In October 2014, researchers at Wright State University discovered that an invasive insect called the emerald ash borer (EAB) was attacking white fringetrees (Chionanthus virginicus) in addition to ash trees. This was big news at the time. The EAB had already killed tens of millions of ash trees, and the fact that it could harm another species made it even more devastating.
Visitors to Waterbury Reservoir may have encountered something new at the lake this year: a nice young man with a yellow “Public Access Greeter” shirt on. This summer was the inaugural year for a Public Access Greeter Program at Waterbury Reservoir (FWR), which was established by Friends of Waterbury Reservoir with assistance from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s aquatic nuisance species grant-in-aid program. A part-time greeter, along with a motivated group of volunteers from FWR, offered invasive species education and boat inspections at multiple launch sites around this aquatic gem in central Vermont.
The growing season for 2016 saw many projects across the state tackling the forest, field, and wetland health issue of non-native invasive plants. Below are highlights of some of these amazing local efforts. Huge thanks to everyone who is working toward making our Vermont landscapes healthier and more resilient, and protecting them for generations to come.
The Mapping for Healthy Forests (M4HF) pilot project continues to build momentum, with our volunteers collecting over 2,200 observations of non-native invasive plants, across 120+ Vermont towns. Making huge waves in eastern VT, is Superstar Volunteer, Tom Norton. A retired engineer, Tom now spends his time as a musician, gardener, naturalist, and land steward. He is moved by the desire to see biodiversity across the 200 acres of forested land he stewards in Thetford and Hartford.
The numbers of Forest Tent Caterpillar, a native insect that feeds on hardwoods, are on the rise. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VT FPR) monitors Forest Tent Caterpillar. Trap catches this year increased compared to last year in 12 of 13 sites. Populations seem to be growing across the state. The 2016 aerial survey mapped at least 24,500 acres of FTC defoliation. Heaviest defoliation occurred in Essex, Lamoille, Orleans and Caledonia counties.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources staff have confirmed the presence of Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) in Lake Bomoseen.
When the woolly adelgid come and a white cloud of tiny insects descends on the forest, the eastern hemlock dies.
Mike Bald tries not to use war terminology to describe his work of invasive plant removal. It's a resolution made difficult by the sheer magnitude of the task he faces. Royalton-based Bald spends his days crisscrossing the state digging, chopping and pulling myriad nonnative species: Japanese knotweed, chervil, giant hogweed, Japanese barberry and, for now, lots of wild parsnip.
Just 15 years ago, the eastern hemlock tree, the mighty Redwood of the East, was a scenic highlight of Virginia’s Skyline Drive, creating the shady groves that put Shenandoah National Park on the conservation map.
Now 95% of them are dead, rotting on the forest floor or still standing above the canopy as gray ghosts, with a few scattered survivors living on borrowed time as their attackers literally suck the life out of them.
Last year’s dry spring, coupled with a stretch of dry weather this year, has helped to fuel the resurgence of the spongy moth caterpillar, a furry nuisance blamed for defoliating an estimated 9 million acres from Maine to Maryland in 1981