Saltcedar Biocontrol Assessment

  The US Dept of Agriculture has announced the availability in the Federal Register, Docket # 03-110-2, of an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the release of a leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata, a biological control agent of Tamarix spp. (aka saltcedar)

Cal-IPC Newsletter Available Online

  The 20-page summer issue of Cal-IPC News is in the mail, and is currently posted online at www.cal-ipc.org (under the "publications" link). Features include: - Partnering with nurseries to prevent invasive plant introductions, by Sarah Connick, Sustainable Conservation;  - High schoolers tackle carnation spurge, by Christy Brigham, Santa Monica Mountains NRA;  - Sesbania control on Dry Creek, by Peter Buck, Sacramento Area Flood Control; - Weed research at UC Riverside, by Jodie Holt, UC Riverside and - 2005 Symposium information

New Invasive Plant Resource Guide 

  Developed by the Center for Invasive Plant Management, the online "Invasive Plant Resource Guide" is a reference for materials (fact sheets, handbooks, booklets, etc.) that support invasive plant management and education. The materials cover a wide array of topics ranging from weed management strategies to natural resources to "working with people" skills. For each item, a description is provided as well as a link to the source. Most items are available for download or in hard copy at no cost.
  Find the Resource Guide at http://www.weedcenter.org/resource_guide/rg_cover.html.

So Cal Don’t Plant a Pest Brochure

  The Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Watershed Weed Management Area and the Mission Resource Conservation District in partnership with the California Invasive Plant Council have recently released the Southern California version of “Don’t Plant a Pest!”  It can be purchase by sending in a completed order form available at: http://www.cal-ipc.org/publications/  It can be viewed at the following website: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5319/20589.pdf

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Educational Events

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SBCWMA 2005 Noxious Weeds Seminar

  This is a reminder that the Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area’s 2005 Noxious Weeds Seminar is happening on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang.  The theme of this year’s seminar is “Riparian Weeds Management”.  For more information and the registration form visit: http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/wma/WMASeminar.htm

Cal-IPC Symposium

  Remember that this year’s Cal-IPC Symposium is coming up fast on October 6, 2005 through October 8, 2005.  For more information, visit: http://www.cal-ipc.org/2004_symposium/

  Join friends and colleagues at the California Invasive Plant Council’s 14th Annual Symposium on the campus of Chico State University!  The Symposium is the state's biggest gathering of wildland weed workers, and gives members an unparalleled opportunity to exchange insights and approaches.  This year's invited papers will focus on the theme of prevention, with sessions on protocols and practices for limiting weed movement; inventory and prediction approaches aimed at stopping spread; and partnerships for early detection and rapid response.  Adding to the mix will be five contributed paper sessions, a poster session, working group meetings, four field trips, and the unveiling of the revised weed list!

  New to the event is a 1-day, pre-symposium Wildland Weed Field Course.  The Wildland Weed Field will be held on October 5, 2005 in Chico California.  For more information, visit: http://www.cal-ipc.org/file_library/20461.pdf.

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Grants

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Bring Back the Natives Aquatic Species Program
  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (http://www.nfwf.org/), in cooperation with its partner agencies, requests pre-proposals from nonprofit organizations; universities; Native American tribes; and local, state, and federal agencies interested in restoring native populations of sensitive or listed aquatic species for its Bring Back the Natives (BBN) program.  Pre-proposals are due by December 2, 2005
  The initiative funds on-the-ground efforts to restore native aquatic species to their historic range. Projects should involve partnerships between communities, agencies, private landowners, and organizations that seek to rehabilitate streamside and watershed habitats, and should focus on habitat needs of species such as fish, invertebrates, and amphibians that originally inhabited waterways across the United States.
  BBN program funding requires a $2 non-federal match for each federal dollar requested by applicants.  The program will award between twelve and fifteen matching grants annually. The average grant is about $60,000 and can be used to support direct project-related salaries, contractual services, and materials needed for on-the-ground restoration.
  Pre-proposals should be submitted electronically through the online application form available on the NFWF Web site. See the Web site, http://www.nfwf.org/programs/bbn.cfm,  for complete program information and application procedures.

CREF Reminder

  This is a reminder that 2006 CREF grants are due Sept 12, 2005.  For more information, visit: http://www.countyofsb.org/energy/CREF/CREF.asp

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Volunteer Opportunity

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Volunteer to be a Docent

  The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is seeking volunteers to become docents.  They are having a docent training class beginning Monday, Sept. 12 from 1:30-4:30.  There will be 8 sessions during the following weeks.

  Docents will learn the natural and cultural history of the preserve in preparation for giving tours to schools and community groups. Each docent usually tours 1-2 times/month as their schedule permits.

  For more information, contact Jane at (805) 684-4405, volunteer@sblandtrust.org

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Job Opening

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  Remember that CalWeedJobs, a website of postings for environmentally related job openings, is available at http://lists.topica.com/lists/calweedjobs.

  (While not related to weeds, these are natural resource positions with the Agricultural Commissioner that I thought some of you might find interesting.)

Entomologist Job Opening

  The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office is seeking a regulatory entomologist, who, under general direction, conducts technical field inspections and laboratory studies directed at the identification, classification, and control of insects that may have an adverse effect on the environment of the County.  The position is based in the Agricultural Commissioner's Office in Santa Barbara, with County-wide responsibilities that will require travel between various County offices.  Apply by September 2, 2005.  For more information visit: http://www.jobaps.com/sbc/sup/B05-3258-01.asp?RecruitNum1=05&RecruitNum2=3258&RecruitNum3=01

Agricultural Land Use Planner

  The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office is seeking an agricultural land use planner, who, under direction, performs a variety of tasks in support of agricultural land use planning and resource protection.  The vacancy is in Santa Maria.  The deadline for applications is September 23, 2005.  For more information, visit: http://www.jobaps.com/sbc/sup/B05-0350-01.asp?RecruitNum1=05&RecruitNum2=0350&RecruitNum3=01

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Sincerely,

David Chang

Agricultural Commissioner's Office

County of Santa Barbara

(805) 681-5600

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