HEARTLAND CISMA NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS:
1) SAVE THE DATE: Heartland CISMA annual workshop, April 25, 2018. Circle B Bar Reserve. The agenda is set and will include discussion about mapping approaches (always a hot topic), smutgrass treatment in ranchlands, evaluating alternative crop plantings, nonnative animals, and always the popular Garden of Evil and field ID tram tour. Sign up here. This is a day-long, free workshop to learn about a variety of invasive species topics and can earn up to 5 CEUs (details in attached flyer). For more information about previous years' workshops, check out the agendas and talks on the Heartland CISMA Projects page. Don't delay on signing up as this can fill quickly.
2) SAVE THE DATE: West Central Working Group Ranking Meeting will be Tuesday, May 15th starting at 10:00 am at Circle B Bar Reserve 4399 Winter Lake Road Lakeland, FL 33803. APPLICATIONS DUE IN TIERS: Tuesday May 8th by 5:00pm. For more information, check the previous email I sent you, or ask me to resend. Don't delay and don't miss out on getting your invasive plant treatment project in to apply for FWC treatment work on public conservation lands.
3) SAVE THE DATE: Heartland CISMA/Forest Stewardship Program workshop, Thursday, September 20, 2018, at the Okeechobee IFAS Extension office. We are fortunate to have another FSP workshop focusing on invasive species coming our way to help us reach out to the southern part of our CISMA's range. If you'd like to help shape this agenda, contact me or come to our next steering committee meeting (above). We'll have an Eventbrite sign-up, agenda, and CEUs available as we get closer to the date.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
4) The Aquatic Plant Management Society is soliciting proposals for a two-year, $40,000 Graduate Student Research Grant (GSRG). This grant is awarded biannually to provide for a full-time graduate student to conduct research in aquatic plant or algae management techniques, or in aquatic ecology related to the biology or management of regionally or nationally recognized nuisance aquatic vegetation (macrophytes, algae, or cyanobacteria). Applications must be postmarked no later than April 15th, 2018. Please address all inquiries to Mark Heilman at markh@sepro.com
INFORMATION REQUESTED
5) As part of a multi-state grant to collect information on the status of the spotted turtle, FWC is hoping to get observations from the public and have advertised on social media. You could help by posting the attached flyer in appropriate locations. If you have seen spotted turtles, please submit your sightings to spotted.turtle@myfwc.com.
6) This year's Survey of the Most Common and Troublesome Weeds in the U.S. and Canada is NOW AVAILABLE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018weedsurvey
The 2018 survey focuses on weeds in the following 7 areas:
1) Aquatic: irrigation & flood control
2) Aquatic: lakes, rivers, reservoirs
3) Aquatic: ponds
4) Forestry
5) Natural Areas: parks, wildlife refuges
6) Ornamentals: field nursery crops, outdoor containers, Christmas trees
7) Right-of-Ways: railways, roads, public utilities.
If you have questions about the survey, please email Lee at Lee.VanWychen@wssa.net
Past weed survey results are available at: http://wssa.net/wssa/weed/surveys/
WEBINARS, EVENTS
7) Polk County Aquatics and Natural Areas Exam Preps, April 24th. Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aquatics-and-natural-areas-exam-preps-2018-tickets-31510304168
8) Monthly CISMA calls: The next call will be April 25th 1:30-2:30 when there will be an Six Rivers CISMA update and a presentation about the Investigating Risk and Management of Hydrilla Inducing Vacuolar Myelinopathy. Call-in information is sent via the Florida CISMAs list, so if you are not on it, contact the coordinator (coordinator@floridainvasives.org). To watch and listen to the recordings of any past calls, go to: https://www.floridainvasives.org/cismacalls.html
9) The SWFL CISMA Non-Native Fish Round-Up registration is now open! Please visit http://floridainvasives.org/southwest/NonNativeFishRoundup2018/index.cfm/ to learn more about this year's roundup which will be held on 2 weekends: April 27th and May 5th. Registration is FREE, and we welcome anglers of all ages to join in the competition. There will be great prizes for the largest fish, most fish and a Grand Slam. Additionally, there will be a Kids Only Fishing Blitz on location each Saturday. "We will be giving a prize to the CISMA member with the most referrals, so SHARE far and wide!!!"
10) http://www.theledger.com/news/20180329/polk-county-extension-service-plant-sale-to-be-held-april-28
11) Glyphosate, Friend or Foe? Webinar with UF IFAS' Jay Ferrell. Register here for this Wed., April 30th, 3-4;30pm webinar. "Reports about the harmful effects of glyphosate continue to be in the news every couple of years. Whether it is toxicity to frogs, cancer in rats, or potentially carcinogenic effects in humans, this world leading herbicide is commonly discussed. In this presentation we will review the science behind these claims and debunk some of the myths. We will also frame these claims in a proper context to help us understand whether glyphosate is harmful or a useful product for our industry.
12) The Aquatic Weed Control Short Course will be held May 7-10, 2018 in Coral Springs! It is the largest and most inclusive training for Florida Pesticide Licensing and CEUs. Become a more qualified professional, engage with your industry, and network with your peers! The Short Course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. For more information or to register, click here. (Early rate ends Feb. 26).
JOBS
13) Field Technician position to help me manage invasive plants at Avon Park Air Force Range due April 16th. The field technician position will be tasked with a variety of tasks supporting the efforts of the Natural Resources Program by providing support to the Invasive Species Coordinator with their work. Duties may include conducting field surveys, data collection, monitoring, habitat improvement, basic inventory and treatment of invasive flora. This position will be required to conduct pesticide application, mechanical control, use GPS to collect field data and other tasks as assigned. Check out the link below for position details and application instructions. http://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/54779. If applicants have any questions they can contact Sabrina Broderick at WCNR_HR@mail.colostate.edu
14) South Florida Water Management District is hiring a land manager position working on the Kissimmee River, operating out of the Okeechobee Service Center. Main duties include overseeing exotic plant control contracts, conducting prescribed burns, overseeing cattle grazing leases and implementing other vegetation management activities. For more information or to apply: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25162&siteid=5198#jobDetails=1242003_5198 "There is no set closing day for applications, so those interested should get their paperwork in soon."
INFORMATION
15) From UF/IFAS: While our Invasive and Non-native Plants You Should Know Recognition Cards (UF/IFAS Publication #SP 431) have been around for some time, we only recently completed a Spanish language version. While we do not have the funds to print this recognition card deck, you may view it as a PDF file at Plantas Invasivas y No-nativas que Usted Debe Conocer (Tarjetas para indentificacion) – PDF only. Although it is 184 pages in its entirety, you may also print excerpts such as the plant pages you are most interested in. For example, Ardisia crenata is on pp. 23-24. Direct your printer to print only those 2 pages. You can select "fit to page" to get a full page version or not, to get a 3" x 4" version.
View all CAIP Educational Products here and relevant UF/IFAS Extension Publications (free) here. Extension categories include
Alternatives to Invasive Plants
| Cheryl Millett (863) 604-3352 (Cell) Download our Nature Conservancy magazine App FREE for exclusive digital content. | | The Nature Conservancy | |
