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Engaging Local Citizens in Detecting and Controlling Invasive
Species in River Corridors
Laura MacFarland
River Alliance of Wisconsin
Outline• Introduction to the River Alliance of Wisconsin • River Alliance’s AIS Program• Volunteer Monitors Patrol River Corridors for Invasive
Species
•Founded 15 years ago by
paddlers and flyfishermen
concerned about the health of
Wisconsin’s rivers
•Statewide
•Over 3000 members
•Over 150 groups
• Assess the potential threats posed by invasive species to the flowing waters of Wisconsin
• Examine potential roles for citizens and volunteer groups at the local level to take on education, prevention, planning, and management activities aimed at these species
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT
• Guide these groups to improve their knowledge and expand their capacity to meet the challenges of riverine invasive species, including education, prevention, and control
• Develop monitoring program for river organizations in coordination with the Department, National Institute of Invasive Species Science and University Extension
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT (cont.)
Why we want our rivers to be free of invasive species!
Flow
Flora
Fauna
Fishing
Paddling
Swimming
Invasive Species Coming Soon Invasive Species Coming Soon to a River Near You!!!to a River Near You!!!
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum/ Fallopia japonica)
Stems resemble bamboo and can grow to be 10 feet tall.
Leaves are normally 6 inches long by 3 to 4 inches broad, heart shaped/ triangular
Controlled through multifaceted approach (mechanical and chemical).
Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
Dark spot on carapace as if you picked them up with paint on your thumb and forefinger
Prevention is key as control of an established population has not been successful
Common Reed Grass (Phragmites australis)
Perennial reed grass; up to 13 feet tall, large light-brown to purple flower spike
Chemical and mechanical treatments
Native Non-native
Smooth stem
Less dense stand
Black fungus on old stems
Leaves/sheath peels off easily
Ridged stem
Dense stand that you can hardly see through
Leaves/sheath do not peel off easily
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Stiff, four-sided upright stem; 3 -9 feet tall
Opposite leaf arrangement
5 – 6 petals per flower; flowers in a spike
Biological, chemical and mechanical control
Japanese Hops
Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus)
Annual vine twines counter-clockwise
Leaves and stem covered with hooked climbing hairs that feel sticky
Flowers mid to late summer
Chemical and Mechanical Control
Common Teasel
(Dipsacus fullonum)
Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Eurasian Milfoil(myriophyllum spicatum)
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Paul E. Berry
© 1997 Purdue University Agronomy Extension
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Triangular in shape
Various colors and patterns but most have black or brown stripes
Mechanical Control
Zebra Mussels
The Quagga Musselb (an invasive species) has been found in environments that the Zebra mussel has not been successful in invading!
Future Threats
• Snakehead, mosquito fish• Three-spine stickleback• New Zealand mud snail
• Hydrilla
• Water chestnut
• Water hyacinth
• Water lettuce
Invasive Species Coming Soon to a River Near You!!!
NOT MY RIVER!
Pilot Monitoring Project
Over 25 miles of rivers were surveyed by River Alliance staff and volunteers on four rivers (Sheboygan River, Kickapoo River, Badfish Creek, and Baraboo River).
Sheboygan County Master Gardeners
RA Individual Member
Valley Stewardship Network
Friends of Badfish Creek
Statewide Trainees
UW Hoofers
Madcity Paddlers
Map from the Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Japanese Knotweed
ResultsRiver JK CRG PLS JH
Sheboygan 10 5 1 0
Baraboo 0 0 0 0
Badfish Creek 1 0 2 0
Kickapoo 1 0 0 0Figure 2. Number of New Infestations Detected
Lessons Learned• Cannot include absence data
• Should be done while the plant is in bloom
• Keep it simple
• Work within existing framework
Helping Local Groups Take the Next Step!
DiscussionWhat role can the Friends of Badfish Creek and
local groups play in the fight against invasive species?
• Priorities
• Limitations
• Resources
Questions?