RECENT ANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLM Policy to Support Habitat Connectivity on Public Lands:The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a new policy designed to protect connections between habitats for fish, wildlife, and native plants, preserving the ability of wildlife to migrate between and across seasonal habitat, a concept known as habitat connectivity. The policy will support the BLM’s ongoing partnerships with states, Tribes and diverse stakeholders aimed at meeting 21st century conservation challenges. The policy, in the form of an Instructional Memorandum, calls for BLM state offices to assess areas of habitat connectivity and conduct planning, on-the-ground management actions, and conservation and restoration efforts to ensure those areas remain intact and healthy, and able to support diverse wildlife and plant populations. Private land is not affected by this guidance, and the BLM is not designating corridors with this action, nor does it intend to. Press release: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bureau-land-management-releases-policy-support-habitat-connectivity-public-lands 

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released their 2022 – 2026 Joint Agency Strategic Plan

The AQI program plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture and the environment by preventing the introduction and spread of potentially devastating plant pests and animal and plant diseases. It protects America’s 1.1 trillion-dollar agricultural and food economy, the 2 million farms across the country, and the 331 million people living in the United States that rely on agricultural security to survive.  APHIS and CBP work together at the Nation’s borders and ports of entry to carry out all AQI program activities to intercept and exclude any foreign agricultural pests that could affect U.S. agriculture, trade, and commerce. The strategic plan will guide program activities and set the program’s focus for the next 5 years, driving planning and setting mission priorities.

HHS Request for information (RFI) on the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases:

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting comments on the Strategy by December 21, 2023. The Strategy represents the Federal Government's priorities for addressing vector-borne disease (VBD) threats, across 5 goals and 19 strategic priorities. Comments should be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. Search for this RFI by typing a keyword in the search field on the homepage. Click on the “Comment Now” button on RFI and you can submit your comments including attachments in a window titled, “Your Information.” 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING WEBINARS

North American Invasive Species Management Association Webinar Series

December 21, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST - Understanding ISPM 15 to Reduce the Risk of Pests in Wood Packaging

ISPM 15 was fully implemented in the United States in 2006 to reduce the risk and spread of quarantine pests associated with wood packaging. This session will review the ISPM 15 program and how it has evolved to successfully achieve its goal, and where there are efforts of continuous improvement so that wood packaging can be used effectively and safely to facilitate safe trade.

January 18, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST - 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).

Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society’s Autumn Webinar Series

Many aquatic plant control projects employ herbicide treatments. Public stakeholder support is often key to moving these projects forward. Presenters will talk about strategies for stakeholder communication and several case studies with varying outcomes

Session 2: December 12th, 2022; 10AM-12PM

  • HIGLIN: Grassroots to 501(c)3 – Pulling Together as a Community, Gerry Lauro, Highland Glacial Lakes Initiative, New Jersey
  • Water Supply, Recreation, and the Public, Oh My!: Managing Hydrilla in a Lotic System, Heather Desko, New Jersey Water Supply Authority
  • Lake Winnipesaukee Variable Watermilfoil Control Project, Amy Smagula, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

Registration is free! Please register for each session of the NEAPMS Autumn Webinar Series: The Communication Challenges of Aquatic Invasive Species Management individually at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9040204820729146126.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is seeking a full-time Assistant Scientist II (I- Invasive Aquatic Plant Species and Climate Change) to conduct research and provide public outreach pertaining to the management of aquatic invasive plants in a changing climate. Although the work will be field oriented, laboratory and greenhouse mesocosm skills are desired. Candidates will be especially competitive if they could fill a gap in ongoing invasive aquatic plant research. Examples include ecological modeling, statistical analysis, remote sensing, genomics, sediment chemistry, climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change , biocontrol, and phycology. Individuals with nonaquatic backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they can readily adapt their skills to the aquatic environment. Closed December 29, 2022. FULL ANNOUCEMENT.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

National Fish Passage Program Notice of Funding

USFWS has released thenotice of funding opportunity for fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing $38M in FY23 for awards from $100K - $2M. The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary program that provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic organism passage and aquatic connectivity for the benefit of Federal trust resources. In doing so, NFPP aims to maintain or increase fish populations to improve ecosystem resiliency and provide quality fishing experiences for the American people.  Letters of intent are due to FWS regions by December 16, with full applications submitted by December 31. One important note: even though SWAPs are directed to be considered in project applications, species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) are not included under the definition of “priority species.”

RECOMMENDED READING

Invasive Species Policy Must Embrace a Changing Climate

Bradley, B. A., Beaury, E. M., Fusco, E. J., & Lopez, B. E. (2022). Invasive Species Policy Must Embrace a Changing Climate. BioScience.

Validation of a Portable eDNA Detection Kit for Invasive Carps

Kageyama, S. A., Hoogland, M. R., Tajjioui, T., Schreier, T. M., Erickson, R. A., & Merkes, C. M. (2022). Validation of a Portable eDNA Detection Kit for Invasive Carps. Fishes, 7(6), 363.

Modelling of marine debris pathways into UK waters: Example of non-native crustaceans transported across the Atlantic Ocean on floating marine debris

Barry, P. J., Beraud, C., Wood, L. E., & Tidbury, H. J. (2023). Modelling of marine debris pathways into UK waters: Example of non-native crustaceans transported across the Atlantic Ocean on floating marine debris. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 186, 114388.

Epidemics in native species influence the outcome of a species invasion

Blackwood, P., Jonasen, K. L., Heil, B. N., & Searle, C. L. (2022). Epidemics in native species influence the outcome of a species invasion.

The direct drivers of recent global anthropogenic biodiversity loss

Jaureguiberry, P., Titeux, N., Wiemers, M., Bowler, D. E., Coscieme, L., Golden, A. S., ... & Purvis, A. (2022). The direct drivers of recent global anthropogenic biodiversity loss. Science Advances, 8(45), eabm9982.

Country Compendium of the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species

Pagad, Shyama, Stewart Bisset, Piero Genovesi, Quentin Groom, Tim Hirsch, Walter Jetz, Ajay Ranipeta, Dmitry Schigel, Yanina V. Sica, and Melodie A. McGeoch. "Country compendium of the global register of introduced and 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 ." Scientific Data 9, no. 1 (2022): 1-13.

A heuristic for innovative invasive species management actions and strategies

Meinard, Y., Dereniowska, M., Glatron, S., Maris, V., Philippot, V., & Georges, J. Y. (2022). A heuristic for innovative invasive species management actions and strategies. Ecology and Society, 27(4), 24.

A bi-level model for state and county aquatic invasive species prevention decisions

Haight, R. G., Yemshanov, D., Kao, S. Y., Phelps, N. B., & Kinsley, A. C. (2023). A bi-level model for state and county aquatic invasive species prevention decisions. Journal of Environmental Management, 327, 116855.

AIS IN THE NEWS

BioStation Report: Prevention Efforts Keep Invasive Mussels In Check, But Collaboration is Key

December 11, 2022. Nearly 100,000 boats were inspected this year, resulting in the discovery of 53 mussel-infested watercraft; however, researchers credit partnerships among a multitude of state, federal and tribal stakeholders with keeping the Flathead Basin mussel-free.

Aquatic invasive plant species confirmed at Boulder Reservoir

December 9, 2022. A survey by Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed that an invasive plant is now established at the Boulder Reservoir.

ANS IN THE NEWS…        

Study: Impact of invasive species on Baltic Sea rivals climate change

December 9, 2022. The Baltic Sea is registered to have over 200 invasive or non-indigenous species a third of whom form viable populations. While only a few are real nuisances, such as the round goby, there are nevertheless serious problems, a recent study found.

Invasive mussels found in Grant County lake

December 9, 2022. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is urging vigilance by anglers and boaters after the discovery of invasive zebra mussels in Williamstown Lake in Grant County.

Here’s How Burmese Pythons Eat Such Big Prey

December 8, 2022. In a study published in Integrative Organismal Biology, researchers at the University of Cincinnati tested exactly how far the snakes could stretch their jaws and how much the stretchy tissue contributes to their remarkable ability. 

Wyoming remains free of invasive mussels after ‘challenging’ year

December 5, 2022. After a challenging year, Wyoming remains one of the few states in the country that is free of quagga and zebra mussels.In an effort to keep invasive mussels out of the state’s waters, Wyoming Game and Fish Department utilized longer hours and extended the season to inspect more than 65,000 boats for Aquatic Invasive Species.

With invasive species thriving, pet shops and nurseries to come under the scanner

December 4, 2022. Kerala State Biodiversity Board launches survey to identify retailers selling ornamental, non-native, invasive plant and animal species.

Pinarayi advocates policy to counter biological invasion

December 3, 2022. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has mooted a policy to prevent and control the invasion of terrestrial and aquatic alien species in the State.

Conservation groups pushing for trust funding

December 2, 2022. Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition gathered at Capital Sports to ask lawmakers in the next legislative session to set aside millions of dollars to create a permanent trust for wildlife and conservation.

Florida wildlife officials want more funding to target invasive pythons

December 1, 2022. The proposals were part of $150.2 million in legislative funding requests backed Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservative Commission. Also, agency staff members were directed to consider giving a boost to people called out to handle nuisance alligators.

Biodiversity unbalanced as ice-free Antarctic areas grow

December 1, 2022. A study into the impact of global warming on the biodiversity of the Antarctic has identified how predicted expansion of ice-free areas will impact native animals and plants, paving the way for the invasion of non-native species in Antarctica.

Political geography key to assessing economic costs of invasive pests on islands

December 1, 2022. Scientists assessing the economic cost of invasive species on islands have shown that political geography plays an important role, affecting the extent of socio-economic costs.

River Thames mussel population under threat: is it from invasive species or change in conditions?

December 1, 2022. The research, carried out by zoologist  Isobel Ollard PHD, has shown a 95 percent decline of the mussel population in the River Thames with one species, the depressed river mussel, completely vanquished.

Ontario spends $4 million fighting invasive species, a $3.6 billion problem

November 30, 2022. Bonnie Lysyk said Ontario does not track dozens of invasive species in the province and conservation officers have never laid a charge under the 2015 act that sets rules to prevent and control the spread of those species.

Government of Canada pilot project adds layer of protection from aquatic invasive species at the border

November 30, 2022. This summer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) collaborated with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on a pilot project to inspect and decontaminate boats at the international border crossing in Emerson, Manitoba, in order to verify if all watercraft entering Canada were free of Zebra Mussels and other aquatic invasive species.

Chelan Co. Launching Campaign to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

November 29, 2022. "We've got three interrelated efforts. One is called the 'Keep it Blue' Campaign, which is all about community outreach and education. We're also going to introduce stations in the county where watercraft can be inspected and cleaned. We also have a long-term monitoring program to ensure the success of our other efforts as well."

Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations tackles invasive species, lake monitoring, and increase in development and recreation

November 29, 2022. Created in 1994, the Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations (CCCoLA) aims to engage and unite lakeshore property owners to promote responsible lake and shoreland management practices.

Report says native fish overlooked as invaders in US waters

November 3, 2022. So, when an angler or a curious child moves a fish from one side of the mountain or one side of the country to the other, it's a very big deal to the fish. Some may discover a competitive advantage in a new stream, potentially disrupting eons-old ecological hierarchies.