RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

None this Week.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

NAISMA Monthly Webinars:

August 17, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - How to Get Your Project Funded

This free webinar will cover examples of successful projects and tips that will improve your chances of getting funding.

September 20, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - Utilizing Fire and Grazing as part of an Integrated Prairie Management Program

The health and resilience of prairies relies upon plant/animal diversity and heterogeneous habitat structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure that supports that diversity.  The Nature Conservancy has been long experimenting with combinations of prescribed fire and cattle grazing that provide varied habitat structure and support high plant diversity at its Platte River Prairies in Nebraska.  Our treatments include grazing stocking rates that are comparable with those used by our agricultural neighbors….

October 19, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CDT - Invasive plant management on non-industrial forest lands in the Panhandle, Fl after Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael had catastrophic socio-ecological impacts on landowners and forestlands in the Panhandle, Florida. Although scientists predict an increase in the spread of 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 after ecological disturbances, there is limited research about the human dimensions of hurricanes, invasive plants, and forest management…

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

None this Week.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Tahoe Resource Conservation District

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to identify a contractor or team of contractors that can reduce aquatic invasive plant infestations using physical direct and indirect removal methods. These objectives will be accomplished through implementation of effective aquatic invasive plant removal techniques. Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) acknowledges that the Project requires a diverse skill set that may not be available from a single company; therefore, we encourage proposals that combine skill sets to form a team that is best qualified to accomplish the Project objectives. In addition, Tahoe RCD reserves the right to select multiple companies to complete discrete tasks in the best interest of the Project. A Tahoe RCD Professional Services Agreement example can be found here.

The objectives of the Project are:

  1. Control of AIS. Control aquatic invasive plant infestations in select sites throughout the near-shore of Lake Tahoe. Project sites may be located in open water, marinas and embayments, marshes, and tributaries. Not all methods are approved for use in all above-mentioned habitats.
  2. Removal of AIS. Successfully remove 100% of aquatic invasive plant material within the project area.
  3. Rapid Response. Execute rapid-response control efforts on new or priority aquatic invasive plant infestations in priority sites within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  4. Effectiveness Surveys. Conduct baseline and effectiveness monitoring surveys using diver surveys or other methods (hydroacoustic methodology).

Richard King Mellon Foundation Request for Proposals – Invasive Plant Species as a Threat to Native Biodiversity

 Invasive plants are threatening the ecological integrity of many of these natural lands and waters and undermining the conservation value of important habitats, including those with high biodiversity value. The Richard King Mellon Foundation is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) aimed at stopping or slowing the spread of such harmful, non-native plant species. This new initiative is aligned with the Stewardship area of the Foundation’s Conservation funding program. Applicants responding to the RFP should apply through the Foundation’s standard application process noting the program categories listed above. Proposals are due Friday, September 9. (Full RFP) 

RECOMMENDED READING

The influence of native populations’ genetic history on the reconstruction of invasion routes: the case of a highly invasive aquatic species

Brazier, T., Cherif, E., Martin, J. F., Gilles, A., Blanchet, S., Zhao, Y., ... & Gozlan, R. E. (2022). The influence of native populations’ genetic history on the reconstruction of invasion routes: the case of a highly invasive aquatic species. Biological Invasions, 1-22.

Mechanism of northern pike invasion in the Columbia River Basin

Carim, Kellie J., Lisa A. Eby, Loren M. Miller, Holly McLellan, Virgil Dupuis, and Michael K. Schwartz. "Mechanism of northern pike invasion in the Columbia River Basin." Management of Biological Invasions. 13 (1): 168-190. 13, no. 1 (2022): 168-190.

Invasive freshwater invertebrates and fishes: impacts on human health

Souty-Grosset, C., Anastácio, P., Reynolds, J., & Tricarico, E. (2018). Invasive freshwater invertebrates and fishes: Impacts on human health. Invasive species and human health, 10, 91.

Aquatic Invasive Species: Traditional Control Options to Emerging Genetic Bio-control Strategies

SUNDARAY, J. K., HUSSAN, A., & DAS, I. I. (2022). Aquatic Invasive Species: Traditional Control Options to Emerging Genetic Bio-control Strategies. J. Indian Soc. Coastal Agric. Res, 40(1), 1-12.

Management of invasive snakes in coastal environments: A baseline assessment of the Burmese python invasion in the Florida Everglades

Leatherman, S. P. (2022). Management of invasive snakes in coastal environments: A baseline assessment of the Burmese python invasion in the Florida Everglades. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 182, 113996.

ANS IN THE NEWS…  

Sea lamprey navigate North Shore rivers as reports of the invasive species increase in parts of Lake Superior

August 14, 2022. The team of researchers were looking for young lamprey in the Brule and other rivers along the North Shore, including the Knife River, to gather evidence of how many lamprey are spawning in these waters

Invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish Found in Texas Might Carry Plague, Officials Warn

August 13, 2022. The Australian Redclaw Crayfish, an invasive species that has been discovered in some parts of the state, is being warned about by officials because it may carry the crayfish plague and other diseases.

Invasive Australian crayfish capable of laying 5,000 eggs a year found in 2nd US state

August 12, 2022. Researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley recently found the first known introduction of the invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish in Texas. This is just the second detection of this species in the wild in the United States with the other being in California.

Lake residents disappointed with state effort to stop aquatic invasive species

August 12, 2022. The South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association held a forum at Pickerel Lake Friday to discuss the pressing issue of aquatic invasive species in eastern South Dakota lakes.

Invasive species pull helping to eradicate Loosestrife from our local waterways

August 12, 2022. Purple Loosestrife is an extremely invasive plant from Europe and Asia that has spread quickly across North America and is now present in nearly every Canadian province.

Can the Florida Python Challenge make this invasive species hissssstory?

August 12, 2022. More than 800 hunters from 32 US states and various Canadian provinces plunked down $25 to register for the FPC, completed an online training course, and headed out to the big swamp, its size (in acreage) roughly twice that of Rhode Island.

USDA to invest $15M in innovative projects for climate-smart ag, urban ag and addressing invasive species

August 12, 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and conservation in urban agricultural systems.

From 300,000 rabbits to none: a Southern Ocean island is reborn

August 10, 2022. Macquarie Island, a Unesco world heritage site, was being eaten alive until an ambitious eradication programme restored it

Driving out invasive species on islands has high success rate and big benefits – study

August 10, 2022. Eradicating rats, goats and other invasive animals from islands is one of the most effective tools for protecting wildlife, resulting in dramatic transformations to degraded archipelagos and atolls, according to a new study.

Life at the access: Aquatic invasive species inspectors provide insight into their work

August 10, 2022. The questions may seem tedious, but they are one part in the goal of slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species in beloved Minnesota waters.

An island in the Galápagos reintroduced iguanas after nearly 200 years of extinction

August 8, 2022. A species of iguana that went extinct nearly 200 years ago on one of the Galápagos Islands appears to be making a comeback, with some help from a team of conservationists.

800 People are Now Hunting "Alligator-Eating" Pythons in Florida

August 7, 2022. Over 800 participants are searching for Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades, competing to win thousands of dollars in cash and help to relieve the National Park from these invasive snakes.

People are being advised to kill this invasive river creature on sight by stabbing its brain - here's why

August 7, 2022. The signal crayfish is now considered an invasive species across Europe, Japan, and California ousting native species there.

Cane Toads, Dung Beetles, and Cork Hats

August 6, 2022. Predicting the effects of introducing a species into an ecosystem is difficult. Mitigating those effects later is even more so. Just ask Australia.

First Lady Casey DeSantis Kicks Off Florida Python Challenge® Competition

August 6, 2022. Over 800 participants and counting, from 32 states and Canada, are beginning their search to find and remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.

Invasive Carp Captured in Lake Calumet, Just 7 Miles from Lake Michigan

August 6, 2022. A silver carp was removed from Lake Calumet Thursday, triggering a closer search for the invasive species in the area.

U.S. Forest Service offering tips to mitigate invasive species spread

August 5, 2022. The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is reminding fisherpersons and boaters to clean, drain and dry their boating equipment after each use and before traveling to fish/boat at a different location to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Invasive species destroying our environment

August 5, 2022. Philip Clark discussed the 'State of the Environment Report' which delivered a dire warning, that Australia has lost more mammal species to extinction than any other continent and has one of the highest rates of species decline in the developed world.

How weevils have become weapons in UK's fight against invasive plants

August 5, 2022. A weevil designed to kill a problem aquatic weed is the latest biological agent selected to tackle the economic and biodiversity scourge of invasive species in the UK

Number of invasive species in the north is rising

August 4, 2022. The number of invasive species on land and in the water continues to be an issue across northern Ontario.

Little-known species are at even more risk of extinction, scientists say

August 4, 2022. The species scientists know least about are at an even higher risk of extinction because researchers are unable to tailor conservation efforts to their needs, according to researchers.

News release: Zebra mussels confirmed in Embarrass Mine Pit in St. Louis County

August 4, 2022. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a report of zebra mussels in the Embarrass Mine Pit, also known as the Sabin Mine Pit, near Aurora in St. Louis County. Mining in the Embarrass Mine Pit stopped in 1977.

Invasive Reptiles, Amphibians Cost World $17 Billion

August 3, 2022. Two invasive species — the brown tree snake and the American bullfrog — cost the world more than $16 billion between 1986 and 2020, according to a study.

Invasive Species Council announces 2022 Invader Crusader Award Winners

August 3, 2022. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) last month announced the winners of the 2022 Invasive Species Council Invader Crusader Awards.

In fight against invasive plants, strike team stepped up when New Jersey wouldn’t

August 3, 2022. They mix their deadly chemicals and pour the concoction into plastic backpacks, strapping them on Ghostbuster-style. Marching into the woods, they begin blasting away at their prey.

USF researchers launch global dashboard to track invasive mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases

August 3, 2022. To combat the ongoing threat of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide, University of South Florida researchers have launched a mosquito-tracking dashboard driven by citizen science – a scalable solution proven effective in a recent USF study.

Volunteers prove critical in the fight against invasive green crabs

August 1, 2022. To understand how serious Washington’s invasion of European green crab is, look no further than the amount of money the legislature earmarked for 2022: $8.6 million.