Engaging Local Citizens in Detecting and Controlling Invasive

Species in River Corridors

Laura MacFarland

River Alliance of Wisconsin

Outline• Introduction to the River Alliance of Wisconsin • River Alliance’s AIS Program• Volunteer Monitors Patrol River Corridors for Invasive

Species

•Founded 15 years ago by

paddlers and flyfishermen

concerned about the health of

Wisconsin’s rivers

•Statewide

•Over 3000 members

•Over 150 groups

• Assess the potential threats posed by invasive species to the flowing waters of Wisconsin

• Examine potential roles for citizens and volunteer groups at the local level to take on education, prevention, planning, and management activities aimed at these species

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT

• Guide these groups to improve their knowledge and expand their capacity to meet the challenges of riverine invasive species, including education, prevention, and control

• Develop monitoring program for river organizations in coordination with the Department, National Institute of Invasive Species Science and University Extension

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT (cont.)

Why we want our rivers to be free of invasive species!

Flow

Flora

Fauna

Fishing

Paddling

Swimming

Invasive Species Coming Soon Invasive Species Coming Soon to a River Near You!!!to a River Near You!!!

Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum/ Fallopia japonica)

Stems resemble bamboo and can grow to be 10 feet tall.

Leaves are normally 6 inches long by 3 to 4 inches broad, heart shaped/ triangular

Controlled through multifaceted approach (mechanical and chemical).

Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)

Dark spot on carapace as if you picked them up with paint on your thumb and forefinger

Prevention is key as control of an established population has not been successful

Common Reed Grass (Phragmites australis)

Perennial reed grass; up to 13 feet tall, large light-brown to purple flower spike

Chemical and mechanical treatments

Native Non-native

Smooth stem

Less dense stand

Black fungus on old stems

Leaves/sheath peels off easily

Ridged stem

Dense stand that you can hardly see through

Leaves/sheath do not peel off easily

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Stiff, four-sided upright stem; 3 -9 feet tall

Opposite leaf arrangement

5 – 6 petals per flower; flowers in a spike

Biological, chemical and mechanical control

Japanese Hops

Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus)

Annual vine twines counter-clockwise

Leaves and stem covered with hooked climbing hairs that feel sticky

Flowers mid to late summer

Chemical and Mechanical Control

Common Teasel

(Dipsacus fullonum)

Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)

Eurasian Milfoil(myriophyllum spicatum)

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Paul E. Berry

© 1997 Purdue University Agronomy Extension

Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

Triangular in shape

Various colors and patterns but most have black or brown stripes

Mechanical Control

Zebra Mussels

The Quagga Musselb (an invasive species) has been found in environments that the Zebra mussel has not been successful in invading!

Future Threats

• Snakehead, mosquito fish• Three-spine stickleback• New Zealand mud snail

• Hydrilla

• Water chestnut

• Water hyacinth

• Water lettuce

Invasive Species Coming Soon to a River Near You!!!

NOT MY RIVER!

Pilot Monitoring Project

Over 25 miles of rivers were surveyed by River Alliance staff and volunteers on four rivers (Sheboygan River, Kickapoo River, Badfish Creek, and Baraboo River).

Sheboygan County Master Gardeners

RA Individual Member

Valley Stewardship Network

Friends of Badfish Creek

Statewide Trainees

UW Hoofers

Madcity Paddlers

Map from the Kickapoo Valley Reserve

Japanese Knotweed

ResultsRiver JK CRG PLS JH

Sheboygan 10 5 1 0

Baraboo 0 0 0 0

Badfish Creek 1 0 2 0

Kickapoo 1 0 0 0Figure 2. Number of New Infestations Detected

Lessons Learned• Cannot include absence data

• Should be done while the plant is in bloom

• Keep it simple

• Work within existing framework

Helping Local Groups Take the Next Step!

DiscussionWhat role can the Friends of Badfish Creek and

local groups play in the fight against invasive species?

• Priorities

• Limitations

• Resources

Questions?