RECENT ANS ACCOUNCEMENTS

Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competitions

The public now can help reimagine what drives wildlife conservation in the 21st century by participating in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competitions, which open for entries today at https://www.challenge.gov/.  The competitions will engage the public to help address six important issues: preventing wildlife poaching and trafficking, promoting wildlife conservation, managing  invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species  , protecting endangered species, managing nonlethal human-wildlife conflict, and reducing human-predator conflict. The Service is partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will help administer the competition. The competition is guided by the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Advisory Council, a designated Federal Advisory Committee.  The council will administer $600,000 in prizes and advise competition winners on opportunities to pilot and implement their nascent technologies, helping them develop partnerships with conservation organizations, federal or state agencies, federally recognized Tribes, private entities and research institutions with relevant expertise or interest. The submission deadline for the competitions is April 30, 2022, with judging to occur May-July 2022, and winners announced September 2022. FULL PRESS RELEASE.

Wildlife Forever Targets Public Boat Ramp Infrastructure

Until recently, access-based cleaning equipment and tools were not available or being used by resource managers. A lack of cleaning infrastructure has long been the main reason invasives continue to spread from lake to lake, then state to state.  Wildlife Forever’s access-based Infrastructure Enhancement Protocol (IEP) provides site-specific cleaning equipment, user-led instructions, and cohesive signage to guide even the novice boater through the Clean Drain Dry prevention steps. Through a strategic and phased approach to evaluate accesses, messages and prevention tools are implemented to help users inspect and clean their gear. FULL ANNOUCEMENT.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Long Island-Metro Area: Virtual Symposium

March 15th-16th, 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM: Aquatic Organisms in Trade: Focus on Behavior Change

Please join us for a virtual symposium focusing on the role aquatic gardening, aquaria, and live markets in invasive species introductions and how to promote behavior change in these target audiences.

Aquatic Organisms in Trade Symposium Day 1



Aquatic Organisms in Trade Symposium Day 2

NAISMA Monthly Webinars: NPS Integrated Pest Management Webinar Series

March 16, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - Invasive Tegus: An Emerging Threat to Southeastern Ecosystems

April 20, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - A Biocultural Approach to Integrating Indigenous Knowledge with Western Science for Invasive Species Management and Policy

May 18, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - Using Community Based Social Marketing to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species

Michigan Invasive Species Program’s NotMISpecies Webinar Series:

March 24, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m ET. - Step aboard Michigan’s Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant program

Looking for resources to help your community protect a local water body from aquatic invasive species? The Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) program provides $1k - $3k grants annually for groups interested in aquatic invasive species prevention through increased boater education and awareness. Kelsey Bockleman and Paige Filice from Michigan State University Extension and Kevin Walters from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will reveal 2022 CBCW award recipients, share information on past projects and help your group prepare to apply for a CBCW grant in 2023.

Collaborative Conservation and Adaptation Strategy Toolbox

March 24, 2022, 12 pm ET. -  Developing a Regional Strategy to Curtail Illegal Stocking of Sport Fish and Baitfish in the Colorado River Watershed

The number of stockings performed by state agencies to establish new fish populations outside of native ranges has declined greatly since 1980. Even so, illegal fish introductions by non-professionals continues and is, in part, likely the result of four historical failings in the fisheries profession: (1) sanctioned introductions of fishes outside their native ranges to enhance recreational fishing, giving anglers the impression that perceived fishery shortcomings can be remedied simply by stocking, (2) ineffective outreach and education that have resulted in a lack of angler awareness on this issue, (3) inadequate deterrents that have played down the seriousness of this problem among anglers and within the legal system, and (4) inappropriate regulatory responses that have tacitly condoned and even rewarded illegal action. In 2020, members of the Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council began developing a Strategic Plan to Curtail Illegal Fish Movement designed to (1) mitigate the expansion of nuisance invasive fish populations, (2) improve administrative and political support for interstate containment efforts, (3) increase the consistency of proactive prevention and reactive responses to illegal fish movement, and (4) increase public buy-in for halting illegal fish movement and subsequent control efforts.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

TRPA is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time contract position as an AIS Projects Coordinator. This position will be responsible for coordinating, planning, implementing and tracking AIS projects that will help keep new invaders from entering Lake Tahoe and reach the ambitious goal of bringing all existing AIS populations to maintenance level or localized eradication within 10 years. This position entails all aspects of project management from start to finish to implement projects that require multiple agencies and have high stakeholder and public interest. Please visit the website at https://www.trpa.gov/contact/employment/  to read more about the Agency and to complete an employment application through our Career Center. Within the Career Center site, select the "Apply for Job" link. Please attach a resume of your qualifications, and cover letter describing your interest in the position in one document when you are completing the application. FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Invasive Species Rapid Response After Action Report

Grants.gov Announcement Number: F22AS00243            Closing Date for Applications: Apr 29, 2022 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests proposals to conduct an assessment and draft an after-action report for the Marimo moss ball incident that is national in scope to evaluate the effectiveness and timeliness of actions taken and provide recommendations for future actions needed to mitigate risk and improve preparedness for response. Objectives to be addressed under this assessment include:

  • Establish the timeline of actions taken to respond to the Marimo moss ball incident;
  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of applicable Federal agencies, including interaction with state agencies and industry sectors;
  • Evaluate the working relationship among Federal agencies at ports of entry;
  • Identify potential obstacles to effective import regulation at the Federal level associated with the commerce of aquatic organisms known to be associated with the aquarium, water garden, and pet trade;
  • Evaluate information sharing (timing, mechanisms, and content) between and among the multiple parties (e.g., Federal and State agencies, industry sectors, businesses, public) involved throughout the response; and
  • Identify potential strengths, gaps, and limitations of the Federal response.



Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Available!

The Montana Invasive Species Council is accepting grant applications to fund Aquatic invasive Species projects. This is the second round of grants for this period and approximately $85,000 is available to fund grants. 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. Applications are due Sunday, March 13, 2022, before midnight. AIS Grant Program Guidelines and application instructions can be found here.

Partners for Fish and Wildlife FY22

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative and grant agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas define where the program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. The program has been in existence since 1987 and has over 30 years of successful delivery. Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: F22AS00095

RECOMMENDED READING

Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Sepulveda AJ, Smith DR, O’Donnell KM, Owens N, White B, Richter CA, Merkes CM, Wolf SL, Rau M, Neilson ME, Daniel WM, Dumoulin CE, Hunter ME (2022) Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA. Management of Biological Invasions 13 (in press)

A review of invasive species reporting apps for citizen science and opportunities for innovation

Howard, L., van Rees, C. B., Dahlquist, Z., Luikart, G., & Hand, B. K. (2022).  A review of invasive species reporting apps for citizen science and opportunities for innovation. NeoBiota, 71, 165-188.

ANS IN THE NEWS…

Lionfish an example of needed invasive species awareness

March 3, 2022. The red lionfish is a beautiful animal to display in a home aquarium, and although they are found here, they are not native to the waters off North Carolina.

Marine plastic pollution could contribute to the introduction of invasive species

March 2, 2022. A new study led by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) has revealed that marine plastic pollution could contribute to the introduction and transport of non-native species that attach to these particles of anthropogenic origin.

State awards $3.6 million for invasive species projects

March 1, 2022. The state of Michigan today announced that 31 projects will share $3.6 million in grants through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.

These large, invasive spiders could spread throughout the eastern U.S.

March 1, 2022. New research suggests colorful jorō spiders are hardier than thought, but there's no evidence they're a danger to humans or ecosystems.

Invasive Species Affect Everyone

February 28, 2022. Cogongrass. Zebra Mussels. Feral Hogs. These are just a few of the invasive species disrupting ecosystems across the United States and around the globe. A United Nations report found about 1 million animal and plant species are currently threatened with extinction and that invasive species play a significant part in this threat.

Stop the carp invasion into the Great Lakes

February 27, 2022. As Congressional committees begin debating the Water Resources Development Act, our representatives should keep in mind the need to address the imminent threat of invasive carp to the Great Lakes

water background with ANS Task Force three circles with a fish, mussel, and plant
Aquatic Nuisance Species are organisms that produce harmful impacts on aquatic ecosystems or activities or dependent on these ecosystems such as agricultural, aquacultural, or recreation. ANS may occur in freshwater, estuarine, and marine waters and are one of the most significant threats to waters...
Program