Invasive Species and Alternative Control Methods Workshop 2023

The NCWMA hosted a daylong workshop on Invasive Species and Alternative Control Methods on July 20th, 2023 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin.  Thanks to everyone who attended and presented! Thanks to the Whittlesey National Wildlife Refuge for bus transportation and to the U.S. Forest Service for providing a great venue for the event

AGENDA

MORNING PRESENTATIONS (9:00 AM -11:35 AM)

9:00 – 9:05     Greeting. Ramona Shackleford, Coordinator of the Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area (NCWMA).

9:05 – 9:25     Treating wetland plants with a multi-pronged approach. Various methods of treating purple loosestrife/Phragmites/cattail: cutting underwater, water level manipulation, swiping, digging, cutting, removing seeds/flowers. Presented by Alexander Selle, Lake Superior AIS Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

9:25 – 9:45     Fire ecology and invasive species. Presented by Dr. Peggy Burkman. Biologist, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

9:45 – 10:05   Using fire for invasive species control. Presented by Eric North, Botanist, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Fire use on different scales. Using a torch vs prescribed fire.

10:05 – 10:25  History of the prescribed burn at the Visitor Center and torch demo. Walk into the field. Presented by Eric North, Botanist,  Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

10:25 – 10:35  Break

10:35 – 10:55  Invasive woody plants: a threat to wildlife, the environment, and people. Presented virtually by Dr. Mark Renz, Professor/Extension Weed Specialist, Agronomy Dept., U.W. Madison.

10:55 – 11:15  The effectiveness of treating purple loosestrife with biocontrol. Presented by Dara Fillmore Lake Superior Basin & St. Croix River Basin, Water Resources Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

11:15– 11:35  Assessing the utility of a native pathogenic fungus as a biocontrol alternative to herbicide on invasive buckthorns in forests of upper Michigan. Presented by Abraham Stone. Advisor Dr. Sigrid Resch, Research Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area, Michigan Technological University.

11:35 – 12:00  Lunch: Ashland Baking Company

AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS (12:00 PM to 3:30 PM)

12:00 – 1:00   Treating leafy-spurge with biocontrol, mowing, and herbicide treatments. Maple Hill Rd, Washburn (15 min drive). Discussion leads: Wendy Stein and Phil Freeman (Landowners); Steve Garske and Travis Bartnick (GLIFWC).

1:00 – 2:00     Management options and a demonstration of treating yellow flag iris. Friendly Valley Rd. (20 min drive). Discussion led by Travis Bartnick (GLIFWC) and Alex Selle (DNR).

2:00 – 2:45     Community project and grant process to treat buckthorn, honeysuckle & garden valerian along the Washburn lakefront trail (10 min drive). Discussion led by Erika Lang (Landmark Conservancy). Moneywort infestation and treatments (BAEC).

2:45 – 3:15    Treating buckthorn with goats over multiple years in Washburn Discussion led by Jake Williams, RegenerativeRuminants.

3:30                Bus arrives back at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.