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I had a question about the Japanese Knotweed Treatment document shared by the SWxSW Corner CISMA at the top of this thread. I see that it shows Cygnet Plus by name as the surfactant for glyphosate stem injection. Would another surfactant such as DuoStick Select work for this or is it a pretty specific formulation?

By combining lab experiments and mathematical modelling, researchers have found a way to predict the movement of species that could guide conservation efforts to reconnect fragmented habitats.View the full article

An unusually severe form of toxoplasmosis killed four sea otters and could pose a threat to other marine wildlife and humans, finds a new study.View the full article

A mosquito known only by its scientific name, Culex lactator, is the latest to establish in the Sunshine State, according to a new study.View the full article

The growing period of hardwood forests in eastern North America has increased by an average of one month over the past century as temperatures have steadily risen, a new study has found.View the full article

Increases in mortality among Douglas-fir in the Klamath Mountains are the result of multiple factors that have the iconic tree in a 'decline spiral' in parts of the region.View the full article

A new study explores a record of birds' diets preserved in their feathers and radio tracking of their movements to find that birds eat far fewer invertebrates in coffee plantations than in forests, suggesting that the disturbance of their ecosystem significantly impacts the birds' dietary options.View the full article

More than 85% of the world's bird, mammal, and amphibian species live in mountains, particularly in forest habitats, but researchers report that these forests are disappearing at an accelerating rate. Globally, we have lost 78.1 million hectares (7.1%) of mountain forest since 2000 -- an area larger than the size of Texas. Much of the loss occurred in tropical biodiversity hotspots, putting increasing pressure on threatened species.View the full article

New research has looked at the long-term environmental impact of different methods to control Japanese knotweed. Different ways of trying to control the invasive species have developed over the years but now, as sustainability becomes increasingly important, understanding the effect of these management methods is vital.This new study examines at the entire life cycle and long-term impacts of different management approaches.View the full article

New research shows how human-modified landscapes affect the diets of these marsupial scavengers.View the full article

Unfortunately I don't have any signage examples, but maybe browsing around/reaching out to https://woodyinvasives.org/ would help to see if they're aware of any? I saw an excellent presentation at this years Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference on using AR/VR for this exact type of public information program in a tree thinning project. Granted, that type of project may be beyond the scope of what you're trying to do, but maybe connecting with the presenter is worth a shot to see if they have any other thoughts on more traditional informational materials? It was: Comparing Acceptance of Invasive Species Management Across Augmented and Virtual Reality Messaging - Ingrid Schneider*, Brett Rannow, Angela Gupta, Matthew Russell, Marcella Windmuller-Campione, University of Minnesota. Program link here - http://www.umisc.net/uploads/1/0/7/5/10750703/umisc_program.pdf - page 31.

I don't know of a resource like this, but maybe a CISMA has made one? Or perhaps an informative treatment (as used for other treatments) sign could be adapted. @Audrey Menninga @Vicki Sawicki @Elise Desjarlais @Shaun Howard @Shikha Singh any ideas?

New research finds almost 4000 Australian plant species have not been photographed before in the wild, which may lead to their extinction.View the full article

Black widow spiders have earned a fearsome reputation for their venomous bite. But in parts of the southern United States these spiders have much to fear themselves -- from spider relatives who really don't like their company. In the past couple decades, researchers have noticed black widow spiders being displaced by the brown widow, a fellow species in the same genus. But new research suggests this isn't a simple case of one species winning the competition for food or habitat. Instead, a study shows brown widow spiders have a striking propensity to seek out and kill nearby black widows.View the full article

Researchers have observed a highly unusual behavior in the endangered freshwater mussel, Unio crassus. The jets disturb the river surface and attract fish. Mussel larvae in the jets can then attach to the gills of the fish and complete their metamorphosis into adults.View the full article

Hi all, Is anyone aware of good general (non-site specific) public signage for invasive shrub removal? What I've heard is that the public has lot of questions about why the forest and brush is being cleared away and I was curious if anyone was aware of printable signage that could be laminated or distributed to others and set at a site for general public awareness. Perhaps something that is general enough to be set up for various species and/or locations? I was thinking on the inclusion of QR code to a general website resource: This site has some relevant information for public awareness of thinning and invasive shrub removal, but is a case study: https://www.cullennature.org/restoration.html And this site was interesting and provided some of the why, but is a story map specific to honeysuckles: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6aa346fe0dc54f86a59c0f3864af9f20 Let me know if you are aware of something along these lines! Thanks! Patrick Canniff (He/Him/His) Oakland County CISMA Coordinator CanniffP@OakGov.com Phone: (248)882-8643

I'm curious as to what kinds of strategies the group has for dealing with bulky branches and stems from cut stump treatments and weed-wrench activities, particularly for more shrubby species. What makes it an ideal practice for your situation? (Adding photo for interest )

A review suggests that the parasitoid Eiphosoma laphygmae is likely to be the best classical biological control from the Americas against the devastating fall armyworm pest.View the full article

Researchers have uncovered new evidence of western pygmy possums interacting with native flowers, providing an eDNA study to simultaneously detect mammal, insect and bird DNA on flowers.View the full article

Research into the ability of a wildfire to improve the health of a forest uncovered a Goldilocks effect -- unless a blaze falls in a narrow severity range, neither too hot nor too cold, it isn't very good at helping forest landscapes return to their historical, more fire-tolerant conditions.View the full article

Deforestation is resulting in reduced rainfall across large parts of the tropics, according to new research. People living in tropical forest communities have often complained that the climate gets hotter and drier once trees are cleared but until now, scientists have not been able to identify a clear link between the loss of tree cover and a decline in rainfall. View the full article

Ants play a key role in forest regeneration, according to a new article. View the full article

Australia's rarest bird of prey -- the red goshawk -- is facing extinction, with Cape York Peninsula now the only place in Queensland known to support breeding populations. View the full article

After more than 30 years, botanists have rediscovered Thismia kobensis, a type of mysterious-looking rare plant commonly referred to as 'fairy lanterns'. Thismia kobensis was presumed extinct and the surprise rediscovery of this Japanese variety has illuminated hidden aspects of fairy lanterns that have puzzled and fascinated botanists for centuries. View the full article

Researchers believe rising sea temperatures are to blame for the plummeting number of invertebrates such as molluscs and sea urchins at Rottnest Island off Western Australia, with some species having declined by up to 90 per cent between 2007 and 2021. View the full article