In Attendance: Richard McAvoy, Jatinder Aulakh, Darryl Newman, Connie Trolle, Simon Leveque, Dustyn Nelson

Also in attendance Ann Rowlands, Rose Hiskes, Dave Laiuppa, Josh Tracey, Vickie Wallace

1. Chairman McAvoy called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. A role call and introductions of new members were made.

2. Minutes of 6/29/21 – approved

3. Updates from Council Members

a) J. Aulakh (CAES) identified a new invasive in CT, Golden Creeper. He is now growing tubers from plant in lab to document propagation of this weed

b) C. Trolle – Bill Hyatt – funding from boat sticker registration was collected, but not yet distributed

c) R. McAvoy- introduced Sydney Everhart new PSLA Department Head. Dean Chaubey has yet to identify his representative to IPC. Also, R. McAvoy will submit 2021 IPC report to Environment Committee.

d) R. Hiskes- reported on the CIPWG Steering Committee meeting. Active Committee- Outdoor Education had a few events this year, CIPWG was active with Plant Science Day in August, CIPWG is expanding the invasive management calendar. Also, adding Porcelain berry and Japanese stiltgrass to CIPWG Research/Watch list, 2022 CIPWG Symposium Planning Committee is underway.

4. Old Business

a) Chair of Invasive Plant Council – Position is vacant. R. McAvoy to step aside from the role since he retired 10/1/21. No one has stepped forward to serve. Therefore, RM to ask IPC member – John Silander to see if he will serve as Interim Chair of IPC. Darryl Newman felt Chair should be a government agency representative and not connected with a CT business in order for the committee to maintain integrity and impartial status.

b) Council Coordinator position – R. McAvoy mentioned IPC MOU has been reviewed by DEEP legal and sent to UConn legal/VP of Research. He hopes statement of work will be developed to move position forward. RM relayed that the DEEP funding source for the Invasive Plant Coordinator position legal requires that the coordinators outreach activities (at least this year) must be directed to Aquatic Invasive issues since 100% funding is from F&W aquatic programs. Position to be renewed annually. If funding the mechanism is altered in the future comes from sources other than aquatic resources, then some responsibilities may be directed to terrestrial concerns. The current funding source will allow the coordinator to handle IPC administrative duties in addition to aquatic outreach activities.

4. New Business

IPC Council Meeting Schedule for 2022: Meetings scheduled for February 15, 2022, June 16, 2022, and October 19, 2022. Time set for 2-4 pm. February meeting will be virtual, but future meeting in-person status will be determined as COVID concerns change.

b) RM will send information to legislature regarding status of Porcelain berry- will include in 2021 Annual Report, so environmental committee can vote to move Porcelain berry to prohibited list.

c) RM asked to have any further information for the annual report forwarded to him.

6. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn was made by Darryl Newman, seconded by Dustyn Nelson. Meeting adjourned @ 2 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Victoria Wallace February 7, 2022