engaging with industry and organisms in trade

Open for Business – Closed to Invasive Species

Chrystal Schreck Invasive Species Outreach & Education Chrystal.Schreck@wi.gov 608.264.8590

Engaging with Industry

Regulation Development Invasive Species Rule (2009/ 2012)

Rule Implementation

• Overview of scope of industries • Case study of aquatic plants in trade

project

many different roles, similar goals similar approach - learn the regulations - learn what you can do

Many industries are impacted by invasive species

DNR provides tailored resources and audience-specific trainings in diverse venues across the state.

Statewide Outreach

2011 DNR & Partners Nursery Industry Forest Industry Farmers Markets Boaters & Anglers

Encourage Statewide Consistency

2012 - DNR & Partners - Big box stores - Pet & Aquarium Stores - Landscapers - Bait Industry

Nursery Industry Presentations for Wisconsin Green Industry Federation shows Trainings and displays at numerous trade shows Articles through various newsletters Outreach through Aquatic Plants in Trade project Partnership with DATCP Dept. of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection - Notification letter to all licensed nurseries - Training for DATCP nursery inspectors - Enforcement partnership

Landscaping Industry Trainings through ASLA American Association of Landscape Architects Best Management Guidance for landscapers and

designers

Forestry Invasives training through Managed Forestry Law

recertification sessions Extensive Best Management Practices (BMPs) work

Four Parallel BMP Manuals • Forestry

Loggers, Foresters, Landowners

• Recreational Users Campers, Hikers, ATV riders, Horse riders, Bicyclists, Land Managers, etc.

• Urban Forestry Urban Foresters, Arborists, Nurseries, Landscapers, etc.

• Rights of Way DOT, County/Township Roads Managers, Utilities, etc. W

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Forestry

Private Campgrounds Provided resources and educational materials through

firewood social survey efforts Forest Health program is continuing to leverage this industry to reach additional sectors of the public

Road Construction & Maintenance Partner with Department of Transportation

– Provide training at regional conferences – Provide training at county level – Continued control guidance and educational materials as

needed

Landfill Industry Partner with DNR Waste & Materials Partner with SWANA Solid Waste Association of North America

Training at statewide conferences Training at regional meetings

Upcoming – national webinar on invasive species related to landfills Regulations/ ecology/ management

Pet & Aquarium Trade Unique industry with intersecting regulations Multiple species Large spectrum within the industry

Big box stores basement stores

Multiple entry points Hobbyist presentations Sea Grant / Habitatitude partnership Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding

Aquatic Plants in Trade Project (Kelly Wagner’s talk)

CASE STUDY

Pet & Aquarium Trade

Where do Wisconsin’s regulated invasive species and the industry intersect?

Plants

Cabomba caroliniana

Cabomba, fanwort

Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot feather

Egeria densa Brazilian waterweed

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Invertebrates

Faucet snail

Chinese Mystery snail (sold as Japanese Trapdoor snail)

New Zealand mudsnail

Potential hitchhikers

ALL nonnative crayfish here: red swamp crayfish (procambarus clarkii)

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Fish

• Concerned about non-native, fresh water fish that can survive Wisconsin winters

ALL NONNATIVE FISH SPECIES are PROHIBITED, except those listed as Restricted

Certain Exemptions for Fish Restricted #2

Listed viable aquarium trade fish

(Koi carp, goldfish, sterlet, Chinese hi-fin banded shark, bitterling, ide and weather loach.)

Restricted #4 NONVIABLE nonnative fish species Includes most fish currently in aquarium trade

Species above CAN be sold.

Myiopsitta monachus Monk parrot or Quaker parakeet

Trachemys scripta elegans Red-eared Slider (carapace under 4 in)

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Other vertebrates

Reducing Invasive Live Organisms in Trade in Great Lakes Watersheds

Timeline: September 2011 through July 2014 (Aquatic Plants in Trade) 4 Part study Retailer stock surveys Retailer social surveys Biological (pond) surveys Retailer Outreach & Education Pre & post education surveys to assess impact

Aquatic Plants in Trade Social Side

Winter 2011-2012: First Contact - Phone call from staff inquiring about sale of aquatic plants Spring 2012: Mailed Social Survey Summer 2012: Mailed Educational Materials Summer/ Fall 2012: In-store Visits Ongoing: Follow-up, Re-survey & Analysis

Mailed social survey to 584 known

and suspected aquatic plant retailers Pet and aquarium stores Licensed & Unlicensed plant nurseries Pond and water garden stores

Purpose: to assess current knowledge and self-reported behaviors

Social Survey

June/ July 2012 Educational materials mailed to 584 retailers Informational letter Overview of the regulations Color photo guides of plants

August – October 2012 Educational Visits to 108 retailers Friendly DNR staff provided packet and covered

information (Not Enforcement) Regulations Plant Identification Best Management Practices

Education & Outreach

Best Practices for Pet and Aquarium Stores Learn to identify invasive aquatic plants and animals. Do not use or sell invasive plants, fish or invertebrates such as crayfish in your aquariums. Check your plant/ animal orders for unwanted invasive

hitchhikers. Do not release any aquarium plants, fish or invertebrates into

natural waters. Help your customers learn about the importance of keeping

pets and plants contained.

Some retailers also received

additional contact from other sources Friends or family County staff Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Nursery Inspectors

Informal Successes achieved Several retailers reported changing practices after

receiving outreach letter Several retailers reported changing practices after

plant identification assistance was provided and rules were clarified in person

Education & Outreach

Educational efforts are notoriously difficult to assess

Follow-up social surveys and stock surveys will enable better assessments of the educational efforts

Lessons learned will help us reach other business audiences more effectively

Education & Outreach

Communication Tools for Industry Assume the best Provide tools for success Provide information on their terms

and in their terms

Utilize enforcement when appropriate

Engage with Industry to Slow the Spread

dnr.wi.gov keyword: “invasives”

Chrystal Schreck Education & Outreach

Chrystal.Schreck@wi.gov 608.264.8590

Hibernacula Decontamination protocols for recreational

cavers and caves Industry Partnerships Comeback Champs Working underground sand mines

Install bat friendly gates and equipment Manage air flow patterns to maintain a certain humidity and temperature favorable to bats Consult with DNR on any major changes