RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition on Management of Invasive Species 2023

To win the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species, participants must submit their solution that addresses the issue through one of these high-priority focal areas:

a) Invasive Grasses: A solution that provides land managers with new methods, tools, and strategies to help prevent and reduce the spread of invasive grasses and conserve our native ecosystems. Although solutions may be species-specific, we prefer they address multiple species.

b) Horticulture Pathway: A solution that reduces or prevents inadvertent movement of invasive animal species (including insects) by targeting transmission pathways associated with plant nursery trade and other commercial horticulture activities.

  • Amount of the Prize: The total prize purse from the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species is up to $100,000 for winning technology innovation(s). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may recognize additional participants with non-monetary, honorable mention awards.
  • Award Approving Official: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director will be the award Approving Official for prizes offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Submission period: Open until 06/27/23 12:00 PM EDT
  • More Information: https://www.challenge.gov/?challenge=tr-genius-prize-competition-on-management-of-invasive-species-2023

Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (SE RISCC) network summer workshop; June 21-23, 2023

This 3-Day workshop is open to all people interested in learning about or contributing towards the SE RISCC network. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about SE RISCC's mission and vision and contribute towards the development and identification of future strategic objectives, research goals, and network needs. Register here: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtde-vrTIoGNdwA3SvNCXlygED6xMlWz_2#/registration

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

North American Invasive Species Association Webinars

May 17, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT; Chemical Control of Invasive Weeds: Herbicide Selectivity, Modes of Action, and the Use of Herbicides

Dr. Franck Dayan is a Professor of Weed Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. He joined the faculty of in January 2016 after a 20-year career as a research plant physiologist for the USDA-ARS. Dr. Dayan is interested in functional plant genomics and his research program encompasses applied projects on herbicide mode of action and evolution of resistance in weeds to more basic projects aiming to use genomic approaches to decipher traits imparting weediness (competition, cold and heat stress tolerance, etc.). He is also interested in the relative contribution of each of the 3 wheat genomes to specific pathways associated with primary metabolism. Dr. Dayan’s expertise is in plant biochemistry and physiology, as well as chemical ecology complements the efforts already in place in other groups at Colorado State University.

June 21, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT; Advancing International Invasive Species Prevention Efforts and Developing a Model Legal Framework for Noxious Weed Programs

The Certified Weed Free Products (WFP) Program is the only program in North America that provides land managers with assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread through the movement of forage, hay, mulch, or gravel. Through this grant, NAISMA will be developing numerous tools focused on the legal authority for noxious weed management, establishing strong relationships with governments and industries, and providing education and outreach for the public. In this webinar, NAISMA team will provide a brief overview of their prevention programs, along with the grant objectives and deliverables. In addition, NAISMA has partnered with the National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC) to create a model legal framework for noxious weed programs focused on pathway prevention through certified weed free forage, gravel, and mulch. Experts from NSGLC will participate in the webinar to provide an overview of their approach and opportunities for collaboration.

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Webinars

May 24th at 4pm ET; Pesky Pentastomes: Coming to a State Near You Webinar

Snake pentastomes are a type of parasitic arthropod that infects the respiratory system of snakes, lizards, and other reptiles. While there are several native pentastomes that affect snakes, two 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 of pentastomes are a now a conservation concern here in the United States and have the potential to spread with the trade in snake species. See a factsheet on snake lung parasites here: https://parcplace.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WFP-Fact-Sheet%E2%80%93Snake-Parasite_4.pdf.  Registration coming soon!

Invasive Mussel Collaborative

May 30, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET: How invasive mussels impact and are affected by North American ecosystems

Presentations include: Mussel squeeze: dissolved oxygen and temperature can “squeeze” zebra mussels out of invaded reservoirs (Rich Miller and Crysta Gantz with Portland State University, Portland, OR) and Dreissena in the Great Lakes: what have we learned in 35 years of invasion (Alexander Karatayev with SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY).

NC RISCC spring 2023 webinar series

June 2, 2023, 10 - 11 am (MT):  NEDRRIS. presented by Amy Wray (USGS)

Tool overview: The final webinar will introduce a new system that is in development - an online portal that will house existing tools and datasets to aid invasive species management - from species distribution models to occurrence data and more. This centralized hub will facilitate early detection and rapid response to biological threats across the US. AFWA sponsored webinars:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Ontario Invasive Plant Council - Science Writer and Communications Intern

This position will create and / or aid in creating and presenting new science-based content adding to the OIPC’s library of resources, to enable professionals and community members to take action against the threat of invasive plants based on the latest scientific research and includes practical hands-on experience of technical experts. Creating original content for communications, social media, and websites to increase awareness of invasive plants and their impacts. Closing date for applications is May 23rd, 2023; interviews to be held the week of May 29th. LEARN MORE.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

None this week.

RECOMMENDED READING

LakeLine 43-1: Aquatic Invasive Species – North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) 

This issue of LakeLine focuses on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), with contributions from several authors sharing different aspects of AIS work, from the national level to the local level, and from the United States and Canada.

Implications of taxonomic misidentification for future invasion predictions: Evidence from one of the most harmful invasive marine algae

Golo, R., Vergés, A., Díaz-Tapia, P., & Cebrian, E. (2023). Implications of taxonomic misidentification for future invasion predictions: Evidence from one of the most harmful invasive marine algae. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 191, 114970.

Seasonal Starch Allocation in Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) Harevested from Lake Koronis, MN, and Deonis, MN and Development of Non-Chemical Management Recommendations

Haram, A. M. (2023). Seasonal Starch Allocation in Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) Harvested from Lake Koronis, MN, and Development of Non-Chemical Management Recommendations (Doctoral dissertation, Minnesota State University, Mankato).

ANS IN THE NEWS

Could handbags be the haute couture solution to Florida’s python problem?

May 16, 2023. Invasive Burmese pythons are devastating wildlife but one firm believes turning snake leather into accessories could be a win-win

Invasive hammerhead worm could make its way to Austin after all that rain

May 15, 2023. An invasive hammerhead flatworm spotted in Houston last week could make its way to Austin soon because of all the rain.

Oklahoma angler lands enormous carp for state's first record

May 13, 2023. An Oklahoma angler is the state's first record holder for bighead carp after landing a 118-pound, 3-ounce carp recently at Grand Lake.

Rats Are Finally Gone from This Vulnerable Island

May 12, 2023. Efforts to eradicate invasive rats that have decimated native species on islands around the world are beginning to bear fruit.

Protection and Preservation of Natural Resources Continue with the Eradication of Invasive Brown Tree Snakes

May 12, 2023. The Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Brown Tree Snake Eradication Program continues to combat the invasive snake species on the island of Guam.

High School Helps Maryland DNR Fight Invasive Fish

May 12, 2023. A day fishing on the Nanticoke River near Sharptown to many may be the perfect way to end a work week.

Invasive species prevention tips

May 11, 2023. Before heading out to that favorite fishing spot this season, the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy are asking anglers to prepare for one more thing: decontamination

Lake Winnipeg’s future worries Manitoba’s fishing industry after zebra mussel invasion

May 9, 2023. Zebra mussels are seen as an invasive species in Manitoba’s largest lake, clogging up fishing boats, nets, and ropes. The government of Canada defines the species as invasive, seen not just along Lake Winnipeg but the Red River and even the Nelson River.

DEC partners with Paul Smith's for $13 million invasive species prevention

May 9, 2023. The five-year contract funds the college’s Adirondack Watershed Institute, which monitors boat launches around the park.

Efforts ramped up to thwart invasive species

May 9, 2023. China is racing to curb the costly spread of exotic species and raise public awareness of the issue with high-profile lawsuits, painstaking cleanup campaigns and nationwide surveys.

Wicomico Students Working to Eradicate Invasive Species

May 9, 2023. Md.-AP Environmental Science students from James M. Bennett High School are partnering with the Department of Natural Resources and Salisbury University on Friday May 12th  from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to conduct "invasive fishing" of the Blue Catfish on the Nanticoke River.

CPW continues fight against aquatic nuisance species

May 9, 2023. Fewer boats requiring decontamination due to fouling by destructive species entered Colorado in 2022 compared to previous years with nearly 500,000 inspections performed.

Manitoba Hydro, Parks Canada tackle invasive threat of zebra mussels

May 9, 2023. Manitoba Hydro is dealing with a plague of zebra mussels covering some of its generating stations, and says it will spend millions this summer in an effort to curtail the invasive species.

Seven Wild Ways Scientists Are Trying to Stop Invasive Carp

May 9, 2023. Researchers and local officials are using unusual methods to keep invasive carp from intruding into the Great Lakes and other waterways.

DEC Announces $13-Million Partnership with Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith's College to Support Invasive Species Prevention Efforts

May 8, 2023. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a $13.24-million, five-year partnership with the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) of Paul Smith's College to administer the Adirondack Park Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP).

SWFL’s Annual Invasive Fish Roundup

May 8, 2023. The Southwest Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) is hosting the 2023 Invasive Fish Roundup this weekend. The event is being held to help remove invasive fish from our waterways, as well as educate and gather dat

Spread of invasive lionfish threatens Caribbe an coral reefs (Video)

May 8, 2023. Conservationists in the Caribbean want to raise awareness over the spread of non-native lionfish.  The invasive species is threatening native populations of reef fish and the livelihoods of people in coastal and island communities across the region.

‘There’s not much we can do’: How a ‘very rare’ white-morph crayfish is being pushed out of Lake Simcoe by an invasive cousin

May 8, 2023. Health and safety restrictions caused by the virus stalled much of his team’s work, and now he needs help from residents because he fears the white morph may have been eliminated by the invasive rusty crayfish.

How effective is UV treatment in fresh water?

May 4, 2023. Researchers at the Shanghai Ocean University, China have been conducting experiments on the impact of fresh water on ballast water treatment, and a paper has now been published in Regional Studies in Marine Science

“Community scientists” lead the charge against invasive species in BC

May 4, 2023. May is Invasive Species Action Month, which means that the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is asking everyone to pitch in and join the fight against unwanted invaders.

Mussel Walk Educates Youth About Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species From Entering Flathead Lake

May 4, 2023. In an effort to reach out to the future generations and educate the youth about current issues, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Coordinator Katie Finley-Squeque organized a Mussel Walk at Salish Point on April 26.

Is the new salmon on Canada’s East Coast friend or foe?

May 3, 2023. In the mid-1950s, the fishing industry in modern-day Russia was determined to do something that may seem unusual today: introduce an invasive species in hopes of creating a new fishery.

Draft revised Biofouling Guidelines approved at PPR 10th session

May 3, 2023. The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response has approved the revised Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species. It came during the Sub-Committee's 10th session (PPR 10, 24-28 April) and follows a comprehensive review of the Guidelines.  

Slow moving, but fast growing

May 2, 2023. A popular fishing pond has been overrun with snails, putting a damper on outdoor activities there for the foreseeable future.

Invasive Fish Species Have Larger Trophic Niches Than Native Fish, According to Study Using IRMS

May 2, 2023. A new study analyzed the trophic niches and niche overlap between native and introduced cyprinid fishes in Karacaören I reservoir using IRMS.

WSU Extension and WA Sea Grant collaborate on volunteer program to protect Puget Sound from invasive European green crab species

April 30, 2023.  Washington State University (WSU) Extension and Washington Sea Grant have launched a new program to train volunteers to detect and report the presence of invasive European green crab molts along Puget Sound shores.

Federal funding coming for local habitat restoration projects

April 30, 2023. The state Department of Ecology announced that Washington will receive nearly $75 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund 14 projects across the state.