.,

,Weed be dammm 1

5ack to our Tropical Roots

Ma~ 9-11, 2005 W~ndham Casa Marina ~esort, Ke~ West, Florida

~tMtt14 Exotic Pest Plant Council 2004-2005

Officers

Mike Bodle, Past Chair mbodle@slwmd.gov

Jim Burney, Chair L 1 J2@aol,com

Dianne Owen, Secretary dowen@fau.edu

Kristina Kay Serbesoff-King, Treasurer kserbesollking@lnc.org

Karen Brown, Editor kpb@ifas.ufl,edu

Directors

Roger Clark roger@leegov.com

James G. Duquesnel james.g.duguesnel@dep.slate.lI.us

Robert Egan HabilaIRR@yahoo.com

Amy Ferriter amyferriter@boisesla\e.edu

Matthew King mking@co.paim-beach.lI.us

Drew Leslie Drew.Leslie@dep.slale.lI.us

Chris Lockhart chris@habilatspecialisls.com

Cressida Silvers csiivers@saa.ars.usda.gov

Committee Chairs

By-laws Dennis Giardina Dennis Giardina@fws.gov

Education Leesa Souto Isoulo@mail,ucf.edu

FNGAIFLEPPC Liaison Doria Gordon dgordon@botany.ull.edu

Local A"angements TonyPernas Tony Pemas@nps.gov

Mailing List Jackie Smith iackie.c.sm~h@dep.slale.lI.us

Membership Katy Roberts kroberts@iLnet

Plant List Kathy Craddock Burks KBURKS@FNAI.ORG

Program Chair Daniel Clark Daniel clark@nps.gov

Public Relations Tom Fucigna lomfucignajr@holmaii.com

Research John Volin jvolin@fau.edu

Vendors Scott Ditmarsen scdilmarsen@dow.com

WorkGroups

Brazilian Pepper JimCuda Jcuda@mail.ifas·ull.edu

Grasses Greg MacDonald gemac@mail.ifas·ull.edu

Skunkvine Brian Nelson Brian.Nelson@swfwmd.slale.lI.us

Melaleuca Francois Laroche lIaroche@sfwmd.gov

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council 20'h Annual Symposium

Monday, May 9" 2005

0800 - 1700 Field Trips

"Weed be Jammin' " Back to our Tropical Roots

May 9-11, 2005 Wyndham Casa Marina Resort

Key West, Florida

Agenda

1300 - 1700 Florid. EPPC Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, May 10" 2005

Moderator: Dan Clark Audio Visual Technician: Steve Smith

FLEPPC Bo.nllComminees

0850 - 0910 Welcome Jim Bumey/Weedm.n Dan

0910 - 0945 Keynole Address: Invasive Species Thrcals In lhe Caribbean Region

0945· 1005 The Evolution of Invasive Species Management in The Bahamas

1005 • 1020 Break

Moderator: CrcssiJa Silvers Audio Visual Technician: Dan Clark

1020· 1100 Climate Change, Phytoxcnophobia. and the Bahamas

11 ()() - 1120 Systematic Exotic Plant Reconnaissance Aights in the Bahamas and Florida

1120·1140 Small Scale Projccts with Large Scalc Implications

1140 - 1200 The Rise and Fall of Australian Pine (Casuarina spp.) on Sanibel Island. Florida

1200·1300 Lunch (On your own)

Moderator: Mike Bodle Audio Visual Technician: James Evans

1300 • 1320 Teamwork in the Tropics: Fairchild and Miami·Dade County Cooperate to Reduce Invasive Species Impacts

1320 - 1340 Region 4 FWS Invasive Species Strike Team - Everglades

1340 - 1410 Gross Grasses -Identifying Cert.in Tropic.1 Exotic Species Invading Ronda's Natural Areas

1410·1520 The "Latest and the Greatest" - Industry Panel Discussion

1520 - 1535 Break

3

Dr. Moses Kairo

Stacey Wells· Moultrie

John Hammerton

Tony PemasiAmy Ferriter

Alison Higgins

James EvansiRob Lomn

Jennifer Posslcy

William Thomas

Kathy Burks

Industry Panel

Moderalor: Kris SerbesoffKinglKaren Brown Audio Visual Technician: Kalhy Burks

1535 - 1555 "Does Anybody Really Care? Results of a Survey Regarding Invasive Exotic Vegetation"

1555 - 1615 Another Questionnaire Anyone? The Current Status of the IF AS Assessment

1615 - 1635 The Use of Regional Panels to Address Aquatic Invasive Species

1635 -1655 Early Successional Plant Invasions Following Initial Control Efforts, Maintenance Expectations and Costs

1655 -1715 New Online Resources from FSU's Godfrey Herbarium for Identifying and Studying Invasive Plants

1715 - 1745 Florida EPPC Business Meeting

1800 - Annual Banquet

Wednesday, May 11 d, 2005

Tom Fucigna

Crysta Gantz! Alison Fox

Ron Lukens

Jim Burney

Sarah Braun/Austin Mast

Jim Burney

Special Morning Sessioll - "Theil and Now: Anecdotes from the founders of Florida EPPC" Madera/or and Audio Visual Technician: Ken Langeland

0840 - 0855 Automated slide show featuring FLEPPC's forefathers at their best!

0855 - 0915 If You Want to Get Something Done, Ask a Busy Person

0915 - 0935 Being an Active Part ofFLEPPC was, and is, Just the Right Thing to Do!

0935 - 0955 Who Knew There Were Upland Plant Invaders in South Florida!

0955 - 1015 Looking Back: The Fla EPPC is about the people ... that started a revolution and changed the way that people think.

1015 - 1035 "Biological Control: It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!"

1035 - 1050 Break

Maderalor: Dianne Owen Audio Visual Technician: Tony Pernas

Ken Langeland

Bob Doren

Alan "80" Bums

Don Schmitz

Bill Kline

Ted Center

1050 - 1110 It's Best to be Both Lucky and Good: Biological Control of Giant Salvinia Philip Tipping

1110 - 1130 Biology and Host Specificily of Tec/ococcus ovaltu. n Potential Biological Frank Wessels et aJ Control Agent for Strawberry Guava (Psidium cOllleianum) in Aorida : . r

1130 - 1150 Tropical Soda Apple (Solan/un viarum) Control with Aminopyralid Bill Kline et al

1150 - 1210 Herbicide Application Strategies for Control of Lead Tree (I. lellcocephala) Scott Ditmarsen et .1

1210-1310 Lunch(onyourown)

Moderator: Dan Thayer Audio Visual Technician: SCali Dilmarsen

1310 - 1330 Racing to Stay Ahead of the Climbing Ferns: Kris Serbesoff-KinglDoria Gordon Update on the Central Florida Lygodium Strategy

1330 - 1350 Current Methodologies and Field Trials Treating Lygodium miCrOPhYII~\l Philip ~nrs et ~ n I in Jonathan Dickinson State Park (3 ~ ~ S~\ (j\

.... /

1350 - 1410 Evaluating the Socia-Economic Impacts of Melaleuca in South Aorida Katherine FinniAlan Hodges

1410 - 1430 Melalellca qllinqllenervia Seed Dynamics in South Aorida: Min Rayamajhi et al How Long do They Remain Viable in South Aorida Soil Environments?

1430 - 1450 Iris pselldacoTils in Jackson County, Florida: A Case Study in the Robert Farley Early Detection and Prevention of Potential Invasives

1450·1510 Availability in Aorida Nurseries oflnvasivc Plants on a Voluntary Barney Caton "Do Not Sell" List

1510 - 1530 Southwest Florida International Airport Mitigation Park Update Sarah JamiesoniAnik Smith

1530 - 1600 Wrap Up Jim Bumey/Mike Bodle

5

(f\

Presentation Abstracts and Speaker Biographies

J Keynote Address: Invasive Species Threats in the Caribbean Region

Dr Moses T.K. KAIRO, DirectorlRegional Representative CAB International Caribbean and Latin America Regional Center Gordon Street, Curepe, Trinidad and Tobago Phone: 1-868-645-7628 Email: m.kairo@cabi.org

In recent years, the problems posed by invasive alien species (lAS) have become increasingly recognized. The prOblems have been exacerbated by globalization of travel and trade which has increased the risk of movement of species. lAS are a threat to human livelihoods and health as well as biodiversity. Because of the high levels of endemism, Caribbean biodiversity has global significance. Thus there is an urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of lAS. The Caribbean has along history of dealing with lAS especially wbere these were pests affecting agriCUltural production. However, efforts to deal with the broader lAS problems including those affecting the environment are only recent. [n order 10 stimulate concerted action, a recent study by CAB International and The Nature Conservancy began to poll together information and knowledge on lAS in the insular Caribbean. The findings of this study arc discussed and placed in context of development of efforts to manage lAS in the wider Caribbean region. The study generated a list of introduced species in the region. Plants contributed the greatest number of species. Three hundred and twenty seven (59%) of total species encountered as exotics were plants, including 281 species (63%) of species reported naturalized/invasive. Trees species dominated this group. At least 220 trees have been introduced to the region for forestry, agroforestry or amenity purposes of which 179 have been reported established in the wild or established and behaving invasively in at least one country. While this list is by no means a comprehensive listing, it emphasizes the potential scope of the problem. It is nOled that because of the close social, economic and cultural links, the potential for new lAS to spread across the region is high as demonstrated by a number of recent invasive arthropods. This brings into sharp focus the strong need for cooperative efforts. However, in order to develop a robust strategy, it will be vital to understand the range of interacting factors which inOuenee the potential vulnerability of the region to invasion. These include: geo-physical, ecological, political and economic complexity. The multiple pathways associated with various economic activities such as trade, tourism etc. further complicate matters. It is also true th:Jt many countries in the region have an inadequate capacity to deal with lAS. Thus linkages and cooperation between key stakeholders are necessary ingredients for success.

Dr. Moses T.K. Kairo is the DirectorlRegionai Representative of CAB International's Caribbean and Latin America Regional Center in Trinidad. He received a Ph.D. in Ecology (1997): Thesis: Ecology and biocontrol of Cupressaceae feeding Cinara with reference to a new invasive species in Africa. University of London (Main Supervisor: Prof. Charles Godfray), a M.S. with Distinction and Diploma ofImperial College London in Applied Entomology (1989). Thesis: Coffee pest management: A feasibility study on the use of expert systems. Imperial College, London. (Supervisor, Prof. Geoff Norton), and a B.S. with First Class Honors in Zoology (1985): Dissertation: A light microscopy study on the effects of methalibure on gonads of Oreachramis leucastictus (=Tilapia 'eucas/ictus) (Cichlidae). University of Nairobi. (prof. Mohammed Hyder).

Moses has attended several postgraduate courses on 8 wide range of subjects: biosystematics, project management, modeling with Mathematics, and intellectual property rights. Since 200 I, he has acted as the DirectorlRegional Representative, CAB International, Caribbean and Latin America Regional Center (!ri'tP:/Iwww.cabi­bioscience.org/htmllclarc.htm), was the Scientist-in Charge, CAB International -CABI Bioscience, Caribbean and Latin America Regional Center, Trinidad and Tobago (1996-2000), EntomologistiProject Sub-manager - International Institute of Biological Control (lIBC), UK Center, United Kingdom (1991-1996), R""earch Officer, J(enya Agricultural Research Institute (KARl), Muguga (1989-1990), Assistant Research Officer, KARl, Muguga (1985-1989), Research Assistant (part Time), University of Nairobi (1983-1984) and has been a Courtesy Associate Professor at the University of Florida since 2003.

Moses is a Life Member of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, Member. Entomological Society of America, a Member of the Florida Entomological Society, Member Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, _ Member of the Caribbean Conservation Association. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed international journal articles, 7 book chapters and edited proceedings, more than 30 conference/workshop proceedings, 3 news articles, 30 technical reports/extension materials, and 3 dissertations.

J The Evolution of h.'vasive Species Management in tlte Bahamas

Stacey Wells-Moultrie. Assistant Geologist Bahamas Environment. Science and Technology (BEST) Commission Nassau Court Nassau. New Providence N 3730 The Bahamas Phone: 242-322-4546 FAX: 242-326-3509 Email: smoultrie@best.bs

The paper will give an overview of invasive species management in The Bahamas and how this has evolved over the past four years. It will discuss the projects that The Bahamas Government has been involved in which have enabled the development of an invasive species database, a national invasive species policy. a national invasive species strategy and draft bio·security legislation. It will also discuss methods that have been utilized to increase public awareness of the issue of invasives and future goals for management of this threat to biological diversity.

Stacey Wells-Moultrie is an Assistant Geologist with the Bahamas Environment. Science and Technology (BEST) Commission, Ministry of Health and Environment. Her professional expertise is invasive species policy and management Stacey received a B.S. in Zoology from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica and a Master of Marine Management from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada She has served 4 years in her current position.

J Climate Change, Phytoxenophobia, and tlte Bahamas

Dr. John L. Hammerton Private Consultant 18 Wilson Street P.O. Box N-8409 Nassau. BAHAMAS Phone: 242-325-5642 FAX: None Email: hammerton@coralwave.com

Given that the global climate is changing, and that these changes are not likely to stop or go away, I suggest that we, as biological scientists, should attempt to anticipate the likely impacts of climate change on our native flora and habitats, and on our invasive alien flora, and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts. This is the challenge. Doing this may mean that we must revisit our lists of invasive (exotic) for plant species for possible virtues that may be adaptive or mitigating to climate change: invasiveness and aggressiveness may well be virtues. I briefly review the impacts of storms and hurricanes--wind, rain and storm surge--that need to be considered in The Bahamas, and also in Florida. I suggest some strategies, ranging from doing nothing, through procrastination to using genetic engineering to develop "hurricane tolerant" plants, and suggest some prerequisites. I make some suggestions as to where we might look, what disciplines we may need, and species that may need to be considered or reconsidered. I have plenty of questions, but very few answers! Or is this a lost battle?

John Hammerton is a self-employed consultant resident in The Bahamas. He was educated in the UK at the University of Reading (B.Sc. (Agric.). 1956) and the University of Wales (ph.D .• 1959). His expertise is in Agronomy. Weed Science, and Biodiversity (especially invasive plants). He has worked in the Eastern Caribbean, and in The Bahamas was an Assistant Director of Agriculture and Chief Scientist to the BEST Commission. He is currenUy a member of the National Biodiversity Committee and of the National Climate Change Committee.

7

• J Systematic Reconnaissance Flights (SRF) for Invasive Exotic Plant Mapping in the Bahamas and Florida

Tony Pemas, Exotic Plant Management Specialist (presenter) National Park Service Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team 1800 I Old Cutler Rd., Suite 4 I 9 Miami, Florida 33 I 57 Phone: 305-252-0347 FAX: 305-253-0463 Email: tony_pemas@nps.gov

Amy Ferriter. Senior Environmental Scientist South Aorida Water Management District 330 I Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33416 Phone: 56 I -682-6097 FAX: 561-681-6232 Email: a.ferriter@att.net

Identifying and accurately mapping the location and distribution of invasive plant species is the first step in successfully managing invasive plimt species. Systematic Reconnaissance Flights or SRF is a simple. accurate and cost effective method for producing invasive plant distribution maps. An SRF is an aerial survey in which observers in an aircraft flying at a fixed height and spacing transverse the study area while observers detect invasive plants in a strip of land on either side. (long thin quadrat). Depending on distance between the transects the survey CM. be a complete census of a sample count. Prior to 2001 the National Park Service (NPS) and the south Florida water management district (SFWMD) conducted separate SRF's. In 2001, at the recommendation of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, Nuisance Exotic Weed Task Team (NEWTI), and through a Mcmorandum of Agreement the NPS and SFWMD combined resources to implement a Systematic Reconnaissance Flights (SRF) survcy program. In 2003 thc program mapped the distribution of invasive plant species on more than eight million acres of south Florida. In 2004. the SRF program assisted the Bahamian government in dClcnnining the status and distribution of melaleuca (Melalellca quinqllenervia) and othcr select invasive plants in the Bahamas (New Providence, Andros, Berry's and Grand Bahama Islands) under The Areawide Management and Evaluation (TAME) of Melaleuca program. The project was the combined effort of the NPS, United States Department of Agricuhure. SFWMD and the Nature Conservancy. In 2005 the program expanded mapping efforts to include central Florida to determine the northern limits of melaleuca, Iygodium, Schinus and Casuarina in Rorida. Also in 2005, the program incorporated aerial sketch mapping from the US. Forest Service to provide a more comprehensive distribution map (polygons) of the Everglades Protection area.

Tony Pemas is thc Liaison for the National Park Service's Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Managcment Team. He received a degree in Environmental Studies from Florida InterrmtionaJ University in 1988. Tony served as the Vegetation Managcment Specialist at Big Cypress National Park from 1988-1999, as the Supervisory Botanist at Everglades National Park from 1999-2000, and has been in his current position since 2000 .

.J Small Scale Projects with Large Seal. Implications

Alison Higgins, Land Stewardship Coordinator The Nature Conservancy of the F1 Keys PO Box 420237 Summerland Key, Florida 33042 Phone: 305-745-8402 FAX: 305-745-8399 Email: ahiggins@tnc.org

The Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force was the first working group in Florida. Besides helping to rank local projects for BIPM contracts, the 2S+ members also partner on equipment and labor sharing, rapid response issues, creative funding and educational projects. GrccnSweep, a volunteer·based eradication program managed by The Nature Conservancy, is guided by the Task Force and stands as a replicable, reliable program to expand your agency's effectiveness against invasive exotic plants. Alison Higgins, Land Stewardship Coordinator for the Nature Conservancy will highlight the successes of both island groups with an emphasis on how their programs can work for mainlanders.

Alison Higgins is the Land Conservation Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy. Aorida Keys Program. She received a B.S. in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara in 1996 and is currently a candidate for a M.A. in Environment and Community from Antioch University. Her professional experience includes seven years of linking private and public conservation IMlds with trained volunteers for restoration.

The Rise and Fall of Australian Pine (Casuarina spp.) on Sanibel Island, Florida

James T. Evans III. Environmental Planner (presenter) Dr. Robert Lonin. Natural Resources Department Director City of Sanibel. Department of Natural Resources 800 Dunlop Road Sanibel. Aorida 33957 Phone: (239) 472·3700 FAX: (239) 472·3065 Email: james.evans@mysanibel.com

Land-managers were faced with agonizing frustration after Australian pines (CasuariDa spp.) were introduced by Sanibel ' s founding fathers in the early 1920·s. When Hurricane Donna swept through southwest Aorida in 1960. millions of seeds were dispersed throughout the island's natural areas changing the succession of Sanibel's vegetative communities for the next four decades. Sanibel became famous for these towering giants lining Sanibel's main roadway, Periwinkle Way. As people became more informed about the destructive nature ofCasuarinas to natural systems, two diverging views began to develop; one that realized their invasive nature and another that looked at them as fast-growing trees that provided shade and aesthetic beauty that native barrier island species could not provide. The debate that once set "pine lovers" against land-managers was put to rest on August 13.2004 by Hurricane Charley. A political change that may have taken another two decades to convince residents of the nature of these invasive weeds was thrust into fast forward. Sanibel's story is ironic as the very trees that were established by Donna were toppled by Charley. In just over six months. over 370 acres of Australian pines have been removed from public lands with little resistance from the general public. a feat that would have been impossible without Hurricane Charley.

James T. Evans III is the Environmental Planner for the City of Sanibel. Aorida. His field of expertise covers seven years and is focused on the management of Southwest Florida ecosystems including: ecosystem restoration, invasive exotic species management, and habitat management. James has completed course work in Geology, Cleveland State University. Cleveland. Ohio (1995·1997). received a BA in Environmental Science from Aorida Gulf Coasl University, Fort Myers, Florida (December 1999), and is currently working on Masters of Science in Environmental Science at FJonda Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida. James has been in his current position since 2000, was a BiologisllResearch Assistant at the Aorida Center for Environmental Studies. Fort Myers. Aorida (1999·2000). and a Microbiologist for Sanders Environmental Laboratory and a part-time Naturalisl for the Corkscrew Regional Ecosyslem Watershed (CREW). Fort Myers. Aorida (1998·1999).

Dr. Robert K. Loflin is the Director of the Natural Resources Department for the City of Sanibel. Aorida. His field of expenise covers nineteen years and is focused on the managemenl of Southwest Florida ecosystems including: ecosystem restoration, invasive exotic species managemenl, and habitat management. Rob received his B.S. (1979) and Ph.D. (1983) from the University of Miami. Coral Gables. Aorida. He has completed course work in Wildlife Management and Forestry. State University or New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse (1979·1980). a two· month Tropical Biology course with the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica (1982). and course and field work in Fisheries Biology and Maricullure at lhe Roscnstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Miami. Aorida (1980·1983). Rob has been in his current position with the City of Sanibel since 1992. was a Biologist and Senior Environmental Planner for the Lee County Department of Communily Services, Fort Myers, Aorida (1989·1992). a part·time Biology Instructor at Edison Community College. Fort Myers. Aorida (1989.1992). and an Environmental Specialist with the Aorida Department of Environmental Regulation. Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. Aorida (1986·1989).

1

J Teamwork in the Tropics: Fairchild and Miami-Dade County Cooperate to Reduce Invasive Species Impacts

Jennifer Possley, Biologist Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gorden 11935 Old Cutler Rd Miami, Florida 33156 Phone: 305-667-1651 ext. 3433 FAX: 305-665-8032 Email: jpossley@fairchildgarden.org

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Miami-Dade County entered into a five-year agreement in 2002, whereby the county funds a full-time Fairchild biologist to conduct rare plant monitoring. mapping and research in county-owned natural areas. To date. the program has been a collaborative success resulting in such products as newly discovered rare plant populations, up-to-date information on the exact locations of rare plants, and much needed ecological research on this area's unique flora. Our rare plant research and monitoring often intersects with invasive plants, so that we are engaged in a number of activities related to invasive plants: (1) mapping. vouchering, and communicating to land managers new occurrences of invasive plants; (2) monitoring the proximity or invasive plants to rarc natives to notify land managers when the invasive plants or the crews that treat them may pose a threat; (3) designing and implementing experimental studies to detennine the ecological impacts of an invasive species or the best method for removing invasive species growing near rare natives; and (4) organizing volunteers to remove invasive species that directly threaten rare natives.

Jennifer Possley is the GIS Lab CoordinatorlField Biologist at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, FL. Her field of expertise is Miami-Dade County rare plant monitoring and ecological research. She received a M.S. from University or Rorida in 2001 and has 8 years of experience with Rorida plant biology.

J Region 4 FWS Invasive Species Strike Team - Everglades

William G. Thomas, Jr, General Biologist (Invasive Species) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR I Wildlife Drive Sanibel, Florida 33957 Phone: 239472-1100 x 248 FAX: 239/472-4061 Email: William_G_Thomas@fws.gov

In 2004, the USFWS - National Wildlife Refuge System, in response to the escalating problem of invasive species, established five regionnllnvasive Species Strike Teams throughout the United Slates, including one team geared specifically to dealing with invasive species management in South Florida. The ISST-E two person team, stationed at the IN. 'Ding' Darting NWR in southwest FJorida, will focus on management of invasive exotic plants and to a lesser degree, exotic animals. The primary functions of the ISST-E will include: 1) administering contracts for invasive exotic plant mapping and control on Florida refuges; 2) early detection and rapid response to new plant invasions by direct interdiction of the 'strike team'; 3) provide technical assistance to refuge managers, i.e., identification, IPM development, monitoring and treatment protocols; and 4) representing the Service on regional task forces and committees involved with invasive species management. The short-term goal of the 'strike team' will be to attempt to coordinate and standardize invasive species management activities on NWRs throughout FJorida.

William Thomas, Jr. serves as the Region 4 Invasive Species Strike Team Leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and directs the invasive species management program for Florida's National Wildlife Refuges. This recently formed program (2004) is geared toward management of invasive exotic plant species and to a lesser degree, exotic animals. Mr. Thomas began his career as a laborer on the Loxahatchee NWR exotic plant crew in 1992, and has been involved with exotic plant management in South Florida for over 12 years. He received a B.S. in Economic Zoology (Fish and Wildlife Biology), Clemson University in May of 1986.

10

J Gross Grasses - Identifying Certain Tropical Exotic Species Invading Florida's Natural Areas

. f Kathy Burks, Botanist I . Florida Natural Areas Inventory, FSU

1018 Thomasville Rd., Suite 200·C Tallahassee, Rorida 32303 Phone: 850·224·8207 X 210 FAX: 850·681·9364 Email: kburks@fnai.org

Kathy will provide a refresher on plant identification tips for some famous invaders, such as cogon grass, torpedo grass, silk reed, elephant grass, para grass, and West Indian marsh grass. She will also discuss diagnostic characters for less frequently seen (so far!) species such as green fountain grass and limpo grass. Features distinguishing these pests from particular native grasses will be presented, along with information on additional plant identification resources.

Kathy joined FNAI in January 2004, following a decade of work as a biological scientist with the Rorida Department of Environmental Protection. As a botanist for FNAI, she specializes in invasive, aquatic, and rare plant species. Her current primary focus is development of a statewide, geo-referenced database' on the occurrence and status of invasive exotic plants in Aorida's public conservation lands. She also serves as Chair of the Plant List Committee for the Rorida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Plants Editor for the Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Biota, a member of the Science Committee for the Florida Wildflower Advisory Council, and a member of the Rorida Endangered Plant Advisory Council.

1/

..

j 'Does ~YbOdY Really Care? Results of a Survey Regarding Invasive Exotic Vegetation"

Tom Fucigna CZR Incorporated Environmental Consultants 1061 East Indiantown Road, Suite 100 Jupiter Aorida 33477 Phone: 561-747-7455 FAX: 561-747-7455 Email: tomfucignajr@hotmail.com

The author conducted a survey of a cross-section of Floridians to determine opinions regarding significance of the topic of invasive exotic vegetation, and to detennine whether respondents consider this topic worthy of economic, aesthetic and/or regnlatory priority. The survey consisted of a series of multiple choice questions, with opportunity for additional comments. Results of the survey indicate that most Aoridians have heard the words "invasive exotic vegetation", but many do not have an accurate or complete understanding of the tenn. Additionally. survey results indicate that many Aoridians support removal of exotic vegetation from publicly owned natural areas, but do not consider doing so to be an economic priority. Property owners are resistant to the concept of regulating vegetation on privately owned property. Overall, the survey results indicated that Aoridians don't know enough about this topic, and although some do care, they are not willing to support control if doing would infringe upon their finances Of private property rights.

Tom is the Senior Environmental Scientist with CZR Incorporated, Environmental Consultants, Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Florida. His professional background is in fisheries science. Prior to becoming an environmental consultant he was a researcher with the Aorida DNR Marine Research Laboratory and a Port Agent for the National Marine Fisheries Service. His twenty plus years of experience include wetland delineation and permitting, protected species management plans, and helping clients understand and navigate the environmental regulatory maze. Tom received a B.S. in Marine Biology from Southampton College of Long Island University in 1981, and has completed graduate level courses at Nova Southtastem University.

J Another Questionnaire Anyone? The Current Status of the IFAS Assessment

Crysta Gantz Dr. Alison Fox University of Aorida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 307 Newell Hall P.O. Box 110500 Gainesville, Aorida 32611-0500 Phone: 352-392-1811 ext. 222 FAX: 352-392-1840 Email: aquaops@ifas.ufl.edu

Since May 2004, revisions to the conclusions and recommendations have been made to the IFAS Assessment of the Status of NonaNative Plants in Florida'·s Natural Areas. These revisions will be clarified and discussed. An overview of the assessment website will also be presented, highlighting results for key species from the FLEPPC lists and other species that are currently being recommended in IFAS Extension publications. Current IFAS Assessment results are incomplete for some species. This is because: some species mostly occur in disturbed sites (not included in the assessment); new colonization and/or new species; or because we are not familiar with all populations of species growing in natural areas. ·We would like to request new information, especially for incomplete assessments. We will be present at the conference with questionnaires for anyone willing to help us with any of the incomplete species asse. sments that we list. In addition, we would like suggestions for species that should be assessed. We greatly appreciate everyone who has taken the time to complete our questionnaires and to provide information about the occurrence of non-native species in Florida.

Cry. ta Gantz is a Researcher for the IF AS Assessment of the Status of Non-Nati ve Plants in Aorida's Natural Areas, University of Aorida. She received a B.S. from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1997 and a M.S. from the University of Edinburgh, UK in 2003. Crysta has worked on the IFAS Assessment project since August 2004 and has 2 years experience as a microbiologist.

Dr. Alison Fox is an Associate Professor at the University of Aorida, Department of Agronomy. Her field of expertise is ecology and management of invasive plants in aquatic and natural areas. Alison received her B.S. from the

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J IfYou Want to Get Something Done, Ask a Busy Person

Robert F. Doren U.S. Department of Interior Ronda International University University Park Campus OE 148 Miami, Florida 33199 Phone: 305·348·6721 Email: dorenr@fiu.edu

How and why EPPC happened is lost to most people after more than 20 years of history. But those traces, and places, and faces, of yesterday are why EPPC is what it is today and J believe will be important to the traces and places and faces o((oday and (omorrow. This is not just an old fart's story (am J old enough to be an old fart?), but a story about the who and the what and the why about EPPC even before it was EPPC and why J think it has done what it has and what J think the future holds. J rememberthe first of these symposia in 1984-·seems like the day before yesterday when John Randal, who started CALEPPC with George Molnar in 1991, and was young and blond··yes he actually had hair on his head then··and didn't have hair growing out of his ears··and since this session is on some of these early times sharing thoughts on these times they may at least prove entertaining if not down right hilarious. Can you tell from this abstract that I am actually eligible to retire now? Come sec the talk. it'll be even crazier than this abstract.

Robert F. Doren is the Ecologist and Senior Science Advisor for the Office of Everglades Restoration, US Department of the Interior and has a Counesy Faculty Appointment at Florida International Universily, Southeast Environmental Research Center. He received a B.S. in Botany from Florida State University in 1971 and a M.S. in Botany from the University of Maryland. Bob has acted as the Botanist, Chief of the Plant Sciences Branch, and Assistant/Acting Research Director of the South Florida Natural Resources Center. Everglades National Park in Homestead, F10rida from 1973·1997. He was also a Botanist at Tall Timbers Research Station in Tallahassee, Florida (1972·1973) and a Research Assistant at the Florida State University (1970·1972). Bob's professional research 'nterests include restoration and invasion ecology, management oC invasive species and development of sustainable multi-agency approaches Cor management of exotic species, restoration approaches, implications and needs of exotic removal programs, invasive species risk assessment and predictions of invasibility oC species and ecosystems, and development of remote sensing techniques for detecting distribution of invasive species and management control assessment. Bob's recent projects include developing multi-agency assessment for Florida of invasive exotic plants and strategic plan for invasive plant management, coordination for development of strategic plans for management of invasive animals, and vegetation mapping, including exotic plants, of south Florida Everglades region and development and implementation of wetland restorationlexotic removal programs for the south Aorida Ecosystem Restoration Program. Bob has published over 15 articles in peer reviewed journals and books related to invasive exotic plant management and control.

j Being an Active Part of FLEPPC was, ond is, Just the Right Thing To Do!

Alan 'Bo" Bums, Vegetation Specialist Phil Waller, Aquatic Market Development BASF 5040 Barton's Enclave Lane Raleigh, North Carolina 27613 Phone: 919·844·5375 FAX: 919·844·5385 Email: bumsaj@basf.com

This presentation will take a look back over the last 15 years to review industries involvement in Exotic Plant Management. It will examine the past and compare it to the present, while also providing a look into the future. This presentation will try to answer why industry became involved in controlling Exotic plants. Was it strictly for financial reasons or was there more to it? Non·native or Exotic Plants seems to be the buss-word in society. Is this good or bad? And where do we go from here?

80 Bums has worked in Aquatic plant management and exotic plant management for the last 20 years. He received a BA in Biology from Hiram College and a MEM (Masters of Environmenlltl Management) in Resource and Wetland Ecology from Duke University. Bo worked for the State of NC for four years as an Environmental Specialist with the Division of Water Resources. Responsibilities included management of field operations for aquatic plant management. He also worked for six years as a Vegetation Specialist for American Cyanamid conducting research and sales for vegetation management in aquatics, forestry and utility rights of way management. Bo spent 9 years working for the

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SePRO Corporation as an Aquatic Specialist working in aquatic plant management. He is currently going on a second year with BASF working as a Vegetation Specialist and Aquatic Market Development Specialist.

J Who Knew There Were Upland Plant Invaders in South Florida!

Don C. Schmitz, Biologist Rorida Department of Environmental Protection 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 705 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Phone: 850-245-2818 FAX: 850-245-2834 Email: Don.schmitz@dep.state.n.us

After attending the first EPPC Symposium in Miami in 1988,1 was shocked, really shocked,to find out that there were invasive exotic plants in South F1orida's upland habitats. And it takes a lot to really shock me because I'm originally from New Jersey. Strange species like Australian paper bark trees and Brazilian pepper were all over the place. And they were there since the tum of the centuryl Who knew! In Tallahassee, I was led to believe that the Dept of Natural Resources, my agency at the time, was taking care of anything of significance when it carne to invasive plants, I.e. hydrilla and water hyacinths. Well, after finding out about this disturbing news, I organized key players from the symposium to come up to the state capitol and make a presentation about these strange trees and shrubs and I invited the who's who of resource managers from the various agencies. Surprisingly, they came to the meeting. Of course, it all came down to asking for money to do something about the problem. After the presentations, the Tallahassee bureaucrats said that's a terrible problem and then they quickly ran out of the room. I think they were in denial. In 1990, I was elected chairperson of EPPC at an old movie theatre in Hobe Sound (our meetings had a nair for the theatrical back then) . At that time, EPPC didn't have an official list of the worst offenders or even a newsletter to bind the 40 or so members together. Well, I asked Dr. Dan Austin, the grandfather of exotic plant invasions in South Aorida (he always gave me a dirty look when I described him as the "Grandfather"), to come up with a list. Of course, the nursery industry immediately embraced this list (not). A newsletter was established with the motto: if it's alive we can kill it. if it's dead, we can dissolve it. Then there was D dramatic tum one day in the field. EPPC members began wearing their official unifonn, t-shirts. with words that alluded to a popular saying on bumper stickers at that time. Because of the EPPC unifonn and its saying, Tallahassee later coughed up one million dollars a year (or mclaleuca removal.

Don Schmitz is a Research Program Manager for the Aorida Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Invasive Plant Management. He received a B.A. in Biology in 1974 from Bloomfield College and a M.S in Biology in 1980 from the University of Central Aorida. Don began working forthe State of Florida in April. 1982 and is a leading expert on invasive nonindigenous species in Florida. He co~edited "Strnngers in Paradise: Impact and Management of Nonindigenous Species in Aorida (with D. Simberloff and T. C. Brown)," coauthored two publications concerning national policy towards invasive species, and coauthored severn) publi~lions and book chapters about the ecological impact of invasive nonindigenous plant species in Florida. He initiated and organized the process that led to a Presidential Executive Order creating our nation's first Invasive Species Management Plan and established the National Invasive Species Council, was a member of Congress's Office of Technology Assessment Panel on harmful nonindigneous species. has testified several times before the U.S. Congress about invasive species, is a former chair of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, a present Co-Chair of the Florida Invasive Animal Task Team.which is part of the South Aorida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group, and he serves as a staff member to the state's Invasive Species Working Group (ISWG). Don currently manages a half a million dollar a year research contract budget for the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management.

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University of Liverpool, UK in 1983 and her Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow, UK in 1987. She has been a post doctoral and Research Associate for 10 years. and Assistant and Associate Professor for 8 years at the University of Rorida.

J The Use of Regional Panels to Address Aquatic Inva.slve Species

Ron Lukens. Assistant Director Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 2404 Government Street Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39566·0726 Phone: 228·875·5912 FAX: 228·875·6604 Email: r1ukens@gsmfc,org

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force was created by the Nonindigcnous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. As a part of the Task Force's organizational structure, regional panels have been established as committees to provide regionill priOrities and advice to the mostly federal Task Force. There arc currently six regional panels across the country, including The Great Lakes, Western. Gulf and South Atlantic, Mississippi River Basin, Northeast, and Mid·Atlantic Regional Panels. Some of the priorities identified by regional panels include the development of comprehensive state aquatic invasive species management plans, regional rapid response planning, identification of pathways, outreach and education, and risk assessment training. The Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel has recently completed a strategic plan that includes task level activities that the panel expects to address and accomplish over the next five years. It is important that regional panels function as facilitating org~mizalions and cooperate and coordinate their work with existing organizations such as the Rorida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

Ron Lukens is the Assistant Director of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and is a Marine Biologist by training. He currently administers a regional coordination panel to address aquatic invasive species. He received a B.A. and M.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi. Ron has thiny years in the field of marine biology and six years in the field of aquatic invasive species. He is a non· federal member of the National Aquatic Nuisance Spccies Task. Force and a member of the Nati~nallnvasive Species ~dvisolj' Committee.

. (\/ 5 \ '-'::JS I""'tC:~j , Early Successional Plant Invasions Following Initial Control Efforts, Maintenance Expectations and

Costs

Jim Burney, President Aquatic Vegetation Control, Inc. 6753 Garden Road, Suite 109 Riviera Beach, Florida 33404 Phone: 561·845·5525 FAX: 561·845·5374 Email: L1J2@aol.com

The influences of early successional plant invasions, both native and exotic, on succcess criteria within mitigation/restoration sites following initial control efforts is often overlook.ed or minimized in tcnns of maintenance effort and cost. This presentation will discuss some of the basic ecological principles encouraging plant invasions following control efforts, the rcalistic effort involved with maintaining a site within success criteria for, cost expectations for the maintenance efforts. and some potential ecological consequences of not following up wilh a realistic maintenance program.

Jim Bur~e. sident of Aquatic Vegetation Control, Inc. He has classical experience in the fields of ecological invento T&E Hdlife studies, wetlands consulting, and invasive plant control and community restoration projects. Jim receive .S. (1988) and M.S. (1995) in Biological Sciences from the University of Central Florida. He is a Professional etland Scientist, a member of the Society of Weiland Scientists, and has eighteen years experience in hydro-ecological consulting and niltuml areas land/waterways management.

J New Online Resources from FSU's Godfrey Herbarium for Identifying and Studying Invasive Plants

Sarah Braun Austin Mast Rorida State University 102 Conradi, Department of Biological Scieoces Florida Slale University Tallahassee, Aorida 32306 Phone: 850-644-6585 Email: sbraun@bio.fsu.edu

The Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium (Aorida State University) recently established two new online resources for the identification and srudy of plants listed as invasive (Category I), or potentially so (Category 2), by the Aorida Exotic Plant Pest Council. The first is a PHP internet interface for our MySQL database that contains herbarium label data (e.g., locality descriptions) and specimen descriptors (e.g., flowering vs. fruiting vs. vegetative), The second is a PHP interface for the high-resolution digital images of each specimen on our server. We expect to have all of the Godfrey Herbarium's specimens from EPPC listed species in tbe database and digitally photographed by the end of March 200S (involving >1000 specimens), This talk will introduce the online interfaces at www.herbarium.bio.fsu.edu and explore the breadth of their utility.

Sarah Braun is currently a gradualt student at Florida State University worlting towards her master's degree in Ecology and Evolution, with an emphasis on ecology of invasive plants. She is also the curator for the Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium at Aorida State. She received her B.S. in Wildlife Management and Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2004 and her experience includes three summers as a Biological Technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Rice Lake NWR, MN and Necedah NWR, WI.

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.J Looking Back: The Flo EPPC Is about the people ••• that started a revolution and changed the way that people think.

Bill Kline Dow AgroSciences Vegetation Management. Range & Pasture R&D Phone: 770·623·68 18 FAX: 678-417·6880 Email: wnkline@dow.com

Remembering back almost 20 years; I was a late comerto FLEPPC .. " Joined in 1987. So the following is how I remember: Original concept was with Bob Doren trying to get a group of interested folks together to consider & build strategies for "starting" some programs for control of exotic pest plants in South Florida. Then it was primarily just the "Big 3" (melaleuca, Brazilian pepper. Austrnlian pine). The awareness of the terrible monocultures that had fonned in South Florida (and a few other places) was just becoming general knowledge within our professions; a few folks were interested. By the early 1990's we were beginning to see a lot more intereSt from many sectors of the businesses and agencies that are involved with natural resources management. The "Wave" of interest and "Call to action" had started - other pans of the country were interested in FLEPPC. regions and groups and slate agencies were interested in forming chapters; National Park Service and State parks. The Nature Conservancy and many more. And look where we arc today; we of course, have not solved our problems but we are sure making progress - public awareness is happening. federal and state funding is becoming available. politicians are getting on board. EPPC is really about the people that had a vision, not just ajob working for the feds or tbe state or the industry. It is about people that pursued a career because they thought they could make a difference in how we manage and preserve out natural areas & resources. )['s about the people that have a passion for changing the world for the beuer. Isn't that why we all "originally" decided 10 do what we do for a living? Since it was not for the big bucks that we milke.

Bill Kline is a Research Scientist with Dow AgroSciences in Duluth, Georgia. Bill worked for Dow Agro for 23 years as a field scientist & as a technical resource to customers, cooperators & field sales. Responsibilities in this job have included research/stewardship/uses in invasive plant control, range & pasture, rights-of-W3YS, forestry, aquatics and new product development (global research cffons within the company). He also worked on fire ant field research and control effons. Bill has fifteen years of experience with exotic/invasive plant control research and operational control programs in the SE and Aorida with an emphasis on tropical invasive plants. Prior to Dow. Bill worked for Champion International for 5 years (1977·1982) on tree nursery conSlruction project and as SE R&D Supervisor. Bill has a B.S. in Forestry (1974) and a M.S in Forestry (1977) both from University of Georgia.

j "Biological Control: II's Nol Just for Breakfast Anymore!"

Ted D. CCn1cr. Research Leader USDA·ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory 3205 College Ave. Fort Lauderdale. Florida 33314 Phone (954) 475·0541 FAX: (954)476·9169 E·fax: (509) 352·6022 Email: tedcenter@bellsouth.net http://www.weedbiocontrol.org

Long-term suppression of the most dangerous invasive plants in the southeastern US will not be possible without the intervention of biological control. TIle time-tested practice of selecting lmd carefully screening specialist plant-feeding insects. mites, and plant pathogens as biological control agents has repeatedly proven to be very safe. although never completely without risk. Many or the insects that have been released worldwide to combat invasive plants arc causing substantial damage to their respective targeted weeds. However, the degree of control achieved has been variable. Some of these biological control agents have produced complete control While olhers have produced no control, but the vast majority falls within the gray area between these two extremes. In these cases, some level of suppression has resulted but other methods (or additional agents) are still needed to reduce the weed to acceptable levels. Unrealistic expectations may cause the outcomeS of biological control attempts to be perceived as failures when the target weed is not brought under complete and total control. However, biological control agents that cause even moderate levels of damage to the targeted weed can have considerable value. The way forward is to develop careful1y crafted management plans that employ biological contcol as the basic tactic within a fully integrated strategy that capitalizes upon the strengths of an methods of control. Success must be measured against expectations, so expected results shoqld be clearly defined and advertised beforehand. Each biological control agent should be thoroughly evaluated so

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that appropriate management strategies, including herbicidal and mechanical control, can be integrated in a manner that maximizes the performance of the biological control agents. Examples of projects from around the world will be

. discussed. The availability of new, modem, sbte-of-the-art quarantine facilities will greatly enhance our ability to provide biological control options for use in weed control programs.

Ted's research career began in 1961 at the Dayton Museum of Natural History where he worked for over 10 years. [n 1970, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology at Northern Arizona University, he began wqrk on a Master of Science degree in Biology dcaling with the biology, ecology and evolution of seed beetles (Bruchidae) and their host plants. [n 1971, he began at the University of Aorida and completed a PhD in Entomology in 1976 while working at the ARS biological control quarantine facility. Ted's dissenation dcalt with the ecology and effects of a native insect on water hyacinth. He then accepted a post·doctoral position to expand this research by investigating the effects of introduced biological control agents on water hyacinth growth processes. This was followed by a personal services contract with USDA-ARS to investigate the feasibility of initiating a biological control project on the submersed aquatic weed Myriophyllum spicatum. This work took Ted to [taly wbere be was based for several months at the European Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory in Rome. He has conducted research on the biological control of aquatic and wetland weeds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from February 1978 to the present time and has been the research leader of the Aquatic Weed Research Unit (now the Invasive PIBRt Research Labo!1ltory) since May 1994. This research has taken Ted 10 numerous countries around the world including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, England, China, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Belize, Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, Pueno Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada.

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j It's Best to be Both Lucky and Good: Biological Control of Giant Salvinia

(i" Philip W. Tipping. Research Entomologist USDA·ARS Inva5ive Plant Research Laboratory 3205 College Ave

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Fort Lauderdale. Florida 33314 Phone: 954-475·0541 FAX: 954-476-9169 Email: ptipping@saa.ars.usda.gov

Worldwide efforts to control giant salvinia, Saillinia moles/a. using biological methods have been characterized by hard work, good science, Juck, and perseverance. At the same time. these same efforts have struggled with mis­identifications, bureaucratic infighting. and politics. It is illustrative to examine the chronology of some of these projects, including positive and negative events and how they influenced Ihe eventual outcomes. The experience of researchers in the United States is highlighted and the latest infonnation of the status of this weed is presented.

Philip W. Tippingjoined the USDA·ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory in 1999 after directing integrated pest management and biological control programs for insects and weeds at the Maryland Department of Agriculture since 1987. He completed. M.S. in entomology/ecology from the University of Delaware in 1983 and received a Ph.D. in · entomology from the University of Kentucky in 1986. His current research involves establishing classical biological control agents on Salvinia molesta. S. minima, and Melaleuca quinquenervia and evaluating their impact. In addition, he is conducting ccological and taxonomic studies of cryptic species of weevils that attack different species of salvinia, and directing efforts to biologica1ly control giant and common salvinia in Texas and Louisiana

j Biology and Host Specificity of Teelocoeeus opalus, a Potential Biological Control Agent for Strawberry Guava (Psidium eallieianum) in Florida

Frank J. Wessels, Research Assistant (presenter) James P. Cuda M. Tracy Johnson Universily of Horida Bldg. 970 Natural Are. Drive Gainesville. Florida 32611 Phone: 352·392·3616 FAX: 352·392·0190 Email: fwessels@ufl.edu

Strawberry guava (SG), P.sidiwn cattleianum Sabine, is a weed native to the Atlantic forest ecosystem of southeastern Brazil and is listed as a category I invasive species. Introduced to Horida as an ornamental, sa escaped cultivation and alters native plant communities. Furthermore, sa is the preferred host of the adventive caribOy, Anastrepha .su.spensa Loew, a major agricultural pest in Aorida. A survey of associated entomofauna in Brazil identified five potential classical biocontrol agents of sa. The most promising was a leaf.galling eriococcid, Tectococcus ovatus Hempel. To dale, the insect appears to be highly host specific and may prove safe to release as a biological control agent in Florida.

Frank Wessels is a second year master's student in the EntomologylNematology Department at (he University of Aorida where he is testing the host specificity of Tectococcus Dvatus, a potential biocontrol agent of strawberry guava, Psidium cauleianum. Frank received his B.S. (rom the University of Tampa in 2002, with a double major in Marine Science and Biology.

1 Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum piarum) Control with Aminopyralid

W.N. Kline U. Mullnhey (University of Florida) J.A. Ferrell Dow AgroSciences Vegetation Management, Range & Pa5ture R&D Phone: 770·623·6818 FAX: 678-417·6880 Email: wnkline@dow.com

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Aminopyralid is a new pyridine herbicide for broadleaf and semi-woody perennial plants from Dow AgroSciences. It was granted Reduced Risk status and Expedited Review with US EPA and is expected to be registered by late 2005. The formulated commercial product that will be offered initially in Florida for TSA control (currently designated as GF-871) is a liquid 21b ae/gallon formulation. Based upon current research TSA can be controlled with aminopyralid either as post-emergent of pre-emergent applications. Aminopyralid provides excellent control of mature TSA plants at rates from 4 to 7 fl ozlacre (GF-87I). Any size plant or stage of maturity can be treated with Aminopyralid and excellent control can be expected. Seasonal differences in plant morphology, vigor, fruiting stage, canopy density (presence or absence of foliage) does not seem to affect the performance of Aminopyralid which is not the case with RemedyTM Herbicide; Current estimates are 6 months + of residual seedling control. Lower cast per acre and better efficacy is expected to increase acres treated in Florida and other parts of the SE.

Bill Kline is a Research Scientist with Dow AgroSciences in Duluth, Georgia. Bill worked for Dow Agro for 23 years as a field scientist & as a technical resource to customers, cooperators & field sales. Responsibilities in this job have included research/stewardship/uses in invasive plant control. range & pasture, rights-or-ways, forestry, aquatics and new product development (global research efforts within the company). He also worked on fire ant field research and control efforts. Bill has fifteen years of experience with exotic/invasive plant control research and operational control programs in the SE and Florida with an emphasis on tropical invasive plants. Prior to Dow, Bill worked for Champion International for 5 years (1977-1982) on tree nursery construction project and as SE R&D Supervisor. Bill has a B.S. in Forestry (1974) and a M.S in Forestry (1977) both from University of Georgia.

Herbicide Application Strategies for Control of Lead Tree (L leucacephala)

Scott Ditmarsen (presenter) Ross Dickerson (Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation) Jim Duquesnel (FDEP, Florida Park Service) Bob Repenning (Lee County, Parks and Recreation) Richard Sullivan (Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation) Dow AgroSciences, LLC 5030 Ashington Landing Drive Tampa, Florida 33647 Phone: 813-866-7090 FAX: 813-866-7096 Email: scditmarsen@dow.com

Lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala) is a Category II exotic invasive species commonly found in disturbed areas, along roadsides, and on waste spoil sites. This leguminous, woody species reproduces from seed and root sprouts and can develop dense thickets, growing to heights of 30 feet or more. Many herbicides have been ineffective or inconsistent in controlling lead tree. In 2003 and 2004, six trials were conducted in central and south Florida to evaluate several herbicides and application techniques for control of lead tree. Basal, cut stump. or foliar applications of clopyralid, fluroxypyr, fosamine. metsulfuron methyl, and triclopyr were tested. Results to date indicate several promising alternatives, including "extended" basal application of triclopyr, several cut stump treatments, and foliar application of c1opyralid.

Scott is a Senior Sales Specialist in Industrial Vegetation Management for Dow AgroSciences, covering central and south Rorida. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Forestry from the University of Minnesota and a M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Since joining Dow AgroSciences in 1981, Scott has held several different research and product development positions in the Midwest before moving to Florida in his current role in 2002. His primary responsibilities included herbicide research, technical service, and training in the agricultural, forestry, and invasive weed markets. Prior to working for Dow AgroSciences, he was a Research Forester with Crown Zellerbach Corporation in Louisiana for three years, where he was responsible for forest fertilization and herbicide research. Scott has been an active member of several Weed Science Societies, the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, and the Rorida Vegetation Management Association. He resides in the Tampa area with his wife and two daughters.

j Racing to Stay Ah~ad of the Climbing Ferns: Update on the Central Florida Ly~odium Strategy

Kristina Serbesoff.King Doria R. Gordon Robert L. Nelson The Nature Conservancy 574 S. Beach Road Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 Phone: 561-744-6668 Email: kserbesoffking@tnc.org

The Central Florida Lygodium Strategy (CFLS) was developed to provide a cooperative, comprehensive program to address the northward spread Old World climbing fern (Lygodium micropilyl/um) and southward spread of Japanese climbing fern (Lygodiumjaponicum). This goal has begun to be realized with new funding opportunities for on·the· ground control efforts, collaborative mapping and assessment projects and a focused communication plan. Progress includes securing funding (or a pilot project for control of climbing ferns on private lands in Polk and Highlands counties, proposals submitted for additional funding through federal grants for both the pilot project and the entire CFLS. inclusion of the CFLS zone for prioritized collection of georeferenced data on occurrences of exotic pest plants on public conservation lands by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAJ) Florida Invasive Plant Geodatabase project, inclusion of lhe strategy in the FLEPPC Lygodium Management Plan, and increased outreach ef[ons with the agricultural community. Other projects within the Slate that will contribute towards our success orc the recent mapping efforts of four invasive plants, including Iygodium, by the South Florida Water Management District from Lake Okeechobee north to Orlando and the release of the first biological control for Old World climbing fern.

Kristina Serbesoff-King is the Invasive Species Coordinator of The Nature Conservancy - Rorida Chapter. Her field of expertise is invasive non-native species. She earned a M.S. degree in Environmental Studies from Rorida International University in 2002. Kris has four years experience specific to non-native invasive species management and six years experience in environmental regulation including wetland permitting and natural resource planning and management.

Doria Gordon has been the Senior Ecologist for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy for 14 years and is a Courtesy Professor of Botany at the University of Florida. Her research on invasive species has focused on ecological effects, control methods, and assessment of invasiveness. Dr. Gordon completed a M.S. (1986) and Ph.D. (1989) in Ecology at the University of California at Davis. Her research focused on competitive interactions between blue oak seedlings and herbaceous neighbors within nalive perennial and non-native Mediterranean annual grasslands.

J Current Methodologies and Field Trials Treating Lygodium micropllyllum in Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Philip Myers Joshua Grinath Christopher Yandello Geoffrey Schmidt Department of Environmental Protection 13398 SE Federal Hwy Hobe Sound, Florida 33455 Phone: 772-546-0900 FAX: 772-223-2591 Email: Philip.Myers@dep.state.fl.us

Due to the increasingly problematic invasiveness of Lygodium microphyllum and its heavy infestation at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Martin County, southeast Florida, we decided to test the effectiveness of different treatment methodologies upon this plant. We will discuss the current treatment methods and costs of treatment by park staff. Additionally, we noted the progress of treatment by a private contractor. Aquatic Vegetation Control. and calculated the costs associated with private treatment. We conducted field trials treating L microplryll"m wilh several different mixtures of glyphosate (Rodeo), metsulfuron methyl (Escort), and ammonium salt of imazapic (Plateau). The chemicals were applied to both L. microphyllum cut at chest·height and L micropilyllllln allowed to climb the vegetation. Weather conditions were noted at time of herbicide application. Effectiveness of treatment was determined by the coverage of living L. microphyll"m through time. Surviving L microphyllllnJ was analyzed for root biomass to determine whether new sprouts arose from spores or from living roots that failed to die with the chemicals.

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Philip E. Myers is a Dislricl Biologislll wilh Ihe Horida Park Service. His area of specialization is exotic planl managemenl and he has been in Ihis posilion over four years. He has a BS from Ihe Universiry of Soulll Carolina in Marine Science and Masler's degree from Universily of Florida in Bolany.

~ Evaluating the Socio-Economic Impacts of M./Qleuca in South Florida

Katherine Carter-Finn, Master's Degree Candidate (presenter) Dr. Alan W. Hodges, Associate Professor University of Florida Food and Resource Economics Department Box 110240 Gainesville, Florida 3261 1-0240 Phone: 352-392-1881 x 312 FAX: 352-846-0988 Email: A WHodges@ifas.ufl.edu

Mtlaleuca qu;nquenerv;a is a major invasive plant in Aorida Since 1989, Florida agencies have spent about 525 million on its control and have succeeded in reducing the area it covers by about 129,000 acres. To document the current management and socia-economic impacts afthis species in order to help guide future policies, a survey was mailed 10 2,000 agricullurallandowners, 285 park/preserve managers, and 5,000 randomly selecled residenls in 10 Soulll Horida counties during May-July 2004. Response rales 10 lhe survey were 31 %,22%, and 20% respeclively. Professional managers reported a 10lal of 491,451 acres occupied by Melaleuca and 323,548 aCIeslrealed since 1990, or 66% of lIIe area occupied. Olher importanl invasive species reported included Schinus (232,901 ac.) and Lygodium (99,062 ac.). The mosl commonly used melhods reported for Melaleuca conlrol were felling wilh herbicide Slump trealmenl (228,433 ac.), basal frill wilh herbicide Irealmenl or "hack and squirt" (37,476 ac.), and biological control combined willi oilier melhods (30,575 ac.). Professional managers reported spending $6.9 million 10 conlrol Melaleuca in 2003. but were divided on whether the costs for controlling Melaleuca had changed over the past five years. Agricultural landowners indicated that Melaleuca had reduced agricultural productivity by and average of 24%, while park/preserve managers reported average losses of 23% in both ecological function ","d recreational usc value. Among residents, 2% of residents indicated that Melaleuen had reduced their property value, and 18% reponed that it had negatively affected their enjoyment of the outdoors. Barriers to better control Melaleuca identified by professional managers included the size of infestations, in3Ccc:ssibility, and the cost of treatment; for residents, the greatest barriers were fear or dislike of using chemicals. and lack of knowledge or equipment (0 carry-out treatments.

Katherine Carter-FiM is a Master's Degree Candidate at the University of Aorida, Food and Resource Economics Department. Her educational focus and interests have been: AgriculturallEnvironmental Law and Policy. Invasive Species, and Inlemalional Trade. Degree: B.S. Universily ofFiorida-2003

AJan Hodges is an Associate in Food & Resource Economics at the University of Aorida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, where he has worked since 1985 in various faculty and professional support positions. He also holds an affiliate appointment in the UF-School of Forest Resources and Conservation. He received a M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricullural and Biological Engineering from Ihe UniversilY of Florida (1988, '95), and a BA from Ihe Universily of Chicago (1982). His work specialties include economic impact analysis, market survey research, agribusiness management, environmental economics, and biomass energy resource development. "9.co-directs the UF program in Economic Impact Analysis, and is a licensed user of the ImplanPro economic impact and social accounting software. He has participaled in projecls wilh 10lal funding support in excess of $1.7 million, and has aulhored over 100 book chapters, monographs, refereed journal articles and conference proceedings. He has extensive international development work experience in Latin America. He serves as editor of the Forest Chemicals Review, an.international trade magazine.

j Mela/euca qujnque~e",ia Seed Dynamics in South Florida: How Long do they Remain Viable in South Florida Soil Environments?

Min B Rayamajhi and Thai K Van USDA_ARS, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory 3205 College Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 Phone: 954-475-0541 x 149 Email: minray@saa.ars.usda.gov

Fr:mcois Laroche South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Aorida 33416 FAX: 561-681-6232

A decline in both quality and quantity of canopy-held melaleuca seeds was noted for Oxyops·damaged trees, but the fate o(these seeds on the forcst noor was not known. We used burial and removal techniques with seed bags to examine seed viability and longevity in the soil at four sites in south Florida. Seed viability was determined using combination of germination and 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrozolium chloride (lTC) tests. Dry seeds stored in laboratory maintained ca. 15% viability over the 3 years, and may remain viable for several years. In the field, seed Viability dccreased rapidly with increased burial duration. Most buried seeds lost viability by ca. 1.5 year at seasonally f100dcd and permanently flooded sites, whereas seeds buried at non-flooded sites survived over a period up to 2 to 2.3 years. Seed viability was prolonged in deeper horizons th<ln on the surface at non·floodcd sites but not on seasonally· and permanently· flooded sites. Soil types also had a significant effect on seed viability. Loss of viability was faster in organic (muck) soils than in sandy soils. These results suggest that melaleuca soil seed bank may severely deplete within 2 10 3 years of deposition on the forest floor under south Aorida conditions.

Dr. Min B. Rayamajhi is a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA, ARS, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory in Ft. Lauderdale Aorida where his research is focuses on Biological Control of Invasive Plants. Min received his M.S. (1987) & Ph.D. (1995) from University of Aorida and his professional experience consists of pathology and ecology of melaleuca and climbing ferns. He served as faculty at the University of Aorida from 1995-2002 and has been with the USDA, ARS, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory since 2002.

, Iris pseudacorlls in Jackson County, Florida: A Case Study in the early Detection and Prevention of Potential Invasives

Robert L. Farley PBS&J 100 Beckrich Rd Suite 230 Panama City Beach, Aorida 32407 Phone: 850-236-8675 FAX: 850-236-8676 Email: rlfarley@pbsj.com

In a routine inspection of stormwaler facilities along Hwy 231 near Campbellton in Jackson County. Florida, Chris Connor, a FOOT District 3 Maintenance Engineer, and Bob Farley, a representative of the District Landscape Manager, discovered a dense growth of a large plant encroaching into the basin of a stormwater detention pond. compromising the capacity of the retention system. Further inspection revealed this plant to be Iris pselldacorlls, a plant listcd by the Plant Conservation Alliance as invasive in twelve stales. Research revealed that the plant was installed in error as "Louisiana" iris. A decision was made to remove it before it escaped out the outfall to a downstream watershed. Plans are underway to drain the pond and physically remove the rootstock of the plant, with a follow up treatment program with an aquatic herbicide. The removal and disposal of the plants will be documented for presentation to other area maintemmce engineers within District 3. It is hoped that all will see the importance of early detection and removal of this potential exotic invasive of Httoral systems.

Robert L. Farley is a Landscape Architect with the firm Post, Buckley, Schuh, mld Jernigan (Representing the District Landscape Manager, FOOT District 3, Willson McBurney). Bob received a B.L.A. degree from Louisiana State University in 1971 and has 25 years experience in design and installation ofnativelnaturallandscapes.

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J Availability in Florida Nurseries oCInvasive Plants on a Voluntary "Do Not Sell" List

Barney P Caton, EcologisllPest Risk Analyst Center of Plant Health Science & Technology, USDA·APHIS·PPQ 1730 Varsity Drive Suite 300 Raleigh, North Carolina 27278 Phone: 919·855·7504 FAX: 919·855·7599 Email: hamey.p.caton@aphis,usda.gov

I assessed the availability of invasive plants in Aorida nurseries before and after publication of a voluntary udo not seU" list in 200 I. The list included 43 known invasive plants. I compared current availability to that in 1999 in a print catalog. In 1999. 181iSled species were sold at 76 different nurseries. o.nd ten nurseries had more than onc listed species. In 2004, 18 listed species were available at 81 different nurseries, and five nurseries sold more than one listed species. Fifteen species were available both times, and 19 nurseries sold listed species at both times. Nine of those nurseries were members of the nursery association. I found an additional 22 Florida purseries selJing another 8 listed species online. Of those, 13 sold more than one listed species, and 15 were association members. Overall. 26 of 43 species (60%) of plants on tbe "do not sell" list were currently available at Florida demers. Thus, I found no evidence thai the program reduced trade in listed plants in Florida. Factors such as internet availability and economic realities pose serious challenges to the effectiveness of such voluntary programs.

Barney P. Caton is an EcologisllPest Risk Analyst with the Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, Plan. Protection and Quarantine, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. His field of experience is in weed ecology, invasive species. quantitative risk assessment. and regulation. Barney received a BS in Chemistry from Pepperdine University in 1989 and a PhD in Ecology from the University of California, Davis in 1998. He has 13 years of experience in weed ecology and 2.5 years in pest risk analysis.

1 Southwest Florida International Airport Mitigation Park Update

Sarah Jamieson. Senior Manager, Planning and Environmental Compliance Lee County Port Authori'y 16000 Chamberlin Parkway, Suite 8671 Fort Myers, Florida 33913 (239) 7684326 sbjamieson@swfia.com

Anik L. Smith, Ecologist II Johnson Engineering, Inc. 2158 Johnson Street Fort Myers, A.. 33901 Tel: (239)461·3327 FAX: (239) 334-3661 ALS@johnsoneng.com www.johnsonengineering.com

Southwest Florida International Airport is in the final stages of constructing a new terminal building. As with many large transportation infrastructure construction projects, there were unavoidable wetland impacts that were mitigated for off·site. The conslruction site for the Midfield Tenninal Complex (MTC) is approximately 2,800 acres and included over 650 acres of wetland impacts. Planning and permitting for this project started over 10 years ago.and through interagency streamlining efforts, permitting was completed on a condensed schedule with a significant cost savings. The 7,000 acre mitigation park was acquired for approximately 21 million dollars jointly funded by the Lee County Pon Authority and Florida Department of Transportation. The Park is located 4 miles east of the airport and contains the 1,000 acre Imperial Marsh, the largest freshwater marsh in Lee County. The Mitigation Park provides not only headwater protection for the Estero Bay, a designated Florida Outstanding Water body and imponant estuary in the region, but provides connectivity and a green corridor south to the Everglades National Park. The offsHe mitigation approved by the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers provided shon term and long term restoration and management goals. There were three major methods for removing/controlling exotic vegetation within the Park. Mechanical removal was utilized 10 harvest dense stands of Brazilian pepper (Schinus lerebinlhiJolius) and melalcuca (Melalellcll qu;nquenervia). Hand removal and hand chemical treatment was used for numerous exotic and nuisance species. As a second:uy treatment to treated or chipped exotics, a rigorous prescribed

bum plan has been established to decrease biomass and provide open areas for hand crews to perform annual maintenance sweeps of the entire Park. Exotic vegetation and other land management activities will continue at the park in perpetuity per the permit requirements. Ongoing management of species such as Brazilian Pepper (SchilluS terebinthifloius), torpedo grass (PmJicum repCIlS L.) and West Indian march grass (Hymenachne amplexicaulis ) is an ongoing chal1enge and keeping the infestation of new exotics will always be monitored. Another significant portion of the project was the wetland design and creation phase. Due to the concerns of low success rates for created wetlands, it was decided to excavate wetland organic "muck" material from the high quality wetlands that were going to be impacted at th~ MTC construction site. Approximately 8,000 dump truck loads of muck were hauled to the mitigation park to lay the foundation for the created wetland areas. The grading included over SOD,OOO cubic yards of excavation to make room for the muck. Over 700,000 plants were installed in the creation areas. Due to the importation oC muck material from high quality impacted wetlands, the plantings have been very successful and exotic vegetation in these areas has been minimal.

Sarah Jamieson is Senior Manager of Planning and Environmental Compliance for the Lee County Port Authority. She is responsible for planning and environmental issues for Southwest Florida International Airport, Page Field General Aviation Airport and mitigation areas related to the airports' growth and development. Before joining the Port Authority in early 2004, Sarah served as Land Stewardship Coordinator with Lee County Parks and Recreation. She managed all environmental aspects of the 2,2()()·acre Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, including land management, mitigation.related projects, permit reviews and coordination with environmental consultants and other governmental agencies. She also previously held positions with the Rorida Department of Environmental Protection at Rookery Bay National Estuary and Research Reserve, and the Northumberland County Conservation District in Pennsyl vania. Sarah holds a biology degree from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Penn., and is working toward a master's degree in Public Administration, focused on environmental policy and planning, at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is currently the President of the Southwest Chapter of the Florida Association of Environmental ProCessionals and a member of Florida Airports Council, ACI·NA, AAAE and the Florida Native PJant Society.

2S

NOTES

We sincerel~ thank our sponsors and

exhibitors tor their support

Sponsors Aquatic Vegetation Control

www.ovcoquatic.com

BASF www.basf.com

Dow AgroSciences www.dowogro.com

SePro Corp www.sepro.com

Syngenta www.syngento.com

UAP Timberland www.uol?timberlond.com

. Exhibitors / Vendors Brewer International

www.brewerlnt.com

Dupont VMF Specialty Products www.dupont.com/og

Helena Chemical Company www.helenochemicol.com

NaturChem www.naturdhem.com

ProSource One www.prosourceooe.com

TAME Melaleuca www.ors.usdo.gov

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