Invasives in the News

Invasive species spotter program hopes to spot and stop problem plants

July 23, 2015

Article from P.E.I., Canada:

"There's a new way for Islanders to help keep invasive plants under control.

The first P.E.I. Invasive Species Spotter's Network training workshop starts Thursday.

People will be trained to identify, photograph and report invasive species, to help catch new ones before they become established and widespread on the Island.

Organizers hope...

Emerald Ash Borer Infestation of White Fringetree Found to be Widespread

July 22, 2015

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive pest that is decimating ash trees across the United States and Canada. By 2019, it’s estimated that the beetle will have caused economic damage to the tune of $10 billion.

Life Outdoors: Water chestnut: invasive aquatic plant

July 21, 2015

"MAYNARD Water chestnut, an invasive water plant, has a nature akin to lily pads on steroids, growing rapidly in nutrient-rich fresh water ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers. Unchecked, it will almost completely cover water surfaces, making boating, swimming and fishing impossible. The dense floating mat of overlapping leaves also blocks sunlight penetration, causing oxygen deprivation...

U of Minn. study: Invasive plants get a leg up in fertilized grasslands

July 15, 2015

"A University of Minnesota study published Wednesday shows that invasive plant species have an advantage over native species when grasslands are fertilized.

The study involved multiple years of data on 64 grassland sites in 13 countries around the world, including the university's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve near East Bethel, Minn.

Researchers added phosphorus and...

Invader species: Non-native plants taking over state

July 9, 2015

"Japanese knotweed is spreading along local riverbeds and roadsides faster than anyone can kill it, and it might be too late to get rid of it.

And knotweed is just the most prevalent in a horde of invading botanicals that are quickly moving in.

Joining the ubiquitous thick, viny, broad-leafed, ever-expanding blanket are more than a half dozen other invasive species — to the alarm...

Shady lanes returning to NJ towns bitten by Asian longhorned beetle

July 6, 2015

By Lisa Eckelbecker
Telegram & Gazette Staff

LINDEN, New Jersey – Jeffrey A. Tandul’s friends like to joke that he’s a “dead tree savant,” able to spot dying trees from blocks away, but on a gray June day he’s more focused on the living.

Mr. Tandul, chairman of the Shade Tree Commission in this...

Over $2 Million to Combat Invasive Plants in B.C.

July 2, 2015

The spread of invasive plants will be nipped in the bud thanks to a $2.25 million investment from the provincial government.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced that millions of dollars in funding will be distributed over the next three year in order to help reduce the spread of invasive species in British Columbia.

Out-of-State Firewood Now Banned in Rhode Island

June 28, 2015

If you plan on stacking up some firewood for camping and the backyard fire pit, or simply stocking up before the winter, don’t plan on buying any non-local logs.

You can blame the Asian Longhorned Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer for a ban on out-of-state firewood and a prohibition on the transport of wood from the neighboring states of Massachusetts and Connecticut across borders...

Young goats back to munching on invasive plants in Ottawa County parks

June 26, 2015

"OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- The idea of "all-you-can eat" is a notion eight goats in Ottawa County will enjoy to the fullest this summer as year two of the county's initiative to rid parks of invasive plants gets underway.

New forest guidebook focuses on preparing for climate disruptions

June 17, 2015

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has released a guidebook on preparing for the disturbances to our forests caused by climate change, including invasive plants.

News article:
"Vermont leads the nation in promoting climate-smart natural resource management strategies. This first ever state-developed guidebook presents land managers with a menu of strategies to adjust to climate...

Firewood Awareness Week: A blazing success!

June 16, 2015

In communities across Vermont trees are marked with orange ribbons and tags exhorting everyone to “Protect This Tree, leave firewood at home”.

Update on status of Spiny Water Flea in Lake Champlain

June 16, 2015

Last year we reported that spiny water flea, an invasive zooplankton, was confirmed in Lake Champlain. Analysis of all samples from August through October has now revealed the remarkable speed at which this nasty crustacean can colonize a waterbody.

Winter moths damaging leaves

June 16, 2015

People all over town are asking, what is happening to our trees?

Oak, maple and fruit tree leaves are disappearing. Nowhere is this more noticeable than along the access road from the Jamestown Bridge.

According to Jim Rugh, chairman of the town tree committee, the culprit is a small green worm, the larvae of the winter moth.

“They are those dirty gray moths you see...

Flies Released to Attack Hemlock-Killing Pest

June 16, 2015

By Joshua E. Brown

A tiny fly from the Pacific Northwest may provide new hope for towering hemlock forests dying along the East Coast.

Deep-green hemlock forests stretch from Georgia to southern Canada. Or at least they used to. Over the last few decades, the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect, has killed millions of these trees as it spreads north and south...

Global menace, Japanese knotweed is on the menu

June 11, 2015

PORTSMOUTH — It's invasive, insidious and, come to find out, delicious. Fallopia japonica, better known as Japanese knotweed, is a fast-growing, hard-to-kill perennial, that reaches the height of corn stalks, resembles bamboo and has been known to grow through asphalt and floorboards. It can be found in the Great Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge, lining Seacoast riverbanks and...