From: Chang,
David
Sent:
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:49 PM
Subject:
[SBCWMA News] May 2007
SBCWMA Newsletter
May
2007
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News
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Yellow Starthistle Rust Update 4/20/07
Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist for the Agricultural Commissioner's Office,
Baldo Villegas, CDFA, and Brian Cabrera, Entomologist for the Agricultural
Commissioner's Office recently toured Puccinia jaceae var solstitialis release sites and a potential new
release site on a private ranch in Santa Barbara County. Puccinia
jaceae var solstitialis is an obligate
fungal parasite that was released in the county as a biological control agent
of yellow starthistle.
A potential release at a private ranch was sought to widen the habitats where
releases are being made, except that, there weren’t enough YST plants to
justify a rust inoculation – probably because it was such a dry year, not
because YST is really gone. The Agricultural Commissioner's Office will
check again next year if the YST puts out a better batch of seedlings.
Worse news is that the rust was not found on the Los Padres sites where it was
previously released; it apparently has not overwintered
and restarted an epidemic. Hopefully, it is still present in the site,
just not expressing itself well this season.
New Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control of
Invasive Plants 4/27/07
Dr. Sylvan Kaufman and Wallace Kaufman announced the publication of their book,
Invasive Plants. Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common
North American Species. Following is text from their announcement to
the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council:
This easy-to-use, wide ranging guide to invasive plants in North America
features full-color photos and descriptions of more than 175 alien species.
Introductory chapters give
readers the big picture that creates a frame for thinking about particular
regions, localities and species. Text for each species describes the
plant’s environmental and economic impacts as well as management techniques
used to control it. Some of these aquatic and terrestrial plants change
the landscape in almost unimaginable ways. All have interesting stories
associated with their arrival and impacts on the environment.
This is an essential guide for understanding this growing environmental
challenge. Whether you just want to know what invasive plants are and
which ones are a problem in your region or whether you
need to identify and control particular plants, this guide has the
answers. It is a wonderful resource for gardeners, landscapers, land
managers, naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, botanists and ecologists.
Sylvan Kaufman is the conservation curator at Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely, MD and holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from
Rutgers University.
Wallace Kaufman is a science
writer and author of several popular nature books, including Coming Out of the
Woods, No Turning Back, and The Beaches are Moving. More information on
invasive plants and the authors can be found online at www.invasiveplantguide.com.
To order books from Stackpole, visit http://www.stackpolebooks.com/ or
call 1-800-732-3669.
Izaak Walton League of
America Launches Clean Boats Campaign to Combat Invasive Species 4/30/07
Every day, boaters and anglers unknowingly introduce harmful invasive species
into their favorite lakes and streams. These plants and animals hitch a ride in
boat hulls, propellers, muddy boots, and other equipment. The Izaak Walton League of America is launching the Clean Boats
Campaign to raise awareness of this problem and educate boaters and anglers how
to properly clean their gear.
The campaign kicks off with a sweepstakes for a $2,500 boater's shopping spree
and other prizes. Participants enter to win by visiting www.cleanboats.org and taking the Clean
Boats Challenge to see if they know how to keep their boats and waterways
clean and safe from invasive species.
Because invasive species such as zebra mussels and round gobies aren't native
to American waters, they are safe from the predators and diseases of their
native habitat. As a result, they reproduce exponentially and outcompete native fish and
wildlife populations, threatening biodiversity. They can also ruin boat
engines, jam steering equipment, increase the operating costs of drinking water
and power plants, affect human health, and reduce property values. In the Great
Lakes region alone, at least 184 aquatic invasive species are already
established, with a new one discovered every eight months.
"Each year, the United States spends $9 billion trying to control the
spread of aquatic invasive species that are damaging our waterways and
wildlife," says Leah Miller, director of watershed programs for the Izaak Walton League. "If you can detect them early
enough, it may be possible to eradicate them. But in most instances, it is too
late. That's why it is important for boaters, anglers, and other water
users to inspect and clean their boats and gear every time they leave the
water. This keeps invasive species from spreading to new waters."
For more information on the Clean Boats Campaign, contact Leah Miller, (301)
548-0150, ext. 219, lmiller@iwla.org.
Clean Boats Campaign public service announcements are available for download
and use. For more information, please contact Jay Clark at (301) 548-0150, ext.
233, or jclark@iwla.org. The Clean Boats
Campaign is funded by the Healing Our Waters Coalition, the Anheuser-Busch
Companies, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Great Lakes
Watershed Restoration Program.
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America protects
America's outdoors through community-based conservation, education, and the
promotion of outdoor recreation. The League has more than 40,000 members and
supporters nationwide.
Cal-IPC 2007 Symposium – 2nd Call for Papers
The California Invasive Plant Council invites members of the wildland weed
community to submit abstracts for contributed papers and posters for the 16th
Annual Symposium in San Diego, September 20-22. The Cal-IPC Symposium
brings together more than 350 researchers, land managers, and other weed
workers from throughout California. Paper sessions are held Thursday and
Friday, with a pre-Symposium field course on Wednesday and field trips on
Saturday. Oral presentations are 15 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions.
Two designated poster sessions will allow poster presenters to interact
with attendees.
Speakers receive a $20 discount on registration fees and a limited number of
discounted registrations are available for students ($100 discount).
Registration will open later this spring.
Examples
of presentation topics:
·
Invasive plant
biology or ecology
·
Management
techniques and habitat restoration
·
Early detection
and rapid response
·
Mapping and
strategic planning tools
·
Innovative weed
management projects or outreach programs
·
Social issues or
policy related to invasive plant management
Submit abstracts as an email attachment to Elizabeth Brusati, edbrusati@cal-ipc.org using the
template provided at www.cal-ipc.org/symposia/index.php.
Abstracts should be approximately 200 words and must be received by JUNE
1. Space is limited for oral presentations, so some submitters may be
asked to present a poster instead.
All presenters are encouraged to submit extended abstracts or full manuscripts
for publication in the Symposium Proceedings. Instructions will be sent
to presenters after abstracts are accepted.
For more information about the 2007 Symposium, and to view presentations from
previous years, visit www.cal-ipc.org.
Volunteers Needed for Weed Control Trips on Santa Cruz
Island 4/14/07
Volunteers are always needed to help with weed control on Santa Cruz Island,
Anacapa Island, and Santa Rosa Island. The next trip to Santa Cruz
Island is from Wednesday May 23 to Friday May 25. Please contact Ken
Owen, at islands@rain.org or (805)
448-5726. For more information visit http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/
Nominations Sought for Leopold Conservation Award
The Sand County Foundation, California Farm Bureau Federation,
and Sustainable Conservation are pleased to be sponsoring the 2007 Leopold
Conservation Award in California. Landowners can nominate themselves or
be nominated by a third party. The award recognizes private landowners'
commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and management of their
land. The award also aims to inspire others to become effective
environmental stewards, and help the public understand the important role
dedicated farmers and ranchers play in sustaining a healthy environment.
Rewarding and exemplifying landowners' commitment to protecting natural
resources is crucial – as a majority of the nation's remaining wild places and
species are located on or near private property.
Finalists are selected in part based on their commitment to responsible and
sustainable land management, the overall health of their land, implementation
of innovative practices and dedication to community outreach and leadership.
The grand prize of $10,000 and a crystal rendering of Aldo Leopold,
author of the Sand County Almanac, will be presented at the California Farm
Bureau Federation's annual convention in December. Runner-up prizes of
$1,000 will also be presented.
Nominations must be made by June 29, 2007. Download forms at www.leopoldconservation.org or
call (415) 977-0380 or email suscon@suscon.org
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Grant Resources
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Flood Protection Corridor Program and the Local Levee
Grant Program
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has scheduled a public meeting to
present information and to discuss the Draft Revised Guidelines and the
Proposal Solicitation Packages for the Flood Protection Corridor Program and
the Local Levee Grant Program.
As part of the FloodSafe California Initiative, DWR
is developing several grant programs using the funds authorized under
Proposition 84 (the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006). DWR recently
released draft guidelines for two competitive grant programs, the Flood
Protection Corridor Program and the Local Levee Grant Program. Following
are brief descriptions of both programs:
Flood Protection Corridor Program: Originally initiated under
Proposition 13 (the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Water Quality, and Flood
Control Bond Act of 2000), the Flood Protection Corridor Program competitively
grants funds to eligible agencies and organizations to fund acquisition,
restoration, enhancement and protection of real property while preserving
sustainable agriculture and enhancing wildlife habitat in and near flood
corridors throughout the state.
Local Levee Grant Program: The Local Levee Grant Program is a
recently-developed, competitive grant program to financially assist eligible
local flood control agencies to repair and improve local flood control
facilities (Local Levee Urgent Repairs) and to evaluate local levees (Local
Levee Evaluations). Both types of grants will be offered competitively
statewide to qualified applicants.
Junipero
Serra – Carmel Room
Wednesday,
May 9, 2007
10
a.m. to 1 p.m.
(My apologies for the late distribution of this info, although I assume the application
period will be still open some time after this meeting. – dc)
* The May 7, 2007 workshop presentation will be available via the internet at
the following website: http://www.floodsafe.water.ca.gov.
BASF 2007 Invasive Vegetation Management Matching Grants
Program 5/2/07
BASF has announced a request for proposals for the 2007 ProVM
Invasive Vegetation Management Matching Grants Program. Proposals are due
by July 12, 2007. Please use the attached link to find all program
information and documentation. Last year, $200,000 was granted to 20
groups and this year the total has increased to $300,000.
Direct questions to Jim Beam or Jennifer Vollmer. For more information, go
to http://www.vmanswers.com/content.aspx?mid=0&pid=1141
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Acknowledgement
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This
newsletter is compiled from various sources, including emails I receive from
people who are involved in the invasive weed field, and from listserves.
I modify the emails, but sometimes they are inserted here nearly
verbatim. I thank those people for this information and for their
devotion to protecting and conserving habitat. If you recognize something
that you wrote and object to its use here or on my website, contact me and I
will promptly remove it from my website.
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Sincerely,
David Chang
Agricultural Commissioner's
Office
County of Santa Barbara
(805) 681-5600
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