OISC Ex Officio member) Dr. Cat de Rivera and her students study these invaders.

OREGON FIELD GUIDE: Green Crab Invasion Clip: Season 35 Episode 4 | 10m 12s 

For more information on these invasive crabs, please visit the OISC Invasive Species HUB: green crab

Invasive quagga mussels found on boat at Ashland inspection station

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ODFW News Release

January 8, 2024

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW staff at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station found quagga mussels on a pontoon boat that was being transported from Lake Mead, Nev., into Oregon on Jan. 4.

This was the first instance in 2024 where crews have found quagga mussels. The watercraft was decontaminated at the inspection station.

"Quagga mussels can cause serious damage to Oregon's lakes, streams, irrigation and water delivery systems," said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator. "We want watercraft owners to be responsible and have their vessel inspected when entering Oregon."

ODFW reminds the public that all vehicles towing or carrying watercraft into Oregon must stop at any watercraft inspection station that is open to inspect for aquatic invasive species.

Watercraft owners should be aware of where inspections stations are located around Oregon. Stations are open if large orange, "Boat Inspection Ahead," signs are posted, followed by "Inspection Required for All Watercraft."

Visit MyODFW.com for more information about the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program and Waterway Access permits: https://myodfw.com/articles/waterway-access-and-aquatic-invasive-species-permits.

ODFW has not detected the presence of quagga mussels in Oregon's waterways but in 2023 crews decontaminated 9 watercrafts for quagga or zebra mussels and 327 watercrafts for other types of aquatic biofouling such as Eurasian Watermilfoil.

Since the start of the Watercraft Inspection Stations program in 2010, ODFW has inspected 209,620 watercraft and intercepted and decontaminated 168 watercrafts with quagga or zebra mussels and 3,246 watercrafts with other types of aquatic biofouling.

Inspection station locations and operating hours:

Ashland: I-5 at the Ashland Port of Entry. Open daily, year-round, during daylight hours.

Ontario: I-84 at the Ontario Rest Area. Open daily, year-round, during daylight hours.

Seasonal Inspection station located in Brookings, Klamath Falls, Lakeview, and Umatilla will be opening the first week of May.

If you find quagga mussels on a vessel, please report them to the Oregon Invasive Species hotline by calling 1-866-INVADER or visiting https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org.

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Contact: Rick Boatner, (503) 947-6308, rick.j.boatner@odfw.oregon.gov