July Door County Invasive Species Team Bulletin . . . . Please share

      It must be summer, everything is happening at the same time.  Fishing, jetskiing, hiking, gardening, camping . . . .  Multiple activities mean multiple opportunities to interact with invasive species issues.  This bulletin contains a brief overview of relevant summer topics including information about the dangers of moving firewood, the poisonous effects of wild parsnip and spreading the word about the importance of clean watercraft and clean practices while enjoying our county’s bountiful waters.  See below for the Calendar of Events to find out when and where you can learn more about the simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your pocketbook and Door County’s natural beauty.

Donated Hours Match Critical Grant Dollars

      Thank you!  Logged volunteer hours have been pouring in.  Well over 600 hours logged on terrestrial species so far this year.  Your positive actions are worth tens of thousands of dollars for the DCIST effort.  Your help is invaluable.  Until we secure stable, annual funding for our multifaceted programming, DCIST relies entirely on grants and donations. 

      As summer turns on, our grant focus is turning to wetland and aquatic work.  Keep up the great work and keep on logging your hours.  Because of your helpful suggestions, the Volunteer Logsheet for donated time is now easier to find from the Home Page of the DCIST website (just click on Forms).  To help you stay current, the Calendar of Events is now accessible directly from the Home Page too.  We want the website to be as user friendly as possible, please keep the suggestions for improvement coming.

NOW BLOOMING

If you have any questions or concerns please contact either:
David Puhl at 920 746 2484 or at dpuhl@...  
Greg Coulthurst at 920 746 2275 or at gcoulthurst@...
Thank You!

There is more information and pictures of Wild Parsnip by following the links~

WDNR webpage:

http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/parsnip.htm

UWGB Cofrin Center for Biodiversity page:

http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/passat01.htm

Dames Rocket – flower imposter

      Dames rocket, a.k.a. dames mustard, is in full bloom at this time as well.  Primarily purple, but also blooming in shades of pink and even white, dames rocket masquerades as native woodland phlox.  Similar in color and stature to phlox, dames rocket is not the plant it appears to be from a distance.  Take a closer look, as a prominent member of the mustard family; the flowers of dames rocket have 4 petals.  Phlox, a wonderful native, has flowers with 5 petals.  An easy way to remember this: phlox has 5 letters and 5 petals.

      Dames rocket is an invasive plant!  The flowers present pretty colors, but that is where the ‘pretty’ ends.  Sun loving, but heartily shade tolerant, dames mustard is an aggressive threat to our native woodlands.  A short lived perennial, dames mustard can flower (and produce its copious seeds) in consecutive seasons.  Treat dames rocket like garlic mustard – pull or dig (get the majority of the root) while minimizing soil disturbance and secure flowers and seed heads into sealed garbage bags (label bags) and landfill or destroy by burning.

      Unfortunately, this invasive weed is still often contained in “wildflower mixes”.  It produces tremendous amounts of seeds and easily escapes to natural areas.  When gardening, please make certain to plant native or non-invasive exotic plants (How about native phlox?).  Keeping the weedy species out of your gardens will help keep them out of our natural areas!

Firewood Movement

      It is camping season, an appropriate time to remind everyone not to move firewood from place to place.  Every tree species has pests and diseases that are easily moved on firewood.  The overall health of our forests is dependent upon our good stewardship.  Support our local economy and help keep our forests healthy à remind friends, neighbors and visitors to buy firewood from LOCAL vendors.

DCIST Calendar of Events

Wild Parsnip Identification and Eradication Workparties

Tuesday July 7  &  Thursday July 9

9am - noon

Meet at the Pines II Tavern at 9 am

980 County DK (old Highway 57)

Gloves, long sleeves and long pants are required to deal with this plant.  See bulletin above for more details.

July DCIST Meeting

‘Forest Pest Presentation’

Monday 13 July 2009

2pm

Peninsula Room, County Government Building

421 Nebraska Street

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

The July Meeting of the Door County Invasive Species Team will feature a question and answer presentation on current and potential future forest pests by DNR Forester Chris Plzak.  Relevant to both property owners and tourists, this presentation is free and open to the public.

A PowerPoint slide show will cover identification and management strategies for dealing with forest pests found in Door County such as gypsy moth and eastern tent caterpillar, as well as a primer on pest species not known to be in Door County at this time.  Particular attention will be given to the current status of known emerald ash borer infestations in Wisconsin and how we will deal with the critter upon its discovery in Door County.  The movement of firewood is a primary vector for forest pests and diseases.  Questions? Call the Door County Invasive Species Team message line at 920.746.5955 or email dcist1@....

presenter bio:

DNR Forester Chris Plzak graduated with a degree in forest management from UW - Stevens Point in 1999.  He spent 1999-2002 working as a forest inventory and GIS forester for Menominee Tribal Enterprises which manages 235,000 acres of timber on the Menominee Indian Reservation.  He began working for the Wisconsin DNR in June of 2002 and spent a year working as a private lands forester in Shawano County before coming to Door County in 2003.

For more info visit:

http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/

For public domain photos of forest pests:

http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/slideshow.htm

Door Property Owners/ Going Garbage Environmental Speaker Series

‘Relevant Invasive Species Issues in Door County’

Wednesday July 15, 2009

Sister Bay Fire Station

7:00 pm

2258 Mill Road, Sister Bay

Invasive Species in Door County will be the final topic in the 2009 Environmental Speaker Series.  Bob Bultman, DCIST Coordinator will host a PowerPoint presentation and discussion covering the latest information on Door County invasive species threats, problems and practical steps Door County citizens, property owners and visitors can take to prevent or control invasive species problems.

 “Invasive species issues are something that all Door County home and business owners should be concerned with, because they impact many of the outdoor recreational activities we offer in Door County, as well as the ecosystems we depend on for jobs and other resources,” says Christi Decker, co-owner of Going Garbage & Recycling Inc.  “I’m pleased that Bob is able to come and speak about a countywide problem that really does affect us all.”

The Door County Environmental Speaker Series was created in 2008.  “We view the Speaker Series as a community service, a forum to discuss issues and programs that can positively impact our Door community,” says Decker.  The 2009 Environmental Speaker Series is co-sponsored by Going Garbage & Recycling Inc and Door Property Owners, Inc.  For more information on the 2009 Environmental Speaker Series, please call Christi Decker at (920) 854-2114.

Kangaroo Lake Annual Meeting

Featuring guest speaker Steve Hogler. WDNR Fisheries Biologist

Saturday July 18, 2009

9 am

Baileys Harbor Town Hall

2392 County Highway F

Steve Hogler, a fisheries biologist for the state will deliver a PowerPoint slide show on the history of invasive species in the Great Lakes.  Come learn about the past and current status of aquatic invasive species in Lake Michigan and the threat they present to our inland waterways.  Steve’s presentation will begin by 9:20.

Clean Boats Clean Waters Workshop

Saturday July 25, 2009

12:30pm til 4pm

Baileys Harbor Town Hall

2392 County Highway F

With so many invasive species now lurking in Lake Michigan, keeping our inland waterbodies as pristine as possible can be a very daunting task.  There is hope and there is help!  Join the Door County Invasive Species Team for this hands-on experience to learn about aquatic invasive plants and animals and the simple steps that can be taken to prevent their spread.  The health of our waters is in our hands!  This workshop is for anyone who loves the water.  Sailors, anglers, jetskiiers, kiteboarders, swimmers…. all water and watercraft enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.  It is free and open to the public.

Contact Bob Bultman with questions or to sign up: 920.746.5955

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
The Door Peninsula encompasses globally significant ecosystems that are home to some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire Midwest.  The Door County Invasive Species Team is a collaboration of natural resource professionals, community leaders and interested citizens who are working to preserve and sustain this Natural Capital by empowering citizens with the education, the tools and the skills necessary to control invasive plants and animals.  By elevating the level and degree of invasive species education, control and eradication throughout the entire community, DCIST aims to sustain the wealth of Door County's Native Landscapes.
 
Volunteerism, donations and grant dollars sustain the DCIST effort.  DCIST generally meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2pm.  To make a donation, set up a training session for your association or group, inquire about our Equipment Loan Program, or to be removed from this mailing list, please contact the coordinator. 
 

please visit the Door County Invasive Species Team website:

http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/invasive/index.htm

or phone 920.746.5955

 
 
invasive species  => aggressive, problematic exotic plants and animals
 

I agree with Nancy Braker's unstated point that, while this new study of
dragonfly larvae munching tadpole legs is interesting and may explain
some portion of deformities, this study may distract many from more
important issues of amphibian declines in general. We need only to look
at the spectacular and largely unexplained disappearance of the formerly
abundant northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans
<http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/biodiversity/index.asp?mode=info&Grp=21&SpecCode=\
AAABC01010>,
aka Blanchard's cricket frog) to give us a jolt. Nancy's link
(http://atrazinelovers.com/) points to many peer-reviewed papers in
respected journals linking atrazine and similar pesticides to these
declines. Endocrine-disrupting pesticides are now everywhere. Anyone
reading this is likely to have some in their tissue. Here are three
links from USGS supporting this.

http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/total_environment.html

http://co.water.usgs.gov/midconherb/html/herbmidrivers.html

http://ks.water.usgs.gov/pubs/fact-sheets/fs.181-97.html

This last link states "The deposition of herbicides in areas where
herbicide usage is low, such as the Great Lakes, presents a different
but potentially serious, long-term problem. For example, one of the
sampling sites was located on an island in the northwest part of Lake
Superior, far from the Corn Belt. The dominant source of atrazine to
Lake Superior and the only source on the island site is atmospheric
deposition. Using data from this study, the estimated annual wet
deposition rate for the period of the study on Lake Superior was about
12 (µg/m2)/yr." (micrograms per square meter per year).

Bob Wernerehl
PhD candidate
Instructor for Botany/Zoology 450-Midwest Ecological Issues
UW Madison Botany Dept.
Givnish lab.

frank lawrence wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>     New research indicates that perfectly natural factors (parasitism
>     and predation) may account for the deformed frogs and toads
>     (either having multiple hind limbs or lacking limbs entirely) that
>     have created such media attention. Much of the publicity appeared
>     to focus on a chemical/pollution cause, but it now appears that
>     may have been misguided. Trematode parasites in tadpoles can
>     disrupt limb development, resulting in a bizarre appearance, and
>     nymphs of some dragonfly species appear to feed preferentially on
>     the developing hind limbs of tadpoles. See http://tinyurl.
>     com/lll5yy <http://tinyurl.com/lll5yy> for detailed information.
>
>
>
>

Hello All:

There has been some good primary research by Tyrone Hayes of U of California -
Berkley that demonstrates a link between atrazine and increased vulnerability to
the trematode parasites that naturally infect frogs.  Atrazine has lots of
rather alarming impacts such as reduced sperm production in fish, amphibians,
and laboratory rodents and is associated with impaired fertility and low sperm
county in humans.

Dr. Hayes has focused on atrazine and does not make any link to herbicides that
we all know and love (well, maybe not love, but at least use).

You can read more about his work on his web site -
http://www.atrazinelovers.com/m0.html

He has a lot of great information there including impacts on plants and
endangered species.

Nancy Braker
Director of the Cowling Arboretum
Lecturer in Biology
Carleton College
One North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057
507-222-4543
nbraker@...

There has been some discussions lately about glyphosate and frog deformities and this should shed more light on the subject.

I think this article is very timely and current.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/news/lib/374

Rick Schulte

CPS

----- Original Message -----

From: Bryce Ruddock

To: Boos, Thomas M - DNR ; Frank Hassler

Cc: IPAW@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 5:16 PM

Subject: Re: [IPAW] Penn sedge control

    There are studies from Michigan Technological U at Houghton that show a correlation between high densities of Carex pensylvanica and reduced densities of tree seedlings in northern hardwood forests. Here is a link:http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/cpp003v1.If this link does not take you to it then google search Pennsylvania sedge and click on the 4th link. The study is from March of this year. It would seem that the question of control pertains only to the forest habitat in question.             Bryce Ruddock , South Milwaukee ,WI

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank Hassler

To: Boos, Thomas M - DNR

Cc: IPAW@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 10:57 AM

Subject: Re: [IPAW] Penn sedge control

Might I ask why you are trying to control Pennsylvania Sedge?  It is a native species which is in high demand for restoration work and native landscaping.  Buying it from a nursery it will cost twice as much as other sedges and grasses since they cannot keep up with demand.

Curious,

Frank Hassler

Good Oak Ecological Services

(608) 209-0607

www.goodoakllc.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Time has run out.  Knowing what we know, we must act, and we must act now.  To do otherwise would be an abdication of our responsibility to future generations.

-W. Wallace Covington, Director: Ecological Restoration Institute

On Jun 25, 2009, at 3:00 PM, Boos, Thomas M - DNR wrote:

If you have any ideas or thoughts about controlling Penn sedge let me know. I saw some studies with scarification of the soil and herbicide. No chemical name though. Any thoughts?

 

P Thomas M. Boos II

Forestry Invasive Plant Coordinator

Office of Forest Sciences

Division of Forestry

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

(() phone:      (608) 266-9276

(() fax:         (608) 266-8576

(+) e-mail:     thomas.boos@wi..gov

...and the man plays a beautiful whistle, but he wears a prickly thistle.  Jack White

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank Hassler

To: Boos, Thomas M - DNR

Cc: IPAW@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 10:57 AM

Subject: Re: [IPAW] Penn sedge control

Might I ask why you are trying to control Pennsylvania Sedge?  It is a native species which is in high demand for restoration work and native landscaping.  Buying it from a nursery it will cost twice as much as other sedges and grasses since they cannot keep up with demand.

Curious,

Frank Hassler

Good Oak Ecological Services

(608) 209-0607

www.goodoakllc.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Time has run out.  Knowing what we know, we must act, and we must act now.  To do otherwise would be an abdication of our responsibility to future generations.

-W. Wallace Covington, Director: Ecological Restoration Institute

On Jun 25, 2009, at 3:00 PM, Boos, Thomas M - DNR wrote:

If you have any ideas or thoughts about controlling Penn sedge let me know. I saw some studies with scarification of the soil and herbicide. No chemical name though. Any thoughts?

 

P Thomas M. Boos II

Forestry Invasive Plant Coordinator

Office of Forest Sciences

Division of Forestry

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

(() phone:      (608) 266-9276

(() fax:         (608) 266-8576

(+) e-mail:     thomas.boos@wi..gov

...and the man plays a beautiful whistle, but he wears a prickly thistle.  Jack White

 

 

 

The Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council will host a roundtable discussion
titled "How low can you go? Making the Go/No-Go decision in low humidity
conditions" on Monday, July 13, from 10:00 until noon, at the
UW-Arboretum McKay Visitor Center.

Last year spring burn conditions were extremely wet, with numerous burns
either postponed or finally, left unburned. This year spring burn
conditions were almost the opposite: beautiful spring weather, but
several days with relative humidity in the extremely low range, less
than 25% and as low as 12% on some days. The discussion will focus on
making the decision whether or not to burn when everything seems to
point towards lighting the match, except that the relative humidity is
low or going to become low as the day advances.

The discussion is free and open to the public, burners, landowners,
contractors, anyone with an interest in this issue.

The Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council Board of Directors will meet at
the same location after lunch. All are welcome to attend.

Thanks,

Dennis Presser, Chair
Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council

The Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed are holding their next JK work date on
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 8-11am at Riley Road bridge. (Rain date: June 14) We'll
cut and drag the new knotweed growth from the riverbank to an upland field for
drying and subsequent burning. (For more info, see
http://geocities.com/badfish_creek/.) Bring loppers if you have them. We'll
provide all other equipment, gloves, and refreshments.

If you can help that day, please email Lynne Diebel lsdiebel@....

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2009

Contact:
Katie Beilfuss
608-250-9971
Katie.Beilfuss@...

WISCONSIN WETLANDS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 100 WETLAND GEMS

MADISON, WI.  Today, with a backdrop of Cherokee Marsh and the Yahara River and
amidst calls of Sandhill cranes, Wisconsin Wetlands Association announced its
statewide list of 100 Wetland Gems.

  "Wisconsin is lucky to be home to thousands of acres of wetlands, and we hope
these Wetland Gems will help the people of Wisconsin get to know the wonderful
diversity and extraordinary beauty of these natural communities," said Becky
Abel, Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive Director.

Wetland Gems are high quality habitats that represent the wetland
riches—marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, and more—that historically made up a quarter
of Wisconsin's landscape.  Located throughout the state of Wisconsin, the
Wetland Gems are high-quality representatives of each type of wetland found in
each part of the state.

The Wisconsin Wetlands Association embarked on the task of selecting Wetland
Gems as part of the organization's work to increase appreciation for and
protection of wetland resources.  The 100 Wetland Gems all represent high
quality wetland habitats and collectively represent Wisconsin's wetland
heritage.

Since the early 1800s, nearly half of Wisconsin's 10 million acres of wetlands
have been drained or filled to make way for land uses like agriculture,
forestry, and urban and suburban development.  A large portion of the 5 million
remaining acres have been altered and degraded.

"Historically, wetlands were not recognized and valued as natural treasures, but
were instead generally considered wastelands and obstacles to progress," said
Abel.  "The fact that so many of our wetlands have been destroyed only heightens
the value of the high quality wetland treasures that remain."

Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, who spoke at the event, connected critical
water issues facing the state with the importance of wetlands.  "Wetlands used
to be routinely filled in for new subdivisions and other growth.  Now we
understand them not only as flood protection, but as nature's kidneys to clean
up farm run-off and the like, and a necessary home to wildlife and fish," said
Lawton.

"We've seen clearly in recent years in Wisconsin how damaging and expensive
floods can be, to individual property and to regional and state economies. 
Wetlands are an essential first strategy to prevent catastrophic flooding,"
Lawton continued.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank, Chief of Staff
for the Dane County Executive Topf Wells, and Madison Parks Department Director
Kevin Briski also spoke at the event, which was attended by more than 100
people.

Wisconsin's 100 Wetland Gems were selected from a long list of sites recognized
by an array of conservation planning efforts that identified critical habitats,
threats, and conservation actions to protect the state's natural communities,
species and special places.  These include plans by groups including The Nature
Conservancy the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin
Bird Conservation Initiative.  Sixty-four of the Wetland Gems are in state
ownership (including State Parks, State Forests, and Wildlife Areas). 
Seventy-seven of the Wetland Gems are also designated as State Natural Areas. 
Other key Wetland Gems landowners include city, town, and county governments,
land trusts, and tribes.

Several of the sites on the Wetland Gems list are important not only at the
statewide level, but also internationally.  In a special announcement made as
part of Wetland Gems event, Tex Hawkins, Watershed Biologist for the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, announced that the Upper Mississippi River Wetlands has
just been officially designated a Wetland of International Importance under the
International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.  This designation brings to two the
number of Wetlands of International Importance in Wisconsin; Horicon Marsh
received the same designation in 1990. Nationwide, the United States has so far
designated 27 Wetlands of International Importance.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
protection, restoration and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems
through science-based programs, education and advocacy.  Established in 1969,
WWA is the only statewide organization focused exclusively on wetland
protection. More than 1400 members include wetland scientists and educators,
conservationists, hunters, concerned citizens, and local and regional
organizations.

###

REGISTER ONLINE at ipaw.org! Registration deadline, May 20th.

The annual meeting of the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin is scheduled
for Saturday evening, May 30, at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.  The
gathering will provide educational, social and entertainment opportunities. 
IPAW members and others are invited to participate.

We are synchronizing our meeting with a 2-day workshop that will train more than
100 people on documenting and monitoring the location of invasive plants in
Wisconsin with high tech tools. We plan to have a hike in the Arboretum between
the conclusion of the workshop on Saturday afternoon and the start of the IPAW
meeting.

The event will also be the setting to announce and give recognition to the 2009
Invader Crusaders selected by the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species.

We will gather at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum Visitor Center on
Saturday, May 30 and our Agenda for the Annual Meeting is as follows:

5:00-6:00 pm Check-in

5:15 pm  Guided hike in the UW Arboretum

6:00 pm  Socializing over dinner

7:00 pm  Invader Crusader Award Presentations

7:30 pm  Update on IPAW activities and happenings

8:00 pm  Open discussion on IPAW’s direction, activities, etc.

8:30 pm  Live comedy entertainment (You will not want to miss this!)

Register online at www.ipaw.org.

Space will be limited to 100 people! Make sure you register early to secure your
spot.  Registration deadline May 20th.

Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) is an Asian plant that has invaded and
degraded miles of riparian areas and wetlands in the East. It should come as no
great surprise, but unfortunate news for Wisconsin regarding JK is that I have
recently documented its ability to produce viable seed in our upland settings,
seed that readily germinates here (at least in the Madison area) and can spread
to otherwise "clean" nearby streamsides. Consequently, JK will likely be much
harder to control than we'd hoped since seed dispersal gives it the ability to
appear anywhere in the landscape where it's damp enough for germination. New,
distant upland sites will increase the chance of it spreading to more wetland
and riparian sites. I've been noting new upland clones in woodlands in several
counties the last couple seasons, and it's likely that these have come from
dispersed seed.

In any invasive control planning that you do, or may advise on, consider that
all JK should be enough of a concern that its ability to produce seed should be
determined, and quicker removal (of at least any female plants) than we thought
may be required to protect other areas on the watershed, especially lower,
riparian sites where JK growth can be especially rampant and destructive, and
from which vegetative spread downstream is highly likely.

Keep in mind:
JK is still low on everybody's radar screens, but that means it's still one of
those plants we can relatively easily keep out of most of our wet areas.
We should all make an effort to recognize it and take steps to control it,
especially female plants, at least where it seems likely to get into riparian
areas.
It's a distinctive plant, given its height, bamboo-like stems, clonal habit, and
incredibly fast growth, though in summer it can be missed until blooming in
August.
It's especially recognizable in winter (even early spring) as the very rusty
color of its dead stems stand out against the white snow (or gray backgrounds).
It's still sold in local shops under a variety of names, such as "dinosaur
plant" (large, fast-growing exotic look?) and "French lace" (based on its
lace-like sprays of cream-colored flowers?). (Other reported names: Fallopia
japonica, Pleuropterus zuccarinii, Polygonum japonicum, P. zuccarinii, P.
sieboldii de Vriese, Reynoutria japonica, Japanese bamboo, Mexican bamboo,
Japanese polygonum, Japanese fleeceflower, false bamboo, Kontiki bamboo,
bombascus.)
NR 40 should help with the sales problem, but keeping it from taking over large
stretches of streamsides (as in the East) will be more of a challenge for us
all.
See Wisconsin's brochure at
http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/publications/pdfs/japanese_knotweed_brochure.pdf
Report its locations at  ninvasiveplants@...


Here are more of the details about local seed production and spread if you want
to read more about it:

This news may not come as much of a surprise to you, but much research on JK has
suggested that it does not spread through sexual reproduction and seed. Emphasis
has instead been on its vegetative spread, either by rhizomes (that can extend
60 feet and grow under paved roads) or by pieces of the plant that sprout new
roots wherever they lodge on moist soil (such as where flood damaged plant parts
root downstream). All JK plants in Europe and Britain are (or have been) female
(in fact, genetically the same plant!) so research findings from there logically
dwell on asexual spread. (Vegetative dispersal along riparian areas will almost
certainly remain our biggest concern.)

To our detriment in North America we have both genders and fertilized female
plants here can produce typical, winged seeds. Research at the University of
Pennsylvania and in Washington State has shown that the plant's seeds are viable
there, germinating both in research plots and natural sites. Reports of
seedlings are still few, and I know of no previous reports of JK seed production
or seedlings here in Wisconsin (or the Midwest).

My recent sighting of the plant in upland sites suggested likely spread through
seed, especially considering U Penn's work. Consequently, I located JK plants in
Madison that produced seeds last fall, harvested some, and have successfully
germinated them in near natural conditions. Scouting specifically for seedlings
this spring under some of these plants has also shown that seeds can germinate
totally unaided. Finally, I have also located JK seedlings at least 10 meters
away from one parental clone, totally out of its shadow, and growing along the
sides of a nearby stream--our worst fears confirmed!

See the seeds at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cpurrin1/2244040247/ and learn to
recognize the seedlings and other life stages at
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=230

The fate of JK seedlings has not been well studied, and it's probable that most
die under the severe shading produced by the huge JK clones growing above most
of them, but those that escape this shading may do well, even under the heavy
shading typical at ground level in many of our mesic forests and highly
competitive wetlands. Seeds from one Washington State clone that germinated near
the clone resulted in several healthy, three year old seedlings. It's been
suggested that a seedling needs 4 to 6 leaves to make it through its first
winter. How they fare in our climate is unknown, so I will watch those I've
documented here, but also encourage you to keep an eye out for them and let me
know if you see seedlings that appear to be successfully overwintering and
establishing new clones where you live in the state.

(BTW, a location reported to me where an established clone does not seem to be
"moving downhill" as one might expect with seed, does not necessarily suggest JK
doesn't spread by seed. Rather, seed production or its viability may be
nonexistent or low since fertilization is probably still rather uncommon. JK is
not yet well spread throughout our landscape and finding both genders in close
proximity is probably still rare. Let's try to keep it that way...)

The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) May 2009 Bulletin.

please share . . . .

Happy Spring!!  The breezes are warming and many have enjoyed their first meal of morel mushrooms.  Spring has definitely arrived even as the plump skunk cabbage blooms next to the last pockets of cedar shaded ice and snow.

---Log hours worked on invasive species control

As we turn our efforts to our yards, gardens, fields and forests, DCIST reminds you to log the hours you spend controlling noxious weeds.    Whether working on invasives to improve your own property or collaborating with friends and neighbors to beautify a favorite local park or public space, these hours are the lifeblood of DCIST.   The good work you do, even on your own property, is used as match for grant funding – as long as the hours are turned in to the Soil & Water Conservation Department.  Please donate your hours.

--Visit DCIST website

Logging your efforts is as easy as visiting the DCIST website and printing out the volunteer logsheet.

While you are there, check out the online Calendar of Events, downloadable publications, and helpful information.  The Calendar of Events will keep you updated on where and when you can attend a Demonstration Workday or participate in a Workparty.

If you need help or advice improving your little corner of Door County, we have the tools and the expertise to help.  If you are interested in getting your neighbors together to beautify and improve your neighborhood, Contact us.  Our Native Landscapes appreciate your help!!

MAY DCIST MEETING

Tackling Problem Invasive Weeds 
 
MONDAY MAY 11, 2009
2PM - 4:30PM
COLLINS LEARNING CENTER, CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK
2041 MICHIGAN STREET
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN

 
GOT  WEEDS?

The May DCIST meeting will explore the challenges associated with tackling problem invasive weeds.  2 brief presentations will be featured:

“Stemming the Tide” an excellent and informative new garlic mustard educational video thanks to Cindy Gaskill on Washington Island and Wisconsin Family Forests.

Master Gardener Patsy Stierna will present “Gardening to Preserve Wildflowers”, a slide show highlighting her efforts to safeguard a rich assemblage of spring wildflowers in Woodside Park in Sturgeon Bay by controlling garlic mustard and dames rocket.

An overview of common problem plants will include basic identification and a discussion on control tactics.  There will also be opportunities to sign up for garlic mustard demonstration control workparties.

DCIST meetings are always free and open to all. 
 

Door Stewardship Workparty

Invasive Species control work at the Mink River Preserve

Tuesday May 5, 2009

9:00am

Meet at the parking lot across form the Viking Restaurant in ‘downtown’ Ellison Bay

Our plan is to :  kill a patch of vinca, chop down Japanese knotweed, cut autumn olive and scout for garlic mustard.

Bring work gloves, clippers and rakes.  Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.  Bring sunscreen and water.

Questions?  Contact: Mary Erickson, Project Assistant merickson@..., (920) 743-8695 (Phone)

Exotic Bush Honeysuckle Demonstration Work Days

Forest Beautification & Restoration at the Gibraltar Outdoor Classroom Site
 
Wednesday May 6, 2009

3:30 – 6pm

&

Saturday May 9, 2009
1 - 4pm
Gibraltar School, north parking lot near the tennis courts
Hwy 42
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
 
Last Fall, students at Gibraltar School collaborated with Peninsula State Park to clear exotic bush honeysuckle to prepare an outdoor classroom area.  The restoration project is off to a healthy start with lots more of the invasive shrub to remove.  The further we push into the pines away from the forest edges, the easier the work gets.  Join the Gibraltar Ecology Club, Friends of Peninsula State Park and the Door County Invasive Species Team to continue this important work.  Not everyone needs to feel comfortable using a saw or loppers – We need folks to drag brush too.
 
Meet in the north end of the Gibraltar School parking lot by the tennis courts.  Participants should dress for the weather and bring gloves.  Bring hands saws and loppers if you can.

Questions?:  Contact Bob Bultman 920. 421. 2283.

Garlic Mustard Control at Peninsula State Park

Saturday May 9, 2009

9am - ?

&

Tuesday May 12, 2009

1pm til 4

Eagle Lighthouse parking lot

Shore Road, Peninsula State Park

Join the Friends of Peninsula State Park to spray newly emerging garlic mustard plants.  Dress for the weather.  Bring a backpack or hand sprayer. 

Call Gary Kemp, Friends Volunteer Coordinator with Questions:  608.963.8705

Cladophora Presentation

May Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN) Meeting

Friday May 15, 2009

9:30 am til noon

***new***Door County Land Trust office

10547 Koessel Lane

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

Join the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network for a presentation on the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and a featured showing of the new video from Sea Grant entitled “All Washed Up: Lake Michigan’s Algae Challenge”.  The brief film illustrates well the cladophora problem in Lake Michigan and its connection with stormwater runoff and invasive mussels.

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The Door Peninsula encompasses globally significant ecosystems that are home to some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire Midwest.  The Door County Invasive Species Team is a collaboration of natural resource professionals, community leaders and interested citizens who are working to preserve and sustain this Natural Capital by empowering citizens with the education, the tools and the skills necessary to control invasive plants and animals.  By elevating the level and degree of invasive species education, control and eradication throughout the entire community, DCIST aims to sustain the wealth of Door County's Native Landscapes.

Volunteerism, donations and grant dollars sustain the DCIST effort.  DCIST generally meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2pm.  To make a donation, set up a training session for your association or group, inquire about our Equipment Loan Program, or to be removed from this mailing list, please contact the coordinator. 

loads of good stuff in here

Are you interested???

IPAW relies on the volunteer spirit of many to achieve our mission to "promote better stewardship of the natural resources of Wisconsin by advancing the understanding of invasive plants and encouraging the control of their spread."  A significant way to contribute is to join our board of directors.  This group meets approximately six times yearly to review progress, develop new ideas and projects, and oversee the various committees of IPAW.  Check out what we do by reviewing the summaries of board meetings at our web site, http://www.ipaw.org/minutes/minutes.htm .

Board members should bring a needed skill or represent a particular segment of society in terms of invasive plants.  We would be most appreciative if someone with accounting/book keeping expertise would be willing to join the Board.  Whether this is your strength or not, we would be happy to answer any questions and discuss the procedure of being nominated.  Contact Jerry Doll (jddoll@...) to explore possibilities or to ask question.  Or maybe you could recommend someone who would be strength on our Board.

Great Opportunity to Greatly Improve Your Invasive Plant ID and Monitoring Skills!

What?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking citizens to participate in a study of a citizen scientist program.  Citizen science is defined as "a partnership between volunteers and scientists to answer real world questions" and typically involves large-scale scientific data collection.  This study is part of an effort to determine the knowledge and skills gained by citizens who participate in a national invasive species training and monitoring program.  The study will consist of a two-day training event.  The subjects taught will include invasive species, Global Positioning System (GPS) use, plant identification, plant monitoring protocols, and the use of our website deigned to map the locations of invasive plants nationwide.  Food will be provided!

When?

The study will be held at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum on May 30-31, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin.  Rain dates are June 13-14, 2009.  Consider joining the Invasive Plants Association for an informative and entertaining evening at the Arboretum on May 30 (more information at ipaw.org).

How?

We would greatly appreciate your participation in any way you can; there are three ways to help:

(1)  Join our in-person training Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum and then demonstrate your newly acquired skills in the field at the same location, May 31st, 2009!
(2)  Join our online training and view training at your leisure at home on your personal computer between May 23 rd and May 29th, 2009 and then demonstrate your newly acquired skills Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at the Arboretum.
(3)  Can't do either 1 or 2? Join our control group and complete our short questionnaire to help us determine the general understanding of the subjects being taught.

You can inform us of your level of interest by filling out a questionnaire
found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bwHS2v2h1oSp540_2bwx_2bQ5A_3d_3d. If you have any questions or comments about this study, please contact Alycia Crall (970-227-3310; crall@...).  We will be contacting you with more details about the event as the date approaches!  Thank you very much for your help with this fun (and important) volunteer opportunity!

Help us in recognizing these outstanding people and send in your nominations. Visit: http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/section.asp?linkid=384&locid=63 to find out more about Invasive Species Awareness Month and to fill out the nomination forms.

IPAW ANNUAL MEETING MAY 30, 2009

The annual meeting of the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin is scheduled
for Saturday evening, May 30, at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.  The
gathering will provide educational, social and entertainment opportunities. 
IPAW members and others are invited to participate.

We are synchronizing our meeting with a 2-day workshop that will train more than
100 people on documenting and monitoring the location of invasive plants in
Wisconsin with high tech tools. We plan to have a hike in the arboretum between
the conclusion of the workshop on Sat. afternoon and the start of the IPAW
meeting.

The event will also be the setting to announce and give recognition to the 2009
Invader Crusaders selected by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council.

Please put the date on your calendar and stay tuned for more information.