RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Training Announcement
Train the Trainer: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Planning to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species.
This course will be held April 4-5, 2023in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the USFWS Regional Office, 5th Floor Conference Room.
Course Description: HACCP Train the Trainer: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) planning is a structured process that assesses a natural resource management activity, identifies possible risks, and facilitates removal or reduction of non-target species. HACCP is a five-step process of 1) Activity Description, 2) Activity Flow Chart, 3) Identify potential Non-Targets, 4) Non-Target Analysis Worksheet, and the 5) Non-target Risk Assessment Plan (NTRAP). This course will provide participants with the tools (instructional, presentation and classroom management skills) needed to deliver a HACCP course.
Prerequisite: It is required that you have taken the 2-day HACCP course. There are several courses planned prior to this training, and there may be an opportunity to complete this prerequisite prior to the training. Please contact Barak Shemai to inquire.
To Register: Email barak_shemai@fws.gov with the following information: Name, Agency, Work Location, Contact phone number, and contact email.
USGS Research on Invasive Species: and Effects of Climate Change on Invasive Species
February 21, 2023 @ 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm CDT. Register HERE.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week, 21 February 2023; Hosted by the North American Invasive Species Management Association
Agenda:
1:00 General overview of the session
1:05 Horizon scans and hotspot analyses
1:20 eDNA point-of-use detection tool
1:35 eDNA Toolbox
1:50 Genetic Material Repository
2:05 READI-Net
2:20 INHABIT Capabilities
2:35 NEDRRIS
2:50 Interest Group Coordination
3:05 Tackling the nexus of invasive mosquitoes, avian malaria, and changing climate
3:20 Translational Invasion Ecology & Climate Change
3:35 Synergies Between Climate Change and Invasive Tegu Lizards
3:50 The cheatgrass-fire cycle and climate adaptation
4:05 European Green Crab expansion and Climate Change
4:20 Wrap up
11th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions
In response to continued interest from our community, the 11th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions has opened up a second call for abstracts! We invite researchers and students to submit abstracts for poster or oral presentation at ICMB XI, May 15–19, 2023. Abstracts are due January 31, 2023. https://marinebioinvasions.info/participate
Early registration is also underway: don't miss your opportunity to register for ICMB XI at a discounted price! Early registration discount ends January 31, 2023. https://marinebioinvasions.info/attend
UPCOMING MEETINGS
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Adaptive Responses to Red Swamp Crayfish Invasions in Michigan
Wednesday February 1, 2023; 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Red swamp crayfish are an which can outcompete native species, introduce diseases into the local environment, and destabilize river banks! We are pleased to have Dr. Brian Roth from the Dept. Fisheries & Wildlife (Michigan State University) discuss his research examining different adaptive response strategies to local red swamp crayfish invasions in Michigan. REGISTER HERE
North American Invasive Species Management Association Webinar Series
February 15, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST: Webinar: Miller Creek Watershed Restoration: The Value of Partnership During a Pandemic
Salmonids are critical components of the transitional boreal forest and temperate rainforests of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Alaska Natives and the local economy are dependent upon subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries that target these species. Invasive Northern Pike (Esox lucius) (pike), which prey upon and threaten local salmonids, were thought to have been eradicated from the Kenai Peninsula across multiple waterbodies in early 2019 following a concerted multi-year effort by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). A late 2019 report of a pike caught in Vogel Lake within the Miller Creek Watershed (MCW) isolated in the northern portion of the peninsula changed the narrative about the Kenai Peninsula being pike-free. Covid-19 emerged during spring 2020 and the group had to pivot its approach to project planning to be done via multiple virtual meetings. Eradication efforts took place in 2021 and restoration efforts began in 2022. This project has been able to move forward utilizing the Early Detection Rapid Response approach to invasive species management despite multiple challenges brought about by the pandemic. An overview of the project and lessons learned thus far will be summarized.
March 15, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT: Webinar: Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species through PlayCleanGo and WorkCleanGo
PlayCleanGo®: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks® is NAISMA’s official, branded, registered, trademark-protected education and outreach program aimed at stopping the spread of invasive species through outdoor recreational pathways. The international campaign is grounded in a Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) strategy. NAISMA partners and PlayCleanGo supporters share prevention communication through social channels, as this proven outdoor recreation focused campaign aims to prevent the spread of invasive species by effecting behavior change and reminding recreationists to clean their gear every time they go to their favorite or a new recreation area. This is achieved through positive messaging that resonates with recreationists’ and field workers’ values, and includes a clear call to action to clean boots, boats, and other outdoor gear.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Virginia Tech: Fisheries Jobs Available
Job Details: You will work on a team of field technicians to complete a variety of assignments including stream biota (fish, insects, mussels) and stream habitat inventories, road-stream crossing assessments, and outreach and education projects. Training and field activities are coordinated by U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer.
Start date: late February to early March. End date: 130 – 170 days after start date with the potential for a year-round extension based on performance, availability, and funding.
For details and application instructions, contact Colin Krause, colin.w.krause@usda.gov
Closes 1/25/23
The Province of British Columbia is entering the ninth year of its Invasive Mussel Defence Program, with a particular focus on boater education and inspection along the Eastern and Southern entry points into the Province. These positions will form BC’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program, with the aim to intercept watercraft carrying invasive zebra and quagga mussels from entering the province. Central components of the job will be to deliver public education and outreach material at the inspection stations, conduct mandatory roadside boat inspections, and to deliver training on how to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” watercraft to other parts of government and stakeholders. These responsibilities require applicants to be comfortable dealing with various members of the public.
Full Time $37,502.40 Annually.
Closing 1/31/2023.
This position plans, organizes, and coordinates technical activities for multiple aquatic noxious weeds and invasive species projects and programs; estimates equipment, materials, and manpower; establishes schedules and priorities and evaluates equipment and materials for adequacy, availability, and serviceability. This position also serves as regional/department expert for multimedia sampling, maintenance, operation and calibration of scientific monitoring equipment for multiple media programs and projects; evaluate permits for monitoring requirements; perform data research and analysis; perform related work.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, on behalf of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, is soliciting proposals for interagency agreement funding to support response to the ongoing European green crab emergency. Please visit https://rco.wa.gov/about-us/employment-and-contracts for more information about the available funding for public agencies. (Rolling deadline until funds fully allocated)
Montana Invasive Species Council
The Montana Invasive Species Council is accepting grant applications to fund Aquatic invasive Species projects. The grant funds for this period are approximately $250,722. Up to $50,000 is available per project to Montana communities; local, state, tribal, or other government entities within the state; and to Montana-based non-governmental entities. Closes January 19, 2023. Montana AIS Grant Program Guidelines and application instructions can be found here.
RECOMMENDED READING
Invasive species eradication – how do we declare success?
Ramsey, D. S. L., Anderson, D. P., & Gormley, A. M. Invasive species eradication–how do we declare success?. Cambridge Prisms: Extinction, 1-21.
Evaluation of roost culling as a management strategy for reducing invasive rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) populations
Anderson, C. J., Brennan, L., Bukoski, W., Hess, S., Hilton, C., Shiels, A., ... & Klug, P. (2022). Roost Culling as an Effective Management Strategy for Reducing Invasive Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula Krameri) Populations.
Using a Game to Teach Invasive Species Spread and Management
Lord, J. (2023). Using a Game to Teach Invasive Species Spread and Management Breadcrumb. Journal of College Science Teaching, 52(3).
What Really Works? Testing Augmented and Virtual Reality Messaging in Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Communications to Impact Visitor Preferences and Deter Visitor Displacement
Schneider, I., Rannow, B., Gupta, A., Russell, M., & Windmuller-Campione, M. (2023). What Really Works? Testing Augmented and Virtual Reality Messaging in Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Communications to Impact Visitor Preferences and Deter Visitor Displacement. Environmental Management, 1-14.
Obstacles to removing non-native species from a national park
Dilsaver, L. M. (2023). Obstacles to removing non-native species from a national park. In Parks Stewardship Forum (Vol. 39, No. 1).
ANS IN THE NEWS
$2.5 million in federal money headed for invasive species prevention in Hawai‘i
January 22, 2023. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will award over $2.5 million to Hawaiʻi’s Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, U.S. congressmembers Ed Case (HI-01) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced last Friday.
Wisconsin DNR: Conclusion of Multi-Year Invasive Species Case, convictions announced
January 22, 2023. The conclusion of a multi-year law enforcement investigation related to the illegal distribution of more than 960 invasive crayfish by several wholesale distributors was announced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The largest-ever toad was captured in Australia
January 21, 2023. What's believed to be the largest-ever toad recorded was captured in Australia. It was a cane toad, an invasive species known for its poisonous glands.
Helping state agencies control fish, invasive animals, and insects
January 20, 2023. We're currently working to issue the new Aquatic and Invasive Species Control general permit. This permit combines three previous permits that covered this control work by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture.
Researchers find that traded species have distinctive life histories with extended reproductive lifecycles
January 20, 2023. A new study by researchers from Durham University, UK, Queen’s University Belfast, UK, University of Extremadura, Spain and Swansea University, UK have revealed that vertebrate species involved in the live wildlife trade have distinctive life history traits, biological characteristics that determine the frequency and timing of reproduction.
Stefanik Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Combat Invasive Species
January 19, 2023. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik reintroduced the Stamp Out Invasive Species Act to help combat and raise awareness about the threat invasive species pose to Upstate New York and North Country ecosystems.
Alien land snail species are increasing exponentially, says study
January 19, 2023. A recent study by the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis (LIB) compiles an overview of the exponential increase and dynamic spread of land snail species introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean from other continents.
Pat Suozzi: State fails to ensure prevention of aquatic invasive species
January 18, 2023. Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-in-Aid program that provides partial funding for volunteer lake associations to run prevention and control programs has been level-funded for decades and is now being cut in 2023 by 22%. With this cut, the state once again sidesteps its responsibility.
Sea vomit: Why DFO is worried about an invasive species with a disgusting name
January 18, 2023. Pancake batter tunicate — more commonly known by its colloquial name sea vomit — has been spotted on the east coast of North America since 1982.
St. Maarten to Kill All Its Vervet Monkeys
January 18, 2023. St. Maarten plans to cull its population of invasive vervet monkeys, considered a nuisance in the Dutch island territory in the eastern Caribbean, though some are questioning the strategy.
Zebra mussel treatment begins at Highline Lake
January 16, 2023. Over the next few months, Highline Lake is expected to be lowered approximately 30 feet. This is an additional 20 feet from the initial lowering that began on Nov. 28, 2022 to inspect the pump at the inlet that pulls water from the reservoir into the Government Highline Canal
Invasive carp helps feed underprivileged communities along the Garden Route
January 16, 2023. A project that uses invasive carp to feed underprivileged communities along the Garden Route and the Little Karoo, has so far fed over 100 thousand people and continues to grow. The project is a collaboration between Gift of the Givers and Cape Nature amongst other stakeholders. The carp is being harvested and used as much needed to prepare meals for those in need. Sagree Chetty takes a look.
How to Make $70K a Year Catching Unwanted Fishing Species
January 12, 2023. An unnamed angler in Oregon did just that by collecting bounties on northern pikeminnows. Is it time to quit your day job?
Invasive black carp are established in the Mississippi River basin. Here's what that means
January 11, 2023. The invasive black carp is now living to adulthood and naturally reproducing in the wild in parts of the Mississippi River basin. That includes tributaries like the Illinois River, where invasive fish species have long plagued the waterways.
Marine debris allows invasive species to 'hitchhike' into UK waters - Resource.co
January 10, 2023. New research led by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and funded by Defra highlights that invasive species are ‘hitchhiking’ across the sea on floating marine debris, such as plastics.
Electric barrier to keep silver, bighead carp from Great Lakes allows in other invaders, study says
January 9, 2023. The electric barrier in the Chicago River meant to keep invasive silver and bighead carp from reaching the Great Lakes does not block other types of invasive species, according to a recent study.
