**DRAFT – THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED**

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Attendees: Victoria Wallace (UConn), Jatinder Aulakh (CAES), Bill Moorhead (CT DEEP), Bryan Connolly (IPANE), Dustyn Nelson (Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association), Denise Savageau (non-profit environment association), Chris Valley (Prides Corner), Constance Trolle (Bantam Lake Association), Alice Colman (CT DoAg)

Absent: none

Non-voting attendees: Lauren Kurtz (Invasive Species Outreach Specialist – UConn), Alyssa Siegel-Miles (Program Assistant – UConn), Rose Hiskes (CAES, CIPWG), Brad Weeks (CNLA)

A. Call to order

Victoria Wallace called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.

B. Approval of Minutes: June 18, 2025, 2-4 pm

• D. Savageau calls motion, C. Trolle seconds, Motion passes

C. Updates from Council members

C. Trolle: Reported significant blue-green algae issues at Bantam Lake in summer 2025. The hydrogen peroxide treatment this year worked well early in the season, but the algae returned in late August. Other aquatic weed control was limited due to delayed permitting. Milfoil and fanwort infestations increased. Ongoing discussion on wake-surfing impacts—potential correlation between wake activity stirring up the sediment and cyanobacteria blooms in shallow lake.

J. Aulakh: No report.

D. Savageau: Significant legislation passed last year around resiliency, nature-based solutions, and riparian buffers. Work groups are addressing forest health and invasive species management. Public hearings may occur on these reports; input on invasive species management may be needed.

B. Connolly: Rediscovered Epilobium palustre (rare native species) in Connecticut during Fen survey. Farmington River Watershed Association Projects: Surveyed areas where winged euonymus and barberry were removed. Significantly more plant diversity (both native and non-native) where invasives were removed. Flood plain Site has at least 3 endangered species. Noticed winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei) common as seedlings under Japanese barberry. Sapphire berry fairly common on floodplain with good established stands. Report will be made public once completed. Mile-a-minute removal conducted in Hampton along a DOT bridge building and revegetation project. Concerned citizen noticed the mile a minute this summer among the trees planted by DOT contractors. Some light weevil damage (biocontrol) was observed but hand pulling was conducted for better control as early detection, rapid response.

B. Moorhead: Reported on the East Twin Lake hydrilla treatment. Three connected lakes: East Twin, Middle Twin, and West Twin (hydrilla only in East Twin as far as known). Treatment succeeded in removing hydrilla but inadvertently eradicated the state-listed plant Bidens beckii. Cause under investigation, unclear whether due to treatment plan failure or application error. Surveys still needed for deep water hydrilla (20+ feet deep)

C. Valley: Spoke with Dr. Mark Brand (UConn) about his willingness to speak to lawmakers/Invasive Plants Council about his work breeding sterile cultivars of barberry. Spoke with Tim Wood (Spring Meadow Nursery) about Midwest working group activities (discussed later under old business).

A Colman: Announced that DOAG is rehiring a position focused on farmland restoration and climate resiliency, previously held by Eileen former IPC DOAg representative.

D. Nelson: Reported on meeting with DOAG, the Agricultural Experiment Station (discussed later under old business), and CNLA regarding enforcement challenges and sterile cultivar discussions. Identified need for DEEP capacity to assist with enforcement of invasive plants sales. Shared anecdotal success treating hydrilla at Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton with Sonar herbicide.

V. Wallace: Announced the Native Plant and Pollinator Conference scheduled for November 13, 2025. Noted funding updates for Lauren Kurtz (Invasive Plant Outreach Specialist) ends November 5, 2025, but she will continue some invasive plant coordination through funding provided the UConn Home & Garden Center and external grants. UConn leadership changes: Interim department head in place for Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and interim CAHNR dean in place. Search for Dean of CAHNR and search for Department of Extension department head are active. Extension staff updating fact sheets and websites to be ADA compliant.

D. Old Business

Sterile Cultivar/Enforcement Discussion:
Lauren summarized the September 2025 meeting with CAES Jacob Ricker – State Plant Regulatory Official/Entomologist, DOAG Kayleigh Royston – Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Kate Nelson – Supervisor, Agricultural Commodities Division; Seed Control Official, Dustyn Nelson– IPC, Vickie Wallace – IPC, Lauren, and Alyssa regarding potential frameworks if sterile cultivar exemptions were legislated for horticulturally important plants given 3-5 year phase out. CAES would require statutory expansion and resources for enforcement. DOAG lacks capacity and would oppose additional enforcement duties without funding. DEEP was identified as the most likely agency to oversee enforcement if legislation moved forward. DEEP contacts identified as Megan Andrews – Legislative liaison, Harrison Nantz – Deputy Chief of Staff, Mason Trumble – Deputy Commissioner, and Eric Hammerling Commissioners Office for inclusion in future conversations on this issue. This discussion involves both potential enforcement of sterile cultivar exemptions and existing invasive species statutes (currently no enforcement).

CIPWG Subcommittee Update (Alyssa & Rose):

The CIPWG Steering Committee voted not to support exemptions for sterile cultivars. Concerns included enforcement, potential contradictions with CIPWG’s mission, and difficulty distinguishing sterile from fertile varieties.

E. New Business

• Spring Meadow Nursery Letter Letter received from Spring Meadow Nursery sent to IPC chair, requesting a cultivar exemption for Rhamnus frangula ‘Ron Williams’ Fine Line. The letter refers to a UConn research paper on the fertility of Fine Line, which was greatly reduced compared to a fully fertile control. The letter provides background information on other commercially available low fertility, less invasive cultivars and how they are developed by plant breeders. C. Valley Noted this is rarely found for sale in Connecticut; not popular; not a priority concern.

C. Valley: the Sterile Japanese barberry cultivars marketed under the national “Worry Free” brand is owned and sold by Prides Corner and other East Coast growers. Contractually must be sold in branded “Worry Free” pots. Pride’s Corner discontinued growing fertile Crimson Pygmy years ago in favor of sterile varieties, developed at UConn by Dr. Mark Brand. Crimson Cutie can be distinguished from other cultivars of Japanese barberry, by trained persons with botanical/horticultural background. Chris noted, Connecticut growers have largely stopped growing fertile varieties, but nurseries are still buying them from out of state. Prides Corner ships “Worry Free” barberry out of state to Pennsylvania. Japanese barberry has average sales but fills a niche in landscapes (deer-resistant, full sun, drought-tolerant).

B Connolly: Discussion points about identifying sterile cultivars vs nonsterile cultivars of Japanese barberry. Genetic fingerprinting research in the form of AFLPs from Dr. Brand’s lab was mentioned as a possible identification method. The group expressed concern that genetic fingerprinting coming from lab that developed the sterile cultivars may be questioned.    

C. Valley: confirmed Pride’s Corner is not growing newly released, Fireball Seedless winged euonymus from Proven Winners. Burning bush has “bad rap” so anything burning bush-related would look bad. Other in-state garden centers have grown and sold Fireball. Excited to see burning bush finally getting banned. Chris expressed frustration that Connecticut growers follow rules, but out-of-state suppliers ship banned plants into the state. Concern about lack of enforcement allowing this to continue.

V. Wallace: Presented data from a survey completed by the UConn team, of CNLA about their preferences relating to the sale of invasive plants. Survey was conducted in January 2024-February 2025. This was a follow-up of a 2007 survey done by Dr. Mark Brand with some updated questions. Highlighted results include: a decline in the sale of several invasive plants and continued support of the sale and research for the development of sterile cultivars of invasive plants.

Discussion about enforcement

B. Moorhead: Need to determine how to work with Conservation Officers to enforce invasive plant statutes. Funding will be required for an expansion of CO roles.

C. Valley: Suggests a model similar to Proven Winners tip line for reporting violations of sales of unbranded plants.

D. Nelson: if clear enforcement plan, research needs, and funding needs identified, could pursue private/public funding collaboration.

F. Announcements

• Invasive Plant Guide Published by Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District for homeowners updated and completed.

• IPC Chair Position: Vickie has served as chair for 2 years and welcomes any IPC member interested in taking over the role to reach out before the February meeting.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30pm