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Michigan's Invasive Species Community

Shaun Howard

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Posts posted by Shaun Howard

  1. On 3/14/2023 at 4:07 PM, Katie Grzesiak said:

    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?

    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.

  2. Hello all!  TNC-MI is hiring for a seasonal position in the UP to assist our full time land steward with preserve restoration, management, and outreach.  More info as follows:

    The Preserve & Restoration Assistant performs and participates in preserve management, maintenance, restoration, and outreach in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The position will be approximately 90% field work and 10% office work. This is a temporary, full time, 35-hours per week position, and is based out of Marquette, MI. This position will last 17 weeks beginning approximately April 26 and ending approximately August 21. The Preserve & Restoration Assistant works independently maintaining preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and performs other land management activities. They professionally interact with and explain preserve rules to visitors. They maintain preserve trailheads, trails, signs, and other preserve infrastructure in good condition. They may develop, promote, lead, and organize public outreach events such as guided nature walks and trail work days. They remove exotic species and/or conduct species monitoring. They will also help with other projects such as forestry activities and easement and deed restriction monitoring. The successful applicant will be able to navigate remote natural areas with a map, compass, and GPS.

    More info attached to this post.

    Link to apply:  https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&SiteId=1&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=49326&PostingSeq=1

    Position closes 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 19, 2021.

    As always feel free to PM me with questions.  Thanks!

    PreserveRestorationAssistant_49326_Profile.pdf Working at TNC - Benefits.pdf

  3. Hey all, we have a position open for a Restoration Associate with the Michigan Chapter's "Roving Crew" - our team that does restoration/management across all TNC properties in the state.  It's an awesome way to see everything from the Keweenaw to Western Lake Erie, get a ton of experience across all types of ecosystems, and work with a really cool crew.

    The posting can be found here:  https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=49216&PostingSeq=1

    It currently is set to close on this Sunday, January 10, but may be extended.  Job profile and more info about employment at The Nature Conservancy attached.  If you have questions you can DM or email me (showard@tnc.org) or the hiring manager, Kim Steinberger - Restoration Program Manager (kimberly.steinberger@tnc.org).  The position would normally be based out of our field office in Tecumseh, MI, however that is in a holding pattern due to COVID.  I believe location is considered somewhat flexible at the moment, but ideally somewhere between Lansing and Tecumseh.

    Note that as with all TNC jobs applications must be submitted through the careers page above; we are not allowed to accept resumes/cover letters directly through staff.

    Feel free to share as you like - Happy New Year!

    RestorationAssociate_Profile_49216.pdf Working at TNC - Benefits.pdf Working_at_TNC_-_Culture_&_Community.pdf

  4. On 11/4/2019 at 9:01 AM, Katie Grzesiak said:

    Is this map viewer really public? - http://midnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=49bac67620ed4365a0a365cdb47040eb

    It's listed as public but not sure if you actually have to be in the HWA group to view it.  You could also reach out to the E/O subcommittee lead, @Sue Tangora who might have more updated static maps/materials.

    Also, just FYI that as of July 1 we've officially transferred TNC's role in the HWA work to @Kaldis Grants so he's your point of contact from now on!

  5. Here's the MDARD pesticide application business road check form - useful for self-review to determine compliance!

    https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/Pesticide_Application_Business_Road_Check_270084_7.pdf

    From here:

    https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1569_16988_35287---,00.html

    "This is in the official MDA inspector checklist used to determine compliance with Michigan's pesticide laws and regulations while making a commercial pesticide application."

  6. A colleague in southern Ohio reached out to the TNC invasives/stewardship email lists with questions about small carpetgrass control.  His message is as follows:

     

    I work in southern Ohio and like many places, we’ve had an unusually wet year.  This has apparently contributed to an explosion of small carpetgrass (Arthraxon hispidus) in some of our managed grasslands. 

    We’ve been mowing monocultures of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and Chinese lespedeza (Sercicea lespedeza) before seed set in some areas and apparently by reducing the prevalence of these plants we inadvertently made a great seed bed for the carpetgrass (see photos).

    Does anyone have any idea on how to combat this plant at scales in the tens of acres at once?  I’ve heard about using grass specific herbicide.  We’ve had some success with small scale applications in planted informational prairies and near facilities, but are just now testing out larger acreage applications.  Waiting to see how the larger application goes, but until then I’m still a bit hesitant to really drop it on large acreages (we’re using Fusilade II).  We’re also just trying to mow it similar to the lespedeza control, which can also be seen in the picture, although some of those mowed plants have already flowered again.

    We’re concerned that the prevalence of this plant off TNC property and in much of the roadways around the preserve will just continue the cycle of “kill what’s there -> great seedbed for carpetgrasses not in the managed area -> kill what’s there -> etc. etc.”.

    Devil’s advocate question: has the abundance of this plant had tangible negative effects on grassland birds or other grassland specific species in your area?  I.E. can we accept that every fall this plant will dominate, but the spring/summer months are “business as usual” for the grasslands?

    Thanks for any insight - Michael P. Hall - Southern Ohio Stewardship Coordinator

     

    So, anyone have experience with this?  Ryan Wheeler noted that it co-occurs with Japanese stiltgrass, so I feel this one could be an up-and-coming issue for all of us, especially those managing prairies/grasslands.

    KIMG0377.JPG

    KIMG0382.JPG

  7. The Nature Conservancy in Michigan is currently hiring a seasonal crew of one crew leader and six crew members to carry out freshwater dune system restoration via terrestrial invasive plant control in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area of Northwest Lower Michigan.  This crew will work with staff from the National Park Service at Sleeping Bear and other regional conservation partners from May 14 through August 16, 2018 and will be based out of a seasonal field office in Frankfort.  Interested applicants may apply at www.nature.org/careers (use the interactive map viewer to locate Frankfort, MI and click on the pin to view the postings and apply).

    Any questions may be directed to our Coastal Restoration Coordinator, Kaldis Grants, at kaldis.grants@tnc.org

    Dune Restoration Specialist_(Crew Member)_Profile.docx

    Dune Restoration Specialist_(Crew Leader)_Profile.docx

  8. As described in the 2016 MISGP Handbook, CISMAs applying for funding will receive 20 additional points if their project proposal includes the development or implementation of a strategic plan.  Attached at the bottom of this post (and also located in forum Downloads) is an example of such a plan developed by the Michigan Invasive Species Coalition.

    In very general terms, a strategic plan should align clear focus at a high level on desired goals and outcomes, and then more explicitly define the strategies (and associated activities) that would be used to achieve those goals and outcomes.  In other words, a rough strategic plan outline would look like this:

    1. Goals (why you want to carry out the work; the highest level "desired condition" if all work is implemented and outcomes are achieved)

    2. Outcomes (what you hope to accomplish in a longer-term timeframe; not quarterly updates, but rather the 1-5 year results of work)

    3. Strategies (what are the collective set of activities you will employ to reach your outcomes)

    4. Activities (the specific items that, when carried out within the framework of a particular strategy, which will achieve your desired outcomes)

    While this format has been used successfully in the past, please note that it is by no means the "required format" for an organizational strategic plan.  I would suggest when developing new (or reviewing existing) guidance documents, ask yourself if it clearly defines "where you want to go", "why you want to go there", and "how you plan to do it".

    Further questions/discussion welcome in this thread!

    MISC SP v6.docx

  9. One of the notes I had from our Annual Meeting was to request more input on anything that should be added to the cookbook Katie G. is working on.  This is the place for it, post all your ideas!

    - What would have been good to know when your CISMA was first forming?

    - What have you had to figure out along the way that there should be a template for?

    - Anything else?

  10. As coordinator of this "CISMA" (can I call our Alliance that?) I wanted to offer a few things that would be helpful starting points for those interested in more detail on our coastal restoration efforts.  Attached to this post is an MDA fact sheet that gives a good overview of our invasive plant control to date and an insert that ran in the TNC magazine with some info and Q&A from me.  I would also offer Nature.org/Dunes and Conservation Gateway - Eastern Lake Michigan for more details on the work.

    If you are interested in learning more, post up in this thread.  I will add additional topics to this subforum as necessary.

    2015 ELM Fact Sheet.pdf

    2015 June July Nature Magazine Insert.pdf

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