Invasive Species Campaign and The Nature Conservancy host successful workshop on Mobile Technologies for Tracking Natural Resource Management Data

On June 9th, at the Rend Lake Visitors Center in Benton, The Illinois Wildlife Action Plan's Invasive Species Campaign and The Nature Conservancy's Southern Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team partnered to conduct a workshop that demonstrated the Strike Team's use of the ESRI Collector App and GPS-enabled tablets and smartphones to collect natural resource management data.

While the Strike Team uses this set up to track invasive species data, it has the potential to be used to collect any geographic-based data, including prescribed fire, easements, rare species monitoring, forest stand improvements, etc.

Thirty-four people attended the workshop from a  variety of state and federal agencies, universities, and organizations.  Both classroom presentations and hands-on field demonstrations were used during the workshop and attendees got the opportunity to collect data, download information, sync the devices and use the online mapping interface to view the data.

TNC Strike Team member Nick Seaton discusses the use of ESRI's
collector app to track invasive species management data.

TNC Strike Team member Caleb Grantham demonstrates how the
collector app works on a smartphone.

2015 Illinois Invasive Species Symposium - May 28th in Champaign, IL

As the culminating event of 2015 Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month, the Illinois Invasive Species Symposium promises to be a great opportunity to learn more about what is happening on the invasive species front throughout Illinois. The Illinois Invasive Species Symposium is a one-day, all-taxa symposium that features talks on current and emerging issues surrounding invasive plants, diseases, insects, and animals in Illinois.  Also including in the symposium is a ceremony for this year's Invasive Species Awareness Month Award winners.

This year's symposium will be held on May 28th from 9:30am - 4pm at the University of Illinois Extension Office in Champaign.  The symposium is free and open to the public.  We are planning on a live webcast of all presentations again this year, so check back for details on this as we get closer to the date.

*UPDATE - Onsite registration for the symposium is now full.  You can view a live webcast of the symposium at https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/University+of+Illinois+Live/1_co83enap

More information on the symposium can be found at: http://www.invasive.org/illinois/2015InvasiveSpeciesSymposium.html

Recordings of last year's symposium can be found at: http://www.invasive.org/illinois/2014InvasiveSpeciesSymposium.html

2015 First Detector Training Workshop Dates and Locations Announced

Dec. 2, 2014

Source: Kelly Estes, 217-333.1005, kcook8@illinois.edu
News writer: Stephanie Henry, 217-244-1183, slhenry@illinois.edu

2015 Invasive pest awareness workshops will focus on early detection and response

URBANA, Ill.  – University of Illinois Extension has announced the dates for its 2015 Illinois First Detector Invasive Pest Workshops covering important landscape and nursery pests, diseases, and invasive plants. Workshops will be offered at eight locations in Illinois beginning in January 2015.

Early detection and response is key to managing invasive pests. The Illinois First Detector Workshops, now in their third year, are aimed at improving first detector training and invasive species awareness. The workshops will cover new topics on current and emerging invasive plants, pathogens, and insects. Each location will have sessions covering the brown marmorated stink bug, viruses in ornamental plants, and invasive plants and their management, as well as a session devoted to discussing invasive pest pathways.

“Community involvement is key in the early detection of invasive species. We are very excited about these new workshop topics and look forward to working with participants in learning more about these issues facing our local communities,” said Kelly Estes, state survey coordinator.

As in previous years, these in-depth training sessions will cover material that includes:

• Identification/detection
• Life cycle/biology
• Hosts
• Sampling
• Management
• Commonly confused look-a-likes

Once again, those attending will also take part in hands-on activities, which will allow attendees to examine these pests and diseases in more detail.

The target audience includes certified arborists, tree care professionals, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, forestry and natural resource professionals, conservationists, and others with an interest in trees.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for:  IAA Certified Arborists, Continuing Forestry Education Credits, Master Gardener, and Master Naturalist.

Workshops will be held at the following locations:

• Collinsville, Jan. 29 – 618-344-4230
• Wheaton, Feb. 3 – 630-584-6166
• DeKalb, Feb. 4 – 815-758-8194
• Mt. Vernon, Feb. 11 – 618-548-1446
• Charleston, Feb. 12 – 217-543-3755
• Macomb, Feb. 18 – 309-837-3939
• Moline, Feb. 19 – 309-756-9978
• Bloomington, Feb. 26 – 309-663-8306

Those interested in attending should contact the host locations above for registration. A $40 non-refundable registration fee covers instruction, on-site lunch, and training materials. Space is limited.

This program and materials are based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2014-70006-22557and coordinated by Kelly Estes, state survey coordinator, IL CAPS Program at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, and Diane Plewa, Plant Clinic diagnostician and outreach coordinator, Department of Crop Sciences. Additional support for this program will be provided by Christopher Evans, the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan - invasive species campaign coordinator, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Scott Schirmer, plant and pesticide specialist supervisor, emerald ash borer program manager, Illinois Department of Agriculture. 

Emerald Ash Borer Community Preparedness Workshops in Southern Illinois.

Recent discoveries of Emerald Ash Borer in Perry and Williamson counties underscore the need for communities to be proactive against Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

The University of Illinois Extension is offering the following programs for local officials, municipalities, park districts, arborists, and others impacted by the recent Emerald Ash Borer findings. The programs will be held at the following locations:

Thursday, November 13
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center
8588 Rte 148 Marion, IL 62959
From 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 13
Perry County Government Building Conference Room
3764 State Rte 13/127
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
From: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday, November 14
Shawnee National Forest
50 Highway 145 South Harrisburg, IL 62946
From 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Workshop participants will learn about emerald ash borer, why it is a threat to our natural forests and urban trees, regulatory implications of the recent discoveries, and how to create a community action plan to manage ash trees on city-owned and private property. This workshop will discuss how to take inventory of all ash trees within a community in order to develop budget needs should large-scale ash tree removal become necessary.

The program is FREE, but reservations are required by November 12. To register call University of Illinois Extension, Jackson county at: 618-687-1727 or register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fjprw/

Illinois Stop the Spread! Callery Pear Alternative Tree Demonstration Fall Planting

Jennifer Behnken, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Dept. of Forestry
Agriculture Building - Mailcode 4411
1205 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618/435-3341
Fax: 618/453-7475
jbehnken@siu.edu

Illinois Stop the Spread!

Callery Pear Alternative Tree Demonstration Fall Planting

Saturday, November 1, 2014, 9:30am-11:30am

Attucks Park/ Pyles Fork Reserve, 800 N. Wall St. Carbondale, IL       

           The Callery pear (also known as Bradford pear) is a potentially problematic tree for land managers and residents alike, prone to splitting and demonstrating invasive tendencies.  The Illinois Stop the Spread! campaign provides a positive solution to the problem of the Callery pear by identifying and promoting available species of native trees and shrubs which consumers, landscapers, and city planners may select as alternatives.  We continue these planting efforts at Attucks Park/Pyles Fork Preserve in Carbondale with the next installment of native trees and shrubs.

             Join us in the festivities to see how you can help extend our message and Stop the Spread in Illinois!  Come one, come all to view and participate in our planting project!  Approximately 20 trees and shrubs of varying species with desirable characteristics to serve as suitable replacements for ornamental pear trees will be planted with volunteers on the first Saturday morning of November 1^st, starting at 9:30am.  Sport your favorite pair of work gloves and head on down to Attucks Park to help!  There will be a brief overview of tree planting methods followed by the planting itself.  Light refreshments will be offered. 

             This is a volunteer project and as such, we are asking for your help.  Please consider donating to Green Earth to supplement our efforts.  Funds will be used to offset costs of printing outreach materials which will be free to the public, as well as materials for tree maintenance, such as fertilizer and mulch.  Even one dollar can go a long way; all support, personal and businesses alike, is greatly appreciated! 

             For further inquiries, contact Jennifer Behnken, Southern Illinois University's community forestry coordinator at 618-453-2517 or jbehnken@siu.edu or Karla Gage, coordinator at River to River Weed Cooperative Management Area at 618-998-5920 or rtcwma@gmail.com.

New Webinar - Fading Forests: Protecting America’s Trees from Non-native Pests and Diseases

The Environmental Law Institute and the National Invasive Species Council are co-sponsoring a webinar on June 12th, from 1-3c.  The title is Fading Forests: Protecting America’s Trees from Non-native Pests and Diseases.

To register: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/781239327

Americans count on trees and forests to provide shade and shelter, jobs and products, and clean air and water, both today and for generations to come. However, non-native insects and diseases are destroying North American trees and forests. In some cases, entire species of trees are being removed from our forests and neighborhoods, causing economic and environmental costs and reduced quality of life in our communities. In this webinar, the authors of Fading Forests III: American Forests: What Choice Will We Make? will present policy and management options that can protect our trees and forests, followed by comments by a panel of experts from government, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

 

PRESENTERS:

·        Dr. Scott Schlarbaum, Professor, University of Tennessee

·        Dr. Faith Campbell, Senior Policy Representative, The Nature Conservancy

 

COMMENTERS:

·        Dr. Richard Sniezko, Center Geneticist, Dorena Genetic Resource Center, U.S. Forest Service

·        TBD, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

·        Dr. David Rizzo, Professor, University of California at Davis

·        TBD, Industry

 

MODERATOR:

·        Read Porter (moderator), Senior Attorney, Director of Invasive Species Program, Environmental Law Institute

Fire Science Workshop: “Fire Management, Japanese Stiltgrass, and Ecosystem Services”

February 20, 2014 9:00 AM – 3 PM CT
Presentations 9 AM – 12 PM, Fieldtrip 1 – 3 PM (CT)

Shawnee National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Harrisburg, Illinois (MAP)

Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium, the Shawnee National Forest, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois are hosting this workshop to explore opportunities and limitations to prescribed fire use in southern Illinois and Indiana, particularly associated with Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum). Join researchers, fire practitioners, and land managers for a series of fire science presentations and a fieldtrip to a nearby Japanese stiltgrass infested site.

Attendance is limited to 60 attendees

Register online: http://www.oakfirescience.com/workshops/

Hosted by: Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium, University of Illinois, Shawnee National Forest

Presenters and topics:

Dr. Sarah Emery (University of Louisville)
Demographic responses of Microstegium Vimineum to prescribed fires and herbicide

Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo (University of Illinois)
Effects of prescribed fire and Microstegium vimineum invasion on nitrogen cycling

Bruce Henry (Southern Illinois University)
Assessing Illinois prescribed fire community needs and limitations to expanding wildland fire programs

Tyler Refsland (University of Illinois)
The use of plant functional traits to predict the impact of fire management on ecosystem services

Stephanie Wagner (University of Illinois)
Fire effects on the invasive annual grass Microstegium vimineum

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station new webinar series - Invasive Plants – Issues, Challenges, and Discoveries

The USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station is pleased to announce a new webinar series, Invasive Plants – Issues, Challenges, and Discoveries. This free interactive series, which includes seven webinars, will provide attendees with cutting-edge information about invasive plants and their management. We encourage land managers, professionals, scientists, and other interested people to attend. The first webinar will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 12:00pm- 1:00pm Mountain Time.

Invasive Species Webinar Series
Invasive Plants – Issues, Challenges, and Discoveries

The USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station is pleased to announce a new webinar series, Invasive Plants – Issues, Challenges, and Discoveries. This free interactive series, which includes seven webinars, will provide attendees with cutting-edge information about invasive plants and their management. We encourage land managers, professionals, scientists, and other interested people to attend.

Webinar Series Schedule (All webinars will begin at 12:00pm Mountain Time)
Date Webinar Topic

• January 23, 2014: Determining identity and origin of invasive plant species - John Gaskin
• February 27, 2014: Rapid evolution of biocontrol insects in response to climate change - Peter McEvoy
• March 13, 2014: Merging chemical ecology and biocontrol to predict efficacy and climate effects - Justin Runyon
• March 27, 2014: Hybridization in weedy species - Sarah Ward
• April 10, 2014: Biogeography of plant invasions - Dean Pearson
• April 24, 2014: Pathogen-based biological control of grassy weeds - Susan Meyer
• May 8, 2014: Classical biological control of weeds - Sharlene Sing

To participate in the presentations, please log in to Adobe Connect and dial in by telephone.

If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before it is recommended that you test your connection: http://rmrs.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

To join the webinar click on the following link: http://rmrs.adobeconnect.com/invasives/ (select “enter as guest”, then type your name). No prior registration is necessary for this webinar.

For audio, dial: 1-888-844-9904 Access code: 8405053#

Webinars will be recorded and accessible online as they become available.

The webinar website will be available by January 1 at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs/webinar-series/invasive-species/ For additional information contact Carly Woodlief (webinar technical coordinator) at ckwoodlief@fs.fed.us

This webinar series is sponsored by the Station’s Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems Science Program.

2014 Invasive pest awareness workshops will focus on emerging oak pests and diseases

Source: Stephanie Porter, 217-244-3254, satterle@illinois.edu

News writer: Stephanie Henry, 217-244-1183, slhenry@illinois.edu

URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension has announced the dates for its Illinois First Detector Invasive Pest Workshops covering important landscape and nursery pests, diseases, and invasive plants. Workshops will be offered at six locations in Illinois beginning January 2014.

The focus of the 2014 workshops will be on potential oak threats in Illinois. Each location will have sessions devoted to emerging and current oak pests and diseases such as the Oak Splendor Beetle, Goldspotted Oak Borer, Sudden Oak Death, and others.

A session will also be devoted to invasive plants introduced as ornamentals, such as burning bush, Bradford pear, and Japanese barberry. A discussion will be held on the use of alternative, non-invasive ornamentals that could be utilized within the landscape.

“Early detection and response is the key to managing invasive pests, diseases, and plants. The Illinois First Detector Workshops are aimed at improving first detector training and invasive species awareness,” said Stephanie Porter, a U of I Plant Clinic diagnostic outreach specialist.

Much like the initial workshops in 2013, these in-depth training sessions will cover material that includes:

• Identification/detection
• Life cycle/biology
• Hosts
• Sampling
• Management
• Commonly confused look a likes

Once again, those attending will also take part in hands-on activities, which will allow attendees to examine these pests and diseases in more detail.

“New this year, will be a session devoted to safeguarding and regulation, and how these actions play a crucial role when it comes to invasive pests and diseases,” said Kelly Estes, U of I state survey coordinator of the Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS). “This information will help to address some very interesting questions that were raised last year.”

The target audience includes certified arborists, tree care professionals, master gardeners, master naturalists, forestry and natural resource professionals, conservationists, and others with an interest in trees.

An application has been made for the following Continuing Education Units (CEUs): IAA Certified Arborists, Continuing Forestry Education Credits, Professional Landcare Network, and Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America.

Workshops will be held at the following locations:

• Peoria, Jan. 14 - Illinois Central College
Contact: Rhonda Ferree, ferreer@illinois.edu

• Collinsville, Jan. 16 - Madison-Monroe-St. Clair unit branch office
Contact: Sara Ruth, ruth1@illinois.edu

• Murphysboro, Feb. 20 - Jackson County Extension office
Contact: Sonja Lallemand, lalleman@illinois.edu

• Rockford, Feb. 27 - Klehm Arboretum,
Contact: Candice Miller, mille116@illinois.edu

• Decatur, March 12 - Macon County Extension office
Contact: Jennifer Nelson, jaschult@illinois.edu

• Joliet, March 27 - Will County Extension office
Contact: Richard Hentschel, hentsche@illinois.edu

Those interested in attending should contact the host locations above for registration. A $40 non-refundable registration fee covers instruction, on-site lunch, and training materials. Space is limited.

This workshop is supported by an Extension IPM Coordination and Support Competitive Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and coordinated by Stephanie Porter, Plant Clinic diagnostician and outreach coordinator, Department of Crop Sciences and Kelly Estes, state survey coordinator, IL CAPS Program at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute. Additional support for this program will be provided by Christopher Evans, the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan - invasive species campaign coordinator, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Scott Schirmer, plant and pesticide specialist supervisor, emerald ash borer program manager, Illinois Department of Agriculture.

3rd Annual Bush Honeysuckle Survey Event at Trail of Tears State Forest

Monday, December 9^th, 2013

9:00 am to 2:00 pm

 

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is spreading rapidly throughout Southern Illinois, and has the potential to cause significant ecological and economic damage to forests.  Volunteers are needed to help collect information on the location of plants throughout the Trail of Tears State Forest, so that we may inform Invasive Species Strike Team control efforts in 2014.  The State Forest and surrounding area is designated as a Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) by the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.  Located in the Illinois Ozarks Natural Division, this site contains diverse wildlife habitat, as well as high species biodiversity.  Please help conserve our forest resources by targeting this invasive plant.  

We will meet at the Trail of Tears State Forest – Historic White Barn (3240 State Forest Road, Jonesboro, IL 62952).  You will find directions to the site at this link: http://goo.gl/maps/G632u  (Latitude 37.485169; Longitude -89.358735).  Also here is a map of the site: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/sitemaps/trail.gif 

Volunteers will be briefed on survey protocol and Amur honeysuckle identification.  Maps of the site will be provided.  Volunteers will walk the fire trails along the ridges in the southern area of the forest, identifying plants and recording the locations of infestations.  Volunteers should dress for the weather and be prepared to walk some distance, occasionally traversing steep terrain.  Lunch will be provided (chili with meat), but participants should bring something to drink.  Volunteers are also encouraged to bring a clipboard and/or GPS unit to collect latitude and longitude of plants to record on data sheets (if you have them).

Please contact River to River CWMA Coordinator, Karla Gage, if you would like to RSVP or if you need more information:  rtrcwma@gmail.comor 618-303-6603 (call or text).

This event is organized by the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area and the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan – Invasive Species Campaign.

2014 Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month Call for Events

Invasive Species Affect Everyone!

Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month is a statewide effort held each May to educate and inform citizens of Illinois about the threat of invasive species. The theme of 2014 Awareness Month is ‘Invasive Species Affect Everyone’. If you live in Illinois, work in Illinois, recreate in Illinois, or just simply breathe in Illinois, invasive species affect you!

Local events, presentations, workdays, and field tours are needed across the state to help make Awareness Month a success. Please consider planning an Invasive Species Related event in 2014 in Illinois . To have your events listed as part of Awareness Month and included on the ISAM calendar and website, please contact Chris Evans, ISAM coordinator at - Email: chris.evans@illinois.gov, Fax: 618-439-7376, or Mail: 11731 State Hwy 37, Benton, IL 62812. Include the following information about your event:


Event Title, Date, and Time

Event Location and Driving Directions

Description of Event and Contact

Any Other Relevant Information

  For more information on Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month, go to www.illinoisinvasives.org  

VSN Herbicide Training & Testing Workshops 2013

Wednesday, November 20 AND Saturday, November 23, 2013
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 1
Hosted by the Volunteer Stewardship Network and the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Interested in becoming certified and licensed to use herbicides on public lands? All volunteers are invited to attend one of these train/test or test only sessions.

The Volunteer Stewardship Network is once again collaborating with the Forest Preserves of Cook County to offer volunteers an opportunity to obtain their public herbicide application license. There will be two days of training and testing opportunities with two train/test sessions and two test only sessions. The train/test sessions are limited to 50 people and the test only sessions are limited to 24 people. These spots will be open on a first-come, first-served basis with Cook County volunteers given priority, and remaining spots available to other volunteers within the Network.

DATES

Wednesday, November 20 and Saturday, November 23, 2013


Wed 11-20-13
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Test only  Capacity - 24
9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Train/Test Capacity - 50

Sat 11-23-13
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Test only  Capacity - 24
9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Train/Test  Capacity - 50

TIME

Both the Train/Test and Test only sessions will begin at 9 am each day. You may arrive as early as 8:30 am, but please be prompt for the actual sessions.


LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

All sessions on both dates will be held at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Volunteer Resource Center located at 6100 North Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60646. Directions at the end of this flyer.

WHAT TO BRING

Please bring your lunch (from noon – 1 pm) and a photo ID and calculator (please note: PDA’s and Palm Pilots are not allowed) for the testing sessions.

SELF STUDY AND TRAINING MATERIALS

You are not required to attend a test session. Check with your volunteer coordinator/leader to obtain a copy of the manual and workbook. Study materials are also available by phone, fax, or mail order. Call 1-800-644-2123 for phone orders. Fax your order to 217-244-3469. To order by mail, write to the University of Illinois, PAT Program, 1201 S. Dorner Dr., Urbana, IL. 61801. Specify when ordering which study materials you would like (i.e., for the General Standards exam and/or for one of the Category tests). Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. Forest Preserves of Cook County volunteers – order forms for manuals and workbooks are available online when your register.

FEES

These training and testing workshops are free of charge, however, the “public not-for-hire” herbicide licenses are no longer free. The cost is $15 for an Operator license and $20 for an Applicator license. Payment will be due to the IL Department of Agriculture AFTER the workshop when the agency/volunteer receives their application in the mail. Payment will be required when they return the signed application form. Volunteers may want to check with their agency on a possible reimbursement for this cost and to make sure payment is included with their follow up application form.

RENEWALS

Please note: The Illinois Department of Agriculture does not send out renewal or retest notices until mid-November. If you are unsure if you need to re-test, contact your volunteer coordinator/leader first, then contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Springfield office 217-785-2427.

REGISTRATION

Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We will try our best to accommodate everyone.

Volunteers outside of the Forest Preserves of Cook County must register with Karen Tharp at ktharp@tnc.org by Friday, November 1, 2013. When registering, please provide: date of session requested (train/test or test only), name, phone number, landowner/sponsoring agency, what license you are pursuing (Operator or Applicator), if you are getting an Operator license, what is the name of your Applicator. If you are getting an Applicator license, what additional category you will be taking (Right-of-way and/or Aquatic). Questions call 1-866-876-5463 or ktharp@tnc.org. Volunteers for the Forest Preserves of Cook County must register online at http://fpdcc.com/volunteer/

Keep in mind, the training session is only a refresher. More space will be available in the test only morning sessions.

If possible, volunteers should study on their own and sign up for the test only session. The training Powerpoint presentation is available to those who want to study on their own, contact Karen Tharp at ktharp@tnc.or for a copy.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND

If you want to get licensed but are unable to attend these sessions, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) and Cooperative Extension Service offer other training and certification clinics, and testing is available at the IDA office in Springfield 217-785-2427 and De Kalb 815-787-5476 during the week. For training opportunities, contact the Cooperative Extension Services at 1-800-644-2123 or visit their web site http://www.pesticidesafety.uiuc.edu/. However, please try to take advantage of this special training for VSN and Cook County volunteers, if at all possible.

* * * * * * * *
DIRECTIONS TO THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY

VOLUNTEER RESOURCE CENTER
Volunteer Resource Center (VRC), 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. Driveway, on the west side of Central, is marked by Forest Preserve sign which reads Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center. Follow the driveway to largest, oldest Tudor cottage style building on site.

From the North, take I-94, exit at Touhy West. Take Touhy to Carpenter (Central) Ave (traffic light) and turn left onto Carpenter. Follow Carpenter/Central past Caldwell and after Prescott turn right into the VRC driveway.

From the South, take I-94, exit at Caldwell West. Follow Caldwell to Central Ave (traffic light) and turn left. Past Lehigh on Caldwell and after Prescott, turn right into the VRC driveway. Alternatively, take I-94 until exit to I-90 (stay to left) toward O’Hare Airport. Exit at Central Ave North and follow Central past Elston Ave; cross the North Branch Chicago River bridge and turn left into the VRC driveway.

From the West, take I-90 to Nagle Ave. Turn left from the exit ramp traffic light, cross the Expressway and turn right onto Bryn Mawr (traffic light). Follow Bryn Mawr to Central Ave (traffic light) and turn left. Take Central past Elston Ave; cross the North Branch Chicago River bridge and turn left into the VRC driveway.

From the East, follow Peterson Ave. across the Edens Expressway (I-94) where the road becomes Caldwell. Follow Caldwell to Central Ave (traffic light) and turn left. After Lehigh and Prescott, turn right into the VRC driveway.

Illinois First Detector 2014 Trainings - Save the Date

　

Early detection and response is key to managing invasive pests. Illinois First Detector Workshops are aimed at improving first detector training and invasive species awareness. Plan to attend these workshops focusing on current and emerging pests of landscape and nursery pests! Each location will have sessions devoted to emerging oak insect pests and pathogens and invasive plants. In depth training sessions will highlight identification, symptoms, management, and much more!

2014 Workshop Schedule:

•  January 14 Peoria
• January 16 Collinsville
• February 20 Murphysboro
• February 27 Rockford
• March 12 Decatur
• March 27 Joliet

　
Registration information will soon be available. Questions about program specifics should be directed to: invasives@inhs.illinois.edu
　

This project was supported by Extension IPM Coordination and Support Competitive Grant no. 2013-04102 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

IL DNR Forest Health Workshops for Greater Illinois - Updated Dates and Locations for 2013

*Please note new locations and dates.  The previous workshops to be held during the week of August 19th were cancelled and workshops have been rescheduled for the end of September. Please note that there is no longer a Springfield workshop, instead there is a workshop in Bloomington.

The 2013 Forest Health Workshops are designed for IDNR District Foresters, forest landowners, Walnut Council Association, Commercial Arborists, City Foresters, Public Works Directors and green industry professionals.

New for 2013 - Participants are welcome to bring insect and disease samples to workshop for diagnosis and management suggestions

  Topics covered:

• Diagnostics using microscopes and hand-lenses
• Hands-on samples and activities
• Update on insect and diseases seen in 2013
• Invasive species update and technical information – thousand cankers of black walnut, Asian longhorned beetle, gold-spotted oak borer, and more
• 2012 Drought repercussions
• EAB management survey results –what are municipalities doing to manage EAB – what’s working, cost efficiency, and chemical options

Registration fee includes refreshments, lunch, and workshop supplies Roughly 6.0 CEUs will be available for ISA Certified Arborists and 6.0 CFE for American Foresters.

Registration can be paid by credit card through The Morton Arboretum Registrar (630) 719-2468 to register, Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00.
 
Locations:

Bloomington Workshop
September 20, 2013
McLean County Extension Office
402 N. Hershey Conference Room
20 spaces available Register by September 13

Geneseo Workshop
September 27, 2013
Izaak Walton League Lodge
22870 Illinois 82
30 spaces available
Register by September 20

Mt. Vernon Workshop
September 30, 2013
Veteran’s Park, South Room
800 South 27th Street
30 spaces available
Register by September 23

All workshops are $35
Run from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Min. of 10 registrants required, preregistration required, at door payment accepted

Questions? Contact:

Fredric Miller, Ph.D.
Phone (815) 280-2740
E-mail: fmiller@jjc.edu
or
Stephanie Adams, M.S.
Phone (630) 719-7946
E-mail: sadams@mortonarb.org
or
Andi Dierich
Phone (630) 719-2110
Email: adierich@mortonarb.org

Getting Ahead of Invasive Species: The Morton Arboretum Restoration Forum

The Morton Arboretum Restoration Forum

Everyone who restores natural areas must grapple with invasive plant species, from Japanese stiltgrass to Oriental bittersweet to birdsfoot trefoil. The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, will hold a two-day forum in September where restoration professionals and dedicated volunteer stewards from the Chicago region can learn and exchange practical information on weed management.

Friday, September 13 – Saturday, September 14, 2013 Thornhill Education Center at The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532

Friday: Program: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Topics will include: New invaders, their ecological impacts, and management practices
Site management strategies for tough invaders: Case studies and what really works
Management tips and tricks for our most challenging species
Networking and collaboration opportunities

Forum Speakers:
Chris Evans, Invasive Species Campaign of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan
Bill Kleiman and Cody Considine, Nachusa Grasslands
Cathy McGlynn, Northern Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership
Joe Suchecki and Nick Fuller, Springbrook Prairie
Kurt Dreisilker and Mark Hochsprung, The Morton Arboretum
Geoff Zink and Kim Blaszczak, Integrated Lakes Management
Jason Zylka, Forest Preserve District of Will County

Cost: Arboretum Member: $55, Nonmember: $65, Student: $15 Event fee includes Arboretum admission, refreshments, lunch, and program materials.

Saturday: Field excursions at:
Nachusa Grasslands
Springbrook Prairie
The Morton Arboretum

Visit mortonarb.org/restoration-forum for details. Register separately for field excursions.

Reserve your spot today or contact us for more information: Click: mortonarb.org/restoration-forum; Call: 630-719-2468; Email: registrar-ed@mortonarb.org

Southern Illinois - Invasive Plant and Forest Management Field Day

Saturday, September 14th, 2013
10:00am – 3:00pm at Trail of Tears State Forest

Event is Free with Lunch provided by The Great Boars of Fire (registration required)

Trail of Tears State Forest
White Barn
3240 State Forest Road
Jonesboro, IL 62952


Sponsored by NRCS, River to River CWMA, National Wild Turkey Federation, Shawnee RC&D   Learn about invasive plant identification, control techniques, forest management practices, and landowner assistance programs. This program would be beneficial to landowners, hunters, or anyone interested in learning more about conservation and management of forests in Southern Illinois.


Field Day Agenda

10:00-10:15 - Welcome and introductions
10:15-10:45 - Invasive Plant Control Techniques – Karla Gage, River to River CWMA
10:45-11:15 - Forest Management for Wildlife – John Burk, National Wild Turkey Federation
11:15-11:45 - Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Forest Campaign – Tracy Boutelle Fidler, Wildlife Action Plan COA
11:45-12:15 - Landowner Assistance Programs – Ryan Pankau, Natural Resources Conservation Service
12:15-1:00 - Lunch – The Great Boars of Fire
1:00-3:00 - Field tour to view and discuss management techniques and invasive plant identification

Lunch is provided for free, but registration is required by Monday, September 9th. For registration information, directions or if you have any questions about the field day, please contact Karla Gage (618-998-5920, rtrcwma@gmail.com)

Stewardship Network Webcast - Fall prep for spring invasives control work

A note from the Stewardship Network:

Join us for the FREE Stewardship Network Webcast Wednesday, August 14th, "Fall Preparations for Spring Invasives Control Work"

Presentation by: Chris Evans, Coordinator of the Invasives Species Campaign of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan; and Lisa Brush, The Stewardship Network

Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Time: 12 noon to 1pm Eastern
Place: Your Computer!

Click here to view webcast! 
(Link will become live day of webcast)

Stewardship, including invasive species management, is a year-round endeavor. Each season brings different challenges and new opportunities. Knowing the correct timing for conducting invasive species work can greatly increase efficiency and reduce costs. When you think of invasive species work for fall, you typically think of treating woody invasive plants. However, there are a lot of other tasks that need to be completed in preparation for spring work. In this webcast, we’ll cover some of the basic tasks that managers and stewards can do in the fall to prepare for next year’s invasive species work, including scouting, mapping, firebreak installation, equipment maintenance, and planning.
____________________________________________

Chris Evans- Chris is the Coordinator of the Invasive Species Campaign of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.  This position involves working with partners across the state to implement the actions set forth in the Wildlife Action Plan to address invasive species in Illinois.  Chris has a Master's Degree in Forest Biology from Iowa State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Biology from Murray State University.  Before working with the Wildlife Action Plan, Chris coordinated the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area in southern Illinois and served as an Invasive Species and Natural Resource Specialist for the University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Lisa Brush - Executive Director, The Stewardship Network. Lisa has worked in the environmental field in Michigan for the last fifteen years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Stewardship Network and has been involved with the Network since its inception more than 10 years ago. She has a wealth of experience helping non-scientific people understand scientific issues. For over nine years, as she has built and coordinated The Stewardship Network, she has emphasized effective and meaningful stakeholder involvement in developing and implementing all aspects of this program. She has a M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a B.A. (Science in Society) from Wesleyan University.

_____________________________________________

Forest Health and Protection: Announcing 2013 Forest Health Workshops

**Update - The dates and locations for this series of workshops have recently been altered.  To see an updated list, go to: http://illinoisisam.blogspot.com/2013/08/il-dnr-forest-health-workshops-for.html

The 2013 Forest Health Workshops are designed for IDNR District Foresters, forest landowners, Walnut Council Association, Commercial Arborists, City Foresters, Public Works Directors and green industry professionals.

Topics covered:

• Field diagnostics (Dress for the weather!)
• Hands-on samples and activities
• Insect and disease updates – Thousand cankers of black walnut, bur oak blight, Asian longhorned beetle, gold-spotted oak borer and more
• IL DNR Forest Health and Protection program
• Drought repercussions
• Tree risk assessment

 Registration to each workshop is limited to the first 50 applicants Registration fee will include refreshments, lunch, and workshop supplies Roughly 6 CEUs will be available for ISA Certified Arborists. Registration can be paid by credit card through The Morton Arboretum Registrar (630) 719-2468 to register, Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00.

Locations:

August 20, 2013

IL Dept. of Agriculture; Room 66, IL State Fairgrounds

8th St. x Sangamon Ave. Gate 11, Springfield, IL

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$25-registered by August 15; $35-registered after August 15

August 21, 2013

Veteran’s Park South Room

800 South 27th St., Mt. Vernon, IL

7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

$25- registered by August 15; $35-registered after August 15

September 6, 2013

The Morton Arboretum

4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$40-registered by August 20; $55-registered after August 20

September 27, 2013

Izaak Walton League Lodge

22870 Illinois 82, Geneseo, IL

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$25-registered by Sept. 10; $35-registered after Sept. 10

Questions? Contact:

Fredric Miller, Ph.D.

Phone (815) 280-2740

E-mail: fmiller@jjc.edu 

or

Stephanie Adams, M.S.

Phone (630) 719-7946

E-mail: sadams@mortonarb.org

Webinar: Conservation Science Webinar Series - Native and Non-native Species: How Much Attention Should Managers Be Paying to Origins?

Conservation Science Webinar Series

"The Science behind the News"


The National Conservation Training Center's Conservation Science Webinar Series attempts to cut through the spin and rhetoric by providing the science behind conservation issues in the news.   Tuesday, June 4th, 2013
2:00 – 3:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Native and Non-native Species: How Much Attention Should Managers Be Paying to Origins?

A debate between Mark Davis and Dan Simberloff

Dr. Mark Davis is the DeWitt Wallace Professor of Biology at Macalester College

Dr. Daniel Simberloff is the Gore Hunger professor of Environmental Studies at University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Description: Two of the leading scientists in the field of Invasion Biology, Dr. Mark Davis (author of the book Invasion Biology, published in 2009 by Oxford University Press) and Dr. Daniel Simberloff (Director of the Institute for Biological Invasions at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville) will discuss when, if and how conservation biologists and managers should deal with non-native species.

Note: Captioning Services are available. If you cannot attend, this webinar will be recorded and posted on the Conservation Science Webinar Series Archive after the presentation.       To register for the Webinar:

Go to: https://doilearn.webex.com/
Enter the webinar title in the search box
Scroll down to find your webinar
Click the Register button to the right
Enter your name, e-mail address and company
Click register

Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join the webinar.
Trouble registering? Questions? Contact: Marilyn Williams, 304-876-7940 (marilyn_williams@fws.gov)

This Week's ISAM Events - May 20 - 26, 2013

Lots of great opportunities to participate in Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month this week. Below is a list of this week's events. As always, check www.illinoisinvasives.org for more information on these events and a full list of events for 2013 ISAM.


Mon May 20, 2013

1pm - 3pm Fermilab Natural Areas - Garlic Mustard Challenge
Where: Fermilab Natural Areas - Meet in Lederman Science Center parking lot at
1 PM

Tue May 21, 2013

11am - 12pm Webinar - EAB 101

Sat May 25, 2013

8am - 12pm Peoria Wilds Restoration Workday - Singing Woods
Where: Singing Woods - Peoria Heights

9am - 11am Bush honeysuckle removal at Lafferty Nature Center, Charleston
Where: Lafferty Nature Center, Charleston

9am - 3pm Clean Boats Crew Outreach Event - Chicago Area (Diversey Harbor)
Where: Diversey Harbor -- 2601 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL

9am - 3pm
Clean Boats Crew Outreach Event - Chicago Area (North Point Marina)
Where: North Point Marina -- 701 North Point Drive, Winthrop Harbor, IL

9am - 12pm
Lake County Forest Preserve District Stewardship Workday - Garlic Mustard Pull
Where: Rollins Savanna - Grayslake, IL

9am - 12pm
Lake County Forest Preserve District Stewardship Workday - Garlic Mustard Pull
Where: Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods, IL

10am - 2pm Chicago Park Distrcit - Garlic Mustard Pull
Where: Darrow Bridge

10am - 1pm Kickapoo Woods Volunteer Day - Riverdale
Where: Kickapoo Forest Preserve - 14383 S. Halsted, Riverdale, Illinois 60827

Sun May 26, 2013

9am - 3pm Clean Boats Crew Outreach Event - Chicago Area (Chain O' Lakes State Park)
Where: Chain O’ Lakes -- 8916 Wilmot Road, Spring Grove, IL

9am - 3pm Clean Boats Crew Outreach Event - Chicago Area (Skokie Lagoons)
Where: Skokie Lagoons -- Boat ramp off Tower Rd. Entrance in Winnetka, east of the Edens Expressway.