IPC Annual Report 2014

INVASIVE PLANTS COUNCIL

Twelfth Annual Report December 16, 2014

Dear Senator Meyer, Representative Gentile, and members of the Environment Committee:

As Invasive Plants Council Chairman, I respectfully submit this report for activities conducted during 2014. This Council was established 2003 and operates pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §22a-381 through §22a- 381d, and is responsible for developing programs and materials to educate the public as to the problems associated with invasive plants, developing recommendations for controlling and abating their spread, updating and publishing the invasive plant list, supporting agencies charged with conducting research into the control of invasive plant species, supporting the development of new non-invasive plant varieties, and making recommendations to the General Assembly for the prohibition of any plant determined to be invasive.

The position of Invasive Plant Coordinator is vital to the mission of the Council. The Coordinator conducts critical outreach education and training, manages prevention and control initiatives, and provides the essential administrative support that enables the Council to meet its mandated responsibilities. These activities make it possible for communities and agencies across Connecticut to leverage limited resources and coordinate significant volunteer efforts to address invasive plant problems that threaten the environmental health and use of both public and private lands including lakes, rivers, and forests (see below Summary of Activities and Accomplishments for evidence of impacts associated with Connecticut IPC programs).

The legislature did not appropriate a specified funding line for the Coordinator in FY15 creating uncertainty for continued staffing. In the past, funding was appropriated to the DoAg or DEEP for the specific purpose of supporting essential operating expenses and the salary of the Coordinator at UConn. While a return to previous Invasive Plant Council funding levels ($500K/yr prior to 2010) is unrealistic, we respectfully request a designated and identifiable line-item appropriation for FY16 totaling $90,000per year in support of the key “keep-alive” functions of the Coordinator. This funding is absolutely essential if the State wishes to actively address the complex environmental and public policy issues associated with invasive plants.

In the U.S. total annual costs directly attributed to control of or loss and damage from invasive plants exceeded $34 billion (Pimentel et al., Ecological Economics 2005), with another $43..7 billion linked to plant-specific invasive pests and microbes. In Connecticut, invasive plants continue to cause environmental damage, raising evermore requests from land holders and managers for advice and solutions for controlling these problematic, non-native species.

Since removal of invasive species from natural areas is so costly, the state is best served by programs that prevent future invasions through education and training, and that direct resources to targeted eradication campaigns.

Prevention and early detection along with public education and training have proven critical to the most efficient, timely, and effective responses to emerging invasions and merit increased emphasis.

Over the past 12 years, the DEEP, CAES and DoAg have taken up the charge of responding to invasive plant issues by utilizing the resources and networks that the Council provides. That said, funding the State Coordinator position remains our top priority for FY16. I and other Council members are available to answer questions and provide advice as needed. The full report can be found at cipwg.uconn.edu/ipc–annual-reports. Feel free to contact me at (860) 486-2925 if questions arise.

Sincerely, Chairman Richard McAvoy

Summary of Activities and Accomplishments

The Council, acting through the Invasive Plant Coordinator, had a very productive year in 2014. The following is a summary of the impacts associated with activities that were supported by the Invasive Plants Council, or the Coordinator in conjunction with partner groups and agencies including: Department of Agriculture (DoAg), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), University of Connecticut (UConn) and the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG), Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association (CNLA), The Connecticut Federation of Lakes, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), local groups and municipalities, and land and lake alliance groups.

  • Provided over 73,200 Connecticut business owners and citizens with information about invasive plants through educational outreach at industry trade conferences, public symposia, and community and municipality Outreach tables included tri-fold poster displays, live plant specimens, handouts, guides, and other resources. See Activities and Accomplishments, pages 42 – 45 for details.
  • Provided over 30,000 citizens with invasive plant information via website presence, list serve posting, newsletter messaging, direct mailing, and in response to direct See Activities and Accomplishments, page 45 for details.
  • Provided or supported conferences and training workshops for 160 Department of Transportation (DOT) workers and over 1,800 Connecticut citizens, who received more than 5,000 hours of training through direct teaching and presentations on invasive plants. See Activities and Accomplishments, pages 45 – 49 for details.
  • Supported programs that provided over 700 hours of volunteer and state agency efforts to control and mitigate invasive plants on CT public lands and These programs were led by state and local organizations and land trust associations. See Activities and Accomplishments, page 49 for details.
  • Assisted in the review and selection of proposals to be awarded $150,000 in DEEP grant funding for aquatic invasive plant The selected municipalities contributed over $185,000 in matching funds. See Activities and Accomplishments, pages 50 – 51 for details.
  • Provided administrative support needed for the legislatively-appointed Invasive Plants Council (IPC) in executing the Council’s state mandated missions. See Activities and Accomplishments, page 52 for details.
  • Assisted in the development of a forum hosted by the Environment Committee and sponsored by Senator Clark Chapin entitled “Aquatic Invasive Presentation and Panel Discussion” (January 28, Legislative Office Building, Hartford). See Activities and Accomplishments, pages 52 – 53 for details.

Attachments:

  1. Council Members
  2. Minutes of Meetings
  3. 2014 Revised Invasive Plant List
  4. Activities and Accomplishments
  5. University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Report
  6. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Invasive Plant Program Report
  7. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Report
  8. Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group Report
  9. Invasive Plant Atlas of New England Report
  10. Department of Agriculture Letter
  11. Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association Letter
  12. Appendices

1. Council Members

INVASIVE PLANTS COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

November 2014

Dr. Richard McAvoy (Chair) Professor and Head
Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture University of Connecticut
Box 4067
1376 Storrs Road
Storrs, CT 06269-4067
860-486-2925
richard.mcavoy@uconn.edu

Mr. David Goodwin (Vice Chair)
149 Schroback Rd
Plymouth, CT 06782 david.goodwin@snet.net 

Dr. Theodore Andreadis
Director, The Connecticut Agricultural
Experiment Station
PO Box 1106, 123 Huntington Street
New Haven, CT 06504-1106
203-974-8510
theodore.andreadis@ct.gov

Mr. William Hyatt
Chief, Bureau of Natural Resources
Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
860-424-3474
william.hyatt@ct.gov

Mr. Paul Larson
Sprucedale Gardens
20 East Quasset
Road Woodstock, CT 06281
860-974-0045
larsonclan@sbcglobal.net

Mr. Tom McGowan
Executive Director
Lake Waramaug Task Force, Inc.
59 Beach Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-0555
mcgowan.taj@gmail.com

Dr. John Silander, Jr.
Principle Investigator, IPANE project
Research Professor, Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut
Box 3043
75 North Eagleville Road
Storrs, CT 06269-3043
860-486-2168
john.silander_jr@uconn.edu

Mr. David Sutherland
The Nature Conservancy
55 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
203-568-6297
dsutherland@tnc.org

Ms. Katherine Winslow
Property Agent
Farmland Preservation Program
Department of Agriculture
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
860-713-2589
katherine.winslow@ct.gov

The Council

The Council consists of nine members representing government, the nursery industry, scientists, and environmental groups. Dr. Richard McAvoy, Head of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, is serving as the current Chairman of the Council. He assumed the chairmanship of the council from William Hyatt, Chief of the Bureau of Natural Resources at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), in October 2014. Dave Goodwin, General Manager at Planters’ Choice Nursery, the presiding Vice Chairman of the Council, has submitted notice that he is resigning from the Council (Nov. 2014). In accordance with statute Mr. Goodwin was appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives as a representative of a company that grows or sells flowers and plants. There was one change in membership during the year as Dr. Ted Andreadis, Director of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, replaced Dr. Jeff Ward as the CAES representative to the council. A list of all Council members can be found on page 7.

The council experienced one other important change in leadership in 2014 when Mr. Logan Senack, the Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator left this position in August and was succeeded by Ms. Nicole Gabelman on October 30, 2014. This position is supported on a durational basis through June of 2015 pending continued funding from the Connecticut legislature.

David Goodwin
149 Schroback Road
Plymouth, CT 06782

Dr. Richard McAvoy
Chair Connecticut Invasive Plant Council
Professor and Head Department of Plant Science
and Landscape Architecture
University of Connecticut
Box 4163
1376 Storrs Road
Storrs, CT 06269

Dear Dr. McAvoy,

I recently accepted a new position with a company in Florida and will be relocating to Florida on December 1, 2014. Therefore, I regret to inform you that I will be resigning from the Connecticut Invasive Plant Council and as its’ vice chair as of today. I have enjoyed serving on the council and I am grateful that I was a member of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Council since its inception. I wish you and the other members only the best in continuing your good work.

 

Sincerely

David Goodwin

Mr. David Goodwin
149 Schroback Rd
Plymouth, CT 06782

Dear Dave,

On behalf of the Invasive Plants Council, I wish to thank you for the many years of service that you have dedicated to the council since its inception in 2003.

As a representative of a company that grows or sells flowers and plants in Connecticut you brought an important balance to the council through your ability to provide the business perspective to council considerations and actions.

Your appointment to the council by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives was both timely and informative, and your leadership as Vice Chairman will be missed.

We thank you for your service and wish you continued success in your new position.

Sincerely,

Richard McAvoy, Chairman
Invasive Plants Council

CC. Larry Cafero, State of Connecticut House of Representatives

Minutes of Meetings

Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013

2 pm, Dept. of Agriculture G8-A Hartford, CT

Council members present: Bill Hyatt, Paul Larson, Rich McAvoy, Tom McGowan, John Silander, Dave Sutherland, Jeff Ward, Katherine Winslow

Others present: Ted Andreadis, David Boomer, Nancy Murray, Logan Senack, Penni Sharp

1. Hyatt called the meeting to order at 2:04

2. The minutes for the 9/17/13 meeting were Larson provided a suggested change: in section 9, change last sentence to read “DoAg plans to work on a form for reporting invasives at pet stores”. Silander moved (second: Sutherland) to approve the minutes as corrected. The Council decided to approve the minutes with the correction. Larson abstained since he was not present at the last meeting.

3. Annual report cover letter discussion and approval

The group discussed the annual report cover letter. Edits and suggested inclusions and attachments were discussed. Winslow requested the opportunity to review attachments prior to approving the cover letter (see sect. 4b below for resulting process). The use of the term “cover letter” to represent the material being provided in the first part of the annual report was discussed. The group discussed various options for arranging and describing the material and Silander proposed calling it an “executive summary”. Senack added that the letter itself, independently of the attachments submitted by the agencies, should fulfill the requirement of reporting annually to the Legislature. The attachments are supplementary additional material. Silander (second: Larson) moved to approve the annual report/executive summary as edited and to authorize the Chair to make changes over the next few weeks with input from the Council.

The Council voted unanimously to approve the annual report/executive summary as edited and to authorize the Chair to make changes over the next few weeks with input from the Council.

4. Annual report deliverables and deadlines (Hyatt/Senack)

a. Materials from DEEP, CAES, DoAg, UConn, and others Hyatt noted that all members should consider including brief, summary material from their organizations as attachments in the annual report. In past years, related groups have also submitted relevant information for inclusion in the annual report. The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group is likely to submit an attachment as in previous years. Invasive Plant Coordinator accomplishments will also be included.

b. Deadline and production schedule

Senack requested that all incoming materials be submitted to him via email by November 12, 2013 so they can be included in the report. Submissions may still be added through November 15, but there will not be time to edit or format them. The final reports will be submitted mostly electronically this year, but some paper copies will be available.

Tom McGowan arrived at 2:14 pm.

5. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) invasive status (Ward/Senack)

Ward and Senack presented information about mugwort seed production to the group. Larson noted that mugwort was one of a handful of plants that are problematic nursery contaminants. This could cause enforcement issues if mugwort was to be prohibited from sale. Ward clarified that he was proposing that the Council change the status of mugwort to invasive but is not recommending that the species be prohibited by statute. McGowan added that there should be discussion over what would qualify as inadvertent spread in the future, including spread as it relates to aquatic invasives and inadvertent sales of contaminants in nursery pots. Silander moved (second: Andreadis) to change the status of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) from “potentially invasive” to “invasive”. The Council voted unanimously to change the status of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) from “potentially invasive” to “invasive”.

6. Early detection/watch list discussion (Senack) Senack is developing a list of plants for which more information is desired. This would not be a “pre-invasive” list or a legal or regulatory document. It would be a list of species for which more information would be helpful because current status in Connecticut is unknown, unclear, or not very detailed. Senack will share the list at a future meeting.

7. Yearly update of invasive plant list (Senack) Senack noted that a few non-substantive typos had been found on the current plant list. Senack also proposed other minor updates such as adding additional synonyms for certain listed species. Larson moved (second: Sutherland) to allow Senack to make the changes as suggested. The Council voted unanimously to allow Senack to make the changes as suggested.

8. Update on Coordinator activities (Senack)

    1. Reported invasive plant violations

Senack reported that he had received three reports of new invasive plant sale issues:

  1. sales of Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) at a flea market in the state
  2. sales of Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) in the state via the website com
  • a discussion proposing cultivation of autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). Senack provided this reporter with information about the invasive plant laws, which prohibit cultivation of any prohibited species, including autumn olive.

Senack also reported these instances to DEEP, which will follow up as appropriate.

9. Follow-up on cultivar issues (Hyatt) Hyatt reminded the group of the history of the cultivar issues in Connecticut. After DEEP’s legal determination, discussed at the last meeting, DEEP brought this topic to the Attorney General’s Office for review. The Attorney General’s Office was not ready to take up this issue at the time but requested scientific and technical information about cultivars from DEEP to help inform the discussion.

Additionally, DEEP has instances reported by the coordinator of sales involving cultivars of species that are prohibited from sale by statute. Hyatt noted that DEEP continues to do everything possible to encourage voluntary compliance and reported that DEEP plans to continue in this manner regardless of any legal determinations made in the future. Hyatt noted that there was a good record of voluntary compliance with DEEP working with the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA). Hyatt and Silander plan to meet in the future to discuss this issue and the development of technical information for the Attorney General’s Office.

Larson noted that other states are also working on this issue. A colleague in Ohio reported that Ohio is working on a mechanism by which industry people could submit a cultivar to authorities for specific testing and there is work ongoing in other states. Hyatt noted that the IPC had reviewed a proposal that would establish a path whereby safe cultivars of prohibited species could be approved by regulation. This would allow cultivars to be addressed without frequent changes to the state statutes. Hyatt reported that New York is also investigating how to address cultivars. Silander asked who would pay for the research into individual cultivars. Hyatt suggested that the industry would pay via academics for research. Andreadis stated that cultivars should be evaluated on their own merits, according to the criteria already provided. McAvoy remarked that if the only transmission of a given plant was by seed and a cultivar that made no seed was developed, this could end up a clear cut issue. Otherwise, there would be other factors to consider. Silander commented that some cultivars were also known to revert back to the parent type and this should be considered as well. Senack noted that a group from New York assessed the similarities between the plant lists of NY, MA, and CT, which each use different criteria, and found that the lists had significant overlap of plants that were found to be invasive by all three systems. The group discussed a number of other topics on this issue, including where the burden of proof should lie, methods of calculating the likelihood of spread of a particular plant, and the potential for reciprocity with other states regarding the status of cultivars.

10. The group welcomed Ted Andreadis, the new Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.*

11. Preparations for coordinating inspections with DoAg and DEEP

a. Status

Senack is developing informational handouts detailing the invasive plant laws for inspectors at pet shops and nurseries and is working with Greg Bugbee (CAES) to plan a training session for pet shop inspectors which will include live plant specimens.

b. Expected timeline

Hyatt recapped the history of the inspection coordination issue between agencies for the upcoming year. Discussions between Hyatt, Senack, and staff from CAES and DoAg in June 2013 indicated that tighter coordination on the scheduling of the inspections may not be possible, as many inspections are unannounced, not scheduled, and fit into inspectors’ schedules as time allows. However, it may be possible to coordinate joint inspections during slower times of year. The agencies will increase communication on the issue. The refresher training for pet shop inspectors will likely take place in late winter or early spring.

12. Meeting schedule for remainder of year and discussion

The last Invasive Plants Council meeting in 2013 is scheduled for December 10, 2013.

Follow-up note (added 11/7/13): Andreadis plans to attend with Ward for the few next meetings. – LS

13. New Business

a. Aquatic invasives funding

McGowan reported that he met with Senator Chapin to discuss additional funds to help address aquatic invasives gaining access to lakes via boat launches. In previous years, specific fees from boat registrations had been distributed to municipalities. That program ended in 2009. McGowan detailed a proposal that would direct a portion of these funds to DEEP for boat inspectors at boat launches. Hyatt reported that DEEP provided supplemental information in response to a request from Senator Chapin. DEEP’s response to Senator Chapin included a proposal that funds would be used to cover inspectors at boat launches, rapid response to new invasives, and to support a grant program to municipalities for invasive aquatic plant control.

b. Legislative info session the group discussed the possibility of holding a legislative information session for legislators at a future date.

c. Prioritizing prevention of spread Sutherland reminded the group that it is easier to present invasions, especially in aquatic situations, than it is to control invasive plants once established. Senack added that it is also more cost effective to address problems earlier when invasive plant populations are smaller or not yet present than it is once plants become established. Silander noted that in western states, there is much greater investment in both terrestrial and aquatic invasive plant issues. The group may discuss this issue in the future.

e. Meeting schedule for 2014 Senack will prepare a meeting schedule for 2014 based on the 2013 meeting frequency and will provide it at the next meeting.

e. Election of Chair Senack reminded the group that the Invasive Plants Council must annually elect a Chair, and the Chair’s current term ends on Dec. 31, 2013. A new Chair will need to be elected at the next meeting for the upcoming 2014 calendar year.

f. Advance meeting quorum procedure change Instead of contacting each member to assemble planned attendance prior to each meeting, Senack asked that members contact him instead if they do not plan on attending a meeting. This is needed to ensure that there will be a quorum at meetings.

14. Adjournment

Larson moved (second: Sutherland) to adjourn the meeting. The Council decided to adjourn at 3:54 pm.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, 2-4 pm, in room G8-A at the Department of Agriculture in Hartford, CT.

Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, January 7, 2014

2 pm, Dept. of Agriculture G8-A Hartford, CT

Council members present: Ted Andreadis, David Goodwin, Bill Hyatt, Paul Larson, Tom McGowan, John Silander, Katherine Winslow

Others present: Ellen Bender, Donna Ellis, Nancy Murray, Logan Senack, Jeff Ward, Brad Weeks

1. Hyatt called the meeting to order at 2:04

2. The minutes for the 10/29/13 meeting were

A typo was noted and corrected: on page 4, section 13 c, change misspelled word to “noted” in the fourth line. Silander moved (second: Andreadis) to approve the minutes with the correction. The Council decided to approve the minutes with the correction.

3. Annual report approval and release date

Senack and Hyatt have discussed turning the cover letter into an executive summary in future years. This would make the material more accessible and more readable. The report could be streamlined, shorter, and the main document will be an executive summary with 3-5 bullet points on future issues. Council members expressed support for the idea. Senack reported on the results of the email vote held by the Council in December to approve the 2013 Invasive Plants Council (IPC) annual report. The vote was unanimous (9-0) in approving the report for release and distribution. Senack delivered copies of the report to the state library. Other copies were emailed to the appropriate offices as the report is now distributed mostly electronically. The report is also available online at www.cipwg.uconn.edu/ipc.

4. Legislative plan for 2014

The group discussed the legislative plan for 2014. McGowan reported that Senator Clark Chapin has reviewed material from the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) about aquatic invasive plants and has been involved in aquatic invasive issues. The Chairs of the Environment Committee have agreed to host a meeting of the committee on Jan. 28, 2014. Greg Bugbee from CAES will provide information on aquatic invasives. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2014, at 1 pm in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Hyatt added that Senator Chapin had subsequently contacted DEEP for more information. Larson arrived at 2:13 pm.

Murray reported that DEEP has developed a request for proposals for companies that will work on eradication of nuisance aquatic wildlife. This will standardize the cost of control of aquatic invasives and speed up response by having a list of pre-approved contractors ready. Towns will also be able to use their own funds to hire a contractor on the list.

McGowan asked that the Council put together a priority list of actions for aquatic invasives. McGowan moved (second: Silander) to authorize Hyatt to speak on behalf of the IPC at the Jan. 28 meeting. The Council discussed potential priorities for the meeting. Three priorities of the Council on the 28th for aquatic invasives will be: 1. improved boating inspections, 2. rapid response funds, 3. additional funding for research into control methods, vector studies, early detection, new research, etc. The Council decided to approve the motion.

Silander noted that keeping the Coordinator funding is important and should remain the Council’s top priority. Goodwin added that a strong focus on direct, specific issues at the meeting would be beneficial. Winslow asked if Senack could assemble material relating to potential funding needs statewide and share it with the IPC. Hyatt suggested Senack prepare a document for a long-term (longer than 1 year) plan for future meetings of the IPC and of invasive plant needs. Senack will begin work on the document.

Hyatt reported that the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) held a hearing in November that included comments on bamboo. The CEQ also met on Dec. 18, 2013 and discussed bamboo further. Senack will send out the CEQ meeting minutes to the group. Hyatt has responded to requests from the legislature about why bamboo was not listed as invasive. In his responses, he indicated that the General Assembly would have the authority to list bamboo as a problem plant that was not invasive, or to address it through other means. The most difficult question is how to resolve existing homeowner issues. Senack reported that he continues to monitor bamboo reports and will do field inspections as warranted to investigate cases where natural spread may have occurred.

Ward asked if the state had a noxious weed list, separate from the invasive plant laws, that could be useful for the listing of bamboo. Listing plants that are not thought to meet the criteria for invasiveness somewhere other than on the invasive plant list would prevent the dilution of the invasive plant laws and inclusion of species that do not meet the criteria. Ellis will look for noxious weed seed legislation from Connecticut and will share it with the group.

5. Meeting schedule for 2014

Senack distributed a list of proposed dates for the 2014 Invasive Plants Council meetings. The group discussed the needed frequency of meetings and the process to assemble the annual report. McGowan moved (second: Silander) to have 5 regular meetings in 2014: February 11, 2014, June 10, 2014, September 9, 2014, October 21, 2014, and December 9, 2014. Tentative additional dates of March 11, 2014 and November 18, 2014 would be left as placeholders in case they are needed. The Council decided to approve the 2014 meeting schedule. Senack will communicate the schedule to the Secretary of the State’s Office.

6. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

Larson delivered a report from the nominating committee (composed of David Sutherland and Larson). The committee would like to ask Hyatt to serve as chair for another year, but Hyatt is not available to continue as Chair for a full year due to other responsibilities. Instead, the committee recommended that Hyatt serve as Chair on an interim basis through at least June, with David Goodwin as Vice-Chair for the same period. The committee will discuss alternatives prior to the June meeting. Hyatt left the room at 3:05 pm. McGowan moved (second: Silander) to approve the nominating slate proposed by the nominating committee. The Council decided to approve the motion as submitted. Hyatt entered the room at 3:10 pm.

7. Coordinator update (Senack)

    1. Enforcement issues

Senack provided an update on enforcement issues. Since the October meeting, Senack has received an additional report of bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), a listed invasive species prohibited from sale, being sold at a business in Wilton. Senack provided the information to DEEP, which will follow up as necessary.

b. Bittersweet press release Senack developed a press release reminding people not to purchase or move bittersweet in holiday decorations. The release was sent out by DEEP before Thanksgiving and was covered in a number of state and local newspapers, other publications, and online. Senack received additional reports of invasive bittersweet as a result of this publicity.

c. Towns visited Senack reported that he visited 22 towns in the past year for invasive plant monitoring, outreach, trainings, and workshops. This number does not include towns visited for annual meetings of statewide organizations or other state events.

d. CT DOT staff training project

Senack reported that he is working with UConn’s Technology Transfer Program and with CT DOT to develop training for DOT maintainers on invasive plants. Approximately160 maintainers will be trained in 5 full-day classes in the spring.

8. Invasive aquatics presentation to Committee (McGowan) This topic was discussed previously in item 4 (see above).

9. Old Business

a. other states’ invasive plant lists?

The Council discussed whether it would be helpful to hear from other states about the processes and criteria they use to arrive at their invasive plant lists and how those processes differ from the Connecticut process. The Council decided to invite MA and NY staff to a future meeting. Senack will contact the appropriate people in both states to develop this further. If Council members know of other states working on similar processes, they should inform Senack.

b. Council tour/visit of UConn facilities? Meeting at UConn? The Council decided to hold the June 10, 2014 meeting at UConn, and will also visit UConn facilities including the UConn Research Farm at that time.

10. New Business

a. Congressional Invasive Species Caucus opportunities (Hyatt)

Hyatt distributed two handouts and reported that he had presented at a meeting of the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus as Chair of the Invasive Species Committee of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). Hyatt thanked everyone who had provided language for his speaking points on short notice. Hyatt also provided information on multi-state fish and wildlife funds to the Council.

b. CNLA Executive Secretary update?

Brad Weeks of the Kowalski group reported that the Kowalski group is providing interim management services to CNLA as CNLA is conducting a search to fill an executive secretary position.

c. CNLA cultivar news

Weeks reported that CNLA sent a letter to the Attorney General’s Office on the cultivar issue. Hyatt reported that he spoke with Kevin Sullivan (CNLA) on this issue as well and distributed copies of the letter from CNLA. Hyatt will continue to work with the industry to resolve the issues voluntarily. Hyatt noted that DEEP talked with Attorney General’s Office, which has expressed a desire for more technical information on this issue.

Weeks added that CNLA is hosting an Expo and Symposium on Jan. 14-15, 2014 at Manchester Community College and invited everyone to attend. Dr. Mark Brand and Dr. Jessica Lubell (UConn) will be presenting on native plant alternatives to invasives. Senack and Ellis reported that they will be in attendance with the invasive plant display.

11. Adjournment

Goodwin moved (second: Larson) to adjourn the meeting. The Council decided to adjourn at 3:42 pm.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, 2-4 pm, in room G8-A at the Department of Agriculture in Hartford, CT.

Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, February 11, 2014

2 pm, Dept. of Agriculture G8-A Hartford, CT

Council members present: Ted Andreadis, David Goodwin, Bill Hyatt, Rich McAvoy, John Silander, David Sutherland

Others present: Ellen Bender, Bryan Connolly, Donna Ellis, Nancy Murray, Logan Senack

1. Hyatt called the meeting to order at 2:04 pm.

2. The minutes for the 1/7/14 meeting were

    Goodwin moved (second: Andreadis) to approve the minutes as submitted. The Council decided to approve the minutes as submitted.

    3. Legislative 2014: thoughts for discussion

    Hyatt reported that the Governor’s budget does propose eliminating funding at the Department of Agriculture for the Environmental Conservation Funds that support the Invasive Plant Coordinator, and Hyatt’s understanding is that the intent is to roll the Coordinator funding into the UConn budget. Sutherland reported that aside from the Coordinator funding, bamboo legislation is pending and he is not aware of other related legislation. There is a possibility that Senator Chapin’s office will be discussing a boat registration system for invasives for Connecticut based on Maine’s program.

    Hyatt noted that funding for the Invasive Plant Coordinator position in the UConn budget needs to be a concern. Hyatt intends to talk to the Office of Policy and Management about where the money is coming from and going to. The group needs more information before it is able to plan further. Hyatt will send out additional news by the end of the week on this topic

    4. Recap of Committee hearing on Jan. 28

    Hyatt provided a summary of the Environmental Committee hearing about Aquatic Invasive Species on Jan. 28. Senator Chapin developed the hearing and invited a number of people to participate. Greg Bugbee (CAES) presented on information on lakes. Hyatt spoke on priorities for the Invasive Plants Council as well as programs and opportunities for federal involvement and funds on invasives. Eleanor Mariani (DEEP Boating) spoke on boating inspectors, Pete Aarrestad (DEEP Inland Fisheries) spoke on grass carp, and Chuck Lee (DEEP Watershed Management Program) spoke on the lake program. Other speakers included Phyllis Shaffer and Tom McGowan on Candlewood Lake and related topics. The presentations were followed by general questions and discussion and the hearing lasted about 2.5 hours. Approximately a dozen legislators were present.

    a. DEEP agency follow-up

    Hyatt reported that DEEP will be working on a follow-up for the Environment Committee detailing efforts by DEEP and other agencies on managing aquatic invasive species problems. The boating inspector program, the Clean Lakes program, and zebra mussels will also be included. Andreadis will be reaching out to Greg Bugbee for additional information.

    5. Presentation from State Botanist Bryan Connolly

    Senack introduced Bryan Connolly, Massachusetts State Botanist, who provided information about the Massachusetts Invasive Plant List. In Massachusetts, the Department of Agricultural Resources regulates invasive plants through noxious weed regulation. All plants are prohibited from sale once included on the regulatory list. Mile- a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata) was discovered in Massachusetts in 2006 and is now present in 4 counties. Connolly also discussed grey willow (Salix cinceria), which the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) has examined for invasiveness, and false indigo (Amorpha fructicosa), which he noted was particularly invasive on the lower part of the CT River. MA list has 3 categories on their invasive plant list: Invasive, Likely Invasive, and Potentially Invasive. The category Potentially Invasive is for species not currently known to be naturalized in MA. Connolly noted that cultivars and hybrids of all plants considered invasive are listed as prohibited in MA once a species is listed as invasive, and MIPAG is looking at ways to evaluate sterile cultivars. There is discussion of developing some sort of certification program or per-plant fee on a sterile cultivar that would raise funds to target control in natural areas.

    After the presentation, Connolly answered questions from the group. Hyatt thanked Connolly for presenting and providing information to the group.

    6. Coordinator update (Senack)

    a. Outline of DoAg inspector trainings

    Senack is coordinating a training session for the DoAg inspectors responsible for visiting pet shops and inspecting for sales of invasive plants. The workshop will take place during the first week of March and will run approximately 2 hours.

    Greg Bugbee will bring live plants and will lead a plant identification session.

    b. DOT Trainings update

    Senack is working with DOT and the UConn Technology Transfer Program to provide invasive plant identification training to about 160 maintainers and other staff at DOT. The trainings will take place over 5 sessions in March and April at the DOT headquarters in Newington and will cover invasive plant topics ranging from species identification to the prevention of accidental spread along roads.

    c. Bamboo workshop

    Senack presented material about bamboo at a native plant group meeting at Connecticut College on February 1. Topics covered included a discussion of the current law, information about bamboo control, and why bamboo was not listed as invasive by the Invasive Plants Council. There was a high level of interest from the audience and Senack discussed and answered questions for about two hours.

    Hyatt noted that it would be important to record how many hours of training would be provided through activities like the ones just mentioned. Senack will develop a handout detailing the impacts of these activities for the IPC.

     

    7. Old Business

    a. Details of June meeting and meeting location

    The Council decided to meet in Storrs for the June meeting so they can visit Mark Brand’s barberry research plots and other sites. The speakers from New York who are scheduled to present will be invited to attend the meeting in Storrs or to participate by webinar. McAvoy directed Senack to contact Steve Olson (UConn Research Farm) to make the appropriate arrangements for the farm. Sutherland informed the group that he will not be able to attend the June 10 meeting.

    8. New Business

    a. Follow up from Congressional Invasive Species Caucus (Hyatt)

    Hyatt reported that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is working on follow-up information to increase awareness about aquatic nuisance species as a result of a meeting of the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus. Follow-up letters have been sent by AFWA to both co-chairs of the Invasive Species Caucus. Hyatt also reported that no Connecticut delegation member is a member of the Invasive Species Caucus yet.

    9. Adjournment

    Sutherland moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:42 pm. The meeting adjourned at 3:42 pm.

    The next meeting is scheduled for 2 pm, June 10, 2014, at the UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility, 59 Agronomy Road, Storrs, CT.

    Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, June 10, 2014

    1 pm, Eagleville Preserve Mansfield, CT

    Council members present: Bill Hyatt, Rich McAvoy, John Silander, Katherine Winslow

    1. The site walk began at approximately 1:00 pm. No quorum was present and no other business was conducted. The walk concluded at approximately 1:45 pm. IPC member Dr. John Silander led those present on an invasive plant walk at the Eagleville Preserve in Mansfield, CT.

    Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, June 10, 2014

    2 pm, UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility 59 Agronomy Road, Storrs-Mansfield, CT

    Council members present: Ted Andreadis, Bill Hyatt, Paul Larson, Rich McAvoy, Tom McGowan, John Silander, Katherine Winslow

    Others present: Mark Brand, Nelson DeBarros, Donna Ellis, Marilyn Jordan (by phone for items 1-3), Jonathan Lehrer, Gerry Moore (by phone for items 1-3), Nancy Murray, Logan Senack, Steve Young

    1. Hyatt called the meeting to order at 2:09

    2. The minutes for the 2/11/14 meeting were Andreadis moved (second: Silander) to approve the minutes as submitted. The Council decided to approve the minutes as submitted. Larson and Winslow abstained since they were not present at the last meeting.

    3. Presentation from Jonathan Lehrer, Steve Young: NY state update on regulation, listing of species, and cultivars (~40 minutes plus time for questions) Lehrer, from the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area Scientific Review Committee (LIISMA-SRC), explained the origins of their invasive plant list, which was developed for Long Island but designed to be applicable to New York State. New York State is currently developing regulations on invasive plants. In addition to the invasiveness ranking system, the New York invasive plant list will take into account a socio-economic assessment which is still being developed at the state level. After both the invasiveness and the socio-economic assessments are taken into account, plants could be unregulated, regulated, or prohibited at the state level. The invasive plant list would be maintained in regulation, not in legislation. Questions for the presenters related to the specific definitions of various terms as used in the protocol and the development and weighting of the sections of the protocol. Lehrer stressed that the LIISMA protocol was designed to be an open, transparent process, with all literature reviews and information sources listed after each question in the species evaluations. Lehrer and the presenters also responded to questions about the need to emphasize the use of verifiable data for the species assessments and other topics.

    Lehrer also provided information on the current treatment of cultivars of invasive plants in New York State. The LIISMA group developed draft criteria for assessing cultivars independently of the parent species. The criteria would allow for some cultivars to be exempt from the sales restrictions and other related restrictions if it could be determined that they were not likely to revert to the parent type or establish in natural areas. The draft New York State regulations include some of the cultivar criteria developed by LIISMA, but not all criteria were included. Lehrer was asked how New York was addressing running bamboo. He responded that Phyllostachys aurea and P. aureosulcata were determined to be “not assessable”, i.e. not technically invasive, in NY because the species are only found in places where it has been planted or discarded by people. Lehrer stated that these species have not invaded natural habitats to any significant degree. However, under the NY system running bamboo may still be included on the proposed list of prohibited/invasive species.

    Young provided additional information, and Jordan and Moore were also present by phone to answer questions. More information about the New York listing process can be found at www.nyis.info.

    4. Tour of Dr. Mark Brand’s barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and Aronia experiments Brand (UConn) spoke to the group about the status of his research. He led the group on a tour of the Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and chokeberry (Aronia species) planted at the UConn Plant Science Research and Educational Facility. Brand is researching chokeberry (Aronia sp.) plants for fruit production and as possible alternative plants for some invasive species. He is investigating Japanese barberry cultivars to determine more about differences in fruit and seed production by the various cultivars. The group toured the plants and discussed current projects with Brand.

    5. Update on legislative session

    a. Coordinator funding issues

    Hyatt reported on the current status of the Invasive Plant Coordinator position. Hyatt’s understanding from the Appropriations Committee was that funding for the position was being transferred to UConn directly, not cut. When the implementer bill came out, there was no budget for the position, though Hyatt was told the position would be picked up by the University. Hyatt has been working with the Dean of UConn’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) on this issue. Hyatt reported that the University recognizes that there is an obligation to continue the position and noted that $20,000 in funding may be available from DEEP to allow the Coordinator to assist with a DEEP grants program going forward.

    Silander added that the UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been asked to cut its budget by 2-5% for the upcoming year. McAvoy reported that CANR is dealing with the same issue. Andreadis noted that this is not a good situation and that there was a clear danger of losing the position. Silander asked if the position would be more securely funded under DEEP. Hyatt was uncertain. The group discussed the idea that clarifying the situation in the near future would be preferable to waiting until the next budget year, or the next legislative session, to resolve the issue.

    b. Aquatics funding status

    Hyatt reported that as a result of the aquatic invasive species hearing in January, a need for $1.2 million dollars in funding was proposed by DEEP for aquatic invasives for the next fiscal year. A proposal came out of the Environment Committee at $500,000, which was then cut to $200,000 before the bill passed. Hyatt reported that DEEP is able to use $20,000 of this amount to enable the Invasive Plant Coordinator to assist with a DEEP aquatic invasive plant control grants program.

    c. Impacts of new bamboo legislation

    Hyatt distributed copies of the new bamboo legislation, which modifies CGA Sec. 22a-381e. DEEP is considering asking the Attorney General’s office for clarification on several points of the new law: whether the law is retroactive, whether DEEP, as an agency, can delegate enforcement authority to municipalities, and whether any bamboo at all can be grown within forty feet of a property line with or without a barrier system. A second proposal, which would have prohibited the sale of running bamboo plants until the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station developed safe Best Management Practices for growth and containment, was discussed during the legislative session, but did not result in any legislation.

    6. Species updates

    Andreadis distributed a document providing mugwort and bamboo research updates from CAES.

    a. Mugwort seed germination study results from CAES (Andreadis)

    Andreadis reported that Ward had continued his research into mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) seed viability. In Ward’s pilot experiment, seeds from mugwort germinated from each of seven samples collected at various times and locations around the state. Working with Senack, additional samples were collected in the fall of 2013. Ward conducted a germination experiment at CAES. Seeds were dried, vernalized, and placed in petri dishes on moistened blotter paper. There was significant germination of mugwort seedlings with 0-215 germinating seeds per 25 seedheads. Senack reported that Ward had provided an additional preliminary estimate of over 1,300 viable seeds per 6-inch branchlet.

    b. Bamboo research update from CAES (Andreadis) Andreadis provided an update on the bamboo control research undertaken by CAES. CAES has been examining bamboo control on three planted sites at CAES facilities (in Griswold, Hamden, and Windsor) and at sites in other areas of the state where bamboo had become dense. At the CAES facilities, Ward has been comparing the growth, spread, winter survival, and control responses of various cultivars. At the other locations, Ward tested the response of bamboo to herbicide treatments. The bamboo stands were cut back to reduce the height of the culms before the foliage was treated twice with glyphosate. The process was extremely effective at all three sites, with 99-100% of the bamboo controlled one year later.

    Senack added that one of the contractors who has worked on bamboo control in the New Milford area had recently contacted him to report that he had very good success using imazapyr to control bamboo in at least one well-established, ¼ acre stand. Hyatt emphasized the need to treat the entire bamboo stand, not just part of it, for effective control of bamboo.

    7. Enforcement issues update from DEEP (Hyatt) Discussion of this item was postponed to a future meeting.

    8. New Council Chair needed (Larson) Larson reported on the search for a new Council Chair for the IPC. Larson and Sutherland (the Nominating Committee) have spoken and have reached out to various members about serving as Chair. At present, there is no one available for the position. Larson asked that a member interested in serving as Chair contact him or Sutherland prior to the September meeting. Hyatt volunteered to help introduce the new Chair to the needed materials.

    9. Coordinator update (Senack)

    a. DOT trainings update

    Senack reported that he spoke and presented material at several training sessions for DOT maintenance staff in March and April. The trainings went extremely well and received significant positive feedback from the attendees. The training sessions, organized by UConn’s CT Technology Transfer Center, reached about 200 DOT maintenance staff and provided approximately 900-1,000 contact hours of training on invasive plant identification, control, best management practices for roadside invasive plant maintenance, and invasive insects. Staff from DOT, DEEP Forestry Division, and CAES also delivered presentations and participated in various sessions. The UConn Technology Transfer Program invited Senack to provide additional trainings to town and municipal staff in various parts of the state this fall. Hyatt noted that these groups are excellent audiences for outreach activities. Senack will follow up to determine if additional trainings can be provided given the current funding situation. McGowan left the room at 4:16 pm

    b. Future IPC directions document Senack reported that he is working on developing the document the IPC requested on potential future directions for invasive plant efforts in the state. There will be a significant focus on early detection and responding to new and developing problems as early as possible in the new document.

    c. Early Detection list revised

    Senack distributed a draft of the revised Early Detection List for CT. The list has 3 main categories:

    1. An Early Detection List of plants that are listed as invasive or potentially invasive in Connecticut, that are present only in low numbers, and that could be priorities for future control efforts.
    2. A Research List of plants that are present in or near Connecticut and for which more information is desired. Current records are limited on these species and more information about distribution and spread is needed. This list is not a regulatory list or a proposed invasive plant list.

    A list of species that have been previously examined by the Invasive Plants Council. This list will provide a reference point for anyone looking for information about prior species discussions of the Invasive Plants Council. Attendees provided suggested changes and comments and Senack requested that additional feedback be sent by email. The revised document will be redistributed to the group.

    1. Arthraxon rapid response

    Senack noted that there was a plant on the Early Detection list that was known to be present in only one location in the state. Arthraxon hispidus (hairy jointgrass) is only known to occur in a location in Waterford, on state property at Harkness Memorial State Park. Senack noted that it was possible that this plant was present in other locations, since the plants had been present at the site for several years. Further mapping of the population may need to occur prior to further attempts at control, but no other locations in the state had been reported at present. Hyatt noted that the draft contracts for contractors that DEEP was preparing could be useful in hiring a contractor to remove the plants, but that they currently only apply to aquatic species. Hyatt also noted that this plant could be a good candidate for removal and that the wetlands restoration group from DEEP may be able to assist with that effort.

    10. New Business

    a. Speaking request for IPC Chair at fall CIPWG conference (Ellis)

    Ellis invited the Invasive Plants Council to send the new Chairperson or a Council representative to speak at the next CIPWG symposium. The 2014 symposium will be held on October 7, 2014 at the Student Union on the UConn Storrs campus. The event has had high attendance in the past and has traditionally included remarks from the Invasive Plants Council Chair.

    b. Senack departure Hyatt announced that Senack will be leaving the coordinator position to attend law school this fall. The group congratulated Senack, thanked him for his outstanding service over the past five and a half years, and wished him success in law school.

    c. Meeting logistics thanks On behalf of the Council, Hyatt thanked UConn for hosting this meeting and for providing field tours. Senack added thanks to UConn Facilities for providing the Internet and phone connections for the meeting. Senack also thanked UConn’s Research Facility Farm Manager, Steve Olsen, and the farm staff for arranging the meeting space and UConn’s Integrated Pest Management Program for providing refreshments.

    11. Adjournment

    Larson moved to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm.

    The next meeting is scheduled for 2 pm, September 9, 2014 at the Dept. of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, CT.

    Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, September 9, 2014

    2 pm, Dept. of Agriculture G8-A Hartford, CT

    Council members present: Theodore Andreadis, David Goodwin, William Hyatt, Paul Larson, Richard McAvoy, Katherine Winslow, John Silander, David Sutherland

    Others present: Donna Ellis, Nancy Murray

    Approval of Minutes Katherine Winslow moved approval of the minutes for the June 10 Special Meeting. The minutes were approved.

    Theodore Andreadis moved approval of the minutes for the regular June 10 meeting; Paul Larson seconded. The minutes were approved.

    Update on the Council Coordinator position vacancy

    Bill Hyatt explained that $20,000 of the funding for the new Aquatic Invasives program can be used for administrative purposes. That funding will be used to help pay for the Coordinator position, so that the new hire can spend a significant portion of their time administering grants and other aspects of that new program. DEEP will also direct $10,000 towards funding the coordinator position; UConn will contribute $3,000.

    The position is funded through June 2015. Since it is a durational position, UConn will not have to conduct a formal search process.

    Aquatics Update

    Nancy Murray distributed Voluntary Guidelines from the federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force pertaining to water gardens. John Silander asked what the plans were for publicizing the guidelines. The federal officials probably do not have a plan for intensified distribution or implementation. Nancy also distributed voluntary guidelines for curbing the spread of aquatic invasives.

    Update on Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program

    Hyatt reviewed the process by which an initial proposal for $1.2 million for an aquatic invasives program was reduced to $200,000, which was ultimately approved. Ten percent can be used for administrative functions; a minimum of 30 – 40% must be used for a municipal grants program for diagnostics or treatment. An RFP for the grants was released July 31, with a deadline for proposals of September 15. There was discussion of the inadequacy of six weeks for towns to put together proposals. DEEP is trying to balance the provision of adequate time for proposal development with concern that money that is not expended may be diverted for other purposes.

    CIPWG Symposium

    Donna Elis from UConn reported that there are already 300 attendees signed up for the symposium. Senator Clark Chapin will give remarks.

     

    Old Business

    At this point, the council intends to proceed with its October and December meetings and may have its scheduled November meeting.

    New Business

    Yellow groove bamboo – Phyllostachys aureosulcata

    Theresa Groff, a Field Researcher with the Institute of Invasive Bamboo Research presented findings to the council regarding nine instances in which the institute maintains that Yellow Groove bamboo has become naturalized. There are approximately 600 known sites of bamboo in Connecticut, most being intentionally planted.

    Kim Pita from Old Saybrook presented pictures of a population of Yellow Groove in her yard that is returning after she spent $3,000 having the original population removed.

    Richard McAvoy and John Silander responded to references by Groff and Pita of Yellow groove being impossible to control by herbicides by maintaining that applied properly, herbicides can eliminate populations.

    Groff and Pita would like the council to include yellow groove bamboo on the state’s statutorily mandated list of invasive plants.

    There was extensive discussion of the statutory criteria defining “invasive” species, in Section 22a-381b of the Connecticut General Statutes, with focus on the following criteria:

    “(2) the plant is naturalized or has the potential to become naturalized or occurring without the aid and benefit of cultivation in an area where the plant is nonindigenous;

    (3) under average conditions, the plant has the biological potential for rapid and widespread dispersion and establishment in the state or region within the state; (4) under average conditions, the plant has the biological potential for excessive dispersion over habitats of varying sizes that are similar or dissimilar to the site of the plant’s introduction into the state; (5) under average conditions, the plant has the biological potential for existing in high numbers outside of habitats that are intensely managed;” particularly item 2 concerning naturalization.

    Hyatt pointed out that Logan Senack, the council’s former coordinator, had visited six of the nine sites referenced as ones where bamboo had naturalized, and that Senack thought naturalization had occurred at one of those sites, and thought that the populations were associated with plantings at at least four of the sites. Hyatt will distribute Senack’s notes on those visits.

    Winslow suggested that a committee of the council be set up to assess research and information regarding Yellow groove bamboo. The council agreed. The members of the committee will be Jeff Ward from the Agricultural Experiment Station, Winslow, Silander, and McAvoy. McAvoy will arrange site visits to some of the sites referenced as hosting naturalized populations.

    Pet Trade MOU

    Murray described a Memorandum of Understanding recently crafted between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the pet industry with the intention of identifying and precluding from the trade invasive plants.

    Congressional Invasive Plants Caucus

    There was discussion of efforts that will be implemented after the November elections to increase the membership in the currently 17-member Congressional Invasive Plants Caucus.

    Election of Council officers Larson moved that McAvoy be elected as Chair of the council. Hyatt seconded the nomination. McAvoy left the room and was unanimously approved by the members present.

    Larson moved that Hyatt be elected as Vice Chair; Andreadis seconded. Hyatt left the room and was unanimously approved.

    The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, 2 pm, in room G8-A at the Department of Agriculture in Hartford, CT.

    Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, October 21, 2014

    2 pm, Department of Agriculture G8-A 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT

    Council members present: Ted Andreadis, Paul Larson, Rich McAvoy, David Sutherland, Katherine Winslow

    A quorum was not present.

    Others present: Ellen Bender, Donna Ellis, Nicole Gabelman, Nancy Murray

    1. McAvoy informally called the meeting to order at 2:15

    2. Update of Coordinator Position The position of Invasive Plant Coordinator will be filled by Nicole Gabelman. Her anticipated start date is October 31, 2014. A top priority will be assembling the IPC annual report before the November 18 meeting. Another priority will be arranging bamboo site visits with the bamboo committee and other interested council members before the December 9 meeting. Aquatic Invasive Species will also take precedence over other Coordinator tasks since the majority of the funding for the position comes from the new Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Aquatic Invasives program.

    3. Update on Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Murray explained that with a shortened proposal period DEEP received fewer proposals than expected. The 17 proposals that were received will be ranked and evaluated at DEEP.

    4. Annual Report McAvoy presented a draft copy of the cover letter for the annual report. There was some discussion and changes were made. The coordinator will be responsible for compiling the various sections and collecting accomplishment reports from contributors. The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) submitted an accomplishment report from Jeff Ward. A report on the activities of the previous Coordinator, Logan Senack, may need to be collected using the minutes from previous meetings.

    5. CIPWG Symposium Ellis, CT Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) Co-Chair, reported that the very successful CIPWG Invasive Plant Symposium sold out with 500 attendees. It was held on October 7, 2014 in the University of Connecticut (UConn) Student Union.

    6. Bamboo Site Assessments

    The council sub-committee charged with assessing the potential for bamboo to spread to new sites by stream flow should make site visits before the December 9 meeting. John Volin, UConn Dept. of Natures Resources and the Environment, should be invited to join the sub-committee on these visits. Winslow requested that the site information and data for each of the nine bamboo sites be compiled. There is a need to ramp up review and response on this subject. Sutherland pointed out that more discussion is needed to establish when evidence of natural dispersion surpasses a threshold to warrant classifying running bamboo as invasive as per the statutes. Andreadis suggested that we monitor each of the sites and see what happens over time. McAvoy pointed out the need to establish a baseline and then monitor downstream overtime to document that new stands are spreading to natural areas. There was some discussion on whether New York decided not to list bamboo, even from a socio-economic standpoint, after evaluating the species for invasiveness. Winslow suggested that a representative from The Nature Conservancy and a representative from DEEP be added to the bamboo sub-committee. Nobody was added at this time. Murray questioned Larson on the role that bamboo plays in the nursery industry. He replied that he knows of some people in the trade who specialize in bamboo sales but most offer a few items. Sutherland commented that it may be best to leave it to the municipalities to list as a residential nuisance species but not an ecological threat. If possible, a statement on bamboo should be included in the annual report.

    7. Adjournment The meeting ended at 3:28 pm.

    The next meeting is scheduled for 2 pm, November 18th 2014 at the Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.

    Invasive Plants Council Tuesday, November 18, 2014

    2 pm, Department of Agriculture, Commissioner’s Conference Room 161 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT

    Council members present: William Hyatt, Paul Larson, Rich McAvoy, Tom McGowan, John Silander, Jr., David Sutherland, Katherine Winslow

    Others present: Donna Ellis, Nicole Gabelman, Nancy Murray, Kevin Sullivan, Bradford Weeks

    1. McAvoy called the meeting to order at 2:05

     2. Approval of Meeting Minutes The meeting minutes from September 9 were reviewed. Larson pointed out an error in paragraph eight on the second page that read ‘or’ instead of the word ‘of’. It was also suggested that the words ‘running bamboo’ be removed from the third paragraph on the second page. The minutes from October 21 were discussed. It was decided that since there was no quorum at this meeting the minutes would not be considered official but could still be included in the annual report. It was suggested that ‘diagnostic feasibility studies’ be removed from the second paragraph on the first page. Larson moved (second: Hyatt) to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried.

    3. Update of Invasive Plant Council Personnel

    a. Invasive Plant Coordinator

    The position of Invasive Plant Coordinator was filled by Nicole Gabelman on October 31, 2014. The position is funded through June 30, 2015. The Council identified short-term priorities for the Coordinator as assembling the IPC annual report and arranging site visits for bamboo assessment. Tasks related to Aquatic Invasive Species will be a priority for the Coordinator since the majority of the funding for the position comes from the new Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Aquatic Invasives program.

    b. Invasive Plants Council member David Goodwin

    Dave Goodwin, Council Vice Chair, resigned from the Council by letter on November 11 to accept a new position in Florida. He was a member of the Council since its inception and wished the Council the best of luck in their continuing efforts. He served as the representative from a company that grows or sells flowers or plants and was appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The designation of a new member to represent this Council seat was discussed. Larson explained that the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) board would recommend a replacement to the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, with the intention of filling that vacancy early next year. In the meantime CNLA president Kevin Sullivan agreed to stand in as a nonvoting member.

    4. Approval of Connecticut Invasive & Potentially Invasive Plant List

    Two small changes were previously made to the list and required Council approval. The first change was correcting the spelling of ‘Ghandi’ to ‘Gandhi’ for the author of the scientific name Cynanchum louiseae. The second change was eliminating the parentheses around the name Willd., the author of the scientific name Nelumbo lutea. Hyatt moved to approve the Invasive Plant List. The motion was unanimously approved.

    5. Annual Report

    a. Cover letter from Chairperson

    McAvoy presented a draft copy of the cover letter for the annual report. This included changes that were discussed on October 21. Hyatt suggested editing the lead sentence of the third paragraph to read ‘The legislature did not appropriate a specified funding line for the Coordinator in FY15 creating uncertainty for continued staffing’. There was some discussion and changes were made. Silander proposed that the cost of dealing with invasive species be incorporated into the letter as it is a multibillion dollar problem across the country. Murray added that the funding for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) decreases every year and it is important to bring attention to the cost of the problem. Larson recommended adding the word ‘supporting’ to the first paragraph before ‘the development of new non-invasive plant varieties’. McGowan pointed out that ‘annually publish and periodically update a list’ sounds more like secretarial tasks and our language should reflect our efforts which extend to making recommendations about what plants to ban. McAvoy will work to include this point in his letter.

    b. Accomplishment Report Summary

    McAvoy and Gabelman presented a draft copy of the summary of accomplishments. This report was laid out in a new bulleted format in order to highlight the direct impact of activities supported by the Invasive Plants Council. The use of Google Analytics to gather website user information was discussed. Using a general sentence like ‘Citizens received invasive plant information through 1,000’s of website viewings’ was proposed if gathering this data proved too difficult. McGowan requested the addition of the CT Federation of Lakes to the associated groups mentioned in the opening paragraph. Including the average cost of invasive plant control to the bullet point summarizing the hours of control labor was discussed. It was suggested that Steve Manning of Invasive Plant Control, Inc. be contacted to supply a range for the cost/hour charged by a commercial company. It was also recommended that the aquatic invasive species grants be mentioned in the accomplishment summary since these grants motivated municipalities to contribute enough funds to more than double the amount supplied by the grant. The use of an appendix for the detailed expansion of the bullet points listed in the accomplishment summary was examined.

    c. Accomplishment Reports from contributors The CAES is the only group to have submitted an accomplishment report thus far. Hyatt reported that he plans to submit the contribution from DEEP on Dec. 1.

    6. CT Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) Report

    Sullivan, CNLA President, reported that the CNLA Board is currently undergoing a strategic evaluation and new hires have been made to the CNLA Executive Office. Sullivan distributed this information to Gabelman who will email the new contact information to the members of the Council. Sullivan commented that they will continue to support the Council and its mission. With regard to the open seat left by Goodwin’s resignation the CNLA Board will make a recommendation. He believes they should be able to find a permanent replacement for the seat by February.

    7. Bamboo Site Assessments

    The Council sub-committee charged with assessing the potential for bamboo to spread to new sites by stream flow will make site visits on Thursday, December 4. It was suggested that Hyatt invite Nelson DeBarros as a representative from DEEP to join in the bamboo site visits. There was some discussion about what we are trying to assess and how we can go about doing this. McAvoy referred to Andreadis’ suggestion that monitoring candidate sites over time will allow us to assess possible movement. If possible, the four or five sites to be visited will be focused in the eastern half of the state.

    8. Update on Grants to Municipalities

    Murray reported that of the 17 proposals that were submitted for the aquatic invasive plant control grant to municipalities, 12 were approved to receive the $150,000. The next priority will be putting together the contracts so that the money can be allocated as soon as possible. A document summarizing the 12 municipalities, their aquatic invasive plant projects, amount of grant funding awarded, and their matching funds was distributed. The range of plants being targeted and the geographic distribution of the corresponding bodies of water were discussed.

    Many of the plans targeted milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllym; Myriophyllum spicatum) and fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) in lakes; there are also a couple of projects using grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) as a biocontrol agent. Ellis asked if the grant money had to be spent by June 30. Hyatt responded that the priority is allocating the funds as soon as possible during the current fiscal year and there may be some figuring out in terms of the duration. Murray suggested we add information on the grants to municipalities to the annual report.

    9. Old Business/New Business

    a. 2015 Meeting Schedule

    The Council set the 2015 meeting schedule as follows: February 10, June 9, September 8, October 13, and December 8. January 13 and November 10 were identified as tentative dates should additional meetings be needed.

    b. Communication plan with Legislature

    Senator Clark Chapin, State Representative Craig Miner, and State Representative Roberta Willis were discussed as representatives who have expressed interest in invasive plant issues. Invasive aquatic plants in lakes, economic concerns, and the discussion of bamboo are topics that have especially attracted the most attention. Sutherland suggested that the grass roots interests of local groups and land trusts represent important consideration for the legislature.

    10. Adjournment

    McGowan moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting ended at 4:05 pm.

    The next meeting is scheduled for 2 pm, December 9th 2014 at the Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.

    1. 2014 Revised Invasive Plants List

    CONNECTICUT INVASIVE PLANT LIST

    November 2014

     

    Connecticut Invasive Plants Council Ordered by Scientific Name

    Statement to accompany list — January 2004: This is a list of species that have been determined by floristic analysis to be invasive or potentially invasive in the state of Connecticut, in accordance with PA 03-136. The Invasive Plants Council will generate a second list recommending restrictions on some of these plants. In developing the second list and particular restrictions, the Council will recognize the need to balance the detrimental effects of invasive plants with the agricultural and horticultural value of some of these plants, while still protecting the state’s minimally managed habitats.

    In May 2004, Public Act 04-203 restricted a subset of the January 2004 list making it illegal to move, sell, purchase, transplant, cultivate or distribute prohibited plants. Effective July 1, 2009, Public Act 09-52 removed the prohibition on Pistia stratiotes.

    column indicates growth form or habitat: A = Aquatic & Wetland; G = Grass & Grass-like; H = Herbaceous; S = Shrub; T = Tree; V = Woody Vine

    Explanation of symbols after Common Name: (P) indicates Potentially Invasive (all other plants listed are considered Invasive in Connecticut)

    denotes that the species, although shown by scientific evaluation to be invasive, has cultivars that have not been evaluated for invasive characteristics. Further research may determine whether or not individual cultivars are potentially invasive. Cultivars are commercially available selections of a plant species that have been bred or selected for predictable, desirable attributes of horticultural value such as form (dwarf or weeping forms), foliage (variegated or colorful leaves), or flowering attributes (enhanced flower color or size).

    “PROHIBITED BY STATUTE?” column indicates prohibited status: Y= prohibited from importation, movement, sale, purchase, transplanting, cultivation and distribution under CT Gen. Stat. §22a-381d; N/A= not prohibited

    ^ indicates species that are not currently known to be naturalized in Connecticut but would likely become invasive here if they are found to persist in the state without cultivation

    The taxonomic names used by the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council on the Invasive Plant List are consistent with the names used by the United States Department of Agriculture PLANTS database, accessible online at www.plants.usda.gov. The Council also maintains a list of scientific name synonyms for reference purposes.

     

    COMMON NAME

    		  

    @

    		  

    SCIENTIFIC NAME

    		 PROHIBITED BY
    SYNONYMS                                      STATUTE?
    Amur maple (P) T Acer ginnala Maxim. N/A
    Norway maple* T Acer platanoides L. N/A
    Sycamore maple (P) T Acer pseudoplatanus L. Y
    Goutweed H Aegopodium podagraria L. Bishop’s weed Y
    Tree of heaven T Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Y
    Garlic mustard H Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande Y
    False indigo (P) S Amorpha fruticosa L. Y
    Porcelainberry* V Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. Amur peppervine N/A
    Mugwort H Artemisia vulgaris L. Common wormwood N/A
    Hairy jointgrass (P) G Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino Small carpgrass Y
    Common kochia (P) H Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott Kochia scoparia ; Fireweed; Summer cypress Y
    Japanese barberry* S Berberis thunbergii DC. N/A
    Common barberry S Berberis vulgaris L. Y
    Drooping brome-grass (P) G Bromus tectorum L. Cheatgrass Y
    Flowering rush (P) A Butomus umbellatus L. Y
    Fanwort A Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray Carolina fanwort Y
    Pond water-starwort (P) A Callitriche stagnalis Scop. Y
    Narrowleaf bittercress H Cardamine impatiens L. Y
    Japanese sedge^ (P) G Carex kobomugi Ohwi Y
    Oriental bittersweet V Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. Asiatic bittersweet Y
    Spotted knapweed H Centaurea stoebe L. Centaurea biebersteinii; Centaurea maculosa Y
    Canada thistle (P) H Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Y
    Black swallow-wort H Cynanchum louiseae Kartesz & Gandhi Cynanchum nigrum ; Vincetoxicum nigrum Y
    Pale swallow-wort H Cynanchum rossicum (Kleo.) Borhidi Vincetoxicum rossicum Y
    Jimsonweed (P) H Datura stramonium L. Y
    Brazilian water-weed (P) A Egeria densa Planchon Anacharis; Egeria Y
    Common water-hyacinth^ (P) A Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms N/A
    Russian olive (P) S Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Y
    Autumn olive S Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Y
    Crested late-summer mint (P) H Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hylander Elsholtzia Y
    Winged euonymus* S Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. Burning bush N/A
    Cypress spurge (P) H Euphorbia cyparissias L. Y
    Leafy spurge H Euphorbia esula L. Y
    Glossy buckthorn S Frangula alnus Mill. Rhamnus frangula ; European buckthorn N/A
    Slender snake cotton H Froelichia gracilis (Hook.) Moq. Cottonweed Y
    Ground ivy (P) H Glechoma hederacea L. Gill-over-the-ground; Run-away robin Y
    Reed mannagrass^ (P) G Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. Tall mannagrass Y
    Giant hogweed (P) H Heracleum mantegazzianum (Sommier & Levier) Y
    Dame’s rocket H Hesperis matronalis L. Y
    Japanese hops (P) H Humulus japonicus Sieb. & Zucc. Japanese hop Y
    Hydrilla A Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle Water thyme Y
    Ornamental jewelweed (P) H Impatiens glandulifera Royle Tall impatiens Y
    Yellow iris A Iris pseudacorus L. Yellow flag iris; Pale yellow iris Y
    Perennial pepperweed H Lepidium latifolium L. Tall pepperwort Y
    Border privet (P) S Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zucc. Y
    California privet (P) S Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. N/A
    European privet (P) S Ligustrum vulgare L. N/A
    Japanese honeysuckle* V Lonicera japonica Thunb. Y
    Amur honeysuckle S Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder Y
    Morrow’s honeysuckle S Lonicera morrowii A. Gray Y
    Tatarian honeysuckle (P) S Lonicera tatarica L. Y
    Belle honeysuckle S Lonicera x bella Zabel Bell’s honeysuckle (misapplied ) Y
    Dwarf honeysuckle^ (P) S Lonicera xylosteum L. European fly-honeysuckle Y
    Ragged robin (P) H Lychnis flos-cuculi L. Y
    Moneywort* (P) H Lysimachia nummularia L. Creeping jenny N/A
    Garden loosestrife* (P) H Lysimachia vulgaris L. Garden yellow loosestrife Y
    Purple loosestrife A Lythrum salicaria L. Y
    European waterclover (P) A Marsilea quadrifolia L. Water shamrock Y
    Japanese stilt grass G Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus Y
    Eulalia* (P) G Miscanthus sinensis Andersson Chinese or Japanese silvergrass N/A
    Forget-me-not A Myosotis scorpioides L. True forget-me-not; Water scorpion-grass Y
    Parrotfeather (P) A Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. Y
    Variable-leaf watermilfoil A Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx. Y
    Eurasian watermilfoil A Myriophyllum spicatum L. Y
    Brittle water-nymph (P) A Najas minor All. Eutrophic water-nymph Y
    Onerow yellowcress (P) A Nasturtium microphyllum Boenn. ex. Rchb. Rorippa microphylla Y
    Watercress (P) A Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Y
    American water lotus (P) A Nelumbo lutea Willd. American water lotus Y
    Yellow floating heart (P) A Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmel.) Kuntze Y
    Scotch thistle (P) H Onopordum acanthium L. Y
    Star-of-Bethlehem (P) H Ornithogalum umbellatum L. N/A
    Princess tree (P) T Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud. Empress-tree Y
    Reed canary grass G Phalaris arundinacea L. N/A
    Common reed G Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Phragmites Y
    Water lettuce^ (P) A Pistia stratiotes L. N/A
    Canada bluegrass (P) G Poa compressa L. Y
    Bristled knotweed H Polygonum caespitosum Blume Persicaria longiseta; Oriental lady’s thumb Y
    Japanese knotweed H Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. Fallopia japonica Y
    Mile-a-minute vine H Polygonum perfoliatum L. Persicaria perfoliata Y
    Giant knotweed (P) H Polygonum sachalinense F. Schmidt ex. Maxim. Fallopia sachalinense Y
    White poplar (P) T Populus alba L. Y
    Crispy-leaved pondweed A Potamogeton crispus L. Curly pondweed or Curly-leaved pondweed Y
    Kudzu (P) V Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. Pueraria lobata Y
    Fig buttercup H Ranunculus ficaria L. Lesser celandine; Ficaria verna Y
    Common buckthorn S Rhamnus cathartica L. Y
    Black locust* T Robinia pseudoacacia L. N/A
    Multiflora rose S Rosa multiflora Thunb. Y
    Rugosa rose* (P) S Rosa rugosa Thunb.* Beach, Salt spray, Japanese, or Ramanas Rose N/A
    *Note: This plant is especially aggressive in coastal areas
    Wineberry S Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim. Y
    Sheep sorrel (P) H Rumex acetosella L. Y
    Giant salvinia^ (P) A Salvinia molesta Mitchell Y
    Tansy ragwort^ (P) H Senecio jacobaea L. Stinking Willie Y
    Cup plant (P) H Silphium perfoliatum L. Y
    Bittersweet nightshade (P) H Solanum dulcamara L. Climbing nightshade Y
    Water chestnut A Trapa natans L. Y
    Coltsfoot H Tussilago farfara L. Y
    Garden heliotrope (P) H Valeriana officinalis L. Garden Valerian Y

    4. Activities and Accomplishments

    Activities and Accomplishments

    The Council, acting through the Invasive Plant Coordinator, had a very productive year in 2014. The following is a detailed list of activities and accomplishments supported by the Invasive Plants Council, or the Coordinator in conjunction with partner groups and agencies including: Department of Agriculture (DoAg), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), University of Connecticut (UConn) and the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG), Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association (CNLA), The Connecticut Federation of Lakes, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), local groups and municipalities, and land and lake alliance groups.

    1. Provided outreach at industry conferences, public symposia, and community meetings

    • Provided over 73,200 Connecticut business owners and citizens with information about invasive plants through educational outreach at industry trade conferences, public symposia, and community and municipality Outreach tables included tri-fold poster displays, live plant specimens, handouts, guides, and other resources.

    a. A staffed outreach table exhibited information on invasive plants at the 33rd annual CT Flower and Garden Show presented by the Federated Garden Clubs of CT (February 20 – 23, Hartford, CT). Volunteers helped to staff the show which was attended by 37,000 An announcement for this event can be found in Appendix A on pages 86 – 87.

      b. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the New England Grows Great Ideas Pavilion (February 5 – 7, Boston, MA). This event was attended by 15,000 A schedule for this event can be found in Appendix B on pages 88 – 93.

      An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the Lebanon Fair (August 8 – 10, Lebanon, CT). This fair was attended by over 8,000 A schedule for this event can be found in Appendix C on pages 94 – 96.

      d. A staffed outreach table exhibited information on invasive plants at the UConn Cornucopia Fest presented by UConn – CAHNR (September 21, Storrs, CT). Interested attendees also participated in an Invasive Plant Challenge This event was attended by over 5,000 people. A schedule for this event can be found in Appendix D on pages 97 – 98.

      e. A staffed outreach table exhibited information on invasive plants at Hamden’s 8th Annual Earth Day Celebration (April 12, Hamden, CT). This event was attended by over 4,000 An announcement for this event can be found in Appendix E on pages 99 – 100.

      f. The Coordinator staffed an outreach table exhibiting information on invasive plants at the 104th Plant Science Day presented by the CAES (August 6, Hamden, CT). This event was attended by over 1,100 A flyer for this event can be found in Appendix F on pages 101 – 102.

      g. The Coordinator staffed an outreach table exhibiting information on invasive plants at the 2014 Winter Symposium and Expo presented by the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (January 14 & 15, Manchester, CT). This trade show was attended by 500 nursery and landscape A brochure for this event can be found in Appendix G on pages 103 – 104.

      h. The Coordinator and volunteers staffed an outreach table exhibiting information on invasive plants at the 7th biennial Invasive Plant Symposium presented by CIPWG (October 7, Storrs, CT). This educational conference was attended by 500 educators, researchers and engaged A program for this event can be found in Appendix H on pages 105 – 106.

      i. The Coordinator staffed an outreach table exhibiting information on invasive plants at the 2014 Summer Field Day presented by the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (July 16, North Branford, CT). This trade show was attended by over 400 nursery and landscape professionals. A brochure for this event can be found in Appendix I on pages 107 – 108.

      j. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the 2014 UConn Garden Conference (March 20, Storrs, CT). This conference was attended by approximately 270 A postcard for this event can be found in Appendix J on pages 109 – 110.

      k. An information invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the 2014 UConn Perennial Plant Conference (March 21, Storrs, CT). This conference was attended by approximately 270 A postcard for this event can be found in Appendix K on pages 111 – 112.

      l. The Coordinator staffed an outreach table exhibiting information on invasive plants at the 37th Annual Meeting and Environmental Conference presented by the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions (November 15, Wallingford, CT). This conference was attended by over 250 environmental professionals and engaged citizens. A program for this event can be found in Appendix L on pages 113 – 115.

      m. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the 8th annual CT Conference on Natural Resources presented by UConn (March 17, Storrs, CT). This multidisciplinary conference brought together natural resource and environmental management. It was attended by 200 environmental professionals and engaged citizens. An announcement for this event can be found in Appendix M on pages 116 – 117.

      n. An informational invasive plant display was exhibited and questions about invasive plants were answered during the UConn Extension Legislative Reception (April 24, Hartford, CT). This event was attended by approximately 150 people.

      o. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the Turf and Landscape Conference presented by the CT Grounds Keepers Association (January 22, Cromwell, CT). This conference was attended by 150 ground keeper and landscape A flyer for this event can be found in Appendix N on pages 118 – 119.

      p. An informational invasive plant display was exhibited at the 2014 Forest Health Monitoring Workshop held at Ford Trumbull State Park (March 4, New London, CT). This workshop was attended by over 60 participants.

      r. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at a meeting for the Redding Garden Club (March 10, Redding, CT). This meeting was attended by 52 people.

      s. An informational invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at Ag Day at the Capitol (March 19, Hartford, CT). This event was attended by over 50 organizations and state and federal agencies celebrating agriculture in An announcement for this event can be found in Appendix O on page 120.

      t. Invasive plant outreach materials were provided to high school students attending the UConn Early College Learning Experience 2014 Summer Camp (Storrs, CT). This program was attended by 44 students.

      u. Invasive plant outreach materials were provided to attendees of the K-8 School Grounds Ornamental Plant Management Workshop (Madison, CT). This workshop was attended by 42 school grounds and landscape professionals.

      v. The Coordinator exhibited an informational invasive plant display in Southbury Town Hall during an Invasive Plants Forum hosted by the Southbury Inland Wetlands Commission (May 27, Southbury, CT). This forum was attended by approximately 30 people.

      W. Invasive plant outreach materials were provided during a meeting for the CT Christmas Tree Growers Association (June 19, Newtown, CT). This meeting was attended by approximately 30 members.

      x. Invasive plant outreach materials were provided during a meeting for the Easton Garden Club (March 12, Easton, CT). This meeting was attended by approximately 25 members.

      y. An invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the Beckish Senior Center during an invasive plant talk sponsored by the Columbia Conservation and Agriculture Commission (May 15, Columbia, CT). This talk was attended by 19 people.

      z. An invasive plant outreach table was exhibited at the Babcock Library during an invasive plant talk sponsored by the library (June 13, Ashford, CT). This talk was attended by approximately 12 people.

      2. Provided resources for invasive plant inquiries

      Provided over 30,000 citizens with invasive plant information via website presence, list serve posting, newsletter messaging, direct mailing, and in response to direct inquiries.

      a. The CIPWG website (cipwg.uconn.edu) provided invasive plant information to over 28,171 A Google Analytics Audience Report can be found in Appendix P on page 121.

      b. In 2014, Donna Ellis, UConn of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and CIPWG Co-chair responded to 820 invasive plant inquiries via phone, email, and personal communication.

      c. Invasive plant news and events were distributed to approximately 760 members of the CIPWG list serve.

      d. Current news and invasive plant information was delivered to over 140 recipients of an e-newsletter distributed seven times by the coordinator.

      e. Between June 2014 and August 2014, the Coordinator responded to 78 inquiries regarding invasive plants.

      f. In 2014, Rose Hiskes, Diagnostician and Horticulturist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station responded to 75 inquiries regarding invasive

      3. Provided or supported conferences and training workshops on invasive plants

      Provided or supported conferences and training workshops for 160 Department of Transportation (DOT) workers and over 1,800 Connecticut citizens, who received more than 5,000 hours of training through direct teaching and presentations on invasive plants.

      a. The 7th biennial Invasive Plant Symposium was developed in coordination with CIPWG (October 7, Storrs, CT). This event attracted a sold-out crowd and featured national, regional, and local experts as well as citizen volunteers sharing practical solutions for managing invasive plants, promoting non-invasive plants and improving wildlife habitat. Training was provided through hand-on species identification tables, posters and exhibits, discussion panels, and presentations. Each of the 500 attendees received over 5 hours of training; the equivalent of 2,500 hours of training was provided. A program for this event can be found in Appendix H on pages 105 – 106.

      b. Five full-day sessions were developed in collaboration with UConn’s Technology Transfer Program, DOT, DEEP Forestry Division, and CAES to train 160 state-wide DOT maintainers on invasive plant identification, control, and best management practices to reduce accidental spread (March & April, Newington, CT). The workshops included hands-on species identification, control discussions, plant identification tools, and a special presentation on Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle. Each of the 160 attendees received 8 contact hours of training; the equivalent of 1,280 hours of training was provided.

      c. Information on invasive plant identification and control was provided during presentations to each of the three Ornamental and Turf Short Courses presented by UConn Extension, DEEP, and East Haven Landscape Products. These courses took place in East Haven, West Hartford, and North Haven during the winter and fall. Each of the 60 participants received 3 hours of training; the equivalent of 180 hours of training was An announcement for this event can be found in Appendix Q on page 122.

      d. A technical demonstration and talk on common garden weeds, including the invasive plant mugwort, was delivered at the 104th Plant Science Day presented by the CAES (August 6, Hamden, CT). Around 200 people attended each of the two sessions for this talk. Each of the approximately 400 attendees of the talk received ⅓ hour of training; the equivalent of 133 hours of training was provided. A flyer for this event can be found in Appendix F on pages 101 – 102.

      e. A presentation entitled “Management of Invasive Aquatic Plants” was delivered at the 37th Annual Meeting and Environmental Conference presented by the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions (November 15, Wallingford, CT). Each of the 75 attendees at this talk received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 75 hours of training was A program for this event can be found in Appendix L on pages 113 – 115.

      f. Provided invasive aquatic plant information to a panel discussing the condition of Lake Beseck after drawdown and damn repairs. The panel met at Middlefield Community College and included CT DEEP Commissioner Klee, State Senator Bartolomeo, State Representative Altobello, and First Selectman Brayshaw. Each of the 75 attendees received approximately 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 75 hours of training was provided.

      g. An Invasive Aquatic Plant seminar was delivered to an Environmental Science class at Three Rivers Community College (February 19, Norwich). Each of the 50 students received 5 hours of training; the equivalent of 75 hours of training was provided.

      h. An Invasive Aquatic Plant Workshop was presented at the Middlefield Community Center (April 22, Middlefield, CT). Each of the 45 attendees received 5 hours of training; the equivalent of 67.5 hours of training was provided.

      i. A PowerPoint presentation followed by a question-and-answer session on invasive plant concerns was delivered by the Coordinator at an Invasive Plants Forum hosted by the Southbury Inland Wetlands Commission (May 27, Southbury, CT). Each of the approximately 30 attendees received 2 hours of training; the equivalent of 60 hours of training was The slides for this presentation can be found in Appendix R on pages 123 – 134.

      j. A PowerPoint presentation on running bamboo followed by a general question and answer session was delivered by the Coordinator to the Wild Ones Mountain Laurel CT Chapter (February 1, New London, CT). Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscape is a not-for-profit organization promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices using native The presentation covered the characteristics that make a plant invasive, evaluating potentially invasive plants from a legal perspective and management tips for troublesome species. Each of the approximately 20 attendees received 3 hours of training; the equivalent of 60 hours of training was provided.

      k. A PowerPoint presentation on invasive plants was delivered at the 2014 Forest Health Monitoring Workshop held at Fort Trumbull State Park (March 4, New London, CT). Each of the 60 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 60 hours of training was provided.

      l. An informational presentation in invasive plants was delivered during a meeting for the Redding Garden Club (March 10, Redding, CT). Each of the 52 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 52 hours of training was provided.

      m. An Invasive Aquatic Plant Workshop was delivered to the Lake Hayward Association and other interested parties (June 21, East Haddam). Each of the 35 attendees received 5 hours of training; the equivalent of 52.5 hours of training was provided.

      n. A presentation on the CAES Invasive Aquatic Plant Program research on controlling variable-leaf watermilfoil was delivered at the 23rd annual meeting for the Bashan Lake Association (July 26, East Haddam). Each of the approximately 100 attendees received ½ hour of training; the equivalent of 50 hours of training was provided.

      0. An outdoor training session on invasive plant identification and management was conducted during the UConn Early College Learning Experience 2014 Summer Camp (Storrs, CT). Each of the 44 student participants received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 44 hours of training was provided.

      p. conducted at the K-8 School Grounds Ornamental Plant Management Workshop (Madison, CT). Each of the 42 participants received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 42 hours of training was provided.

      q. A course on aquatic plants was presented to the Federated Garden Clubs of CT at the Kellogg Environmental Center (October 15, Bethany, CT). Each of the 30 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 30 hours of training was provided.

      r. A presentation on invasive plant management and alternatives was given during New England Grows (February 5-7, Boston, MA). Each of the 50 people who attended this talk received ½ hour of training; the equivalent of 25 hours of training was provided. A schedule for the breakout sessions can be found in Appendix Son pages 135 –140.

      s. A presentation on invasive plant identification and management followed by a question-and-answer session was delivered during a meeting for the Easton Garden Club (March 12, Easton, CT). Each of the 25 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 25 hours of training was provided.

      t. A presentation entitled “CAES Invasive Aquatic Plant Program Research to Control Brazilian Waterweed in Fence Rock Lake” was delivered at Guilford Community Center at a meeting for the Fence Rock Lake Association (May 13, Guilford, CT). Each of the 25 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 25 hours of training was provided.

      u. A talk entitled “Connecticut’s Invasive Aquatic Plant Problem – Searching for Solutions” was delivered at the Whitney Center to Experiment Station Associates (March 26, Hamden, CT). Each of the 50 attendees received ½ hour of training; the equivalent of 25 hours of training was provided.

      v. A training session was developed in collaboration with CAES to train DoAg inspectors responsible for visiting pet shops and inspecting possible sales of invasive plants (March 5, Hartford, CT). Each of the 12 attendees received 2 hours of training; the equivalent of 24 hours of training was provided.

      w. A talk entitled “The Battle of Candlewood Lake: Can the Invaders be Stopped?” was delivered at the 8th annual CT Conference on Natural Resources presented by UConn (March 17, Storrs, CT). Each of the 40 attendees at this talk received ½ hour of training; the equivalent of 20 hours of training was provided.

      x. An informational presentation on invasive plants was delivered at Beckish Senior Center during a talk hosted by the Columbia Conservation and Agriculture Commission (May 15, Columbia, CT). Each of the 19 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 19 hours of training was provided.

      y. An informational presentation on invasive plants was delivered at a talk sponsored by the Babcock Library (June 13, Ashford, CT). Each of the 12 attendees received 1 hour of training; the equivalent of 12 hours of training was provided.

      z. A talk on plant biology and management options for invasive plants targeted by Christmas Tree Growers was delivered at a meeting for the Christmas Tree Growers Association (June 19, Newtown, CT). Each of the 30 members in attendance received ¼ hour of training; the equivalent of 7.5 hours of training was provided.

      4. Supported efforts to control and mitigate invasive plants in Connecticut

        • Supported programs that provided over 700 hours of volunteer and state agency efforts to control and mitigate invasive plants on CT public lands and These programs were led by state and local organizations and land trust associations.The CAES, in collaboration with UConn headed the biological control program for Mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata). Over 480 hours were spent scouting with volunteers, responding to inquiries, participating in interviews, maintaining the weevils before releases, and coordinating release and monitoring activities.

      a. The CAES, in collaboration with UConn headed the biological control program for Mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata). Over 480 hours were spent scouting with volunteers, responding to inquiries, participating in interviews, maintaining the weevils before releases, and coordinating release and monitoring activities.

      b. Glastonbury Partners in Planting (GPIP) sponsored a “Battling Bittersweet Workday” at Riverfront Park (October 25, Glastonbury, CT). Each of the 45 volunteers worked for 3 hours each to mitigate Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus); the equivalent of 135 hours of labor was Information from the GPIP website on this event can be found in Appendix Ton pages 141 – 142.

      c. GPIP sponsored a “Save a Tree Workday” at Ferry Landing Park (June, Glastonbury, CT). Each of the 15 volunteers worked for 3 hours each to mitigate Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus); the equivalent of 45 hours of labor was provided. Information from GPIP website on this event can be found in Appendix U on pages 143 – 144.

      d. The Roxbury Land Trust sponsored a “Trail Workday” with the Washington Montessori School at Battle Swamp Preserve (November 14, Roxbury, CT). Each of the 14 students and staff worked for 3 hours each to mitigate Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii); the equivalent of 42 hours of labor was provided.

      e. The Pine Grove Beautification Committee sponsored a series of workdays to eradicate Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) from the bank of the Niantic River (Niantic, CT). An unknown number of volunteers worked for 6 hours each over the four sessions.

      5. Assisted with grant funding for aquatic invasive plant management

        • Assisted in the review and selection of proposals to be awarded the $150,000 in DEEP grant funding for aquatic invasive plant management. The selected municipalities contributed over $185,000 in matching funds.

      a. Reviewed proposals for over $290,000 in funding requests from

      b. Evaluated proposals and determined how to allocate the $150,000 in grant funding.

      c. Assisted with the development of contracts for the following 12 programs receiving funding for aquatic invasive plant management:

      i. The Candlewood Lake Authority was awarded $50,000, with matching funds of $59,491, in order to stock triploid grass carp in Candlewood Lake for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil.

      ii. The Town of Morris was awarded $25,000, with matching funds of $50,000, for the eradication of fanwort in Bantam Lake Watershed.

      iii. The Town of Winchester was awarded $15,000, with matching funds of $15,000, for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil and variable-leaf watermilfoil in Highland Lake.

      iv. The Towns of Coventry and Mansfield were awarded $14,000, with matching funds of $14,000, for the management of fanwort in Eagleville Lake.

      v. The Town of New Fairfield was awarded $9,150, with matching funds of $9,250, for a study on the efficacy and impact of grass carp for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil in Ball Pond.

      vi. The Town of East Haddam was awarded $9,050, with matching funds of $9,050, for invasive aquatic plant mitigation in Lake Hayward.

      vii. The Town of East Haddam was awarded $6,000, with matching funds of $6,750, for a pilot project to test the effectiveness of herbicides to control fanwort and variable-leaf watermilfoil in Moodus Reservoir.

      viii. The Town of North Stonington was awarded $5,750, with matching funds of $5,750, for the control of variable-leaf watermilfoil and fanwort in Lake Billings.

      ix. The Town of Union was awarded $5,000, with matching funds of $5,000, for the restoration of Lower Mashapaug Pond and preservation of Mashapaug Lake and Quinebaug Headwaters by controlling and managing variable-leaf watermilfoil.

      x.The Town of Preston was awarded $4,400, with matching funds of $4,800, for the control of variable-leaf watermilfoil in Amos Lake.

      xi. The Town of Goshen was awarded $4,000, with matching funds of $4,000, to conduct a diagnostic study of aquatic plant life in Dog Pond, Tyler Lake, and Westside Pond.

      xii. The Town of North Stonington was awarded $2,650, with matching funds of $2,650, for the control of variable-leaf watermilfoil in Wyassup Lake.

      6. Assisted state agencies with invasive plant issues

        • Assisted and supported state agencies and municipalities by providing information about invasive plants and the associated laws, support on grant programs, and research collaboration

      a. Provided information and reports as needed to staff at DEEP, CAES, UConn – CAHNR and DoAg regarding inquiries or questions on invasive plants, the invasive plant laws, plant identification, and other related topics.

      b. Collaborated with the CAES to conduct research into mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) seed growth and germination to assess invasive Information on this research can be found in the CAES report.

      c. Assisted DEEP with grants to municipalities for aquatic invasive plant DEEP received more than $290,000 in funding requests when only $150,000 was available.

      d. Participated in National Science Foundation grant funded working group meeting entitled, “Interactive Effects of Economics, Public Policy, Land Use Change, and Invasive Plants in Long Island Sound Watersheds”. The multidisciplinary team of scientists working on the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) project were awarded the grant and organized the working group. The overall objective of this project is to investigate interactions among public and economic policy, land use changes, and invasive plant distributions in Long Island Sound Watersheds. The results will be used to direct invasive species prevention and management efforts. Information on this project can be found in the IPANE report.

      e. Received and directed reports of invasive plant sales and other potential legal issues to the appropriate agencies.

      7. Provided administrative support to the Invasive Plants Council

      Provided administrative support needed for the legislatively appointed Invasive Plants Council (IPC) in executing the Council’s state mandated missions.

      a. Prepared agendas; took, distributed, and posted minutes for IPC

      b. Responded to information requests/tasks from the

      c. Updated the Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plant Early Detection List. These plants are known to be invasive or potentially invasive in CT but are known to be present only in relatively low numbers at limited These species should be targeted for control and eradication efforts in the state when resources are available. This list can be found in Appendix V on page 145.

      d. Created an independent Research List of plants requiring more information to assess invasive status. Current records are limited for these plants and more information about these plants and their occurrence in the state is The list can be found in Appendix Won pages 146 – 147.

      e. Coordinated with industry associations, environmental interest groups, state and municipal agencies on issues related to public education, identification and management of invasive plants.

      f, Compiled the 2014 IPC Annual

      8. Assisted in the development of a forum hosted by the Environment Committee

        • Assisted in the development of a forum hosted by the Environment Committee and sponsored by Senator Clark Chapin entitled “Aquatic Invasive Presentation and Panel Discussion” (January 28, Legislative Office Building, Hartford).

      a. The forum provided an opportunity for information exchange and discussion of aquatic invasive species issues.

      b. Participants included representatives from the IPC, CAES, UConn, DEEP, CT Federation of Lakes, Candlewood Lake Authority, Lake Waramaug Task Force, and various members of the legislature.

      c. The Council presented on the following aquatic invasive plant needs:

      i. The need to increase boat inspections at access ramps.

      ii. The need for state agency capacity to rapidly respond to newly discovered invasions.

      iii. The need for additional information on control methods and vectors.

      d. There was broad consensus among those present that aquatic invasive species are a widespread problem in Connecticut and that the resources currently being deployed, while significant, are insufficient to manage the current infestations or prevent additional invasions.

      University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Report

      University of Connecticut
      College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
      |Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
      2014 Invasive Plants Council Update

      Report from Yi Li, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut:

      Development of Sterile, Non-Invasive Burning Bush Varieties

      We have developed triploid burning bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’) plants using endosperm tissue culture techniques. Two of many triploid sexually propagated plants planted years ago under field conditions produced a small number of flowers but all flowers were dropped at the mature stage. More flowers will be produced from these progenies in 2015 and 2016. We expect that the final confirmation of the sterility, non-invasiveness of these triploid burning bush plant lines will be completed in 2016 or 2017. We should start to release non- invasive triploid burning bush varieties to the ornamental industry in 2016.

      We have also bred a fruitless mutant burning bush plant through mutation breeding techniques. Our preliminary filed evaluation confirmed that sexually propagated progenies of the mutant plant produced normal flowers but no fruits. Additional confirmations for the non-invasiveness of the asexually propagated mutant progenies will be in 2015, 2016 and/or 2017. We expect to release this non-invasive mutant of burning bush in 2017.

      Report from Mark Brand, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut:

      In 2014, we continued to evaluate polyploid barberries developed in my laboratory. An additional year of data about fruit production, seed production and horticultural performance were collected. Previous trends of extremely low fecundity for our selected polyploids continued. Softwood cuttings of six superior near sterile genotypes were rooted at the University of Connecticut. Additionally, cuttings of one select genotype were distributed to six commercial nursery producers for rooting evaluation. Three genotypes with excellent sterility and desirable ornamental qualities have been identified for intensive propagation efforts in 2015. Dialogue was initiated with regulatory bodies in states where barberry is banned to develop cultivar exemptions for sterile barberries.

      Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Invasive Plant Program Report

      Report from Yi Li, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut:

      Development of Sterile, Non-Invasive Burning Bush Varieties

      We have developed triploid burning bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’) plants using endosperm tissue culture techniques. Two of many triploid sexually propagated plants planted years ago under field conditions produced a small number of flowers but all flowers were dropped at the mature stage. More flowers will be produced from these progenies in 2015 and 2016. We expect that the final confirmation of the sterility, non-invasiveness of these triploid burning bush plant lines will be completed in 2016 or 2017. We should start to release non- invasive triploid burning bush varieties to the ornamental industry in 2016.

      We have also bred a fruitless mutant burning bush plant through mutation breeding techniques. Our preliminary filed evaluation confirmed that sexually propagated progenies of the mutant plant produced normal flowers but no fruits. Additional confirmations for the non-invasiveness of the asexually propagated mutant progenies will be in 2015, 2016 and/or 2017. We expect to release this non-invasive mutant of burning bush in 2017.

      Report from Mark Brand, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut:

      In 2014, we continued to evaluate polyploid barberries developed in my laboratory. An additional year of data about fruit production, seed production and horticultural performance were collected. Previous trends of extremely low fecundity for our selected polyploids continued. Softwood cuttings of six superior near sterile genotypes were rooted at the University of Connecticut. Additionally, cuttings of one select genotype were distributed to six commercial nursery producers for rooting evaluation. Three genotypes with excellent sterility and desirable ornamental qualities have been identified for intensive propagation efforts in 2015. Dialogue was initiated with regulatory bodies in states where barberry is banned to develop cultivar exemptions for sterile barberries.

      Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Invasive Plant Program Report

      Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Invasive Plant Work: 2014 year-end report

      2014 CT DEEP Water Chestnut Removal Efforts

      Beginning in 2005, Inland Fisheries Division (IFD) staff have surveyed (often in collaboration with other DEEP staff) the main stem CT River and associated coves from Hartford to Haddam for the highly invasive water chestnut (Trapa natans). Cynthia Boettner, US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), coordinates and leads water chestnut control activities from Hartford north into Massachusetts including major infestations on the Hockanum River and several other sites in the Hartford area. With more limited staff resources this year, volunteers took over surveying and much of the harvesting at several of the USFWS sites.

      This year on the Connecticut River, staff focused on the lower portions of the river. Since 2011, the Tidewater Institute (with coordination from USFWS) has surveyed portions of the lower river, locating and when manageable, removing plants from the Eustasia Island area and several small patches in Salmon River Cove and other sites. In 2013, in response to a report from an angler, IFD staff located and removed two “pick-up truck loads” of plants from the CT River near Andrews Marina/Goodspeed Bridge in Tylerville (Haddam). This year, during two work parties, IFD staff and volunteers surveyed and removed stands of water chestnut from a number of sites along the lower river, including Selden Cove (first reported this year, an large stand was found and removed), Eustasia Island (after several previous years of removal, no plants were found in 2014), Tylerville (the second year of harvesting at this site with scattered small beds removed, but well less than in 2013), and Salmon River Cove (harvested for several previous years, only a limited number of plants found and removed) with several truckloads hauled away for disposal.

      In western Connecticut, IFD staff surveyed and removed plants at Mudge Pond (removing a 50- gallon tub of plants) and Lake Lillinonah, where water chestnut was found in the northern stretch of the lake from the confluence of the Still River up to the Bleachery Dam, and approximately two miles south of the Still River (all plants found were removed from approximately 30 locations). Additionally, Lake Kenosia was surveyed for the first time in 2014, and extensive beds of water chestnut beyond IFD resources to harvest were found. There is no plan in place at this time for removal of the Lake Kenosia infestation.

      2014 DEEP Forestry Division Invasive Plant Control Efforts

      A total of 356 acres of invasive plants were controlled by certified forest practitioners. Of that, 20 acres of control was completed by the DEEP Forestry Division staff and 336 by practitioners regulated by the Division. The total number of control acres for 2014 was considerably greater than was done the previous year (118 acres in 2013).

      2014 DEEP Boating Division Invasive Plant Efforts

      The DEEP Boating Division hired 18 Boating Education Assistants (BEAs) in 2014. Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) was made available to help fund these positions through SB 446, which provided a one-time appropriation to DEEP for efforts to combat aquatic invasive species. The BEAs’ time was spent visiting state boat launches throughout the state and educating boaters on clean and safe boating techniques, with an emphasis on ways boaters can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The BEA visited lakes, ponds, and coastal waters in western CT, and many boaters have reported that they learned how to “Clean, Drain, Dry” equipment to prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals. The statewide BEA Program collected 8,733 Clean Boater Pledges and conducted 2,883 AIS vessel inspections and 3,122 Vessel Safety Checks between May 23, 2014 and October 2, 2014. There has been fluctuation in the number of BEAs over the years, but it can be seen below just how successful the program is when boaters are actively participating in preventing the spread of AIS.

      In 2011, the first year that actual AIS boat inspections were conducted, 1,260 vessel inspections were performed. In 2012, 1,691 inspections were performed and in 2013, 1,563 inspections were performed. Of those launching in 2013, 91% of those inspected stated they inspected and removed any weeds from their boat prior to launching. Also in 2013, 91% of the people said they disposed of their bait properly. That’s a 54% increase from the year 2011. In 2011, 62% indicated they washed their boats prior to launching; in 2012, 76% indicated they washed their boat prior to launching and in 2013, 79% washed their boats prior to launching. While 84% indicated they drained their boat prior to launching in 2011; 93% indicated they did in 2012, and 78% indicated they did in 2013. In 2011, 40 inspected boats arrived at launches with weeds (3.1% of boats); in 2012, 5 inspected boats arrived at launches with weeds (0.3% of boats); and in 2013, 8 inspected boats arrived at launches with weeds (0.5% of boats).

      It is evident that boaters are becoming aware of the existing AIS laws. In 2011, 8.9% of boaters did not know about the laws; in 2012, 9.3% were not aware of the laws, and in 2013, 0.4% said that they were not aware of the laws. In 2014, BEAs discussed the importance of preventing the spread of AIS with more boaters and performed the same AIS inspection; however, the AIS inspection form was identified as overly cumbersome and was only used by a few BEAs. Due to this feedback, the data collected in past years was not collected during 2014 inspections. The form will be corrected for the 2015 boating season.

      2014 Wildlife Division Invasive Plant Management Efforts

      State-land Projects

      Proj. # Site Tow n Program Treatment Acres Completed Invasives Targeted MGT Intent
      1 Quinnipiac River SP North Haven PR Spray/manual 12 July mile-a-minute, autumn olive, multiflora rose & bittersw eet Cedar/forest understory
      2 Housatonic River WMA Kent PR Spray fields & forest regeneration 71 August bush honeysuckle, w ormw ood, barberry, autumn olive Old fields/forest regeneration
      3 Roraback WMA Harw inton PR Spray fields & forest regeneration 51 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Forest understory & old fields
      4 West Rock SP Hamden PR Spray/manual 12 July autumn olive & multiflora rose Cedar/forest understory
      5 Naugatuck SF Naugatuck PR Spray fields 14 July barberry & autumn olive Old fields
      6 Camp Columbia Morris PR Spray fields & forest regeneration 15 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Forest regeneration
      7 Mad River FCA Winsted PR Spray fields 19 July autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Meadow /old field
      8 Goshen WMA Goshen PR Spray fields 133 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose, w illow s Grassland
      9 Goshen WMA Goshen PR Mow fields 133 Jan autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose, w illow s Grassland
      10 Mattatuck SF Terryville PR Spray forest understory 5.1 August barberry Forest regeneration
      11 Tunxis SF Hartland PR Spray fields 6 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields
      12 Tunxis SF Hartland WHIP Mow fields 6 March autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields
      13 Tunxis SF Hartland WHIP Mow 25 Feb autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields
      14 Suffield WMA Suffield PR Mow fields 113 Jan autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Grassland
      15 Suffield WMA Suffield PR Spray fields 113 September autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Grassland
      16 FFTA East Windsor PR Mow fields 150 August autumn olive & multiflora rose Old field
      17 FFTA East Windsor PR Spray fields 30 July multiflora rose and bittersw eet Old field
      18 Belding WMA Vernon PR Mow 16 July barberrry & multiflora rose Grasslands
      19 Barn Is. WMA Stonington PR Spray grasslands 28 July autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Grasslands
      20 Nod Brook Avon PR Mow 35 June autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Grasslands
      21 Minetto SP Torrington PR Mow grasslands 10 Jan autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Grasslands
      22 Charles Island NAP Milford PR/Tax check-off Mow /mulch invasive shrubs 13 September bittersw eet, autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Rookery restoration
      23 Charles Island NAP Milford PR/SEP Spray 13 September bittersw eet, autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Rookery restoration
      24 Cromw ell Meadow s WMA Cromw ell PR Mow fields 30 Jan autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old field
      25 Robbin Sw amp WMA Falls Village PR Mow fields 12 March autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old field
      26 Centennial SF Easton WHIP Mow fields 47 September multiflora rose, barberry, poison ivy Grassland
      27 Bear Hill WMA Bozrah PR Spray fields & forest regeneration 42 September autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields & forest understory
      28 Aircraft Rd Middlefield PR Manual & spray 19 July barberrry & multiflora rose Grasslands
      29 Nathan Hale SF Coventry PR Mow /manual removal 6 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields
      30 Barn Island WMA Stonington PR Spray fields 35 August autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Fields/grasslands
      31 Pachaug SF Sterling PR Spray fields 42 September autumn olive Old fields
      32 Zemko Pond WMA Salem PR Spray fields 13 July autumn olive, barberry & multiflora rose Old fields

        Total state land acres treated 1,269.1

        Private Landowner Cooperative Projects

        Proj. # Site Tow n Program Treatment Acres Completed Invasives Targeted MGT Intent
        1 Magnunson Lebanon WLFW Spray forest understory 17 September bush honeysuckle, barberry, multiflora rose, bittersw eet Forest regeneration
        2 Woodbury/Southbury Club Woodbury WLFW Spray forest understory 28 August bush honeysuckle, barberry, multiflora rose, bittersw eet Forest regeneration & fields
        3 White Memorial Litchfield WLFW Spray forest understory & fields 44 August bush honeysuckle, barberry, multiflora rose, bittersw eet Forest regeneration & fields
        4 Avalonia Peck Callahan Stonington WLFW Spray forest understory 28 August bush honeysuckle, barberry, multiflora rose, bittersw eet Forest regeneration
        5 Shinkiew icz Canterbury LIP Spray field 3 July multifloa rose, autumn olive Reverting field
        6 Groton Long Point Assoc Groton LIP Spray tidal marsh 1 September Common reed Tidal marsh

        Total private land acres treated 121

        ** PR- federal Aid Pittman Robertson Wildlife Funds

        ** WHIP- NRCS Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program funds

        ** WLFW – NRCS Working Lands For Wildlife Funds

        ** LIP- Landowner Incentives Program funds

        2014 Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management (WHAMM) Program Invasive Plant Control Efforts (herbicide applications to treat a variety of invasive plants but mostly phragmites)

        Date of                                        Product      Product Product Acres Spraying Gallons                         Gallons Gallons

        Triclopyr Imazapyr        Glyphosat

        Taylortown, Westport 1 7/30 30
        Barn Island Dike 2 & 3, Stonington 4 9/22 100
        Lance Magnuson, Lebanon Wood lot/Phrag 3 9/24-10/3 80
        Skiff Mountain 1 10/2 10
        Farm River SP, Mansfield Landing,East Haven 2 10/14 50
        Lake Bolton dams , Bolton 1 10/3 25
        Charles Is land, Milford 5 9/2-9/3 130
        Little Pond, Thomps on 1 9/9 40
        Pawcatuck River WMA Stonington 10 8/21 8/26 125
        Long Beach West, Stratford 1 8/27 0
        Wadsworth Falls, Middletown 1 9/29 50
        Shinkiewicz, Canterbury LIP 3 7/8 75
        Pilfers hire Mars h, Eastford CT DS 3 8/18 100
        Ross mars h, Killingly CT DS 17 8/7- 8/12 370
        Nehantic SF, East Lyme CT DS 21 8/20 475
        Assekonk Swamp, N. Stonington CT DS 12 9/22 300
        Dock & Dine Marsh, Old Saybrook 3 9/23 15
        Marine HQ, Old Lyme 2 10/10 70
        Kelsey Place Madison 1 9/8 10
        Dodge Paddock, Stonington 1 8/6 2
        West River, Guilford LIP 1 7/30 5
        Van Winkle Grant – Great Island, Old Lyme 18 10/6 430
        Ripley, Litchfield 8 9/8 200
        Davis Pond, Niantic 2 10/3 60
        Skiors ky Airport DOT, Stratford 2 8/26 350 50
        Goodwin SF, Hampton 1 8/25 0
        Knox Preserve, Stonington 1 8/6 6
        Edgewood Park, New Haven 1 9/22 35
        Hutchinson, Groton 1 9/17 10
        Housatonic River -Vendors 200 7/1-9/15 5000
        Laurel Marsh, Manchester NCCD 8 9/10 200
        Town of Lebanon, Small pond at Rt87 DPW 1 8/5 20
        Flathery Field Trial Area – Wildlife 6 8/15-8/25 150
        Kent Wyantenock SF, DOT 3&4, Wildlife #1 2 9/9 35
        Joshua Creek, Lyme LIP 1 10/9 15
        Davis Farm/Roy, Stonington 1 9/22 25
        Little River, New Haven 8 10/14,15 200
        Silver Sands SP, Milford 80 9/30 2000
        Harkness SP Phrag – Verkades , Waterford 7 9/17-10/20 130
        Columbia Yellow Floating Heart – Nancy Murr 1 8/5
        Ayers Point WMA, OS NRCS – 8 9/22-9/23 190
        Ragged Rock WMA, OS NRCS 16 9/18-9/22 375
        LIP – South Cove, Old Saybrook 14 9/15-9/18 350
        Sluice Creek, Guilford Condo 1 9/18 40
        West River, New Haven 6 9/23-10/20 150
        Tuttle Point, Guilford 2 9/29 50
        Roseland Lake, Woodstock 5 9/9-9/10 120
        Hammonas ett SP, Madison – ongoing 5 9/18-9/29 125
        Rocky Neck SP, East Lyme 2 10/20 50
        DOT Project Branford Rte 95 4 9/29 100

        506         75            9553     2900

        Acres   Gallons                gallons mix (final vol)

        2014 Products used and control rate 12453 Gallons
        Glyphosate 5.4 (Alligare) EPA 81927-8 2.5% 73 Gallons
        Imazapyr 4 SL (Vegetation Manager) EPA 1.5% 143 Gallons
        Alligare 90 (Surfactant) SN 001A-072307 0.5% 62.265 Gallons
        Ecotriclopyr 3 SL (triclopyr) EPA 110405 1.0% 0.75 Gallons
        Sonar AS (Fluridone) EPA 67690-4 1 Quart

         

        IMM is Integrated Mosquito Management a vendor on contract for Herbiciding

        Connecticut ANS Management Plan

        Annual Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for
        Fiscal Year 2014 Summary of Aquatic Nuisance Species Federal Funds:

        2012 Research on the Non-native Light Bulb Tunicate: CT Sea-Grant, Nancy Balcom Final report has been submitted to Regional Office.

        2013 Carbon dioxide research on control of zebra mussels: Western CT State University

        An extension for this project was approved until September 30, 2015.

        We continue to pursue access to the site and resolving liability issues.

        2014 Funds will be used to hire one additional Boating Education Assistant who will educate anglers and boaters with a focus on high-risk lakes. We expect that funds will be allocated in 2015.

        State of Connecticut Grants to Municipalities

        The Connecticut General Assembly allocated $200,000 to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in Fiscal Year 2014 to establish an aquatic invasive species grant program to be administered by the DEEP. $150K will be awarded as grants to municipalities, $30K is being used to provide funding for Boating Education Assistants to inspect for invasive species at boat launches, and $20K is being used to administer the grants program and to provide coordinator support for the Invasive Plant Council. The DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources and Boating Division will administer the municipal grants and boat inspection efforts.

        Education/Outreach

        CT DEEP ANS Program provided the local Cabala’s Sporting Store with educational handouts that include “Clean, Drain, Dry” hand outs and the Aquatic Invasive Factsheet.

        CT DEEP ANS Program provided a display for the Boating Show

        Distributed water garden fact sheet at the University of Connecticut Invasive Plant Symposium.

        Control and Management

        Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) was first reported in 2008 in a private pond in Connecticut. CT DEEP has conducted seven years of chemical control. Progress is slow, but we are seeing improvement.

        State of Connecticut

        A Report to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force for State Fiscal Year 2014

        FY 2012 Funds $25,473

        Summary

        Clavalina ledadiformis, a non-native tunicate: Research project has been completed. This project was to conduct a risk assessment of Clavalina ledadiformis

        Major Accomplishments

        The Final report has been forwarded to the USFWS Regional Office.

        Program Expenditures

        DEEP has closed out the fully executed Project Agreement with the University of Connecticut.

        Programmatic Needs

        Environmental Analyst 1 at 78,197 annually, including salary, fringe and benefits and $30,000 for budget $98,197 to conduct EDRR. At this time, DEEP currently has no funds available for Early Detection and Rapid Response.

        Implement Early Detection and Rapid Response Program (including cost of contractors to conduct control invasive species) $150,000

        Federal Agency ANS Estimated Expenditures

        Prevention $ 0
        Detection & Monitoring $ 20,000
        Early Detection $ 0
        Control & Management $ 5,473
        Rapid Response $ 0
        Restoration $ 0
        Education $ 0

        FY 2013 Funds $23,644

        Summary

        Federal ANS funds will be used to monitor the numbers of zebra mussel veligers entering the Housatonic River during the period of the year when zebra mussel’s veligers are active and detectable. CT DEEP will use ANS funds to cover the cost of veliger surveys associated with the application of in-situ carbon dioxide adjacent to Laurel Brook in Lee Massachussets. Research to be conducted by the US Bureau of Reclamation and Western CT State University.

        Major Accomplishments

        2013 ANS Funds were formally received on August 16, 2013 and a Project Agreement has been drafted so we can continue work in 2015. We are continuing to work to obtain land owner permission to allow the research. We were granted a 12 month extension that expires on September 30 2015.

        Program Expenditures

        DEEP prepared a Project Agreement with Western Connecticut State University allocating $23,644 of ANS funds to monitor zebra mussels entering the Housatonic River in Connecticut. CT DEEP is currently working on getting land owner permission and on addressing the liability concerns of both the property owner and the carbon dioxide supplier. Work is expected to continue in 2015 when veligers are present. To date $700 has been paid out.

        Programmatic Needs

        Environmental Analyst 1 at $78,197 annually, including salary, fringe and benefits.

        Implement Early Detection and Rapid Response Program (including cost of contractors to conduct control invasive species) $125,000

        Federal Agency ANS Estimated Expenditures

        Prevention $ 0
        Detection & Monitoring $ 23,644
        Early Detection $ 0
        Control & Management $ 0
        Rapid Response $ 0
        Restoration $ 0
        Education $ 0

        The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Report

        REPORT TO CT-IPC ON CAES INVASIVE PLANT RESEARCH

        JUNE 11, 2014

        Jeffrey Ward, Chief Scientist-Dept. Forestry & Horticulture, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Email: jeffrey.ward@ct.gov Phone (203) 974-8495

        Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) research

        2013 – As previously reported to the CT Invasive Plant Council (CT-IPC), the ability of mugwort to produce viable seed in Connecticut was confirmed when seedlings germinated from all seven geographically and temporally distinct samples (Fig. 1).

        Figure 1. Mugwort seedlings in May 2013) that germinated from samples collected in 2012.
        Figure 1. Mugwort seedlings in May 2013) that germinated from samples collected in 2012.

        2014 – In a collaborative study with Logan Senack (University of Connecticut), mugwort branchlets were collected weekly at two locations (Mansfield, Hamden) between September 3 and November 14, 2013. Six branchlets were collected at least location for each date (N=102)

        Sampled were air-dried in a greenhouse to constant weight. From each branchlet sample, 100 random seedheads were selected and weighed to determine average weight per seedhead (0.0017g). Branchlet samples of approximately 20 cm length were weighed after removing stems (but did include some dried leaves). Mean weight of 20 cm branchlet length was 0.95g indicating an average of approximately 560 seedheads per 20 cm. Discounting 50% for included leaf weight yields approximately 280 seedheads per 20 cm.

        After several months vernalization, 25 randomly selected seedheads were placed on moist blotter paper in petri dishes with lids. Mugwort seedlings began to germinate after three days, and the study continued twenty-six days after which no new seedlings were observed. At 3–6-day intervals, new sprouts were removed and counted from each sample. Blotter paper was kept moist.

        Number of germinants per 25 seedheads ranged from 0 to 215 (2.54+0.2 SEM per seedhead). Number of germinated seeds increased from early to mid-September and then remained fairly constant through late October before increasing in November (Fig. 2).

        Figure 2. Mean (SD) of seeds germinating per seedhead from samples collected in 2013.
        Figure 2. Mean (SD) of seeds germinating per seedhead from samples collected in 2013.

        Running bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.) research

        Plantings – As previously reported to CT-IPC, we began an experiment in 2012 on our three experimental farms to examine the rate of spread and effectiveness of control options for selected Phyllostachys cultivars in Connecticut:. Phyllostachys aurea, P. aureosulcata, and P. aureosulcata spectabilis. We are comparing the growth (height and number of culms or canes) and rate of spread (distance from original planting) of each species when not controlled with the options of mowing/knocking off new culms when they first emerge and containing the rhizomes with heavy plastic lines.

        Herbicide trials – In 2012, we began an experiment at three locations to examine whether cutting followed by herbicide sprays would control dense, established bamboo stands (Table 1). All clones were cut to reduce height of culms, reduce leaf density, and weaken starch reserves in roots. Target foliage was sprayed until wet using glyphosate (Glyphomax Plus (5oz/gallon, 2.0% solution, 0.5 – 4.0 kg ae ha-1), Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, IN). Sites were visited on June 6, 2014, to locate surviving and/or new culms.

        Merritt Parkway Nonnewaug HS Old Fairgrounds Rd
        Easton Woodbury Woodbury
        Original height > 6 m 4-6 m 4-5 m
        Date cut 6/6/2013 9/6/2012 11/29/2012
        Pre-spray height 1-4m 1-3 m 1-3m
        1st spray 9/5/2013 8/31/2013 8/31/2013
        2nd spray 9/19/2013 9/13/2013 9/13/2012
        Effectiveness 99-100% 99-100% 100%

        At Old Fairground Road, all old culms were dead, and no new culms had emerged. At Nonnewaug HS, all old culms were dead and a single new culm ~20 cm tall had emerged. At Merritt where a 0.1 ha (0.25 ac) stand was treated, several culms remained green on the basal 1 m and there was a single new stunted culm cluster. The Merritt plot suggests that running bamboo can effectively treated by cutting and applying herbicide in a single growing season. However, we do not know if a single herbicide treatment would be sufficient. Before and after photos of the study areas are on the following pages.

        Old Fairgrounds Road, Woodbury

        Cutting culms at Old Fairgrounds plot (credit: Michael Duffy, CT Post)
        Cutting culms at Old Fairgrounds plot (credit: Michael Duffy, CT Post)
        Before (l) and after (r) of bamboo stand at Old Fairgrounds Road in Woodbury, CT.
        Before (l) and after (r) of bamboo stand at Old Fairgrounds Road in Woodbury, CT.

        Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury All photos taken of approximately the same area.

        Nonnewaug - pre-treatment
        Nonnewaug – pre-treatment
        Nonnewaug - new culms prior to first herbicide treatment.
        Nonnewaug – new culms prior to first herbicide treatment.
        Nonnewaug - summer after herbicide. Note all green plants are herbaceous, most are native.
        Nonnewaug – summer after herbicide. Note all green plants are herbaceous, most are native.

        Merritt Parkway, north of southbound lane, Easton

        View of bamboo grove before and after cutting along Merritt Parkway.
        View of bamboo grove before and after cutting along Merritt Parkway.
        Applying herbicide to culms that emerged after cutting.
        View of treated area in June 2014. Picture on right was taken from approximately the same location as the two photos at top.
        View of treated area in June 2014. Picture on right was taken from approximately the same location as the two photos at top.

        Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group Report

        Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2014 Annual Report

        The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) is a consortium of individuals, members of environmental organizations, and affiliates of municipal and state agencies whose mission is to promote awareness of invasive plants and their non-invasive alternatives. Formed in 1997 as an ad- hoc group, CIPWG is now in its 17th year of operation. The working group meets 1 to 2 times per year to collaborate and share information on the presence, distribution, ecological impacts, and management of invasive plants affecting Connecticut and the region and to promote uses of native or non-invasive ornamental alternatives. The working group includes federal, state, and town agency staff, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), researchers, nursery growers, educators, master gardeners, community members, and interested citizens. Donna Ellis (UConn Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture) and Penni Sharp (Connecticut Botanical Society) serve as Co-Chairs.

         

        Since 2002, CIPWG has hosted biennial invasive plant symposia. The seventh biennial symposium was presented on October 7, 2014 at UConn in Storrs, CT. The theme of the all-day conference was Invasive Plants 2014: Where Are We Now? As occurred in 2012, this year’s conference also sold out, with 500 registered attendees. The symposium featured national, regional, and local experts as well as citizen volunteers sharing practical solutions for managing invasive plants, promoting non- invasive plants, and improving wildlife habitat. Nationally-recognized speaker Dr. Sarah Reichard, Orin and Althea Soest Professor of Urban Horticulture and Director, Botanic Gardens, University of Washington delivered the Keynote address, “Five-year Target: A down-to-earth vision bridging policy, research and management”. Michael O’Neill, Associate Dean and Associate Director, UConn Extension welcomed the symposium attendees. Clark Chapin, Connecticut State Senator, provided opening remarks, and William Hyatt, Natural Resources Bureau Chief, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, gave an update on the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council. Kathleen Nelson (Mad Gardeners; CIPWG) was the recipient of the Leslie J. Mehrhoff Award. David Gumbart from the Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy delivered closing remarks. Concurrent afternoon sessions included tips for successful invasive plant management projects; alternative plants for improving gardens and other areas as wildlife habitat; priorities and partnering for invasive plant management; aquatic invasive plant updates; Early Detection – curbing the spread; and species-specific invasive plant identification, management, and alternative plants. Research posters, an invasive plant identification area, and other educational exhibits were featured throughout the day.

        CIPWG’s news and events list serve has approximately 760 members. The CIPWG website moved to a newer server at UConn recently and is now accessible at www.cipwg.uconn.edu. The website provides information on invasive plant topics that include identification, management, the Connecticut list of invasive plants, photos of invasive plants, invasive alternatives, resources, legislative updates, and much more. The CIPWG list serve also resides on a UConn server. Online reporting forms for mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata), giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) allow website visitors to provide distribution information on these species. CIPWG provides links to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS; www.eddmaps.org) to accept additional reports of other invasive plants. New features continue to be added to expand the CIPWG website, including a scrolling photo gallery of Connecticut invasive plants, early detection information, an event calendar, and new links to invasive plant fact sheets and management information. The design and layout of the site were also upgraded recently.

        The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group maintains the following subcommittees:

        • Education and Outreach (educational outreach about invasive species and their alternatives)
        • Management (develop and disseminate information on invasive plant control options)
        • Native Alternatives (explore and promote use of native plant species as alternatives to invasives

        CIPWG maintains a list of speakers who are available to give presentations on many aspects of invasive plants, including identification, control, and non-invasive alternatives. These speakers and other CIPWG members presented many lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and guided field walks during 2014. Two CIPWG exhibits recently developed that feature terrestrial plants and aquatic species continue to be displayed at many public events.

        Other CIPWG member activities:

        The CIPWG exhibits were displayed, invasive plant talks were presented, and/or invasive plant educational materials were provided at the following local, statewide, and regional events during 2014:

        • Ag Day at the Capitol
        • Babcock Library (Ashford) sponsored talk (12 attendees)
        • CIPWG general meeting, East Hartford (40 attendees)
        • Columbia Conservation and Agriculture Committee sponsored talk (19 attendees)
        • Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Plant Science Day, Hamden (1,000 attendees)
        • Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions Annual Meeting, Wallingford (250 attendees)
        • Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association meeting (30 attendees)
        • Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources, Storrs (200 attendees)
        • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Headquarters, Hartford
        • Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, Hartford (37,000 attendees)
        • Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association Turf and Landscape Conference (150 attendees)
        • Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association Summer Field Day, North Branford (400 attendees)
        • Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association Winter Symposium and Expo, Manchester (500 attendees)
        • Connecticut Wild Ones Program, New London (20 attendees)
        • Early College Learning Experience 2014 Summer Camp at UConn (44 students)
        • Easton Garden Club (25 attendees)
        • Forest Health Monitoring Workshop, New London (60 attendees)
        • Hamden Earth Day Celebration (4,000 attendees)
        • K-8 School Grounds Ornamental Plant Management Workshop, Newtown (150 attendees)
        • Lebanon Fair (8,000 attendees)
        • New England Grows Great Ideas Pavilion, Boston, MA (15,000 attendees)
        • Ornamental and Turf Short Course; 3 locations in East Haven, North Haven, and West Hartford (70 attendees)
        • Redding Garden Club (52 attendees)
        • Responsible Land Management Workshop, Hartford (60 attendees)
        • UConn Cornucopia Fest, Storrs (5,000 attendees)
        • UConn Extension Legislative Reception (150 attendees)
        • UConn Garden Conference, Storrs (270 attendees)
        • UConn Perennial Plant Conference, Storrs (270 attendees)

        Submitted by Donna Ellis (UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture; CIPWG Co-chair), with contributions from Nicole Gabelman, Rose Hiskes, Todd Mervosh, Charlotte Pyle, and Logan Senack

        3 December 2014

        Invasive Plant Atlas of New England Report

        INVASIVE PLANT ATLAS OF NEW ENGLAND

        December 2014

        IPANE, the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, is a program dedicated to the creation of a comprehensive web-accessible database of invasive and potentially invasive plants in New England. The database is designed to facilitate education and research that will lead to a greater understanding of invasive plant ecology and support informed conservation management. An important focus of the project is the early detection of, and rapid response to new invasions.

        The IPANE project has teamed up with EDDMapS.org to provide sustainable, web-accessible IPANE data and information on invasive plant species across New England as well as the continuing ability to add new data to the IPANE databases now, and sustainably in the future. EDDMapS is a national web- based mapping system for documenting invasive species distribution across the U.S. It was launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, and has become the primary website in the U.S. to access information about invasive plant species and provide data on the occurrence of invasive plant species across the U.S. IPANE information and data is accessed via: http://www.eddmaps.org/ipane/

        The IPANE project was part of a team that recently received a two year, $250,000 grant from NSF entitled “Interactive Effects of Economics, Public Policy, Land Use Change, and Invasive Plants in Long Island Sound Watersheds”. The overall objective of this research is to investigate interactions among public and economic policies, land use changes, and invasive plant distributions in Long Island Sound Watersheds (LISW), with particular focus on Connecticut. This research is anticipated to provide a common tool to forecast land use change and invasive species spread using a scenario approach and to quantify spatiotemporal uncertainty of future interactions among human activities, policy choices, land use changes, and species invasion processes at multiple spatial scales. The team of researchers will develop a set of possible economic and policy scenarios driving land use change and invasive species management, develop a new land use change model, improve methodology for modeling invasive species distributions, and complete multi-jurisdiction policy comparisons on projected invasive species abundances. A key contribution will be the ability to evaluate alternative policy options and their impacts at local, state and regional scales. The results can be used to direct invasive species prevention and management efforts. Using an integrated approach, this two-year exploratory project assembles a multidisciplinary team of UCONN faculty researchers including geographers (Dr. Zhang and Dr. Li), ecologists (Dr. Silander and Dr. Allen), a political scientist with policy expertise (Dr. Boyer), and a natural resource economist (Dr. Segerson). The project has convened a working group of some 29 stakeholders and professionals to identify public, economic, and invasive species policies that help to shape land use changes and distributions of invasive species across Connection and surrounding regions.

        John A Silander, Jr.
        Principle Investigator, IPANE project
        Research Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
        University of Connecticut

        75 North Eagleville Rd. U-3043, Storrs, CT 06269

        http://www.eddmaps.org/ipane/

        A short summary of our project

        The Long Island Sound Watersheds (LISW) landscape has gone through dramatic changes over the past two centuries. For example, up to 90% forests were cleared for farming by the mid-1800s. As farms were abandoned, much of the land has reverted back to mixed hardwood forest. Over the past fifty years, the region has undergone significant land use changes as housing and industrial development has encroached upon formerly rural and forested lands. Invasive alien species present challenging economic and ecological conflicts in the context of land use change: many were introduced via the horticultural trade and some remain economically important to the green industry, yet they are ecologically problematic and are promoted by some types of land use change.

        Interactions among human activities, invasive plants, and the future land use changes, as well as the impact of various local, state, or regional policy choices, have not yet been quantified. The many factors that influence the interactions between people, policy, and invasions do not act independently, but form a web of interactions and feedback that act on multiple temporal and spatial scales. An approach that is able to incorporate such complexity using multidisciplinary knowledge and skills is needed to address these issues. We have developed a framework (Figure 1) that will rely on economic, policy, landscape, and biological data in addition to expert knowledge. Comparative analyses of land use policy across jurisdictions, coupled with quantitative simulation of multiple management scenarios, should provide novel insight into how land use and invasive plant policies interact.

        Figure 1: Modeling overview. Ovals are existing data, rectangles are quantitative models, diamonds are resulting products, and triangles are scenarios based on data and expert input. Arrows indicate flow of information, with dashed lines representing interactions not explicitly included in our current modeling.
        Figure 1: Modeling overview. Ovals are existing data, rectangles are quantitative models, diamonds are resulting products, and triangles are scenarios based on data and expert input. Arrows indicate flow of information, with dashed lines representing interactions not explicitly included in our current modeling.

        The overall objective of this research is to investigate interactions among public and economic policy, land use changes, and invasive plant distributions in Long Island Sound Watersheds (LISW). Our focal study species represent different growth forms and stages of invasion in LISW (Table 1).We expect this research will provide a common tool to forecast land use change and invasive species spread using a scenario approach and quantify spatiotemporal uncertainty of future interactions among human activities, policy choices, land use changes, and species invasion processes at multiple spatial scales. The study will be geographically tiered, with some broad comprehensive analyses carried out for the region as a whole and other more focused analyses conducted for towns that span the policy and invasion spectrum.

        Table 1: Study species and basic characteristics

         

        Scientific Name Common Name Invasive Listing Growth Form
        Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard CT, NH, MA, VT herbaceous
        Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry NH, MA, VT shrub
        Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet CT, NH, MA, VT woody vine
        Euonymus alatus burning bush NH, MA, VT shrub
        Phyllostachys aureosulcata yellow-groove bamboo None shrub-like grass

        To achieve these goals, we will develop a set of possible economic and policy scenarios driving land use change and invasive species management, develop a new land use change model, improve methodology for modeling invasive species distributions, and complete multi-jurisdiction policy comparisons on projected invasive species abundances.

        Our goals for the working group meeting

        The overall goal of this working group meeting of stakeholders is to identify public, economic, and invasive species policies that help to shape land use changes and distributions of invasive species.

        Specifically, we hope to:

        • include additional expertise and points of view on land use policy, invasive plant policy, and invasive plant management for guiding development of the proposed land use change model and invasive species distribution models.
        • expand our understanding and inventory of land use and invasive species policies across levels of government (Table 2).
        • gain perspective on the economic drivers and trade-offs that relate to invasive species introduction, spread, management, and associated costs.
        • identify key drivers of land use change for developing future scenarios in the
        • collect information and data to help create the set of policy scenarios that drive the land use change and invasive species management analysis.
        • explore other potentially important drivers such as population density, housing density, income, road density, and elevation that have helped us to explain patterns of contemporary land use and forest fragmentation at intermediate spatial resolution.

        Agenda

        11:00am—11:30am Participant Arrival

        11:30am—12:00pm Introduction & Welcome (Facilitator: Professor Mark Boyer) 12:00pm—1:00pm Lunch

        1:00pm—4:00pm     Group Discussion

        Our three main themes with some example questions:

        What are the drivers of land use change and plant invasions?

        • What are the main drivers of land use change and how might those drivers change in the future?
        • What are economic, social, and other factors affecting new introductions of our targeted species, including information about the demand for and marketing of these species?

        What are the trade-offs with invasive (or potentially invasive) species?

        • What is the demand for and marketing of our targeted study species?
        • What are the costs of removing invasive or potentially invasive plants from the marketplace?

        What can we do about invasive species?

        • What are the major public, economic, and management policies that are effective at influencing land use change and controlling invasive plants?
        • At what level of government should these policies be implemented?
        • How should different levels of policy be changed to lead to the sustainable development in this region?
        • What are the potential tradeoffs in setting policies at the local vs. state, regional, or federal levels for effective management of land use and invasive plants?

        400pm—4:15pm Summary & Conclusion

        List of Participants

        Name Affiliation Sector/Expertise
        Matt Aiello-Lammens UConn, Postdoctoral Researcher Ecologist, invasion biology
        Jenica Allen UMass Amherst, Postdoctoral Researcher and UConn, Assistant Research Scientist Ecologist, conservation and invasion biology
        Chet Arnold CLEAR, Co-Director State land use regulations and land demand
        Nancy Balcom Connecticut Sea Grant, Associate Director State and local environmental policy and management
        Juliana Barrett Connecticut Sea Grant, Associate Extension Educator State and local ecological impacts of land use
        Amanda Bertino UMass Amherst, Undergraduate research assistant Environmental conservation, invasives management
        Cynthia Boettner Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, Invasive Plant Control Coordinator Regional invasives policy and management
        Mark Boyer UConn, Professor Political Science, environmental policy
        Tianjie Chen UConn, Graduate research assistant Economics
        Mike Dietz CT NEMO, Director State land use regulations and land demand
        Donna Ellis State Extension Educator, CIPWG Co-chair State invasives policy and management
        Nicole Gabelman Connecticut Invasive Plant Council, Coordinator State and local invasives management and policy
        Shougeng Hu UConn, Visiting Professor Land Use change and evaluation
        Qinglin Hu UConn, Graduate research assistant Geography, land use change
        Bill Hyatt CT DEEP, Natural Resources Bureau Chief State environmental policy and management
        Bruce Hyde CLEAR, Land Use Educator (& former municipal planner) State and local land use regulations
        Paul Larson Sprucedale Gardens, Owner State horticultural industry
        Weidong Li UConn, Research Professor Geography, land use change
        Christopher Martin CT DEEP, State Forester State forest management and planning
        Chris Polatin Polatin Ecological Services, Inc., Habitat Restoration Specialist Regional invasives management contractor
        Charlotte Pyle USDA-NRCS, Landscape Ecologist Regional invasives policy and management
        Gina Ramos BLM, Invasive Species Coordinator National and regional (western) invasive plant policy
        Kathy Segerson UConn, Professor Economics, natural resource economics
        John Silander UConn, Research Professor Ecology, conservation and invasion biology
        David Sutherland Nature Conservancy, CT Chapter, Director of Government Relations State environmental policy
        Natalie Vieira UConn, Undergraduate research assistant Political Science
        Weixing Zhang UConn, Graduate research assistant Geography, land use change
        Chuanrong Zhang UConn, Associate Professor Geography, land use change
        Haitao Zhang UConn, Visiting Associate Professor Land use change and evaluation

        Department of Agriculture Letter

        STATE   OF CONNECTICUT

        DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

        Office of Steven K. Reviczky Commissioner

        December 10, 2014

        Mr. Richard McAvoy, Chainnan, Invasive Plants Council
        c/o University of Connecticut, Dept. of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
        Bpx 4163, 1376 Sto1Ts Road
        StoITs, CT 06269-4163

        Dear Chaim1an McAvoy:

        Thank you for the oppo1tunity to provide input to the Invasive Plants Council (IPC) 2014 Annual Rep011. DoAg continued to host and attend IPC meetings this year.

        DoAg Regulation & Inspection staff attended a training session on invasive aquatic plant species by CT Agricultural Experiment Station and IPC Coordinator Logan Senack on March 5, 2014. The training helps agents know what to look out for when inspecting licensed pet facilities.

        DoAg’s website features a link to the IPC website under Associated Agencies & Organizations, Collaborative Initiatives. The website also features DoAg programs, such as the Faimland Restoration Program, the weekly Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report, and a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for various conservation cost-share programs.

        To date, the Farmland Restoration Program, launched at the Governor’s initiative, has received 121 applications to reclaim an estimated 1,230 acres. Total combined estimated grant cost is $1,670,585. Many of these restoration projects involve the removal of hedgerows containing invasive plants. Current restoration plans are developed for each project.

        At the request of the DEEP,DoAg perfo1med a series of inspections of pet shops to prevent the sale of invasive plants. Agency staff infonned the owner of the pet shops when a violation was found, and a follow up visit was conducted to ensure compliance.

        cc: Nicole Gabelman, CT Invasive Plant Coordinator

        165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106

        Phone: 860-713-2501      Fax: 860-713-2514

        An Equal Opportunity Employer

        Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association Letter

        P.O. Box 30
        One Regency Drive
        Bloomfield, CT 06002
        800-562-0610
        Fax: 860-286-0787
        Email: Info@CNLA.biz
        www.cnla.biz

        December 15, 2014

        The Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) has had a long standing role of participation on the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council, beginning with the Councils inception and implementation in 2003. The national nursery/greenhouse industry recognizes the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council for its early leadership on invasive plant issues as well as for the science-based approach the Councils brings to invasive plant management. Not only is the CNLA proudly represented by two active members to the Council, but as a Board we recognize the continued importance of this research- based forum for publically discussing invasive plant issues.

        We continue to be very concerned about the appropriate and necessary level of funding that is needed for the Invasive Plants Council to remain viable, specifically funding to maintain the minimum keep-alive functions of the Coordinator position. The industry is most concerned that by withholding this limited funding, the State will miss an opportunity to utilize the Invasive Plants Council to its fullest capacity, negating the far reaching and documented impacts Council activities provide to Connecticut citizens . It is of the highest importance that the Council continues to function in its role as a nationally recognized leader in invasive plant management.

        Sincerely,

        Kevin Sullivan, President

        Appendices

        33rd Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show

        DATES

        02/20/2014 until 02/23/2014

        SHOW HOURS

        Thursday, February 20 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
        Friday, February 21      10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
        Saturday, February 22 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
        Sunday, February 23     10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

        *Box Office closes 1 hour prior to published closing times. *

        TICKETS

        Adults                                     $16.00

        Children 5-12 years old          $4.00

        Seniors (62 & Older)             $14.00  Thursday & Friday Only

        Children Under 5          FREE

        *Cash only is accepted at the box office. An ATM machine is located in the Convention Center. Group tickets are available for parties of 15 or more. Please contact kristie@northeastexpos.com or 860-844-8461.

        This event is open to the general public. For more information about tickets, please click here.

        DESCRIPTION

        Come and explore the 33rd Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show. The Convention Center will be transformed into a breathtaking event for floral and garden enthusiast. Explore over 300 booths overflowing with fresh flowers, plants, herbs, bulbs, seeds, gardening books, garden equipment and much more. Visit the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut design & horticulture competition based on the theme “Backyard Paradise.” Attend over 80 hours of seminars and demonstrations. All seminars are included with your general admission ticket.

        For more information about the event, please visit www.ctflowershow.com.

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        Event Archives: 2014: Education Program

        Program at a Glance

        New England Grows is an authorized provider of CEUs and professional development credits for many green industry accreditation programs and associations nationwide. Please note that schedule and session titles are subject to change. Check back often for regular updates.

        Wednesday, February 5

        7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

        Registration Open

        8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

        Garden Center Success! at New England Grows

        “Garden Center 3.0” featuring Keynote Speakers:

        Alison
        Kenney Paul,
        Vice
        Chairman and
        U.S. Retail &
        Distribution
        Leader at

        Deloitte, LLP, Chicago, IL

        • Anna Ball, CEO, Ball Horticultural, Inc., West Chicago, IL
        • facilitated by Jon Hockman, The d3 Group, Washington, DC

        9:00 a.m. –

        10:00 a.m.

        Accurately Predict & Diagnose Turf Problems

        CEU

        NE NJ NOFA PA

        Pamela Sherratt, Turfgrass Specialist, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        Naturalistic Water Feature Design

        Rich Bartel, Certified Master Water Feature Specialist, Executive Director, Ponds for Peace, East Ridge, TN

        The Power of Plants: Eden Project & Beyond

        CEU ISA LA LD

        NOFA

        Jane Knight, MPhil MLA CMLI, Landscape Architect, Eden Project, Cornwall, UK

        Tree Preservation and Risk Assessment: How They Work Together

        CEU CTSP ISA NOFA

        Philip van Wassenaer, Principal Consulting Arborist, Urban Forest Innovations, Ontario, Canada

        10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

        Exposition Open

        11:00 a.m. – 12:00 N

        What a Warming World Means for Pest Outbreaks » HANDOUT

        CEU

        ISA NE NJ NOFA PA

        Michael Raupp, Ph.D., Professor, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

        11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

         

        CEU ISA LA LD

        NOFA

        New England Landscape Dynamics: A Long View William Cullina, Executive Director, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, ME

        2:00 p.m. –

        3:00 p.m.

        How Landscapes Can Help Save the Bees » HANDOUT

        CEU

        ISA LA LD NE NJ NOFA PA

        Kelly Gill, Pollinator Conservation Specialist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Columbus, NJ

        Replacing the Green Desert: Meadowscaping & Native Plant Alternatives

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        Kim Eierman, Founder, EcoBeneficial!, Bronxville, NY

        Great Conifers for New England

        CEU ISA NOFA

        Deanna Curtis, Curator of Woody Plants, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY

        Systems for Success: Achieve Efficiency and Profitability in your Nursery & Landscape Business

        John Hughes, Owner, Hughes Nursery & Landscaping, Cedar Rapids, IA

        5:00 p.m. Exposition Closes

        Thursday, February 6

        7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

        Registration Open

        9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

        Successfully Managing Rose Downy Mildew & Other Rose Diseases » HANDOUT 1 » HANDOUT 2

        Mark Windham, Ph.D., Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

        Back to the Future: The Garden at Hidcote

        Glyn Jones, Garden & Countryside Manager, Hidcote Manor Garden, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, UK

        CEU ISA NOFA

        View from the Top: Understanding Forests Around the World from a Canopy Perspective

        Nalini Nadkarni, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

        11:00 a.m. -12N

        What’s Ahead in Insect Pest Management

        CEU

        ISA NE NJ NOFA PA

        Richard Casagrande, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

        11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

        Aesthetic Edibles: Mixing Beauty with Utility » HANDOUT Christina Salwitz, Owner, The Personal Garden Coach, Renton, WA

        2:00 p.m. –

        3:00 p.m.

        Beneficials & Pesticides: Working Together

        CEU

        ISA NE NJ PA

        Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting, Slatington, PA

         

        CEU ISA NOFA

        Simple Rules for Pruning Fruit Trees » HANDOUT

        Wes Autio, Professor and Director of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        30 Years of New Plant Introductions: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

        Dale Hendricks, Owner, Green Light Plants, LLC, Landenberg, PA

        CEU ISA NOFA

        Living Soil: A Way Forward » HANDOUT

        Dr. Elaine Ingham, President, Soil Foodweb, Inc., Senior Consultant, Soil Life Consultants, Corvalis, OR

        5:00 p.m.  Exposition Closes

        Friday, February 7

        7:00 a.m. – 3:00

        p.m.

        		 Registration Open
         

        8:00 a.m. – 3:00

        		  

        Exposition Open
        p.m.
        9:00 a.m. – Woody Plant Diseases: What’s Next CEU
        10:00 a.m.                             Gary Moorman, Professor of Plant Pathology, ISA NE NJ NOFA PA

        The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        Celebrating the Layered Garden

        David Culp, Sales & New Plant Research, Sunny Border Nurseries, Downingtown, PA

        Taking Guesswork Out of Running a Successful Landscape Company » HANDOUT

        Mark Bradley, President, TBG Landscape, Landscape Management Network, Brooklin Ontario Canada

        The Role of Deer & Invasive Species in Shaping Forest Ecosystems

        CEU

        ISA NE NJ NOFA PA

        Bernd Blossey, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

        11:00 a.m. –

        12:00 N

         

        Plant Health Care: The Latest Disease Management Strategies

        Sharon Douglas, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist, The

        Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT

        11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

        Gardens of the Jazz Age » HANDOUT

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        Jenny Rose Carey, Director, Ambler Arboretum, Temple University, Ambler, PA

        2:00 p.m. –

        3:00 p.m.

         

        Ecological Pest Management in Turf

        CEU

        NE NJ NOFA PA

        Mary Owen, Extension Turf Specialist & Turf Program Coordinator, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

        Permaculture 101: Creating Landscapes Full of Food & Beauty

        CEU

        ISA LA LD NOFA

        Ethan Roland Solaviev, MS, Principal, Lead Designer, Appleseed Permaculture, Stone Ridge, NY

        Embrace the Vertical: Creating Greenwalls » HANDOUT

        CEU

        LA LD NOFA

        McRae Anderson, Principal Designer and President, McCaren Designs, Inc., St. Paul, MN

        “Treetilization”: A Shared Benefits Approach to Preventing Tree & Power Line Conflicts » HANDOUT

        CEU CTSP ISA

        Will Porter, Director of Consulting, CN Utility Consulting, Sebastopol, CA

        3:00 p.m Conference & Exposition Closes

        Continuing Education Key

        Phone: (860) 642-6012 // Address: 122 Mack Road, Lebanon, CT 06249                                                                                                                                                     Join us from August 7-9, 2015!

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

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        Acts & schedule subject to change without notice

         

        Friday, August 8, 2014

        6-8pm Bella the Clown on the Fairgrounds throughout the night
        6pm-11pm Pony Pull (3 classes) Animal Pull Ring
        6:15-7:30pm DJ Pat Birrell Center Stage
        6:30-7:30pm Kent Axell Magic Upper Stage
        6:30-11pm Redneck Truck Pull Mechanical Pull Ring
        7:30-9pm Miss Lebanon Fair Pageant Center Stage
        9-11pm Jessica Prouty Band Center Stage
        All Night Battery “B” First R.I. Light Artillery Upper Area

         

        6pm                     Opening Ceremony                                Center Stage

         

         

         

         

         

        All Night             Robertson Antique Horse-Drawn Carriages Display

        Arts & Crafts Area

         

        All Night                            Connecticut Blacksmith Guild                            Arts & Crafts Area All Night                            Sickline Chainsaw Carving                            Arts & Crafts Area All Night                            Bergeron Art                            Exhibition Building

        All Night             Sugar Maple Farms                 Exhibition Building

         

         

         

        Saturday, August 9, 2014

        All Day                Battery “B” First R.I. Light Artillery  Upper Area

         

        All Day Robertson Antique Horse-Drawn Carriages Display Arts & Crafts Area
        All Day Sickline Chainsaw Carving Arts & Crafts Area
        All Day Bergeron Art Exhibition Building
        All Day Sugar Maple Farms Exhibition Building
        9am Poultry & Rabbit Judging Animal Barn
        9-10am Pig Scramble Registration Mechanical Pull Arena
        8:30am Dairy Show Show Ring
        10-11am Pig Scramble Mechanical Pull Arena
        10am-2pm Sheep Breed Judging Animal Barn
        10am-3pm Yankee Fiber Friends Arts & Crafts Area
        10am-6pm Oxen Pull Animal Pull Ring
        11am-12pm Little Miss Lebanon Fair Pageant Center Stage

        Appendix

        11am-1pm Trained Steers Mechanical Pull Arena
        12-1pm Kids’ Games and Adult Games Center Stage
        12-1pm Fun with Rhythms Upper Stage
         

        12-4pm

        		  

        Bella the Clown

        		 on the Fairgrounds throughout the day
        1-2pm Kent Axell Magic Upper Stage
        1-4pm Run for Cover (Cover Band) Center Stage
        1-5pm Horseshoe Tournament Horseshoe Area
        2-3pm Turtle Dance Music Upper Stage
        2-5pm Sheep Showmanship Show Animal Barn
        3-4pm Kent Axell Magic Upper Stage
        4-6pm King Cake Band (Blues Band) Center Stage
        6-7pm Luis Pabon Dancers Center Stage
        6-8pm Broken “B” Rodeo Mechanical Pull Arena
        6:30-10pm Horse Pull (2 classes together) Animal Pull Ring
        7-9pm Katie Perkins Band Center Stage
        9-11pm Monthei Brothers Band Center Stage

        Sunday, August 10, 2014

        All Day                Battery “B” First R.I. Light Artillery                            Upper Area

         

        All Day               Robertson Antique Horse-Drawn Carriages Display

        Arts & Crafts Area

         

        All Day                Sickline Chainsaw Carving                            Lower Level by Main

        Entrance

        All Day                Bergeron Art                            Exhibition Building

        All Day                Sugar Maple Farms                 Exhibition Building

        8:30am               Beef Show                            Show Ring

        9-10am                            Pig Scramble Registration                            Mechanical Pull Arena 9am-1pm                    Goat Judging                            Animal Barn

        9am-4pm Horse Show Horse Ring 9am-4pm Four Seasons Model T Club Upper Level

        10-11am            Pig Scramble                            Mechanical Pull Arena

        10am-3pm                            Yankee Fiber Friends                            Arts & Crafts Area 11am-12:45pm Old Fiddler’s Club of R.I.                            Center Stage 11am-1pm                            Sheep Obstacle Course                            Animal Barn 11am-4pm                            Doodlebug Pull                            Animal Pull Ring

        • pm Silly Sing-a-Long                    Upper Stage

        12-4pm Bella the Clown on the Fairgrounds throughout the day

        • pm Kent Axell Magic Upper Stage
        • pm BSides Band Center Stage

        1-5pm                  Lebanon Farmer’s Market                            Lower Level by Main

        Entrance

        1-5pm                  Horseshoe Tournament      Horseshoe Area

        2-3pm Bending Gravity Upper Stage
        3-4pm Curious Creatures Upper Stage
        3-6pm The King Pins Center Stage
        4-5pm Kent Axell Magic Upper Stage
        4-9pm Demolition Derby Mechanical Pull Arena
        6-9pm Branded (Country Band) Center Stage

        UPDATES & ANNOUCMENTS

        Thank you for another great year

        Thank you to all who came out for the Lebanon Country Fair this year. The weather couldn’t have been better! Hope you see on August 7-9, 2015!

        Demolition Derby is underway

        Don’t miss the action in the mechanical pull area!

        Horseshoes

        Catch the competition in the horseshoe pit

        WHERE TO FIND US

        122 MACK ROAD, LEBANON, CONNECTICUT

        Most Lebanon Country Fairgoers enjoy the country ride to the Fairgrounds, located on Mack Road in Lebanon, Connecticut. Mack Road is accessible by either Route 87 or Route 207.

        FACEBOOK FEED

        Lebanon Lions, thank you for a terrific fair this year. Great Weather and you all worked so hard. Our community is fortunate that you are all so generous with your time. Thank you.

        UCONN UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

        College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

        Cornucopiafest 2014

        Sunday, September 21, 2014

        Scheduled activities and events

        All Day Exhibits Scheduled Activities and Events Alumni Auction and Sale Family Pictures Directions Exhibits Map Home

        And click here for a list of all-day exhibits and activities in the Ratcliffe Arena and on the lawn areas outside the Young, White and Jones buildings.

        What When Where
        UCANRAA Alumni Sale 11:00 Alumni Sale and Auction Tent

        W.B. Young Building quad

        (Where’s the W.B. Young Building?)
        NEW! Cornucopia 5K, sponsored by UConn’s chapter of the Student American Physical Therapy Association

        Pumpkin painting too!

        		 Registration/check-in opens at 11:00, run begins at 12:00. Intersection of Route 195 and North Eagleville Road.

        Click here to register.
        Live onsite broadcast by WILI 14 AM and I-98 FM 11:00 – 2:00 North entrance to the W.B. Young Building
        Dairy Bar ice cream sales 11:00 – 6:00 Dairy Bar, George White Building

        (Pre-scooped cups of vanilla, chocolate and pumpkin, along with award-winning UConn Creamery cheese, available at the UConn Creamery ice cream stand in the Young Building quad)

        (Where’s the George White Building?)
        Lunch! Lizzie’s Curbside Cuisine Corn chowder, burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, hummus wraps, chicken salad wraps. Coffee and hot chocolate

        too.

        		 Starting at 11:00 North entrance to the W.B. Young Building
         

        Meet the UConn Morgans

        		  

        11:00 – 11:30

        		 Arthur L. Lorentzon Stables/”Horse Barn” (Where are the Arthur L. Lorentzon Stables?)
        Hayrides 11:15 – 3:30 Starts at the Roy E. Jones Building entrance (Where’s the Roy E. Jones Building?)
        Lunch! The Connecticut Poultry Association will offer a BBQ: 1/2 grilled chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, roll, butter & drink for

        $10.00

        		 About 11:30 until it’s gone! Ratcliffe Hicks Arena parking lot
        Tour the state-of-the-art, large-scale UConn Compost Facility. Meet at 11:45

        Bus will depart at 12:00. Visitors will return

        between 1:15 and 1:30

        		 Meet at 11:45 at the Ornamental and Crop Plants sign inside the Ratcliffe Hicks Arena. Visitors will take a bus to the compost facility

        and return by bus after the tour.
        NEW! Cornucopia 5K, sponsored by UConn’s chapter of the Student American Physical Therapy Association

        Pumpkin painting too!

        		 Run begins at 12:00 Intersection of Route 195 and North Eagleville Road.

        Click here to register.

         

        Riverside Reptiles: Explore the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians! Learn about their natural history and the importance of their conservation. You’ll meet some local scaly friends along

        with some from faraway lands.

        		 12:00 – 1:00 The Environment, Land use and Wildlife tents
        Guided hike in the UConn Forest Approximately 2 hours, guided by faculty members from the Department of Natural Resources and the

        Environment

        		 Meet at 12:15

        Bus will depart at 12:30 Hikers will return about 2:30

        		 Meet at 12:15 at the Environment, Land Use and Wildlife sign, at the north end of the W.B Young parking lot. Hikers will take a short bus ride to the forest entry and will be picked up at the end of the hike.
        UCANRAA Auction 1:00 Alumni Sale and Auction Tent

        W.B. Young Building quad
        UConn Morgan Drill Team demonstration 1:00 – 1:15 Horsebarn Hill Arena (Where’s the Horsebarn Hill Arena?)
        UConn Police K-9 demonstration

         

        Officer Paul Osella and Hagar

        		 1:30 Baseball field adjacent to Young Building parking lot
        Cornucopia Cup polo match, played by members of the UConn men’s and women’s polo teams 2:00 Horsebarn Hill Arena (Where’s the Horsebarn Hill Arena?)

        You can walk or catch a hayride to get to the polo match, but hayrides will end before the match ends).

        Please note that Horsebarn Hill will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10:45 a.m. until 4:00

        p.m.
        Drawing for Cornucopia Challenge prizes and the Emotion Darter kayak

        (You need not be present to win)

        		 4:00 Communications Tent

        3/12/2014 – Hamden’s 2014 Earth Day Celebration will be Saturday, April 12th

        HAMDEN’s Earth Day Celebration

        April 12th, 2014, from 10am – 3pm

        Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Avenue

        FREE ADMISSION GIVEAWAYS GALORE FREE ACTIVITIES

        SAVE THE DATE

        Hamden’s 2014 Earth Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 12th from 10am – 3pm at the Hamden Middle School located at 2623 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. This year’s family oriented free celebration will feature more than 60 exhibitors promoting earth friendly services, products and organizations, food, music, free activities including face painting, woodworking projects, suncatchers, planting and collaging, frog thumbprints, a scavenger hunt (complete it and win a prize), a coloring contest, a book mark craft, making wind chimes and forest creatures out of recyclables, creative reuse paper and fabric from scrap, and other fun and games. Don’t miss a pre-event bird walk at 8am (for details call Florence McBride at 203-288-6777), C.J. May’s magic show at 11am, Orchid Awards at noon, Trash to Tunes Performance at 1:00pm. Also on site all day is Circle K’s petting zoo, hands-on reptiles by Hamden High School, the CT Child Identification Program by Brothers of Cosmopolitan & Day Spring Lodges, and video and book reading of Don Madden’s Wartville Wizard put on by CT Humanities. Free raffle for a children’s bike and helmet ($300 Value) donated by D’Aniello’s Amity Bike. Bring cell phones, ink cartridges, eyeglasses and batteries for recycling. Bring your expired, unused, and/or unwanted medication for free, confidential and safe disposal. Principal Sponsors are Walmart, Covanta Energy for a Clean World, Dexsil, New England Conservation Commission, and Home Depot of Hamden. For more information, contact Pamela Roach at Proach@Hamden.com or 203-287-7021.

        Plant Science Day

        Wednesday, August 6, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

        Free Admission

        The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Lockwood Farm • 890 Evergreen Avenue, Hamden, CT New Haven: (203) 974-8500 • Toll-free statewide: (877) 855-2237 www.ct.gov/caes • www.ct.gov/caes/psd14

        THE SAMUEL W. JOHNSON LECTURE • PRESENTATIONS ON RESEARCH • BARN EXHIBITS • PESTICIDE CREDITS FIELD EXPERIMENTS • TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATIONS CENTURY FARM AWARD • PASSPORT FOR CHILDREN

        THE HONORABLE DANNEL P. MALLOY

        Governor, State of Connecticut President, CAES Board of Control

        MAIN TENT 11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

        THE SAMUEL W. JOHNSON MEMORIAL LECTURE

        DR. MIKE HOFFMANN

        Climate Change and Agriculture: No Longer Business as Usual

        Director, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Professor, Department of Entomology

        Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

        MAIN TENT 10:45 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

        Appendix F

        Main Tent Talks

        10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

        Dr. Theodore G. Andreadis, Director

        The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Morning Greeting and Opening Remarks

        10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

        Dr. Jeffrey S. Ward, Station Forester and Chief Scientist Department of Forestry and Horticulture

        Managing the Roadside Forest: Balancing Aesthetics with Utility Reliability

        10:45 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

        The Samuel W. Johnson Memorial Lecture Dr. Mike Hoffmann

        Director, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Professor, Department of Entomology

        Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

        Climate Change and Agriculture: No Longer Business as Usual

        11:20 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

        Century Farm Award Holdridge Farm Nursery

        11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

        Experiment Station Associates

        Mr. Will Rowlands, President, Experiment Station Associates

        11:50 a.m.- 12:10 p.m.

        The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy, Governor, State of Connecticut President, CAES Board of Control

        1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

        Dr. Wade H. Elmer, Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology Nanoparticles in Agriculture

        2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

        Dr. Kimberly A. Stoner, Entomologist, Department of Entomology Honeybees and Bumble Bees – Their Problems, And What You Can Do to Help

        Technical Demonstrations (Plot 15)

        10:15 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. & 2:45 p.m – 3:10 p.m.

        Dr. Abigail A. Maynard, Horticulturist, Department of Forestry and Horticulture Compost: How to Make and Use in Your Garden

        11:20 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. & 3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

        Dr. Todd L. Mervosh, Weed Scientist, Valley Laboratory Common Garden Weeds

        Tours

        Pesticide Credit Tour 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

        For those requesting pesticide credits, attendees must sign up

        before 10 a.m. at the registration table.

        Tour of Native Woody Shrubs (Plot 42) 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

        Learn about using native shrubs for naturalistic landscapes without the use of pesticides or fertilizers.

        Bird and Butterfly Garden Butterfly Identification Walk (Plot 43) On the hour, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

        We ask that children be supervised by an adult or employee in the bird and butterfly garden.

        Bus Tour

        Every half hour, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

        Air conditioned bus tour around the farm, narrated by Dr. Neil McHale and Dr. Richard Peterson. You can be dropped off at any plot and picked up the next time around if requested.

        Barn Exhibits (Barn B)

        Food Safety Surveillance and Research

        Oral Bio-accessibility of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fuel Soot Accessed by a Simulated

        Gastrointestinal Digestion Model

        Maternal Lineages of Honey Bees in Connecticut

        2013 Emergence of Periodical Cicadas

        The New Crops Program – Creating Opportunities

        for Connecticut’s Farmers

        Environmental Impact on Winegrape Production in Connecticut

        Other Highlights

        Answers to Your Questions – Plot 17

        Staff members answer your questions on identification of insects, plant disorders, soils and their management, and other problems of gardens and growers.

        Kids’ Korner – Plot 26

        Come to the Kids’ Korner plot to pick up your child’s

        passport and a goody bag.

        Self-Guided Activity for Children, including Girl Scouts – Plot 25

        Girl scouts and older children should come to this station to pick up an activity that is better suited to them than the passport. Once completed and turned in they will receive a CAES badge. Girl Scouts who complete the activity can use it to complete steps towards their Naturalist Legacy badge. Younger children who have completed their passports should come here to

        receive their badges as well.

        Call for Speakers

        Expo & More!

        EXPO Overview

        Floorplan and Exhibitor Search Sprint Sessions on the Expo Floor Learning Opportunities

        Network & Exhibitor Meetings Network Central

        Dining options Sponsors

        Register

        Attendee Registration Overview

        Attendee Registration (available fall 2014)

        FAQs

        First Timer Tips

        Plan Your Visit

        Hotel Reservations Travel & Parking

        “Grows After Dark” Socializing Directions

        Comm Ground Stage – Sprint Session Schedule

        Rapid-fire, information-packed Sprint Sessions

        Presented by Extension personnel, leading supplier, and other industry experts

        Offered in 15-minute bursts on the Common Ground stage, located in the center of the Expo Floor

        Wednesday, February 5

        Ticks: New Disease Problems and What You Need to Know

        Margaret Hagen, University of New Hampshire

        New England states have among the highest rates of Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. You can greatly decrease your risk of contracting these diseases. Learn how they are transmitted and how to protect yourself.

        12:00 noon

        Knowing the Ropes: Choosing & Using the Knots

        Ken Palmer, ArborMaster, Inc.

        The history and development of tree climbing and rigging techniques are directly related to technology in rope equipment design, manufacture, and fabrication. Learn why understanding the physics behind climbing and rigging knots will ensure wise choices on the job site.

        12:30 p.m.

        Do Your Customers’ Pollinator Gardens Provide the Best Bee Resources?

        Dr. Lois Berg Stack, University of Maine

        Many pollinator-preference plant lists are based on studies and observations conducted in very diverse locations. Local data, matching locally adapted plants with our regionally native bees, make all the difference. Results of our multi-year study of bee preferences can help you and your customers succeed.

        1:00 p.m.

        Keeping Bees Healthy

        Noah Wilson-Rich, Ph.D., Urban Beekeeping Lab/Bee Sanctuary, The Best Bees Company

        Honeybees are vitally important pollinators of more than 130 crops and they are dying. Learn the latest about what may be killing our bees and what you can do to help keep them healthy.

        1:30 p.m.

        Pollinators’ Favorite Plants at the URI Botanical Gardens

        Gabrielle Torphy, University of Rhode Island

        Discover what plants pollinators prefer at the URI Botanical Gardens.

        2:00 p.m.

        Ergonomics & Rejuvenation Stretching

        Jeff Spratt, NCLMT, Spratt Muscular Therapies, LLC

        Reclaim your advantage! Learn an easy rejuvenation exercise series design to invigorate and prepare your body for the physical work that comes with being a green industry professional.

        2:30 p.m.

        Problems on Spruce and White Fir – Needlecasts and Needle Blights

        Dr. Cheryl Smith, University of New Hampshire

        Have you seen spruce declining in recent years? Learn what needle diseases have been occurring on spruce & white fir in New England and explore management options.

        3:30 p.m.

        Rhythm Room Live!

        The energy and power of percussion, dynamic vocals and a few surprise instruments create an explosive, captivating experience that will stick with you long after it’s over!

        Thursday, February 6

        9:30 a.m.

        Motorcycles and Trees

        Dennis Ryan, University of Massachusetts

        Working in the tree care industry is like riding a motorcycle. Both tree care professionals and motorcyclists face risks that other people do not live with – and both reap rewards that many people might not understand. Learn why safety professionals recommend two key points for both: ATGATT and situational awareness.

        10:00 a.m.

        Emerging Trends in Synthetic Grass: Backyard Putting Greens

        Karen Moulton, TM Turfscapes

        Learn to easily expand your business, gain a competitive edge, and grow sales with SYNLawn, the world’s leader in high-performance artificial turf. See how you can use existing crews and equipment to deliver professional and custom synthetic putting greens wherever your clients want them – backyards, roofs, poolside or patios.

        10:30 a.m.

        Invasive Plants – Management and Alternatives

        Donna Ellis, University of Connecticut

        Invasive species can outcompete desirable plants in landscapes. Learn about invasive plant management options and replacement plants that can be used as alternatives.

        11:00 a.m.

        Quick 2D and 3D Landscape Design

        Eric Gilbey, Vectorworks Landmark Software

        Join us for a lively demonstration of how to create 2D/3D landscape plans using Vectorworks Landmark Software. See how easy it is to take imported plot plans and create rendered 2D landscape plans and amazing photorealistic 3D models and walkthroughs, allowing you to more fully express the ideas you have for your client’s site.

        11:30 a.m.

        Wilt Based Irrigation of Turf

        Jason Lanier, University of Massachusetts

        Long-standing recommendations call for irrigation events to be deep and infrequent to encourage deeply rooted, resilient turf. Wilt-based irrigation scheduling offers a simple timing mechanism for the practice of deep and infrequent irrigation. Allowing for mild drought stress enables water conservation and promotes drought resistance and cold tolerance in turf.

        12:00 noon

        Arborist Climbing Knots & Hitches

        Ken Palmer, ArborMaster, Inc.

        Learn eight of the most useful climbing knots and their best job site applications. Gather around the MAA Learning Hub immediately following this talk for hands on instructions and a head-to-head knot tying competition.

        12:30 p.m.

        Elongate Hemlock Scale: A Major Problem for True Fir

        Nick Brazee, University of Massachusetts

        The non-native elongate hemlock scale is also a serious pest of true fir (Abies spp.). Symptoms can go unnoticed until the infestation is severe, leading to early needle drop and branch dieback. The stress facilitates infection by opportunistic pathogens, makes trees more susceptible to drought stress and detracts from their aesthetic appearance.

        1:00 p.m.

        POS Systems: Boon or Brainwash?

        John Deery, J.D. Associates, Inc.

        Can a Point of Sale system really pay for itself? A no holds-barred look at the numbers. Learn how to see clearly which numbers are crucial to increasing your profit; analyze how fast a POS system will pay for itself; and identify the many “extras” in a POS system. Learn the facts and decide if a POS system is the right retail technology for your garden center.

        1:30 p.m.

        Making a Wildflower Meadow

        Amy Papineau, University of New Hampshire

        Wildflower meadows provide food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Learn what it takes to create a perennial meadow with native wildflowers and grasses. We’ll discuss site preparation and species selection for season-long diversity in colors, textures, and heights.

        2:00 p.m.

        Urban Beekeeping & Your Business: How to Build Your Sustainability Brand

        Noah Wilson-Rich, Ph.D., Urban Beekeeping Lab/Bee Sanctuary, The Best Bees Company

        Today’s competitive market is forcing green businesses and institutions to go even further to prove their sustainability record. Learn how beekeeping is helping some well-known New England brands and how it can helps yours, too

        Friday, February 7

        9:30 a.m.

        Diagnosing Phytophthora Diseases in the Landscape and Nursery

        Heather Faubert, University of Rhode Island

        View images of Phytophthora-infested plants and learn how to diagnose this disease with immunostrips.

        10:00 a.m.

        Ergonomics & Rejuvenation Stretching

        Jack Spratt, NCLMT, Spratt Muscular Therapies, LLC

        Working in the green industry presents a lot of challenges including the risk of injury. Take away useful techniques to help lower stress and strain caused by overuse and repetitive movement.

        10:30 a.m.

        The Economics of Alternative Nursery Production Methods

        Dan Lass, University of Massachusetts

        The costs, returns and risks of three different nursery production methods, field grown, pot-in-pot, and fabric containers, are compared for river birch and swamp white oak production.

        11:00 a.m.

        MNLA’s 15 Favorite Apps for the Green Industry

        Chris Kennedy, MCH, Kennedy’s Country Gardens

        So many apps – so little time! We polled green industry colleagues across the region to discover the mobile apps they’re using every day and how they make their jobs easier. Find out which apps made the list and why.

        11:30 a.m.

        How Tree Production Systems Affect Root Structure and Transplant Success

        Dr. Cathy Neal, University of New Hampshire

        We have examined hundreds of tree root systems produced in plastic and fabric containers, and compared them to field grown B&B plants. Anyone who purchases, plants and/or maintains landscape trees should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of each product and how it should be prepared for transplanting.

        12:00 noon

        Arborist Rigging Knots & Hitches

        Ken Palmer, ArborMaster, Inc.

        Learn eight of the most useful rigging knots and their best job site applications. Gather around the MAA Learning Hub immediately following this talk for hands on instruction and a head-to-head knot tying competition.

        12:30 p.m.

        Pruning Trees and Shrubs

        Geoffrey Njue, University of Massachusetts

        Pruning is a common need, particularly with young trees, and it is the most common cultural practice performed on trees. Pruning is also the practice that can do the most harm, if performed incorrectly. Learn when to prune and how to apply proper pruning methods for trees and shrubs.

        Together we can help make Glastonbury a more beautiful, greener place to live.

        Invasives

        Invasive Plants Journal: Battling Invasives

        Our 2nd Successful Work Day!

        More than 40 bittersweet battlers turned out on October 25, 2014 to enjoy great fall weather and to clear an area next to the 2013 parcel at Riverfront Park that was threatened by invasive plants. Within a few hours, the several-acre site along the walking path to Main Street was cleared of hundreds of tangled and matted bittersweet vines leaving the Town crew to treat the cut vines to prevent resprouting. Afterwards, a number of resolute volunteers continued down to the riverfront trail near a secluded picnic table to cut new bittersweet vine growth that has reappeared since last years Save-a-Tree day.

        Everyone felt good about their contribution to bringing back the natural beauty of the park. The trees and natural habitat will now flourish providing us with their beauty. It was a very satisfying morning well spent.

        Contributing to the success of the event was Greg Foran and the Glastonbury Parks and Recreation Department team. From planning, to site preparation, to debris cleanup, Glastonbury Partners in Planting couldn’t ask for better partners.

        GPIP will be restoring the cleared parcels with native plants in the near future.

        Ferry Landing Park saw more than its usual early morning joggers in early June.

        Fifteen devoted battling invasives volunteers, armed with loppers and pruning shears, cut massive amounts of bittersweet vines growing at the park. Looking at the many debris piles left on the side of the ½ mile path, it was estimated that nearly 100 tall, stately trees were saved from the terrorist bittersweet vines!

        Oriental Bittersweet

        At a recent board meeting it was decided that GPIP would like to take a leading role in an initiative to battle the invasive and prolific oriental bittersweet that threatens all of Glastonbury’s parks and forests as well as many backyards. We have put together a mission and purpose that includes community-wide partnerships, educational outreach, hands-on remediation projects and continuous learning and research.

        Our Battling Bittersweet Work Day at Riverfront Park on September 28th was a huge success thanks to the nearly 75 intrepid volunteers who worked throughout the day cutting away the strangling bittersweet vines and removing the multi-flora rose. What was once a dense jungle is now open space for trees and native understory to flourish.

        Before

        Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plant Early Detection List

        These plants are known to be invasive or potentially invasive in Connecticut and are on Connecticut’s list of Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plants. They are known to be present only in relatively low numbers at limited locations in Connecticut. These species should be considered for control and eradication efforts in the state when resources are available. See the CT Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plant list for synonyms and full nomenclatural information.

        If you find these species: Report your findings immediately to the CT Invasive Plant Coordinator at reportinvasives@uconn.edu. Aquatic species reports will be forwarded to DEEP. Be sure to include as much detail as you are able (attach photographs if possible) and provide your contact information. You may also report these and other species online at www.EDDMapS.org.

        EDDMapS is an online mapping program that can be used to track invasive plants.

        Scientific Name Common Name CT Inv. status Present in CT?*
        Arthraxon hispidus Hairy jointgrass Pot. Inv. Yes

        Present in SE CT. Invader of moist sunny fields and open areas. Only one CT site known.

        Butomus umbellatus                             Flowering rush                                       Pot. Inv.                                         Yes Present in north central and south central CT. Perennial aquatic plant. Freshwater shorelines.

         

        Egeria densa                           Brazilian water-weed                                                  Pot. Inv.                                                  Yes

        Found in various locations in CT. Submersed perennial plant.

        Impatiens glandulifera         Ornamental jewelweed                                                  Pot. Inv.                                                  Yes

        Eastern CT. Herbaceous annual. Moist areas, roadsides. Limited distribution.

        Senecio jacobaea                   Tansy ragwort                                     Pot. Inv.                                            No

        Not currently known in CT. Herbaceous plant. Roadsides, river edges, disturbed sites.

        *Present in Connecticut means listed as occurring in the state by the Flora Novae Angliae by Arthur Haines or a documented occurrence recorded with the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) or the George Safford Torrey Herbarium (CONN) at the University of Connecticut. Plants do not need to be present in Connecticut prior to being listed on the state’s invasive or potentially invasive plant lists.

        Research List

        This is a list of plants about which more information is desired. This is not a regulatory list or an invasive plant list. Plants are not necessarily listed here prior to inclusion on an invasive plant list. Rather, more information about these plants and their occurrence in the state is desired and current records are limited. The Invasive Plants Council is the body responsible for the Invasive Plant List under CT General Statutes Sec. 22a-381b. To request a species be examined by the Invasive Plants Council, fill out the “Guidelines for submitting a Candidate Species for Council Review” document available on the IPC website at http://cipwg.uconn.edu/criteria-for- listing/.

        If you find these species: Report your findings online at www.EDDMapS.org.

        Scientific Name Common Name CT Inv. status Present in CT?*
        Actinidia arguta Hardy Kiwi Not listed Yes

        This plant was discussed by the CT Invasive Plants Council in 2010. No IPC action was taken. Plants may not be producing viable seeds and may not be spreading to new areas. DOT controlled plants at a site in west central CT where this plant was reported.

        Anthriscus sylvestris           Wild Chervil                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to Europe. Reported to be spreading in CT and throughout New England.

         

        Eragrostis curvula               Weeping lovegrass                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to Africa. Found in southern New England.

        Kummerowia striata          Japanese clover                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to eastern Asia. Found in southern New England.

         

        Ludwigia peploides ssp. glabrescens Fltng. primrose-willow Not listed                                                                                                     No

        Native elsewhere in US but not native in CT.

        Phellodendron amurense Amur corktree                                                                                                   Not listed                                                                                                    Yes

        Native to eastern Asia. Present in several locations in Connecticut.

        Pyrus calleryana                 Callery pear                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to eastern Asia. Present in several locations, escaping from planted sites.

        Rhodotypos scandens

        Native to Japan.

        		 Jetbead Not listed Yes
        Salix atrocinerea Large gray willow Not listed Yes

        Native to Europe and western Asia. May be confused with other willows.

        Symplocos paniculata       Sapphire-berry                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to China and Japan.

         

        Viburnum dilatatum          Linden arrowwood                                                  Not listed                                                  Yes

        Native to eastern Asia.

        Wisteria floribunda

        and Wisteria sinensis

        These species are sometimes found at old/historic home sites, where they may form dense stands. Evidence of new dispersal is lacking.

        *Present in Connecticut means listed as occurring in the state by the Flora Novae Angliae by Arthur Haines or a documented occurrence recorded with the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) or the George Safford Torrey Herbarium (CONN) at the University of Connecticut.