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Learn about Michigan’s lakes online from MSU Extension The Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes online course is being offered January 2021 and registration is now open! This nationally recognized six-week course is in a convenient self-paced online format and is designed for lake users, lakefront property owners, and professionals who want to improve their understanding of lakes and their protection and management. Over 700 people have participated in the class since it was first offered online in 2015. The online format allows you to have week-by-week, 24/7 access to six online units featuring video lectures, activities, resources, discussion forums, quizzes, and Ask-an-Expert webinar sessions with professionals from Michigan State University and other organizations. The course covers lake ecology, lakes and their watersheds, shorelines, Michigan water law, aquatic plant management, and community involvement. The course schedule allows for regular online communication with classmates and course instructors. The 2021 course runs January 19 - March 26. The cost of the course is $115 per person. Register by December 28, 2020 for an early bird price of $95 per person. Registration is open through January 14, 2021. Everyone who completes the course will receive a free, one-year membership to Michigan Lake Stewardship Associations, including four issues of The Michigan Riparian magazine. Continuing Education Credits are also being pursued including 16 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification credits and credits in the MSU Extension Master Citizen Planner program, Master Gardener program and Conservation Stewards Program. For more details about the course and to register visit the MSU Extension Introduction to Lakes webpage at http://www.canr.msu.edu/lakesonline.
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Frogbit Monitoring and Treatment
Jo Latimore replied to Alyssa Wethington's topic in Aquatic Invasive Species
Hi Alyssa! The Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch offered through the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program is one option for initiating monitoring in your service area (I know we've had a little email correspondence about this already). We provide a monitoring and reporting protocol, training in species ID and survey methods, and season-long support to participants. There's a small per-lake enrollment fee (I expect it will be $30). Also, starting in 2021, we will no longer require enrolled lakes to also enroll in the Secchi disk transparency monitoring program, which requires biweekly lake visits all summer long - this has been a barrier for CISMA participation in the past. Others could talk more about control than I could, but I know hand-pulling is commonly used since EFB is not rooted. -Jo -
Officials vacuumed the country’s first nest of so-called murder hornets last month in Washington State. The invasive insects could multiply and kill native bee populations, endangering crops and ecosystems. View the full article -
Hello all. I'm the new coordinator for the Mid-Michigan CISMA. We are currently in the process of applying for the USFS GLRI grant. We'd potentially like to use the funds to take aim at European frogbit, since it was recently found in our area for the first time and seems like a good candidate for early response and control. I wanted to solicit some advise on monitoring and treatment for this species, as well as other aquatic invasives. I'm essentially brand new to control of fully aquatic/floating plants such as milfoil and frogbit, most of my experience being with terrestrial and emergent vegetation such as buckthorn and cattails. Any preferred herbicides out there? I've almost exclusively used glyphosate, imazapyr, and triclopyr in aquatic environments. Monitoring methods that have worked out well? Has anyone had success with mechanical control of this species? Any advice or relevant experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Alyssa Wethington joined the community
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Emma joined the community
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Hi folks, I'm working on writing a grant and I'm curious if people typically write in passive voice ("This species was known to be present since...") or if active voice is preferred ("We knew this species was present since...") I know scientific papers have historically been passive voice, but are shifting to be more active, and I was curious if grant writing is in the same boat. Thanks!
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AbbieBristol joined the community
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Oriental Bittersweet
Megan Rider replied to Megan Rider's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Thanks for the thoughts Katie! I did consider using a bobcat. So they actually pulled it up? Not chopped it, like with a forestry mower? My concern, be it by a river bank, is that if we kill back a majority of the vegetation in the area at one time, that the river bank will be susceptible to erosion; even if we come back and do plantings... -
Hi all, Has anyone been managing Porcelainberry? http://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=193&cname=Porcelainberry We haven't yet, but are receiving more reports and might start looking into it more. It looks like from MISIN and iNaturalist reports it is mostly from Flint south. Thanks for any thoughts!
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Mypets Indonesia changed their profile photo
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Officials said they had removed an Asian giant hornet’s nest discovered in a tree near Blaine, Wash., before the insects could multiply and lay waste to bee colonies. The nest was the first to be found in the United States. View the full article
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Officials vacuumed the nest in Blaine, Wash., on Saturday before the voracious Asian giant hornets could multiply and lay waste to bees. View the full article
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Oriental Bittersweet
Katie Grzesiak replied to Megan Rider's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
We do a lot of praying! Cut-stump works well, but with large populations, it's a lot to wade through, and will take multiple years. The best effort I've ever been a part of actually used a bobcat with a forklift on to rip tons up, we walked through after and sprayed any stumps we saw. 95% kill in Year 1. BUT it was in a field, not a river bank, and we had a bobcat literally onsite doing other work. Not an option for most projects. Also, don't pull down the vines--unnecessary work. They'll fall down as they rot. -
Hello all, I recently survived a forest site that has been overtaken by oriental bittersweet. I have never managed for this plant and am curious of what others have done for larger scale projects like this. The site goes along a river bank, in which some bittersweet is creeping down. My thought was controlling along the river first (as to stop the spread down river) and then move inland and/or to outlier spots. Any thoughts or directions you can point me in are appreciated. Thanks!
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Botanists have laid out evidence that dozens of North American trees, herbs, plants and shrubs have gone extinct since European settlers arrived. View the full article
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Chameleon Plant
Erica Clites replied to Michelle Beloskur's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Thanks, everyone, I just got a report/question about this plant as well in Oakland County! -
Climate change is taking a toll on woodlands in the Northeast. View the full article
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It all began with an endless gray tunnel. And ended with a vision of how to rebuild our lives. View the full article
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The giant hogweed isn’t just an invasive plant. It’s a metaphor for what is happening to much of this country. View the full article
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The search has taken on particular urgency as the Asian giant hornets are about to enter their “slaughter phase,” during which they kill bees by decapitating them. View the full article
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Is dining on nature’s predators an act of environmentalism — or just a new way for humans to bend the world to our will? View the full article
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Unknown plant
Katie Grzesiak replied to Claire Peterson's topic in What is it? Species Identification Help
Winged sumac, Rhus copallina. Native! -
Michael Hindy joined the community
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Quick google image search identified it as Winged sumac but I wanted to see if anyone had any other opinions as to what it might be. Currently growing my parents yard in CT...
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Hedge Parsley
Megan Rider replied to Megan Rider's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Gotcha, thanks for the information. Yay for 2020! The area I have noticed it in seems to be random. Not necessarily specific to forest ground or field. But may have to try and start a treatment of some sort for it. Thanks again! -
Hedge Parsley
Katie Grzesiak replied to Megan Rider's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
It's in a weird grey zone for us. It's technically an EDR species in our region, but it also seems to be growing exclusively in road ROWs and not spreading into higher-quality areas. We're encouraging removal. We were hoping to have a better handle on our actions this year... but it's 2020. -
The insect poses a serious threat to American crops, particularly vineyards, and inspires creative backyard methods of eliminating them. View the full article
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The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership is seeking proposals for its 2021 funding cycle. If your project benefits fish in Michigan's inland lakes, it could be eligible! Proposals are due October 16, 2020. (**note - the funding rate for this program is very high - it's a relatively unknown program so we don't get a lot of applications) The FishAmerica Foundation requests proposals for projects designed to improve sport fish populations, aquatic habitat, or water quality. Proposals are due August 31 so time is of the essence on this one!
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I have recently had an inquiry about "cudweed." I wasn't given any more information regarding the specific "cudweed" as a I know there are a few varieties. I am curious if anyone has dealt with treating cudweed. It seems that herbicide is the best option, unfortunately and not surprisingly... But a non-herbicide treatment is desired if possible. Some sites seemed to contradict whether or not hand pulling is effective. Thanks
