Best Management Practices Best Management Practices for Preventing the Spread of for Preventing the Spread of

Invasive SpeciesInvasive SpeciesKelly KearnsWI Dept. Natural Resources

Carmen ChapinNational Park Service

Existing BMP’s for Invasives

• USFS National Forests – R. Beard• New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation• MI Emerald Ash Borer BMP’s• Some companies/organizations have

BMP’s specific to their needs

• No comprehensive set of BMP’s created by target audience to address wide range of vectors

Challenges

• Voluntary compliance• Cultural concept (i.e., recycling)• Complex problems and solutions• Non-regulatory

Best Management Best Management Practices for Invasive Practices for Invasive

SpeciesSpecies-- WisconsinWisconsin’’s Process s Process --

Wisconsin Council on Forestry

Task groups on issues

Invasives

Forestry Invasives Leadership Team (FILT)

Governor’s Forestry

Conference

How the BMP process got started

BMPsAssistance from USFS State and Private

Forestry BMP’s: Reasons for concern

Forestry BMP’s: Reasons for concern

Impacts on tree growth and regeneration.

Direct mortality caused by insects & disease, climbing vines.

Stresses that lead to increased mortality.

Garlic mustard infestation

Best Management Practices for Invasive Species

Four Parallel Tracks

ForestryLoggers, Foresters, Landowners

Recreational UsersCampers, Hikers, ATV riders, Horse riders, Bicyclists,etc.

Rights of Way

DOT, County / Township Roads Managers, Utilities

Urban ForestryUrban Foresters, Arborists, Nurseries, Landscapers, Homeowners ATV impacts in northern WI

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009

Track Quarter 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Forestry April/May

RecreationMarch

UrbanSeptember

ROW September

Forestry BMPForestry BMP’’ss

Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species -

Audiences

Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species -

Audiences

Foresters –

federal, state, county, private, industrial, tribal

Loggers –

independent, mill

contract

Other land managers –

wildlife,

fisheries, natural areas, conservation holdings

Private landowners

Industrial landowners

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

Wisconsin Professional Loggers Assn

Natural Resources Conservation Svc

Wisconsin County Forests Assn.

USDA Forest Service

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Wisconsin Consulting Foresters Assn.

The Nature Conservancy

Wisconsin Woodland Owners Assn

Invasive Plants Association of WI

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Statewide Implementation Committee

UW-Extension

Plum Creek Timber

Wisconsin DNR Forestry

Consulting Foresters

UW Stevens Point

Forestry Track Advisory CommitteeForestry Track Advisory Committee

Forestry Track - ProcessForestry Track - Process

-Advisory Committee formed-Defined “charge”, goals, chapters and terms-Drafted ‘voluntary’ BMP’s and considerations-Taken out for public input-Final version to be approved by Governor’s Forestry Council-Range of outreach materials to be created

Forestry BMPs for Invasives OutlineChapters

Purpose and Scope Statement1. Introduction2. Elements of Invasive Species

Management3. Management Planning 4. Forest Stewardship 5. Forest Access6. Reforestation and Revegetation7. Wildlife Management8. Fire Management 9. Transport of Woody Material

European gypsy moth

Forestry BMPs for Invasives OutlineAppendicesA. Control MethodsB. Species Lists/Factsheets for Highly

Damaging Invasive SpeciesC. RegulationsD. ResourcesE. Financial Assistance for Controlling

InvasivesF. ReferenceG. GlossaryH. Species Recommended for

RevegetationI. Working List of Terrestrial Invasive Plant

Species found in Forested Landscapes in Wisconsin

Autumn olive

Recreational BMPRecreational BMP’’ss

Horses

Motorized Vehicles

Mountain Bikes

Hunting and Angling

Hiking and General Recreation

Camping

Winter Sports

Campground Management

Park/Trail Management

General Public

Overview of Potential Recreational BMPs

and Audience

Recreation TrackRecreation TrackParticipating Organizations

Assn. of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks

Invasive Plants Assn. of Wisconsin

National Park Service

North Country Trail Association

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Council

The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Extension

Wausau & Marathon County Parks,

Recreation and Forestry Department

Wisconsin 4-Wheel Drive Association

Wisconsin ATV Association

Wisconsin Conservation Congress

Wisconsin Council on Forestry

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism

Wisconsin Off-Highway Vehicle Assn.

Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Assn.

Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and

Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative

Wisconsin State Horse Council

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Recreation BMPs for Invasives Outline

Spokes1. Universal 2. Animals3. Bicycles 4. Camping 5. Hunters, Trappers, Anglers6. Motor Vehicles7. Pedestrian8. Land Management

Recreation BMP’s OutreachOutreach materials will be designed

by and targeted for specific user groups

- Articles in recreation magazines- Displays at sports shows- Posters in sporting goods

shops and at campgrounds- Bumper stickers- Messages in hunting regulations

pamphlets- Bike wash stations at trailheads- Notices with park stickers or reservations

RightRight’’ss--ofof--way way BMPBMP’’ss

Rights-of-Way Track Audience/Advisory Committee

Rights-of-Way Track Audience/Advisory Committee

• Utilities – Electrical, Gas, Transmission Lines, Cable

• WI County Hwy Assn

• WI Towns Assn

• Dept. of Transportation

• Railroads

• Municipalities

• Maintenance contractors

• Consulting firms

• Dept. of Natural Res.

ROW BMPs for Invasives Outline

Chapters

1. Vegetation Management 2. Soil Disturbance 3. Transport of Material4. Movement and Maintenance

of Equipment5. Revegetation6. Planning and Design 7. Access

Urban Urban BMPBMP’’ss

Urban Forestry Track – Advisory CommitteeUrban Forestry Track – Advisory Committee• WI Urban Forestry Council

• WI Nursery Assn

• WI Landscape Contractors Assn

• WI Green Industry Federation

• American Society of Landscape Architects

• UW Stevens Point + Madison

• WI Garden Club Federation

• Park People of Milwaukee Co.

• WI Dept. of Agriculture

• Invasive Plants Assn of WI

• WI Park and Recreation Assn

• WI Arborists Assn

• WI Dept. of Natural Resources

Urban Forestry BMP OutlineChapters

Purpose and Scope Statement1. Introduction2. Elements of Invasive Species

Management3. Planning 4. Design 5. Planting and Installation6. Maintenance7. Sanitation and Debris Disposal8. Sales 9. Education Glossy buckthorn

Prevent spread of seeds and pestsPrevent spread of seeds and pests

- Inspect and clean equipment of soil, plants, egg masses (range of methods)

-Create equipment staging areas where seeds won’t get picked up. Mow or spray staging areas before bringing gear in- Mow at best time to reduce seed set and to minimize spread of seed- Acquire clean fill, gravel, and mulch

Gear Cleaning – Range of Options• Clean all equipment before going to the field

– Steam clean– Pressure wash– Use compressed air– Spray off– Sweep/Scrape off soil

and seeds– Brush/knock off soil

and seeds

Possible Prevention Methods for “Pedestrian” Recreators

• Remove soil from camping gear, etc.• When hiking, stay on trails• Don’t walk from an infested area into an uninfested

area• Clean off shoes,

clothes, gear

Possible Prevention Methods for Pet Owners/Riders

• Clean animals hooves, fur before and after being out• Keep animals on trails. Don’t allow dogs to run free in

infested areas when seeds are present.• Use weed free hay if having horses staged near wild

areas.• Use weed free feed if available a few days prior to

going into wild areas.

Possible Prevention Methods for “Wheeled” Recreators

• Clean vehicles, equipment, boots before moving to a new site

• Stay on trails• Avoid riding during wet or muddy periods• Don’t travel from an infested area into an

uninfested area

Prevention by Land Managers·

Revegetate

disturbed sites

quickly·

Train staff/volunteers to ID, monitor for, report and control new infestations

·

Use weed free materials (seed, feed, mulch, gravel, sand)

·

Provide information to visitors about invasives and what they can do to help

Photo by Robert H. ReadPhoto by Robert H. Read

Avoid creating habitat for weeds• Minimize soil disturbance• If possible, limit soil disturbing activities, such

as logging, to frozen soil conditions• Use erosion control practices • Seed in with cover crop as soon • Use certified weed-free mulch

Time mowing carefully• Know what species you are trying to contain by

mowing – map and plan as needed• For most species, mow after bolting, but before

flowers open• Avoid mowing after seeds

have begun to form • Do not mow from an infestation

with seeds to uninfested areas• Avoiding bird nesting season

generally not necessary

Choose seed mixes carefully• Specify native or non-invasive nonnative species• Avoid single species plantings, esp. of known

invaders• Specify certified weed-free mulch

Avoid transporting pests• Inspect gear and vehicles for egg masses after

being parked for more than a few hours• Do not move firewood more than 50 miles • Do not move any firewood from areas with known

infestations of any wood-borne pests• When planting into a forested area, remove the soil,

clean the roots and plant bare-root to avoid moving soil invertebrates, seeds, eggs and disease organisms

Funding Sources

• USFS – State and Private Forestry (NE Region)– Plan to use this as model. – White paper on process and final BMP’s will

be available to other states• USFS – Chequamegon-Nicolet• WI Dept. of Natural Resources• The Nature Conservancy – WI Chapter

Challenges Faced

• Focus is on VOLUNTARY efforts, but….– Forestry BMP’s may become mandatory for

forest certification (lands, loggers, foresters)”– Forestry track had to compromise from “best”– Proposed invasives rules restrict “transport,

possession and introduction” of legally listed invasives, exemption if done incidentally or unknowing AND if “reasonable precautions” taken – e.g., BMP’s followed

Staff Needed• ½ of Forestry Invasive Plant Coordinator’s

position• 2 half time positions + professional facilitator • Hire a facilitator• All partners need to commit staff time for

advisory or technical committees• Stress voluntary nature, + forest certifications

(lands, forester, logger)

For more information:

• Best Management Practices:http://council.wisconsinforestry.org/invasives/

Kelly KearnsKelly KearnsEndangered Resources, WI DNREndangered Resources, WI DNR608608--267267--50665066Kelly.kearns@wisconsin.govKelly.kearns@wisconsin.gov

Federal Best Management Practices

for Nonnative Invasive Species

Carmen ChapinNational Park Service

Intended audience

• Federal agencies and land managers• Follows Federal, US Forest Service and

National Park Service orders and policies• Available publically www.mnrg.gov

Challenges

• Agencies are not specifically required to address invasive species as part of management planning

• Current guidelines utilize “when feasible” approach to managing invasive species

• Bureaucratic/Divisional approach to operations

Process of Development

• Utilized existing BMPs• No formal compliance guidance exists for

non-native species. • Wanted to create a process that would

parallel project planning. (Most funding through federal agencies is project specific.)

• Stakeholder implementation is key focus.

BMP Emphasis

• Site management• Pre-project assessment and activity• Project site activity• Restoration and follow-up• Monitoring

Specific Concerns

• Roads, soil and vegetation disturbance• Recreation• Landscaping• Rangeland/pasture• Forest pests and pathogens • Human health• Fire management

Hunting• Do not plant non-native invasive species for wildlife.

Plant native species if planting is deemed essential. • Disallow access to infested areas.• Waterfowl hunters should use elliptical, bulb shaped or

strap anchors on decoys to avoid collecting submersed and floating aquatic NNIS.

• Monitor food plots for accidental NNIS introduction.• Use NNIS free materials at game baiting stations. • Do not allow blinds to be constructed from NNIS.

Venues for Implementation

• Process is not mandated• Land managers are seeing need to

address issues• Needs to include all activity not just natural

resource projects • Process parallels compliance and project

planning