Presentation by Randy Prostak
UMass Extension Weed Specialist
CIPWG: Invasive Plant Symposium
October 11, 2016

Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG)

– formed in 1999 by the Ad Hoc Native Plant Advisory Committee
– to address the invasive plant issue in MA
– recognized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs as part of the Massachusetts Council on Invasive Species (coordinating mechanism for invasive species management activities within the Massachusetts)

– voluntary collaboration among public and private organizations concerned about the problem of invasive plants in Massachusetts
– eighteen entities are represented
– state and federal governmental agencies
– fish and wildlife
– agriculture
– natural resources
– horticulture industry (MNLA, NENA, ANLA)
– academic science institutions
– conservation organizations
– land management
– non-profit

 

To evaluate plants for invasiveness:

Step 1. MIPAG worked Les Mehrhoff, UConn
– to adopt definitions
* Native and non-native species
* Minimally and intensively managed habitats
– create a list of plant to be evaluated
– develop a set of biologically based criteria to be used to evaluate invasiveness

Step 2. MIPAG contracted with Les Mehrhoff
– to gather data about selected species
– help assess which currently are invasive or have the potential to become problematic

Step 3. Ongoing evaluation of new species and update old

85 species were evaluated and identified as Invasive, Likely Invasive, or Potentially Invasive. Species in which sufficient information or evidence is currently lacking for an adequate evaluation were designated as Do not list at this time. An annotated list of all species evaluated was developed.

Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group: massnrc.org/mipag

Web search: Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List MA General Law Chapter 128 Sec. 2 & 16 – 31A

MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), worked with the MA Nursery and Landscape Association
– effective January 1, 2006 – limited to the importation, sale, trade, and distribution and does not impact existing plantings
– provides a “phase-out” exception to minimize financial impacts on MA ornamental nursery industry
– “No-exception species”

Importation Ban & Propagation Ban – January 1, 2006

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List MA General Law Chapter 128 Sec. 2 & 16 – 31a

Sterile cultivar issue:
remains OPEN, subcommittee currently working

Massachusetts Nursery Industry Response:
– propagating and/or selling new species
– promoting environment responsibility

MIPAG developed and outlined invasive-plant management objectives form the Commonwealth in Strategic Recommendations for Managing Invasive Plants in Massachusetts.

-development of early detection and rapid response system

-research, management and education priorities

massnrc.org/mipag then click on “Publications”

Guidance for the Effective Management of Invasive Plants