Fields Ratliff

Seasonal Crew Member (2 positions) ISN Seasonal Crew Members work with the Invasive Species Specialist to implement the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program award, which funds these positions. Primary responsibilities include working with partner organizations to control terrestrial invasive plant populations throughout Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties. Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 5:00pm For the full job description and application details please visit https://www.habitatmatters.org/employment.html

Here are a few resources discussing stem injections for knotweed. The typical recommendation is using an undiluted concentration of glyphosate and injecting each stem with 3-5ml. This does not work on small canes (canes need to be about 1/4 inch diameter or larger) so smaller plants may need to be hand-swiped or foliar sprayed. Hope that helps! http://www.weedwarriors.us/Knotweed project on May Creek 2010/Knotweed IPM Profile & Information.pdf https://www.invasive.org/gist/moredocs/polspp01.pdf

A few years ago NWMISN shopped around for herbicide injectors, particularly for Japanese Knotweed. The best price we found was actually a model from the UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/jk-injector-japanese-knotweed/dp/B00WTC7MDK It cost ~$100 USD. They are well built and come with a variety of needle types and spare parts. No issues to report thus far so it may be an option to explore. Hope that helps!

I only have one experience using Clearcast + Aquaneat for cut-stem. As Katie mentioned, we don't typically do this due to disposal issues. In this case, we worked with the landowner to properly cut, dry, and burn the the knotweed on their property. Anyway, the treatment occurred in September and had really good results. I've attached a before and after picture. One is from September 2016 (before) and the other is from June 2017 (after). Hope that helps!

Hi Noah, I agree that there's a lot of options out there. Most my experience has been with the adjustable brass nozzles that come standard on the STIHL SG20 backpack sprayer: https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Products/Blowers-ShredderVacs-and-Mistblowers/Mistblower-and-Sprayer-Accessories/22469-73927/Adjustable-nozzle-brass.aspx It does everything from cone to stream and with a few turns left or right you can dial it in to what works best for a given application and can be adjusted accordingly to minimize drift. It's particularly uses if you plan on treating a variety of plants. Also, I like the brass tips because they seem to hold up better and are easier to clean than the plastic tips. One more thing, if you are really worried about drift you can purchase plastic cone protectors that that you put on the end of your spraying wand. Haven't used them myself but that may be an option. Hope that helps!

ISN is looking to fill a position in 2017! Summary: The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) Communication Specialist works with the ISN Coordinator and other members of the ISN team to implement the two-year Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program grants, which fund the position. Primary responsibilities include engaging municipalities in invasive species ordinances and treatments and assisting with outreach. How to apply and a full job description can be found at the link below: http://habitatmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ISN-Communication-Specialist-2017_posting.pdf Applications are due January 16th 2016.