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The future of this country’s wild spaces may depend on changing the way suburban Americans think about plants. View the full article
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North Country CISMA has an opening and is seeking a Seasonal Invasive Species Technician to perform botanical surveys and invasive species control activities over a six county area. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Certified Pesticide Applicator, as they will also act as back-up field crew lead, and assist the field crew in performing invasive species management activities. The candidate will be conduct invasive species surveys in parks and along trails; terrestrial surveys by foot and aquatic surveys by kayak/canoe. This is a full-time seasonal position, working 40 hours per week for up to 24 weeks. Duty location may be in either Cadillac, Scottville or Paris, MI. Starting pay is $15.00 - $17.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. This position is grant funded, start date is May 6th with funding until the end of October. Deadline to apply is March 18th, 2019. See the attached file for more information about the position and how to apply. Seasonal Tech FINAL 2019_ Job Posting_Mason-Lake employee.pdf
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The North Country CISMA is seeking two Seasonal Crew Leads and 4 Seasonal Crew Members for invasive species management and habitat restoration work within the six counties we serve. These are full-time seasonal positions. Benefits include paid federal holidays and vacation/sick leave. Crew Lead pays $13-$15 per hour for up to 24 weeks, preferred start date is April 22nd-May 6th, 2019, deadline to apply is March 18th, 2019 Crew Member pays $11-$13 per hour for up to 16 weeks, preferred start date is May 6th, 2018, deadline to apply is March 18th, 2019 Refer to the attached job postings for position details and application instructions. For more information visit NorthCountryInvasives.org Field Crew Lead FINAL 2019_job posting.pdf Seasonal Field Crew FINAL 2019_job Posting.pdf
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I thought I'd update my progress from last fall. The billboards worked wonderfully, helping me to reduce the square footage of monoculture needing to be sprayed. I did spray some of the swallow wort with 2% Garlon 4 Ultra. I mixed 7.7 oz of Garlon 4 filling it to the 3 gallon mark with water. I did add two ounces of Duo Stick Select surfactant to the 3 gallons. I sprayed with a Solo backpack sprayer with a semi-fine droplet until the plant was dripping. The first photo is a progression of covered plants in the foreground, sprayed in the middle, and not sprayed at the top of the photo. The second photo is from under the black billboard on September 23rd (about 3.5 months of smothering). The third photo is my upgraded stakes. Typical landscape stakes were not strong enough. I had to upgrade to heavy duty metal tent stakes (https://www.amazon.com/IUME-Strength-Unbreakable-Inflexible-Gardening/dp/B07B3M6P5P) and plain grommets #4 from Sailmaker's Supply .
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Phragmites Disposal
Katie Grzesiak replied to McKenzi Bergmoser's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
We leave all Phragmites where it is. In some cases we mow, but the bits are left where they lie (and then we clean machinery!). As you said, the complications (permitting? vectors, etc.) are too great for anything else. Curious what others are up to! Any creative solutions? -
Phragmites Disposal
McKenzi Bergmoser posted a topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Hello, How do other CISMAs approach the disposal of dead (formerly treated) phragmites australis biomass when burning is not an option? Are there contacts (DNR/ DEQ) that can assist in finding facilities that accept invasive species materials? Are there other options to remove and dispose of phragmites that do not include burning or transporting to a land fill (bury/smothering with material?)? The phragmites in question would be excavated from county drains (above and below ground biomass), after two years of treatment. A fear of mine is transporting phragmites to a landfill and accidentally facilitating the spread (during mobilization or) by bringing it to a facility that does not take the appropriate actions when disposing/ containing the material. Thank you, McKenzi -
Boater Outreach - Crew Members & Crew Leader Positions
Kevin Walters posted a topic in Community News
MSU is seeking a Crew Leader and 3-4 Crew Members for the 6th season of Michigan's Mobile Boat Wash program this summer. The selected candidates will gain lots of experience with public outreach and education as we work to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species statewide. They'll also make connections with natural resources professionals from local, state, and federal agencies. The Crew Leader position would be ideal for a graduating senior, or a graduate student in need of summer funding. The Crew Leader could potentially start right away on a part-time basis, transitioning to full-time during the summer. The Crew Member positions are summer only. Application deadline is February 15. -
The environment is being sacrificed for a national myth. View the full article
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Monitoring Invasive Species
McKenzi Bergmoser replied to McKenzi Bergmoser's topic in Mapping and Data
Thank you so much for the information, Nor! It is very helpful!! -
The Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) out of USGS is working to come up with a universal monitoring method for the marsh/Great Lakes areas. More information on how they implement that method is here. I was part of the field team for a project that implemented CMU's Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program protocols to monitor pre and post treatment Phragmites up in Saginaw Bay circa 2014/15/16. This gives really, really detailed, species level detail on vegetation regeneration and diversity, but also is super time consuming and frankly, not made for phragmites invaded wetlands. It gets good data, but way more than is needed for management, and at a cost that really isn't in line with the non-academic work I've done. That said, I'm pretty much always willing to talk about that work, and some of the cost/benefits in line with that. I know that PAMF, along with Laura Bourgeau-Chavez at the Michigan Tech Research Institute (lchavez@mtu.edu), Phyllis Higman at MNFI (higman@msu.edu), and the Saginaw Bay CISMA were working on new methodologies to improve that use. This summer we've also been doing some roadside surveys in our service area, utilizing township maps and GPS, which makes it more user-friendly for our Road Commission crews, since we are using the same tools they keep in their truck!
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Hello, Do other CISMAs have a Monitoring Template that they are willing to share? Species specific and general invasive species monitoring plans are both encouraged. LSC CISMA is currently most focused on phragmites along road right-of-ways, drains, retention ponds and adjacent areas. However, monitoring phragmites in marshes, Great Lakes/ inland lakes, and monitoring of other invasive species would be useful for future efforts. Thanks in advance, McKenzi Bergmoser
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Hi folks, Just in case you were not aware, the treatment tracker can be used within ESRI's Collector for ArcGIS app. Download the app (Collector for ArcGIS not Collector Classic) Tap on Sign In with ArcGIS Enterprise Type https://portal.asets.msu.edu/arcgis/ Sign in with your given username and password
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Hi all, Has anyone asked their CISMA members/partners for monetary contributions to help support events and other activities the CISMA puts on that fall outside of grant funding? We are piloting this now so I'd be curious to hear any success or push-back with that kind of member funding. Best, Erica Clites
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Jess KCD joined the community
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Inland lake early detection monitoring
Sarah LeSage replied to Bill Keiper's topic in Aquatic Invasive Species
Planning is underway for the 2019 field season. Similar to previous years, the DEQ Water Resources Division staff will conduct ~15-20 inland lake surveys for AIS. Please share feedback with Billy Keiper by February 15th. keiperw@michigan.gov -
A couple people asked for access to the AIS update powerpoint from the December MISC meeting, specifically looking for the links to RIPPLE materials. The entire ppt is posted here and the RIPPLE links are pasted below. Contact Jo Latimore for more information on RIPPLE. •Website with videos, graphics, and outreach plan: bit.ly/miripple •Connect with RIPPLE on social media: facebook.com/miripple •Order free materials online (free S&H): bit.ly/getmiripple •Articles regarding organisms in trade available for reprint at www.canr.msu.edu/outreach [search for RIPPLE] MISC AIS 2018.pptx
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Amid gray days and long nights, the season is hidden in plain sight. View the full article
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Treatment Discussion Handouts
Katie Grzesiak replied to Katie Grzesiak's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Thanks to John & Shaun for the information! Here are a few more notes I took during our session: Let police know what the crew is up to (especially if they're doing driving surveys that might elicit calls!) Name badges/shirts/hats can also help ID your crew as professionals Be clear with your crew about your CISMA's expectations (herbicide use, professionalism, etc.) Be sure to have decontamination kits both for the truck and each person Be sure to have water for washing--one huge reservoir or several jugs (planned use inspections & pesticide business checklists from MDARD, above) Herbicide manufacturers and contractors can be good resources for what herbicides to use Importance of communicating with the public during activities (signs, well-trained crew) Some questions about permitting can be directed to https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3681_3710---,00.html And a possible future action item: Discussion of WM CISMA's treatment table--maybe a subcommittee? -
Enroll in "Introduction to Lakes" online class by Jan. 8
Jo Latimore posted a topic in Community News
MSU Extension invites you to join us in learning about lake ecology, protection, and management during our 6-week online course that begins January 22. The course uses a straightforward, easy-to-follow online format. You can participate at times that are convenient for you, from anywhere you have internet access. Participants typically spend 2-3 hours per week on the course. *There's LOTS of discussion about aquatic invasive species management in the course!* The enrollment fee is $115, and participants must register no later than January 8. A variety of continuing education credits are available, and anyone who completes the course is eligible for a free one-year membership in Michigan Lake Stewardship Associations, including four issues of The Michigan Riparian magazine. Check out the course website for full details. https://www.canr.msu.edu/introduction_to_lakes_online/ -
Terri Wild changed their profile photo
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In an effort to not re-create the wheel, here are some of the discussions & resources ISN created during our 2018/19 HWA Prioritization meeting with partners. Feel free to use if it suits you! HWAPrioritization_agenda_2018.12.19.docx HWAPrioritization_notes_2018.12.19.docx HWA Prioritization_2018.12.19.pptx Possible_PriorityPoints_MC.pdf ConservedLand_MC.pdf HWA Prioritization 2018 Overview.docx
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Climate change is ravaging the natural laboratory that inspired Darwin. The creatures here are on the brink of crisis. View the full article
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One of Nature’s Smallest Flowering Plants Can Survive Inside of a Duck
NewsBot posted a topic in NISIC News
If one duckweed lands where a bird relieves itself, it’s capable of eventually creating a dense mat of duckweeds where there were none before. View the full article -
One of Nature’s Smallest Flowering Plants Can Survive Inside of a Duck
NewsBot posted a topic in NISIC News
If one duckweed lands where a bird relieves itself, it’s capable of eventually creating a dense mat of duckweeds where there were none before. View the full article -
McKenzi Bergmoser joined the community
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Treatment Discussion Handouts
John Bedford replied to Katie Grzesiak's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
How to find your local Pesticide Inspector was talked about during the 2018 MISC Annual Meeting treatment discussion/brainstorming session on 12/11/18. Here is how you can get in touch with your pesticide inspector: Call MDARD's Customer Service Center's 800 number and specify that you need the contact information for a pesticide inspector in a given county. Call center staff will be able to determine the inspector based on our current mapping of districts. Some districts for pesticide inspectors divide counties or are in more than one county, so you may need to be more specific in some cases. -
Treatment Discussion Handouts
John Bedford replied to Katie Grzesiak's topic in Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment
Planned Use Inspections were talked about during the 2018 MISC Annual Meeting treatment discussion/brainstorming session on 12/11/18. Here is a description of what one is: A Planned Use Inspection (PUI) is unlike MDARD’s complaint-based investigations or entity-type inspections (such as schools and golf courses). PUIs are scheduled by an inspector with a firm that is often new to the pesticide application industry, has just obtained a pesticide application business license from MDARD for the first time, or would like a refresher on state and/or federal pesticide use laws, among many other reasons. The inspection is intended to be educational; inspectors will review all applicable pesticide laws with the firm and inspect operations and recordkeeping to ensure all pesticide-related aspects of the business are in compliance. The PUI is non-confrontational to encourage meaningful dialogue between the interviewees and the inspector. Any deficiencies found will be addressed through typically low-level enforcement such as stop orders or warning letters, and the inspector will work with the firm to ensure corrective actions resolve the issues identified.
