Creating Capacity to Confront Invasive Plants as Barriers to Economic Productivity and Environmental Sustainability

Creating Capacity to Confront Invasive Plants as Barriers to Economic Productivity and Environmental Sustainability

Summary

Introductory Presentations to 3 OSU Extension Master Gardener Classes, one library group, and one watershed group, and 1 garden club reached over 100 people.

1 day long training for NRPs elevating the discussion about the challenging issue of invasive plants and giving voice to diverse perspectives on vegetative management and control options for 20 individuals with land management responsibilities.

1 2-day training for landowners, NRPs etc., including workshops on invasives, native plant propagation, restoration and Best Management Practices for logging.

Grapevine articles, Resource List, Informational Folder, Newspaper articles.

Objectives/Performance Targets

12 one-hour presentations to NRPs at existing training workshops.

4 half-day trainings for NRPs (with optional field component) at existing meetings

2 two-day intensive trainings for highly interested and motivated NRPs and landowner-leaders

Planning and evaluation with NRP/Landowner committee

Coordinate list-serv focused on invasive plants for interested NRPs

Strategy meeting with interested/motivated NRPs

With leveraging of other resources, exploring potential inclusion of distance learning for dissemination of intensive trainings

Resource CD and resource Website

3 briefing sheets related to ID, control, and monitoring

Quarterly articles for publications, list-servs, and newspapers; “wanted posters” and more in-depth materials such as info bulletins on control also distributed

Accomplishments/Milestones

Introductory Presentations
March 8, Morgan County OSU Extension Master Gardeners, Chris Penrose Extension Educator, Charlotte Robe Community Volunteer. Presentation by Tom Redfern, 16 people in attendance, assisted by Jeff Hardin VISTA Volunteer. One hour presentation on invasive plants, and one hour on native plant propagation.

March 24, Hocking County OSU Extension Master Gardeners, Jim Skeeles Extension Educator. Presentation by Tom Redfern. 20 minute discussion, 1.5 hour field ID session, 14 people in attendance.

April 19, Athens County OSU Extension Master Gardeners, Rory Lewandowski Extension Educator. 1 hour presentation, with samples, by Tom Redfern. 18 people in attendance assisted by Jeff Hardin.

April 26, Albany Public Library- 1 hour presentation to 12 people, including landowners, librarians, garden club members, and environmental educators, by Tom Redfern and Jeff Hardin.

May 23, Sunday Creek Watershed Group- 1 hour presentation to 12 people, including landowners, educators, and land managers.

September 10, Fairfield Herb Society, Lithopolis, Ohio- 1 hour presentation to 25 people, focusing on the value of native understory plants, and including the threat of invasive species.

October 6, Hocking College Nelsonville, Ohio Great Outdoor Adventure Invasive Plant Identification Hike led by Tom Redfern and Jeff Hardin, 4 in attendance

Two-Day Training
Invasive Plant Management Training for Natural Resource Professionals:
“A Look at Diverse and Current Perspectives and Methods of Control”
On June 1st 2007 twenty Natural Resource Professionals gathered at Camp Oty’Okwa, in Hocking County to learn more about Invasive Plant Management. Participants included Ohio Division of Forestry personnel, OSU extension educators, township maintenance employees, facilities management supervisors, students, botanists, and landowners. Presenters came from Ohio, West Virginia, and New York, and represented many years of natural resource management experience.

In a region with 60% to 70% forest cover, the state’s only national forest, and large tracts of both public and private forestland, invasive plant management has been pushed to the fore front as a major environmental concern. Our program advisory board, staff members, organizational members, and partners, have identified invasive plant management as a critical issue. The June 1st training gave us a chance to delve deeper into this problem to further examine underlying causes, challenging the accepted language used to personify invasive plants, and critique common management strategies. Rural Action was able to provide a forum where professionals with opposing viewpoints could hear each other out and where novices to the issue could gain critical insights.

Currently three basic scientific viewpoints seem to exist concerning invasive plants. Invasive plants are the major threat to native plant communities and need to be aggressively controlled. Secondly, invasive plants can pose a threat in some situations, but whether they are reducing biodiversity is inconclusive. And finally, they are merely a symptom of underlying problems that cannot be remedied by invasive plant removal, and may even exacerbate it. These three viewpoints were presented at our June 1st training. (For more on these three viewpoints see Conservation Magazine April-June 2007, Vol. 8, No. 2.)

The Rural Action Forestry and Agriculture programs are committed to continuing to work on the issue of controlling invasive plants because we believe, along with most of our partners that this as an economic, as well as a natural heritage issue. While realizing that the term native can be arbitrary, we think it is important to protect the plants recorded in historical records, while at the same time not to vilify invasive plants, but strive to control them rationally and utilize them if possible.

We look forward to continuing to work with the Ohio Invasive Plants Council, Ohio University, the Wayne National Forest, and our many other partners on this important issue. We are honored to be able to continue the Rural Action tradition of bringing different viewpoints “to the table,” so that we can all find common ground and ways to learn from each other.

The reviews of the June 1st Invasive Plant Management Training were mixed. Using the rating scale provided to the attendants (one through five, five being the best), the average review was a three. Comments were generally good, however there were some suggestions given to improve the next training. These suggestions included: representing the nursery business, more stories about treatment successfulness, and legal issues that might prevent invasive introductions. The participants were also asked to rate the speakers. Bob Beyfuss, by far, received the best overall rating, while Fred Hays received the lowest rating. Jennifer Windus, John Fichtner, and Jennifer Hillmer all received fair scores, with no complaints. Many of the evaluation forms gave a final comment of “good job”, indicating that not too many participants left unsatisfied or disappointed. Those attending were invited to stay for further workshops on the topic at the Landowners Conference the following day.

Landowners Conference Invasives Track
A “track” of workshops was developed and implemented that addressed the problem of Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) in Ohio. This was part of the 9th Annual Landowners Conference which drew over 120 participants, 25 exhibitors, 27 accredited speakers, and offered over 30 workshop sessions and field hikes. An estimated 45 natural resource professionals attended. The track included “Invasive Plant Identification”, “Minimizing the Impact of Emerald Ash Borer on Your Woodland”, “Controlling Invasive Species with Sheep and Goats”, and “Biological Control Principles and the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle.” A concurrent track of workshops was held within the theme of native plants which included “Native Plant Propagation”, “Restoration on Your Property”, and “Going Native: Alternatives to Invasive Plants.”

One-Day Training

Invasive Plant Management Training:
Experiences in Appalachian Ohio
Invasive plant trainings scheduled for Oct. 12th and 13th 2007 continued our educational efforts. These trainings titled “Experiences in Appalachian Ohio” had a “real world “ emphasis, and included local research, management programs, and effective control experiences. Presenters included Dr. Brian McCarthy of Ohio University Dept. of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ann Bonner, State Urban Forester, Cheryl Coon, Botanist for the Athens District of the Wayne National Forest, and Rory Lewandowski of OSU Extension. Doug Albaugh from Friends of the Lower Muskingum, shared his methods of controlling tree of heaven. Trainings covered identification, control, and other issues related to the impact of invasive plant species affecting Ohio’s ecology. The trainings were developed from advisory committee input and attendee comments in evaluations from the June training.

Although the events were merged due to low attendance for one day, originally the 12th was geared toward Natural Resource Professionals while the 13th was geared toward landowners. Pre-registration numbers totaled 21. Twelve landowners and natural resource managers attended. Despite these numbers, evaluations were very positive. All speakers averaged a rating of “5” (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the best), and the overall rating of the training was close to a five. Topics included Tree of Heaven control and current research, controlling invasive plants with livestock, and information on Poison Hemlock. Continuing Education Units were made available for both trainings through Society of American Foresters. The trainings were coordinated to build upon our history of working with landowners and natural resource professionals in the Federal Valley Watershed.

Invasive Plant Control and Demonstration Plots
Wayne National Forest, Athens, Ohio
An infestation of Japanese Stiltgrass was found in the Wayne National Forest where its property meets that of 2 other landowners. Both landowners were informed about last year’s training and given invasive plant resource packets, but were unable to attend. A neighboring landowner granted permission for participants to access the Wayne National Forest via their property. While implementing the control prescriptions, we trained 3 young resource professionals on such topics as Japanese Stiltgrass identification, control, reseeding with native species, and how to prevent spread. Control methods were implemented in research plots consisting of 3 replications of 6 treatments. Treatments included handpulling, weedeating, spraying with a 5% vinegar solution, pulling and covering with a leaf litter layer, pulling and reseeding, and a control. Research was conducted and designed in partnership with Ohio University Department of Environmental and Plant Biology. Other partners include Ohio State University Extension and Wayne National Forest. See attached announcement in Wayne National Forest publication. Also, see attached year two research trial summary.

Invasive Plant Advisory Committee of Rural Action Sustainable Forestry
Includes Wayne National Forest, Friends of the Lower Muskingum, Ohio University Departments of Geography and Plant Biology, Hocking College, Ohio State University Extension, landowners, and others. Met three times during reporting period. Met with Invasive Plant Committee members about possible Cooperative Weed Management Area formation and grant proposal development. Please see attached list of committee members. Three Rural Action Sustainable Forestry Advisory Board Meetings were also held in which invasive plant issues were discussed. All invasive plant trainings and curricula have been created in conjunction with advisory committee members. Evaluation forms are given to all participants including speakers and attendees. This information is used to create future programming.

Outreach
Rural Action Sustainable Forestry maintained at least a full invasive plant display panel, invasive plant articles, and a resource sheet at regional fairs and festivals during the grant period. Fairs and festivals listed below included attendance by a diverse audience, including many natural resource professionals.
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) Conference. (March 3-4, Granville, OH)
Pawpaw Festival (September 15-16, Albany, OH)
Sustainability Festival (September 29-30, Athens, OH)
Great Outdoor Adventure (October 4-6, Nelsonville, OH)
In observance of National Invasive Plant week, Project Staff appeared on “Volunteer Action” on WATH radio station, (Feb. 27, Athens, Ohio) with U.S. Forest Service Botanist.
Project staff supplied materials to the Albany Public Library for a month long exhibit on Invasive Plants, (April).

Listserv Participation
Rural Action Sustainable Forestry is currently involved and contributing to 3 listservs where invasives are discussed.

Articles
The Grapevine, Rural Action Sustainable Forestry’s Newsletter, included an article titled “Forest Change in the Federal Valley Watershed” describing the presence and distribution of nine invasive plants that are newer to the region in the watershed. This publication reached approximately 1500 people. Members and affiliates received these in the mail while others have picked them up at fairs, festivals, workshops, events, and conferences.

Resource CD Development and Informational Folder
At least 40 USDA Invasive Plant Resource CD’s were distributed at various trainings. 250 Midwest Invasive Plant Network Brochures were purchased.

An informational folder on invasive plants was developed and distributed to presentation participants. Contents included the following.

Invasive Plants and Native Plants Resource List (Rural Action)

The Grapevine Newsletter Spring 2007 including the article “Forest Change in the Federal Valley Watershed” (Rural Action)

Coarse Grain Invasive Plant Inventory Distribution Map of Federal Valley Watershed (Rural Action)

“Aliens Among Us” Article from Conservation Magazine

“Real American Beauties” Article from American Nurseryman Magazine

Invasive Plants of Ohio Fact Sheets (ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, The Nature Conservancy, and MetroParks)

“Keep a Lookout for New Invasive Plants in the Midwest” Invasive Plant Identification Sheet (Midwest Invasive Plant Network)

“Tackling a Thorny Issue” American Nurseryman Magazine

Native Plant Rescue Brochure (Rural Action)
Rural Action Sustainable Forestry Brochure
Visitor’s Guide to the Greater Federal Valley Brochure (Rural Action)

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Three OSU extension agents have included invasive plant information in their Master Gardeners training programs, addressing an issue not currently included in the Master Gardener curriculum. Master Gardeners have an educational volunteer role mandated in their program, and are therefore key agents of horticultural dissemination in their communities.

One OSU extension agent is participating with one USDA Forest Botanist, and Project staff, in a multi-year invasive plant management study.

One Ohio Division of Natural Resources Urban Forester is including holistic management principles in her outreach on invasive plants.

One Institutional Grounds Manager is decreasing her use of potentially invasive species.

Over 100 volunteers including NRP’s and land managers, took part in a Native Plant Rescue, highlighting the value of native understory plants, and the impact of disturbances on native and alien flora.

One Ohio Division of Wildlife Biologist utilized the coarse grain inventory of invasive plants developed by Project Staff, to begin eradication of Kudzu, a new invasive plant in the area, as well as Hogweed, a potentially toxic noxious weed.

Three members of the Rural Action Forestry Advisory Board, as well as 2 members of the RA invasive plant community are working with project staff to develop a local weed management area at the watershed level.

Additional grant funding has been obtained from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, which will be used to increase landowner access to NRP’s at the watershed level to increase the number of forest management plans, which will include the control of invasive species.