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Honolulu officials said that maintaining the Haiku Stairs, an illegal hiking trail of 3,922 steps that crosses a mountain range, is too much of a liability.View the full article

There’s a new natural predator in New York City, and the government wants us to kill it. Can we summon the resolve?View the full article

Officials hunting the Asian giant hornet in Washington State have so far destroyed three nests, and plan to eradicate a fourth — very carefully.View the full article

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species from Asia, is a voracious plant-eater and public nuisance that could cost state economies hundreds of millions of dollars.View the full article

Update: right after I posted this the land manager got back to me and said that the area is much wetter in the spring, so that explains that!

Hi All. I was at a site yesterday where they're restoring some Prairie land, and there was a large area of purple loosetrife. Michigan Flora lists purple loosetrife as an obligate wetland species, but the area looked pretty dry to me. just curious if anyone else has seen this happening at other sites.

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (and fiduciary, the Grand Traverse Conservation District) are currently hiring a new Coordinator and Outreach Specialist. More information can be found online here --> https://natureiscalling.org/employment

A new refuge in the California desert offers a long imperiled species its first real chance to thrive.View the full article

Fires accelerated by climate change, along with invasive plants and urban sprawl, threaten the saguaros, a keystone species of the Sonoran Desert and a celebrated symbol of the Southwest.View the full article

It’s among the wettest places on the planet, but shifts in rainfall, invasive grasses and a housing shortage are driving a wildfire spike on the islands.View the full article

The African house gecko, one of the most widely distributed invasive reptiles in the world, may have moved with the trans-Atlantic slave trade.View the full article

When it comes to pesticides, even the ones that sound benign can be dangerous, unless you know what you’re doing.View the full article

Over 45 years, his advice to Alaskans has changed with the transformation of the planet.View the full article

Oh perfect, thank you! Sorry, I'm just learning to navigate this site!

SEASONAL INVASIVE SPECIES TECHNICIAN POSITION Posted 7/19/2021 Position: A seasonal invasive species technician is being sought to implement monitoring, treatment, and outreach activities of Six Rivers Land Conservancy (SRLC). Additional activities include work performed for the Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (LSC CISMA). Pay Rate, Starting Date and Work Schedule: Compensation will be $13-$15/hour, commensurate with education and work experience. Anticipated start date is August 2, 2021. Work week will be 30-40 hours, Monday – Friday as funding and seasonal work permits. The Technician position is anticipated to run through November 2021. Mileage reimbursement may be applicable for specific work activities. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary. Continued employment is contingent on securing additional funding. Work Location: The Seasonal Technician must work out of an assigned office location currently located at 4480 Orion Road in Rochester, MI. When not at the office, the Technician will perform field work throughout Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair Counties or remotely from home. Occasional travel to other meeting locations including the offices of the Lake St. Clair CISMA in Mount Clemens, MI may be necessary. This position will primarily be responsible for field work, including mapping, monitoring, and treatment of invasive species, coordinating with private landowners, event preparation, implementation, and other outreach activities. Overview: The Seasonal Technician position will be responsible for implementation of invasive species monitoring, treatment, training CISMA partners, landowner outreach, and other education efforts. The technician will be trained in common invasive species identifications, as well as Watch List species identification to increase early detection, rapid response capacity. A strong willingness to learn, work cooperatively with stakeholders, work independently, and educate the general public is necessary. The Seasonal Technician is an employee of Six Rivers Land Conservancy. The Technician will also report to the LSC CISMA, as projects permit. The LSC CISMA is a partnership in Macomb and St. Clair counties working to cooperatively manage invasive species. This partnership includes over 20 local, county, state, and federal governments, and non-profit organizations. Responsibilities: Monitoring and Prevention Use standardized monitoring protocols to map and monitor invasive species occurrences. Distribute reported invasive species locations to Midwest Invasive Species Information System (MISIN) and other stakeholders. Survey and map priority invasive species in road rights-of-way, regional trail systems, boat launches, drains,important natural areas, and other priority sources and vectors. Learn priority, common, and Watch List invasive species information, including identification, inventory, reporting, safety and best management practices for treatments. Participate in/assist with early detection/rapid response activities as necessary. Outreach & Education Assist with implementation of landowner outreach programs, including site visits. Assist with implementation of existing invasive species initiatives when appropriate (e.g. Clean Drain Dry, Don't Move Firewood, etc.). Assist with implementation of Six Rivers and LSC CISMA events, meetings, and trainings to benefit CISMA audiences, partners, and stakeholders. Treatment Assist with implementation of annual work-plan for invasive species treatment implementation and other related activities. Ensure invasive species control is conducted according to best management practices, ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Assist with data analysis, report preparation, and permitting as needed. Competencies Data collection, organization, manipulation, interpretation, and entry. Excellent communication skills, including giving presentations and writing reports. Ability to recognize Michigan plant and animal species as required in order to implement monitoring and treatment activities. Experience with the integrated pest management approach to invasive species management, including use of mechanical, cultural, and chemical methods as part of a management program. Experience with Microsoft Office programs, database management, and ArcGIS software. Willingness and ability to work flexible schedules including occasional evenings and weekends. Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather. Ability to work independently. Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50lbs over short distances. Education and Experience Possess or working toward a Bachelor's degree in a related field. Proficiency in GPS/GIS and data management for inventory, treatment, monitoring, and reporting. At least one year of experience in conservation, non-profit management, natural resources management, or similar position. Possess or willingness to obtain Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification. Technicians must possess and present a valid Michigan driver’s license (or be willing to obtain one) and a satisfactory driving record. Driving and criminal background checks will be completed. Must possess or be willing to obtain Red Cross First Aid/CPR training Must have reliable transportation and willingness to transport equipment. ------ To apply send a single PDF with resume, cover letter and a minimum of three references to McKenzi Waliczek at mwaliczek@sixriversrlc.org Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Six Rivers Land Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.

After taking a break last year, goats have returned to help fend off invasive plant species. New Yorkers can use ranked-choice voting to pick their favorites. View the full article

It’s among the wettest places on the planet, but shifts in rainfall, invasive grasses and a housing shortage are driving a wildfire spike on the islands. View the full article

Hi Jacklyn! Of course I remember you from LSLI. If you use this link (from the very top of my original post - easy to miss, I think!), it will take you to the WDNR jobs site and you will see the "Apply" button. https://wj.wi.gov/psc/wisjobs/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Action=U&Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&SiteID=1&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=2256&PostingSeq=1

Hi Jo, I don't know if you'd remember me or not, my name is Jacklyn Lenten, I'm one of the participants from the 2019 Lake and Stream Leaders Institute. I've just graduated from Northern Michigan University and returned from an internship on Isle Royale. I'm looking for my next job opportunity and this position is something that I'm seriously interested in. Would you be willing and able to send me more information or tell me who I can send my resume to? Thanks, Jacklyn

A program to vaccinate homebound older people was put on hold while the one-shot vaccine was paused. View the full article

Complete job posting The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is recruiting to fill an Organisms in Trade Coordinator (Conservation Biologist – Advanced) vacancy. Office location will be determined based on program needs, applicant preference, and office space availability at the time of hire. This is a project position, with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2023. Position Summary The Organisms in Trade (OIT) Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of our statewide efforts to stop the introduction of new invasive species through commerce and trade into Wisconsin. This person is a member of the Department Invasive Species Team (DIST) and serves as a Central Office consultant and coordinator for the department's statewide invasive species rule (NR 40) training and outreach program for plant nurseries, aquatic plant retailers, pet dealers, plant and seed wholesalers, horticulture, and similar industries as part of a federally funded grant project. Working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the WDNR Department Invasive Species Team (DIST), this position conducts outreach efforts through presentations and written communication, and will focus on groups such as the Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Federation, private nurseries, garden centers, seed producers, bait dealers, pet/aquarium industries, online and out of state vendors and wholesalers, farmers markets, craft stores, botanical gardens, arboretums, master gardener groups, and universities to prevent NR 40 regulated species from being sold and introduced into the state. For a detailed position description, click here. Salary Information Starting pay is $31 - $36 per hour ($64,480 - $74,880 annually).

Exciting update - We're keeping enrollment in the Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch open all summer. Lakes can sign up any time through August. The training video is available online, and once you're enrolled, you can dive right into surveying and reporting invasive species in Michigan lakes. Cheers, Jo

A mute swan, beloved by some, was set to be euthanized after wildlife officials deemed him dangerously aggressive. Then something unexpected happened. View the full article

For decades, the core mission of the Park Service was absolute conservation. Now ecologists are being forced to do triage, deciding what to safeguard — and what to let slip away. View the full article

Here’s what to do if you find them in your garden. (Hint: Forget the traps.) View the full article