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@[email protected]
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