Guest Article - Be a Hero - Transport Zero Campaign

Illinois is full of dedicated people and innovative ideas for addressing invasive species. From time to time, this blog is going to host guest articles in which the stories about some of these people, projects, or ideas are told. The next article in this series comes from Sarah Zack, with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Illinois Natural History Survey.  Sarah writes here about the Be a Hero-Transport Zero campaign.  All of the guest articles can be viewed HERE.

Be a hero – help prevent the spread of invaders in Illinois!

by Sarah Zack, Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist

Some of Illinois’ greatest natural treasures are Lake Michigan and the many inland lakes and rivers.  These waters are home for hundreds of fish, invertebrate, waterfowl and plant species, and they provide recreational opportunities and beautiful natural vistas for the people of Illinois to enjoy.  Illinois’ waters also provide a significant boost to our economy, since aquatic recreation is a favorite pastime of people all over the state.  Most people are probably already aware that invasive species – non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that cause harm to natural areas – have long been recognized as a serious economic and environmental threat.  Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can severely impede some of our favorite outdoor activities – Asian carp in the Illinois River can make waterskiing impossible, Eurasian watermilfoil infestations can choke waterways and make swimming difficult, round gobies can decimate smallmouth bass and crappie recruitment; the list goes on and on. In general, people are well aware of the potential negative impacts of AIS in their waterways, but what people don’t always know is that they can make a real difference in the fight against these aquatic invaders. 

Figure 1: Recreational water user equipment can easily transport aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels.

In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) launched Be a Hero-Transport Zero™, a statewide outreach campaign designed to raise awareness of AIS prevention.  

Figure 2: The campaign logo for Be a Hero-Transport Zero™.

The target of this campaign is recreation­al water users – boaters, anglers, waterfowl hunters, and others who enjoy Illinois’ waters – who might unknow­ingly spread these species from one body of water to another. When people trailer their boats or move their gear after a day on the wa­ter, they may be carrying AIS that could acciden­tally be introduced into a new waterbody.  The campaign message emphasizes three simple actions to help pre­vent this from happening—remove plants, animals, and mud from all equipment, drain all water from your boat and gear, and dry everything thoroughly with a towel. 

Figure 3: Television commercial promoting the Be A Hero-Transport Zero™ campaign.

Since its widespread release in May 2013, Be a Hero-Transport Zero™ has reached an impressive number of people in Illinois:

• Via in-person events like talks to fishing clubs, booths at boat shows, and the Clean Boats Crew program, over 11,000 recreational water users have been exposed to AIS issues and the ways in which they can prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.
• Television commercials, print ads in Outdoor Illinois News, radio spots statewide on WGN and CBS radio, and online advertising on the Chicago Tribune, NBCSports, and WGN websites resulted in over 150 million exposures to the campaign message.
• The campaign website had over 7,000 visitors, which tells us that many people are motivated to learn more about how they can help prevent the spread of AIS.

A recent survey conducted by INHS’s Human Dimensions Research Program indicated that the Be A Hero-Transport Zero™ campaign is effective.  Nearly 90% of those surveyed could correctly interpret the AIS prevention message represented by the logo.  Even more promising is the fact that people who had previously seen or heard the campaign message were significantly more likely to always remove and drain.  These data are very encouraging, and indicate that the public is getting the message that their actions are important in the fight against AIS.

This campaign is designed to address the spread of invasive species on land as well.  The Be a Hero-Transport Zero™ logo has also been adapted for terrestrial invasive plants (such as garlic mustard) and forest pests (such as the emerald ash borer).  Ultimately, Be A Hero-Transport Zero™ will convey a unify­ing message to anyone who boats, hikes, camps, fishes, or hunts in Illinois that invasive species aren’t good for Illinois’ economy or environment and that their actions can and do make a difference.  As the campaign pro­gresses, look for the Be A Hero-Transport Zero™ mes­sage at trailheads, on signage, and in hunting guides and pamphlets at natural areas throughout the state.

Figure 4: The complete set of “Be a Hero” AIS prevention campaign logos.  From left to right: aquatic transport. terrestrial transport, and release.

To round out our efforts, and truly make “Be a Hero” Illinois’ comprehensive invasive species campaign, we’re also gearing up to launch Be a Hero-Release Zero™.  This expansion of the campaign introduces water gardeners, aquarium hobbyists, and others who buy and sell species to safe alternatives to disposing of unwanted plants and animals.  Releasing plants and animals into nearby waterways might seem like a humane way to deal with the goldfish that’s outgrown his tank or the plants that have spread too thickly in your water garden, but this action could be unknowingly spreading invaders from one waterbody into another.  The Be a Hero-Release Zero™ message encourages gardeners and hobbyists to instead bag and place plants in the trash, find a new home for animals (or seek advice on humane disposal), and disinfect or properly dispose of water.

For more information about the Be a Hero-Transport Zero campaign, visit our website at transportzero.org.  Look for information about prevention tips for hikers, campers, and other recreationists, as well as information about the Release Zero campaign coming soon.

Sarah Zack is an aquatic invasive species specialist with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Please check out the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant website  for information about aquatic invasive species in Illinois, or contact Sarah at szack@illinois.edu for more information

Phenology Report for May 18, 2015

From time to time, we will be reporting on the development of invasive plants across Illinois, informing readers about what is in bloom, leafing out, setting seed, senescing in different regions of the state.  Feel free to add to the knowledge by emailing chris.evans@illinois.gov and letting me know what the plants are doing in your area of Illinois.

Phenology Report for May 18, 2015*

(Contributors include Mike Davis, Nick Seaton, Caleb Grantham, Eric Smith, Scott Schirmer, Cathy McGlynn, and Kathleen Garness)
*Report based upon observations between May 11-15, 2015

Southern Illinois

• Multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora and bush honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii - These two common woody shrub species are in full bloom.  Spring leaf expansion is complete and the plants are susceptible to herbicide treatments (both foliar and cut stump work at this time of year).  Since both species do attract pollinators, it is recommended that you wait until the blooms have diminished before any foliar applications of herbicide.
• Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica - this invasive plant is blooming now.  This species has a very long bloom window and can flower from now through the summer and fall, even into early winter.
• Autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata and Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana - These invasive shrubs/small trees are both past flowering and have small, unripe fruits.  They are both susceptible to herbicide treatments at this point in development. 
• Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata - This herbaceous woodland invader is nearly finished blooming and now mostly has green, unripe fruit pods.  Herbicide treatments are not effective at this developmental stage.  Instead, hand pull, bag, and remove plants.
• Sweet clover, Melilotus sp. and Sericea lespedeza, Lespedeza cuneata - both of these invasive members of the bean family are starting vigorous growth.  Sweet clover is in full flower.  Sericea lespedeza is not flowering yet but is in some place about knee high.  Look for these species growing in open areas, prairies, pastures, and roadsides.
• Japanese stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum - this annual grass species started germinating about three weeks ago and is now several inches high.  As the temperatures increase, expect the growth rate of this plant to drastically increase.  While the plants can be easily killed at this time of year, subsequent germination can still occur.  Either plan on coming back at a later date for follow up treatments or hold off on treatments until mid-late summer.
• Poison hemlock, Conium maculatum and Wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa - Both of these are biennial members of the carrot family.  Poison hemlock is flowering at this point and wild parsnip is just starting to come into flower.  Herbicide treatments can still be effective at this point, but watch poison hemlock and stop applying herbicides when the flowers start to turn into fruit.
• Reed Canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea - This perennial grass species is just starting to flower.  Now is a great time of year to control this species with an herbicide application.  Keep in mind that this species often grows in wet areas.  If so, an aquatic-labelled herbicide should be used.
• Crow vetch, Securigera varia - This perennial herbaceous vine is just starting to bloom.  You can find this plant along many roadsides in the region.

Central Illinois

• Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata - This biennial invasive plant is in full flower right now but many are starting to show the seed pods.  While herbicides could still be effective at this point with so few seed pods, it may be more effective to hand pull, bag, and remove plants.
• Sweet clover, Melilotus sp. - is starting to bolt but is still low and "bushy" looking with no flowers yet.  This is a great time of year to treat this species, taking care to avoid non-target impacts.  UPDATE: On 5-18, Sweet clover was just starting to come into flower in this region.
• Dame's Rocket, Hesperis matronalis  - Is in full flower right now, but no seed pods have been observed yet.  As with garlic mustard, the best method of control when the plants are in full flower is to hand pull, bag, and remove all plants.
• Poison hemlock, Conium maculatum and Wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa - both of these biennial plants are bolting but neither is flowering as of yet, though they are close.  This is the ideal time to treat them.
• Crown vetch, Securigera varia - This perennial herbaceous vine is growing quickly, but no flowers as of yet.
• Bush honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii and Autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata  - These woody invasive shrubs are both flowering, but no fruit formation as of yet.  Spring leaf expansion is complete and the plants are susceptible to herbicide treatments (both foliar and cut stump work at this time of year).  Since both species do attract pollinators, it is recommended that you wait until the blooms have diminished before any foliar applications of herbicide.
• Star of Bethlehem,Ornithogalum umbellatum  - This weedy low growing plant is in full flower, but is past peak.  Flowering should end soon.

Northern Illinois

• Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata - This biennial invasive plant is in full flower right now and just starting to develop seed pods.  While herbicides could still be effective at this point with so few seed pods, it may be more effective to hand pull, bag, and remove plants.
• Yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris - This weedy mustard is in full bloom now.  You can see this plant in roadsides, old fields, and other open areas.
• Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense - This perennial thistle is starting to grow but not yet near bloom.  Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare, and teasel, Dipsacus sp., rosettes are apparent but not near blooming.
• Reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea - This perennial grass is starting to mature but not in flower yet.  The best time of year to control this species with an herbicide application is just at the point of flowering.  Keep in mind that this species often grows in wet areas.  If so, an aquatic-labelled herbicide should be used.
• Common buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica - This woody invasive shrub/small tree is fully leafed out.  Spring leaf expansion is complete and the plants are susceptible to herbicide treatments (both foliar and cut stump work at this time of year). 
• Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica - this woody invasive vine is just starting to bloom.  This species has a very long bloom window and can flower from now through the summer and fall, even into early winter.
• Bush honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii and Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii - These woody invasive shrubs are both in bloom right now.  Spring leaf expansion is complete and the plants are susceptible to herbicide treatments (both foliar and cut stump work at this time of year). 
• Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula -  This herbaceous plant is in full bloom.

        

ISAM History - by the Numbers

Now that the calendars have turned to May, it is time to welcome everyone to Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month.  This is the sixth year now for ISAM in Illinois and it only continues to grow.  That first year (2010) a total of 70 events were held.  This year, we have over 160 events on the calendar with more still being added!

Now that ISAM is becoming an established tradition in Illinois, this is a good time to look back at some of the history of Invasive Species Awareness Month, the effort and groups involved in getting it started, and the types of events held as part of ISAM.

The idea of Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month was developed by the River to River CWMA steering committee in 2009.  Originally ISAM was going to be only a southern Illinois initiative (since that is the area covered by River to River CWMA), but the idea was brought to the Illinois Invasive Plant Species Council in the fall of 2010 and was met with enthusiasm to take it statewide.

Support letters were written, a website, blog, and Facebook page created and we were off to the races!

May was chosen as the perfect month for ISAM for two reasons, 1. it fit throughout the state as a month that volunteer workdays are happening (in particular garlic mustard pulls) and 2. school is still in session and the group wanted to make sure school classes had an opportunity to participate.

Through six years of Invasive Species Awareness Month, we've accumulated quite impressive statistics.  Below are some highlights of ISAM, by the numbers.

ISAM by the numbers:

2010 - First year for ISAM

66,036 - Number of pageviews the ISAM blog (http://illinoisisam.blogspot.com/) has received since it came online on April 21, 2010

569 - total number of events held over the six years of ISAM
('10 - 70, '11 - 64, '12 - 64, '13 - 84, '14 - 123, '15 - 164)

110 - People signed up to attend this year's Illinois Invasive Species Symposium

41 - Number of Great Garlic Mustard Event volunteer workdays planned by the East Central Illinois Invasive Plant Taskforce over the last two years

35 - Organizations that submitted letters of support for the initial establishment of Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month

21 - Individuals, organizations or projects that have received an Illinois Invasive Species Award