This seems to be the summer of the invasive species–prevention, control, and early detection, that is! In addition to PRISM‘s, Master Gardener trainings and aquatic invasive species workshops, Early Detection and Rapid Response is now getting a second, intensive exposure on the North Coast.
Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is an approach to invasive species management that focuses on surveying and monitoring areas to find infestations at their earliest stages of invasion. Monitoring can be either passive (during normal work or recreation), or active (by searching a particular area repeatedly for invasive species).
Once found, control of a new invader is begun rapidly to prevent its establishment and spread. After prevention, EDRR is the most successful, cost effective, and least damaging means of invasive species control.
The biological invasion curve showing that detection and prevention make the most sense from monetary, environmental and effectiveness perspectives.
Yesterday, another invasive-focused partnership launched with the first training of the Clatsop County Early Detection of Invasive Species Network (CCEDIN). Included in that supporting group are the National Park Service (represented by the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park), The Nature Conservancy, Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (represented by Ft. Stevens State Park), OSU Extension Service Clatsop County, Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Dave Ambrose of the Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District who hatched the great idea in the first place. Many thanks to all who helped make this training happen.
August 19th, CCEDIN trained volunteers throughout this far North coast county to comb parks, public lands, and trails for 8 relatively new invaders including: Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Shining Geranium (Geranium lucidum), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola), Policeman’s Helmet (Impatiens glandulifera).
The Nature Conservancy’s Tania Siemens and Bruce Campbell as well as myself and Jackie Russell from OSU developed an set of identification cards for the volunteers to use in the field. See resources below.
Resources from the training that I’m making available here include:
- More reporting forms (pdf)
Below are a list of links that we encourage CCEDIN volunteers (and others) to visit:
- Noxious Weeds in the State of Oregon:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS
- Neighboring states/provinces:
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/index.htm
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weeds.htm
http://www.cal-ipc.org
http://idahoweedawareness.net/index.html
- Photos and control information:
http://www.invasive.org
- General invasive species information and resources:
http://emswcd.org/weeds
http://www.opb.org/programs/invasives
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsandplants/noxious-weeds.aspx
http://www.invasivespeciesoforegon.com
http://www.westerninvasivesnetwork.org
http://plants.usda.gov
- Reporting Invasive species:
http://www.oregoninvasiveshotline.org
We will have more EDRR trainings as CCEDIN expands. Stay tuned to H2ONC for more information. For those outside of the county, look for opportunities to do EDRR locally–they’re out there. If not, contact me here and I will help you get started.
H2ONCoast 