After several seasons of thorough sampling, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) scientists, consultants, and local partners have detected zebra mussels in United States (US) waters at Lake Memphremagog.

When a volunteer pulled a suspicious clam from the lakebed in Whitehall, New York, as part of a routine monitoring program last month, they immediately reported the find to lake scientists. Further analysis confirmed the first known occurrence of invasive golden clam (Corbicula fluminea) in Lake Champlain.

The clam, which is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia, can crowd out native species and increase occurrences of cyanobacteria blooms.

Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius), also commonly known as wine raspberry, dewberry, and Japanese raspberry, is a perennial, deciduous shrub that is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) and shares many characteristics of its close relatives in the genus Rubus, such as raspberries and blackberries. Like raspberry, wineberry has silvery underleaves, a fruit core that remains on the stem when the ripe fruit is picked, and thorns. It is differentiated from other similar species by the fine red hairs that grow densely on its stems and flowers, giving the plant a reddish hue. Its fruit is edible, sweet and somewhat tart, and is a sought- after ingredient in many baking and cocktail recipes.

Porcelain berry, also commonly known as Amur peppervine, is a deciduous, woody, perennial vine in the grape family (Vitaceae), which closely resembles native species of grape in the genus Vitis. Porcelain berry vines can grow to be 15-20 ft long, twining around adjacent trees and structures with the help of non-adhesive tendrils. Its fruit is a distinctive speckled berry that ranges in color from blue, pink, purple, to cream. Porcelain berry is often confused not only with native grapes but also with its closer relatives in the genus Ampelopsis, such as native heart-leaved peppervine.

VTInvasives has a recently revised list of early detection terrestrial plant species. The list was developed in consultation with Vermont's Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Agency of Natural Resources, including its Departments of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Fish and Wildlife. Visitors to the website will see an icon next to these species, encouraging them to report suspected sightings.

There are two species of non-native, invasive swallowwort known in Vermont, pale swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum; syn. Cynanchum rossicum) and black swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum; syn. Cynanchum louiseae). Both species are of particular concern because they form dense, extensive patches of vegetation that alter the chemical and physical structure of their habitat; they crowd out native plant species, release toxic compounds, and in so doing disrupt natural succession and reduce biodiversity.

For many Vermonters and out-of-state visitors, summer means camping, hiking and taking part in other outdoor recreational fun. However, these activities can all spread invasive plants, insects and diseases, unless steps are taken to minimize damage to the environment.

The Nature Conservancy is asking everyone that plans to use firewood for the solar eclipse celebration weekend to buy local firewood near their destination, bring packaged certified heat-treated firewood, or gather their firewood responsibly on site if permitted by the campground or landowner.

The newly launched Vermont Forest Invasive Pest Status Map offers an interactive platform to track the spread of invasive species such as beech leaf disease, elm zigzag sawfly, elongate hemlock scale, emerald ash borer, and hemlock woolly adelgid across the state.

There’s a new invasive insect zigzagging its way across North America. First reported by citizen scientists in Quebec in 2020, the elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) has now spread to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This new pest, which is native to Asia, has the potential to cause major devastation to one of our native tree species.