Cal-IPC News Protecting California’s Natural Areas from Wildland Weeds

Vol. 17, No. 4 Winter 2007-2008 Quarterly Newsletter of the California Invasive Plant Council

Adventures in Biocontrol

Biocontrol researchers explore wildlands Inside: worldwide, looking for natural predators of weeds in their home range. Above, beetle Biocontrol 101...... 4 taxonomist and USDA collaborator Marek in California...... 8 Volkovich of the Russian Academy of Sciences hunts for yellow starthistle biocontrol agents Weed Alert! Carrichtera annua...... 9 in Turkey. Story page 4. Cal-IPC student chapter forms at UCR...... 10

Photo: Lincoln Smith, USDA-ARS. Shredding water hyacinth...... 11 From the Director’s Desk California Invasive Plant Council Biocontrols: Can we do the job without them? 1442-A Walnut Street, #462 Berkeley, CA 94709 If our goal is to effectively control invasive plants at the landscape scale, long-time weed (510) 843-3902 fax (510) 217-3500 workers tell us, “No, we cannot do it without biocontrols.” Even if we are able to signifi- www.cal-ipc.org cantly increase the resources available for weed management, landscape-level control for [email protected] powerful invaders like yellow starthistle, , or Cape-ivy may well be impossible A California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization without biocontrols. Recent successes, like that of the Diorhabda beetle on tamarisk (see Protecting California’s natural areas Vol. 11, No. 4), suggest that help may be on the way. from wildland weeds through research, restoration, and education. The weed control potential of a dedicated work crew of host-specific is enor-

STAFF mous. The ideal “biological control agent” works year after year, spreading throughout the Doug Johnson, Executive Director range of the targeted invasive plant, finding the most hard-to-reach plants. Though a bio- [email protected] control agent can never completely eradicate their targeted host plant (as dictated by basic Elizabeth Brusati, Project Manager population dynamics), agents can knock a weed population’s numbers way back, reducing [email protected] the weed’s impact while making it more readily controlled with other integrated methods. Cora Puliatch, Outreach Coordinator [email protected] Developing such a successful biocontrol agent takes a large investment of resources. Bertha McKinley, Office Manager [email protected] First, there is exploration in the target plant’s home range to identify potential agents. Then comes extensive testing to ensure that the agent is narrowly “host-specific” and will not DIRECTORS attack other related plants (especially those native to, or commercially produced in, the Jason Giessow, President (2009) Santa Margarita/San Luis Rey Weed Management Area target region). Finally, there are substantial regulatory permitting requirements, and eventu- Wendy West, Vice President (2009) ally field release monitoring. It is a long row to hoe, and steady funding for what can be a U.C. Cooperative Extension decade-long process is challenging to come by. Jennifer Erskine Ogden, Treasurer (2009) UC Davis We are fortunate in California to have some valuable resources for such development, John Knapp, Secretary (2009) including the University of California, the USDA-ARS lab in Albany, as well as the Cali- Catalina Island Conservancy fornia Department of Food & Agriculture and county agricultural departments, who have Dan Gluesenkamp, Past President (2009) Audubon Canyon Ranch long-standing networks for dispersing approved agents. Carolyn Cromer (2009) The Land Trust of Napa County These are heady days for biocontrol agents, and their potential to make a significant im- Bob Case (2008) pact on our work should be acknowledged and supported. Diorhabda beetles appear to be a California Native Plant Society major biocontrol success story, addressing perhaps the most widely known weed in the west- David Chang (2008) ern US. New yellow starthistle agents are in the pipeline, and permit applications for two Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner’s Office Cape-ivy agents are in the final stages of preparation. We hope our feature article demystifies Chris Christofferson (2009) Plumas National Forest the topic and gives you a better idea of what is on the horizon for biocontrols. Joanna Clines (2008) Sierra National Forest Jason Casanova (2008) Los Angeles/San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council Sharon Farrell (2009) Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Doug Gibson (2008) San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Beth Keer (2009) East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden Cheryl McCormick (2008) Santa Lucia Conservancy Tanya Meyer (2009) Yolo County Resource Conservation District Mark Newhouser (2009) Sonoma Ecology Center Kate Symonds (2009) US Fish & Wildlife Service Affiliations for identification purposes only. Last year of term noted.

Cal-IPC News Winter 2007-2008 - Volume 17, Number 4 Editors: Doug Johnson, Elizabeth Brusati, Cora Puliatch

Cal-IPC News is published quarterly by the California Invasive Plant Council. Articles may be reprinted with permission from the editor. Submissions are welcome. Mention of commercial products does not imply endoresement A thing of beauty. Eustenopus villosus, the yellow starthistle hairy weevil, is reducing seed by Cal-IPC. We reserve the right to edit all work. production across California. Photo by Lincoln Smith, USDA-ARS.  Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 Wildland Weed NewsNewsNewsNewsNews

A new draft of the National Invasive Spe- Cal-IPC has become an official voting Missoula, Feb. 13-14 to discuss invasive cies Management Plan for the next five member of the National Environmental species in natural areas, and to strategize years (2008-2012) has been released by the Coalition on Invasive Species (NECIS), forming an EPPC. missoulaeduplace.org/ National Invasive Species Council. www. joining with groups including Defenders of weeds_conference.php invasivespeciesinfo.gov Wildlife, Union of Concerned Scientists, The Nature Conservancy, and National The New York State Dept. of Environmen- US protections against introductions of Wildlife Federation. www.necis.net tal Conservation has created a new office invasive species are inadequate, accord- to address invasive species. With a staff ing to a report by the World Conservation The Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Coun- of four and budget of $5 million, the office Union. Risks to our environment and cil was born Nov. 16, 2007, at a 3-day will undertake outreach, early detection, economy are inadequately addressed by meeting hosted by the Lady Bird Johnson policy, research, and granting. Associated federal policy. www.iucn.org/places/usa Wildflower Center. The state already has Press 12/27/07. significant infrastructure, including a report- Zebra mussel, a mollusk that has wreaked ing system for early detection, and outreach Early Announcement! havoc on the Great Lakes, has been found to the horticultural community. for the first time in California. The texasinvasives.org 2008 Cal-IPC Symposium Dept. of Fish & Game announced that a Oct. 2-4, Chico State University fisherman found the invaders at San Justo A Northern Rockies Exotic Pest Plant Paper and Poster abstract submissions Reservoir in San Benito County. LA Times, Council may be forming, as well. Regional accepted March 1 through July 1 1/16/2008. weed workers organized a conference in See www.cal-ipc.org for details

Registration open for our 2008... Join us in Sacramento for Wildland Weed Field Courses 2008 Invasive Weeds NEW! Dicounted Rates for Restoration Volunteers! Day at the Capitol Looking to hone your wildland weed management skills this year? Our full-day courses provide expert instruction on core topics for your work: control methods, March 12, 2008 biology and identification, mapping, and revegetation. Courses include reference binder and DPR credits. Register at www.cal-ipc.org, or call us at (510) 843-3902. Policy updates, Capitol training, WWFC-1: Know your Wildland Weeds! Biology & Identification NEW! visits to your legislators! WWFC-2: Know your Tools! Control Methods for Wildland Weeds Work to: WWFC-3: Wildland Weed Mapping - Secure WMA funding WWFC-4: Revegetation for Wildland Weed Projects NEW! - Establish an interagency council for coordination Santa Barbara: Berkeley: Sedgwick Reserve Brazil Room, Tilden Regional Park April 21 - Biology & Identification July 23 - Biology & Identification Your advocacy has been key in April 22 - Control Methods July 24 - Control Methods maintaining WMA program funding so far. Let’s keep it up, South Lake Tahoe: Chico: Lake Tahoe Community College Bidwell Park* and work on a state interagency May 28 - Biology & Identification October 1 - Revegetation coordination body while we’re May 29 - Control Methods at it! Berkeley: San Diego: East Bay Regional Parks District, Trudeau Mission Trails Regional Park Training Center Register at June 6* - Biology & Identification November 6* - Mapping www.cal-ipc.org June 7* - Control Methods * to be confirmed

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008  Feature Article Biocontrol 101: Classical biological control of weeds Lincoln Smith, USDA-ARS

Modified from an earlier version published in was so intractable that bankers refused to logical control methods alone cannot bring CDFA’s Noxious Times, Spring 2006. Dr. loan money to ranchers whose land was in- them under control. Can these weeds also Smith is a Research Entomologist with the Ex- fested. Why had the plant suddenly become be controlled the way Klamath weed was? otic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit at the such a big problem? It was an alien plant USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center that had colonized a new region where the How it works in Albany, CA. climate and soils were just right, and where there were few diseases or herbivores to at- The theory behind classical biologi- hen I first moved to cal control is grounded in the W California in 2000, I concept that plant populations are stopped in the town of Weed, generally limited by a combina- north of Mount Shasta. In the tion of adverse environmental center of town was a display of factors: climate, soil, competition planted flowers depicting the with other plants and attack by Klamath weed beetle (Chrysoli- herbivores (pathogens, insects, na quadrigemina), and a plaque grazing , etc.). These commemorating how this in- herbivores are known as “natural sect had saved California from enemies.” In the region where the scourge of Klamath weed. the plant first evolved, natural This year, when I happened to enemies also evolved to exploit pass through Weed, I noticed the plant, which helps to limit the that the memorial had been plant’s population size. However, replaced by something more if the plant is moved to a new contemporary. I imagine that continent where its natural en- most Californians are no longer emies do not occur, then the plant aware of how serious a problem may be able to multiply much Klamath weed was, nor are faster than it did in its homeland. they aware that the beetles are If we can find natural enemies still “doing their job” of keep- in the land of origin that attack ing the weed in check. This is only this weed, then we could re- the beauty of classical biological lease them here to help bring the control—it keeps on working plant back under natural control. long after we have forgotten The key is to find natural enemies that we ever had a problem. that will not attack other plants. You probably recognize the It takes time to discover potential name St. Johnswort (Klamath biological control agents, to evalu- weed, goat weed, Hypericum ate them to determine that they perforatum) as an over-the- are safe, and to obtain approval by A field in Mendocino County before and after biocontrol by counter herbal medication. regulatory agencies. This can take Chrysolina quadrigemina. At top, from 1948, the foreground However, by 1930 this alien 5 to 10 years, and even longer if is filled with Klamath weed. By 1950, range grass had replaced plant had become the scourge the program is not sufficiently Klamath weed. The lower photo, from 1966, shows sustained of ranchers in Northern Cali- funded. control of Klamath weed. Photos by J.K. Holloway, USDA-ARS. fornia and Oregon. The plant It is not always possible to find contains hypericin, which is safe, effective agents, but if the toxic to sheep and cattle. If it were just a tack it. This was enough to tip the ecologi- alien plant does not have any close relatives rare wildflower, it would not be a problem; cal balance in favor of the weed, especially in North America, then there is a very good however, the plant multiplied and became in heavily grazed grasslands. chance of finding natural enemies that will the most common plant on many ranches in Today, despite the development of highly not attack non-target native or commer- Northern California and Oregon. effective herbicides and other treatments, cially important plants. About 30 to 90% This was before the invention of her- we are faced with an increasing number of of adequately funded projects are successful, bicides, and ranchers helplessly watched as alien plants that are invading areas so large depending on how you define a project or their land became invaded. The problem or environmentally sensitive that non-bio- success.

 Cal-IPC News Winter 2008

Tamarisk After more than a decade of testing, the Diorhabda beetle was released at test sites in Ne- vada and other western states in 2001 (see Cal-IPC News, Winter 2004). Tamarisk populations at many sites had been damaged substantially (some with mortality of 75%), giv- ing hope for controlling for one of the west’s most destructive weeds. In California, the beetle has been tested at Cache Creek west of Sacramento, and was distributed by CDFA northward to Glenn and Tehama counties in 2007. Testing in southern California water- Biocontrol development requires connections between researchers around the world. Con- sheds with warmer-climate ecotypes has ducting on-the-ground exploration for potential biocontrol agents requires a strong knowl- been completed, and Diorhabda will edge of natural history, local languages, and ability to travel well. Adventurous weed workers be released along the Mojave River and should consider the career option of becoming globe-trotting field biologists for biocontrol three other major watersheds in 2008. research! Here, Marek Volkovich from the Russian Academy of Sciences researches biologi- An excellent article on tamarisk bio- cal control agents for yellow starthistle in Turkey. Photo by Lincoln Smith, USDA-ARS. control appeared in the Nov. 26, 2007 issue of High Country News, available “Classical biological control” refers to plants. This is because insects have been online at hcn.org. Photo by Raymond I. the discovery and release of naturally oc- trying to eat plants for a long time, and each Carruthers, USDA-ARS. curring species to control a pest (plant or plant species has evolved ways to defend ). It involves releasing a relatively itself. We are all aware that most wild plants small number of biological control agents, are not good for humans to eat. Further- Cape-ivy which then multiply and spread on their more, we have livers that detoxify the harm- In 1997, CNPS own. Other methods of biological control ful chemicals found in the plants that we do stalwart Jake Sigg or “biocontrol,” involve repeated releases of like to eat. Cooking also deactivates many began solicit- high numbers of biological control agents potentially toxic proteins in our food. ing donations to (often pathogens, tiny parasitic insects or Of course insects do not cook, and support research predaceous mites) to control pests. Some they do not have livers, but they do have on biocontrols for pathogens can be mass-produced and some pretty effective enzymes to detoxify Cape-ivy, one of applied like a conventional insecticide or plant toxins. However, because plants have the top weeds in herbicide. Genetic modification of plants developed so many different kinds of toxins, California’s coastal or insects and use of pheromones ( most insects are forced to specialize. Insects watersheds. To date, over $250,000 has perfumes) has also been called biocontrol by must also specialize to be able to find their been contributed to Cal-IPC, which some. plants, often by odor and taste, and they passes all funds to USDA-ARS to sup- must specialize to be at the right develop- port South African partners conducting What can go wrong? mental stage at the right time to attack the research in Cape-ivy’s home range. Dr. right part of the plant to feed on. Joe Balciunas at the Albany lab has Usually the first question someone asks Thus, when Klamath weed populations completed host-specificity testing for after they hear about classical biological suddenly decreased as the Klamath beetle the two most promising agents, a gall control is, “After they finish eating all the population exploded, the beetles did not fly (pictured) and a stem-boring moth. weeds, what will the insects attack?” It is a start attacking other plants. Although there He is submitting his research to USDA- natural question and the one that scientists, was some feeding on a few other Hypericum APHIS, and will begin field-testing the like me, spend most of our time working species, the insects continued to search for agents in the Big Sur area, with simul- on. Klamath weed and when the weed became taneous testing in southern California Although some insects attack a wide scarce, so did the beetles. by UC Santa Barbara collaborators, variety of plants, most herbivorous insects Scientists have been extremely effective once permits are obtained. Photo by Joe feed on only a few species of closely related in predicting which plants may be attacked Balciunas, USDA-ARS.

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008  by a prospective biological control agent, harms and benefits of the target weed and Yellow starthistle despite the fact that it is impossible to test potential risks and benefits of releasing the every species of plant. During foreign ex- agent. TAG reviews the petition and makes Five agents were approved for release ploration for a new biological control agent, a recommendation whether to approve from 1984 to 1992. The most effec- scientists quickly eliminate species known the agent or not, and may request that the tive are the hairy weevil (Eustenopus to attack other plants, and focus on those petitioner conduct additional experiments villosus) and false peacock fly Chae( - that are thought to be highly host specific. to answer specific concerns. If TAG recom- torellia succinea, pictured). Each lays Scientists also focus on species that are not mends approval, then the petition goes to eggs in the flower heads of yellow likely to be eaten by generalist predators USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health starthistle, where larvae later eat the to avoid wasting time on a “dud” that may Inspection Service), which reviews the infor- plants’ seeds. These agents are widely never become abundant enough to reduce mation, consults with USFWS to determine established around California. In two the weed population. if there is no significant risk to threatened or undisturbed sites monitored by CDFA The infamous ecological disasters caused endangered species, announces the proposed over the last decade, yellow starthistle by releasing mongoose or cane toads in the permit in the Federal Register, and receives populations declined significantly. past were not done by scientists, and these public comment. If this process results in a However, populations along roadsides “biological control agents” did not undergo FONSI (finding of no significant impact), and in heavily grazed areas are not as any approval process by regulatory agencies. then APHIS can issue a permit for the well controlled. Dr. Lincoln Smith at In fact, many invasive species were once scientist to make releases. Any state where a the Albany lab has researched a new “intentionally” introduced for ornamental release is to be made must also give permis- rosette weevil from Turkey that dam- purposes or because someone wanted to sion. ages the root system, and has formally “free” a pet. None of these underwent the The permit specifies the conditions un- requested permission to release it. Two intensive evaluation and approval process der which the releases can be made. Often additional agents are currently being required today for introducing biological the first releases are conducted inside cages, researched: a flea beetle from Russia control agents for weeds. both to confine the agents and improve that damages young stems, and a blis- their chances of establishing, but also to per- ter mite from Approval process mit further testing of any non-target plants Bulgaria that In order to release a classical biological thought likely to be affected by the agent. damages control agent into the wild in North Ameri- Once the agent is established, and there are young flow- ca, approval must be given by both the state no further non-target concerns, the cage is ers. A rust and federal governments. The formal evalu- removed and the agent may be released at pathogen ation process requires the person proposing additional sites. was released to make the release to submit a “petition” to Whether or not to release a biological in 2003, TAG (Technical Advisory Group). TAG is control agent is a governmental decision but has not a committee that has a representative from that weighs potential risks against benefits established each of the U.S. federal departments, agen- and is aided by scientific information and well. cies with land management responsibilities analysis. An important part of this decision (U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land is public opinion of what is acceptable risk Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, to non-target species and what is the per- Getting agents out etc.) and representatives from Canada and ceived benefit of reducing the weed popula- To distribute biocontrol agents into the Mexico. TAG specifies the information tion. Public opinion can change over time, field, the California Dept. of Food & required in their Reviewers Manual. and this has created some of our invasive Agriculture (CDFA) helps researchers Before beginning research on a prospec- species problems. For example, in 1969 the establish initial field sites for new bio- tive biological control agent, the scientist beetle Rhinocyllus conicus was approved for control agents, monitors these nursery must submit a proposed host plant test release to control musk thistle (Carduus sites, multiplies biocontrol populations, list to TAG for review and approval. This nutans). The petition stated that the insect and eventually invites county agricul- provides the opportunity to criticize the would also attack some species of North tural commissioners to a field day where research plan and to add non-target plants American native thistles (Cirsium spp.), they receive training and collect agents that should be tested. The scientist then but at that time this was acceptable because to take back to their counties. Agricul- conducts tests to determine what non-target many people considered all thistles to be tural commissioners are then able to get plants the agent may attack under extreme undesirable. the agents out to landowners locally. conditions (ie. none of their preferred host Today, public opinion has changed and Recent distribution programs include is available) and under more realistic condi- there is a much greater desire to protect all releases of a leaf weevil on Mediter- tions (choice of target weed and non-target native species, including thistles. Under ranean sage in northeastern California plants). The results are summarized in the today’s standards, R. conicus would not be and two leaf beetles on purple loose- petition to TAG, that also includes all that approved for release, but that is little conso- strife statewide. is known about the prospective biological lation to those seeing the beetle attack native control agent and the target weed. thistles. Once a biological control agent is The petition reviews both the known released and becomes widespread, it cannot

 Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 be “recalled.” Thus, it is important to be as make remaining plants more susceptible to foresighted as possible when making deci- control using other techniques. Weeds that In the pipeline... sions to release a biological control agent. have been successfully controlled in North Russian thistle: USDA finished evalu- America by introduced agents include Integrated management and ation on a mite and is waiting on the tansy ragwort, musk thistle, puncturevine, approval process. Foreign cooperators biological control and purple loosestrife. Recently success is are searching for additional agents. being achieved for leafy spurge, melaleuca, Not every alien plant that is introduced saltcedar and several knapweeds. However, Scotch thistle: USDA is testing agents to a new region becomes invasive. In fact, in order to avoid replacing one weed by approved in Australia and conduct- only about 10% of the alien plants in- another, it is important to remember that ing additional exploration in Eastern troduced to North America have become biological control is just one component of Europe. established in the wild, and only about 10% a vegetation management plan. Brooms: Cal-IPC is partnering with of those have become serious weeds. For this others in Oregon, Washington and Aus- 1% that become invasive, if we could pre- Contact the author at [email protected]. tralia on the International Broom Initia- vent their establishment or eradicate them tive. Prospective agents are undergoing soon after they establish, then we could For more information: initial testing in Montpellier, France. save ourselves lots of trouble. However, once they become widespread, the cost of Arundo: Scientists at ARS and UC Cofrancesco, Jr., A.F. 1998. Role of the Technical conventional control methods (herbicides, Santa Barbara are evaluating several pro- Advisory Group for Biological Control hand-pulling, burning, mowing, etc.) can spective agents, two of which are already Agents of Weeds, p. 37-40. In M.S. Hoddle become astronomical. Managing an invasive established in California. (ed.), Proceedings, California Conference weed is a bit like controlling a wildfire: focus on Biological Control: Innovations in Perennial pepperweed: Foreign coop- on stopping the spread and extinguish the Biological Control Research, 10-11 June 1998. erators have discovered several potential small outlier patches. However, the center University of California, Berkeley, CA. agents and are beginning to test them. of a fire burns itself out, whereas an invasive Coombs, E.M., J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper and A.F. Medusahead: ARS has discovered a weed continues growing and producing seed Cofrancesco, Jr. (eds.). 2004. Biological Control smut in Turkey and conducted prelimi- year after year. of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon nary tests. When faced with such a large, persis- State University Press. p. 467. tent infestation, classical biological control Huffaker, C.B. (ed.). 1971. Biological Control. is sometimes the only effective solution. Plenum Press, New York. The Albany lab Though biological control agents do not Nechols, J.R., L.A. Andres, J.W. Beardsley, The USDA Exotic Invasive Weeds Re- completely eradicate a weed, since the popu- R.D. Goeden and C.G. Jackson (eds.). 1995. search Unit in Albany, CA (just north lation sizes of the weed and the agent are Biological control in the western United of Berkeley) has one of the few quaran- dynamic and interrelated, they can greatly States: Accomplishments and benefits of tine laboratories west of the Mississippi. decrease the size of weed populations, and Regional Research Project W-84, 1964-1989. This lab is set up to test prospective University of biocontrol agents without accidentally California, releasing them. Funding for the lab was Division of threatened in the late 1990s, and Cal- Agriculture IPC and CNPS joined with agricultural and Natural stakeholders to advocate for the lab’s Resources, survival. Cal-IPC works to support in- Oakland. creased funding for biocontrol research, Publication with the Albany lab being one of the No. 3361. most critical resources. USDA- APHIS, Technical Not just for weeds Advisory Other invasive organisms can be Group. www. candidates for biocontrol as well. For aphis.usda. instance, UC Santa Barbara has received gov/ppq/ funding from the US Fish & Wildlife permits/tag/ Service to research a parasitic agent for the New Zealand mud snail, which has invaded California waterways in the last three years. Researcher Massimo Cristofaro, a biologist at ENEA, an Italian research center in Rome, studies damaged yellow starthistle during foreign exploration in Turkey.

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008  Common reed as an invader in California Adam Lambert, Department of Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University Tom Dudley, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara

ommon reed, Phragmites australis Cav., available on the distributions Cis a large-statured grass (1-3m tall) with and impacts of invasive com- both native and exotic genotypes present mon reed genotypes in the in North America. An invasive genotype western US or California, in- has been well studied in the eastern United cluding impacts to native P. States, where it is super-abundant and has asutralis genotypes. Current- replaced native genotypes in a wide range ly, we do not have accurate of wetland types. In the east this expan- data on the distributions of sion is attributed, in part, to anthropogenic native genotypes in the west- changes in wetland ecosystems that facilitate ern US to effectively control P. australis dispersal and growth (Bertness et exotic populations without al. 2002, Marks et al. 1994); many of these harming native ones. In the same conditions (urban development, nutri- most recent invasive plant ent enrichment) exist in California. inventory of California P. australis expansion has deleterious ef- (Cal-IPC 2006), P. australis fects on biodiversity and wetland ecosystem remained unscored as na- Non-native Phragmites australis population surrounding functions (Chambers et al.1999, Marks et tive/exotic because of a lack a pond in Connecticut. Photo by Adam Lambert. al. 1994), leading to many control efforts of information on its genetic programs being initiated. against the invasive forms (Cross and Flem- distribution and composition here. In the Sacramento River delta, inva- ing 1989, Hellings and Gallagher 1992). Native P. australis has been an important sive populations form mixed stands with Invasive populations form monotypic stands component of southwestern food webs for Arundo donax. It is possible that in many after invasion, excluding other wetland over 40,000 years (Hansen 1978), and was areas where the two species co-occur, A. plants (Marks et al. 1994, Meyerson et used for centuries by Native Americans for donax is suppressing the establishment and al. 2000), reducing diversity hunting, basketry and food. Larvae of the expansion of P. australis, and chemical and (Gratton and Denno 2005) and impairing Yuma skipper butterfly Ochlodes( yuma) biological control of A. donax may open essential fish habitat (Weinstein and Balletto are obligate feeders on native P. australis new habitats for P. australis invasion. Many 1999). However, very little information is through the Great Basin and into the Cen- native populations exist in springs and seeps tral Valley of California (Shiparo 2007). in the Coastal Ranges of central and south- In recent surveys in California, Ne- Arundo/Phragmites Symposium ern California, and their presence in systems vada, Utah and Arizona, we found invasive like the Santa Clara and Salinas Rivers may populations in many desert wetlands, and March 13 and 14, 2008 indicate these habitats are suitable for inva- associated with the canal systems that bring Anaheim, CA sive populations once they get a foothold. Colorado River water to cities and agricul- www.wsweedscience.org The few remaining native P. australis ture in southern California. Invasive popula- populations are more susceptible to exotic Giant reed (Arundo donax) and com- tions are present in Imperial, Riverside, insect herbivores than are exotic forms of mon reed (Phragmites australis) are San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Solano P. australis—the vector for exotic insect major invasive plants of riparian and Counties (B. Blossey, personal comm.; A. introductions. For example, exotic wetland ecosystems in the US. This Lambert, unpublished data). Many rivers, ( pruni) reach higher population symposium brings together experts wetlands and desert springs and oases still densities on native genotypes relative to in- from both coasts to present current have only native populations. However, in vasive genotypes (Lambert and Casagrande knowledge on the biology, ecol- the southwestern part of the state, the canal 2007). feeding damages leaf tissue, ogy, impacts, and management of systems may be facilitating the spread of and causes fungal growth and mortality only both species. While common reed is invasive populations into these natural areas. in native plants. In preliminary surveys in principally thought to be a problem of Chemical control efforts for this plant the southwest, all invasive populations and the East Coast, invasive biotypes have have been ongoing for years around the some native populations that we identified been identified from California and Salton Sea, a region where both native and had exotic aphids on them, with native Idaho. This will be an opportunity invasive genotypes are present. However, plants showing the characteristic aphid for weed workers in the west to learn these control efforts can impact non-tar- damage. Invasive populations, which are first-hand about this potential new get plants (Kay 1995), including native P. resistant to aphid damage, may be facilitat- pest. Plan now to attend this impor- australis populations (A. Lambert, personal ing the spread of these aphids onto native tant symposium! Register at wsweed obs.). In Utah and Colorado, invasive popu- populations throughout the southwest. We science.org lations have increased substantially in recent are currently investigating the relative im- decades, with many subsequent control  Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 portance of exotic aphid feeding and direct competition from non-native populations in Weed Alert! the displacement of native populations. There is also concern regarding poten- Carrichtera annua (Ward’s weed) tial impacts of biological control on native P. australis populations and their endemic fauna. The exotic genotype is the target of found in San Diego County a biocontrol program being conducted by Jessie Vinje, Preserve Manager, Center for Natural Lands Management scientists at the University of Rhode Island and Cornell University (R. Casagrande, Carrichtera annua was recently found arid areas, seem to indicate that it prefers personal comm.). This is the first instance growing in an open space preserve located calcareous soils and that it can produce of genotype-specific biocontrol, and special in Carlsbad, CA. C. annua is an annual up to 30,000 seeds per square meter per care is being taken to ensure the safety of member of the mustard (Brassicaceae) year (Ecological Society of Australia). native genotypes. family. This species was not previously This species also has two distinct seed We hope to raise awareness of these known in San Diego and has only been banks—one in the soil, and one on the issues and pre-empt potential impacts of P. documented as occurring in California plant, since seeds remain in the pod on the australis invasion on California ecosystems in Monterey in 1979. Otherwise, it is a plant without dropping onto the ground at the upcoming symposium [see sidebar]. new species to North America (Andrew (Ecological Society of Australia). Ward’s Sanders, UCR, pers. weed, as it is called in Contact the authors at lamberta@easternct. comm.). Australia, additionally edu and [email protected]. In Carlsbad, this is considered a highly plant was located on flammable species References: a southern-facing (Friends of the Whyalla Bertness, M.D., P.J. Ewanchuk, and B.R. Silliman. slope growing among Conservation Park) 2002. Anthropogenic modification of New England open Diegan coastal and has a very dense salt marsh landscapes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 99: 1395-1398. sage scrub dominated cover in the Carlsbad Chambers, R.M., L.A. Meyerson, and K. Saltonstall. by California sage location. It is also 1999. Expansion of Phragmites australis into tidal (Artemisia californica). considered a serious wetlands of North America. Aquatic Botany 64: Associates included 261-273. Marks, M., B. Lapin, and J. Randall. 1994. Phragmites coast sunflower australis (P. Communis): Threats, management, and (Encelia californica), monitoring. Natural Areas Journal 14: 285-294. buckwheat Seed pods and leaves. Cross, D.H., and K.L. Fleming. 1989. Control of (Eriogonum Phragmites or common reed. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Photo by Patrick Mc- Leaflet 13.4.12. U.S. Department of the Interior, fasciculatum), Connell. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 5 p. lemonade berry Cal-IPC. 2006. California Invasive Plant Inventory, (Rhus integrifolia), www.cal-ipc.org. Accessed 25 February 2007. and tocalote (Centaurea melitensis). C. Gratton, C., and R.F. Denno. 2005. Restoration of arthropod assemblages in a Spartina salt marsh annua was growing on open clay lenses in following removal of the invasive plant Phragmites the coastal sage scrub and underneath the Flowers and leaves. Photo by David australis. Restoration Ecology 13: 358-372. shrubs. Thousands of plants were found, Scott. Hansen, R.M. 1978. Shasta ground sloth food habits, and they were in most cases out-competing Rampart Cave, Arizona. Paleobiology 4: 302-319. Hellings, S.E., and J.L. Gallagher. 1992. The effects of the tocalote. The infestation was about a threat in Australia to one or more vegetation salinity and flooding onPhragmites australis. Journal half acre in size and is located adjacent to a formations (The Nature Conservancy). of Applied Ecology 29:41-49. fallow agricultural field. Be on the lookout for this species and Kay, S. H. Efficacy of wipe-on applications of Glypho- C. annua can be easily distinguished if you locate it, please report it to Cal-IPC, sate and Imazapyr on common reed in aquatic sites. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 33: 25-26. from other members of the mustard family your county Weed Management Area, and Lambert, A.M. and R. A. Casagrande. 2007. Suscepti- by its fruits and leaves. The fruits are your county agricultural commissioner. bility of Native and Non-native Common Reed to proximally globose with a distal falcate the Mealy Plum Aphid (Homoptera: ) in oblong process on the distal portion Contact the author at [email protected]. North America. Env’l Entomology 36: 451-457. Meyerson, L.A., K. Saltonstall, L. Windham, E. Kiviat, and the opposite leaves are bipinately and S. Findlay. 2000. A comparison of Phragmites compound. The flower petals are pale For more information: australis in freshwater and brackish marsh environ- yellowish and the sepals are hairy and The Ecological Society of Australia Incorporated. www. ments in North America. Wetlands Ecology and lavender in color before the flower opens. ecolsoc.org.au/What%20we%20do/Prizes/documents/ Management 8: 89-103. JuliaCookeESA2004.pdf Shapiro, A. 2007. Ochlodes yuma. http://butterfly. The plant ranges in size from a few inches ucdavis.edu/butterfly/Ochlodes/yuma. Accessed 12 up to 1.5 feet in height and is few-to- Friends of the Whyalla Conservation Park. www.fwcp. November 2007. many branched. org/manage/backfeat.htm Weinstein, M.P., and J.H. Balletto. 1999. Does the Studies performed in Australia, where The Nature Conservancy Global Invasive Species Team. common reed, Phragmites australis, affect essential this weed is a widespread problem in semi- http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/global/australia/ath.html fish habitat?Estuaries 22:793-802.

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008  Welcome to the first Cal-IPC student chapter! Sara Jo Dickens and Heather Schneider, UC Riverside

ollowing the 2007 Cal-IPC Symposium will provide the experiences students need Fin San Diego, many of the graduate for advancement in their careers so that they The student chapter aims to: students from Southern California left with will be excited to join and participate in Act as a liaison between professional a desire to take a more active role in the Cal-IPC activities. and student members of Cal-IPC organization. Our motivation for increased The chapter intends to participate in involvement is not only to contribute to the 2008 Symposium to assist in arranging Assist with Symposium planning core Cal-IPC goals, but also to ensure future student-targeted workshops, encouraging Create and assist in community out- graduate student interest and participation. more student presentations, and networking reach programs to get Cal-IPC face Involving more time with the public graduate students in Cal-IPC is a topic of Aid in facilitating communication interest among board with other similar organizations members and gen- such as CNPS eral members alike, Help students network with particularly concern- professionals in weed ecology and ing how to increase biology graduate student Facilitate mentorship arrange- participation in the ments in which students learn 2008 Symposium. from professionals while assisting In response to them with a project this growing interest, we recruited other graduate students to respond with a Cal-IPC student at UC Riverside to chapter to help ensure the success of create the first Cal- future young ecologists. IPC student chapter. In the meantime, the first action We have begun to Kris Weathers, a graduate student at UCR, staffs a Cal-IPC student of the student chapter has been lay the foundation for chapter booth at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve’s Native Plant the creation of an outreach group. the chapter and are Sale. Photo by Sara Jo Dickens. With the help of botany professor working with students and advisor Dr. Milton McGiffin, and senior members of Cal-IPC to deter- to expand the chapter membership. Many UCR graduate students designed portable mine the most beneficial role for a chapter attendees of the last symposium mentioned displays advertising the “Don’t Plant a Pest” for both students and the organization in and applauded the presence of a large num- and PlantRight Campaigns. The students general. We hope to create a chapter that ber of younger ecologists, and we are excited have attended native plant sales held at the UCR Botanic Garden, Rancho Santa Anna Botanic Garden, and the Santa Rosa Plateau CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS Ecological Preserve. The response from sale California Native Plant Society: 2009 Conservation Conference patrons was positive and encouraging, and January 17 - 19, 2009 the display is being improved in response Sacramento Convention Center to requests for its presence at future events. We intend to increase our ability to reach Submissions accepted March 1 to June 30, 2008 locations far from the Riverside area by The CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference will bring together scientists, expanding the student chapter membership conservationists, students, public policy makers, local and regional planners, and land to other schools who may in turn take this managers from all regions of the state and beyond to share the latest developments campaign to their local botanic gardens. in conservation science and policy. We seek solutions-based papers and posters on: It is our hope that students and Cal-IPC climate change and California’s flora; rare plant conservation and restoration; mitigation members alike will embrace this opportuni- and monitoring of impacts to plants and communities; invasive species; vegetation ty for the growth and expansion of the Cal- classification and mapping to promote native plant conservation; conservation genetics; IPC community, thus paving the way for achieving equal protection for plants; regional planning tools; land management; and the next cohort of invasive species scientists. basic conservation-related plant science. We also seek papers on plant conservation from regional and ecosystem-level perspectives, including Baja California. See www.cnps.org Contact the authors at [email protected]. for details. edu.

10 Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 its shoots and leaves, meaning the mercury becomes concentrated in the hyacinth and Effects of water hyacinth could be released into the water as shredded plants decay. Water quality monitoring showed that shredding on water quality shredding produced noticeable short-term effects but that these decreased after the The following is a summary of “Mechani- favors non-chemical treatment methods. treatment ended. The overall effect on cal shredding of water hyacinth (Eichhornia Mechanical shredding is one of these. the Delta was predicted to be fairly small crassipes): Effects on water quality in the As the name implies, shredding chops up because water hyacinth covers only 1-10% Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Califor- hyacinth shoots and leaves using special- of the Delta’s total water surface in a given nia,” by Greenfield, B. K.,et al., published in ized equipment with names such as the year. Effects on the local area near the shred- Estuaries and Coasts, Vol. 30, No. 4. Amphibious Terminator, the AquaPlant Ter- ding may depend on characteristics of the minator, and the Cookie Cutter. In contrast site itself, especially the amount of water The Sacramento-San Joaquin River flow it receives. Sites Delta provides water for millions of Cali- that received tidal fornians and habitat for wildlife, including currents will show endangered and commercially important less effect than areas fish, and is a popular recreational play- where water remains ground for boating, fishing, and other water stagnant for long activities. Invasive aquatic plants threaten all periods. Shredding of these ecological, economical and cultural in the spring causes functions. One of the worst plants is water fewer effects on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), a beauti- quality because the ful, fast-growing menace that has invaded plants are small early more than 50 countries. A recent study in the growing season. published in the journal Estuaries and Coasts One downside of found that using shredding to control water shredding is that the hyacinth will not cause long-term effects to many fragments of water quality but might hyacinth left behind not effectively prevent may regrow. Re- regrowth of the plants. searchers found an in- Water hyacinth has Mechanical shredding is being creased rate of growth been introduced through- investigated as a control method for at their study sites out the world as an or- water hyacinth. Photos by Julie Owen, after the shredding namental plant. Its large Cal. Dept. of Boating and Waterways. treatment. Therefore, purple flowers remain they concluded that popular with aquatic to harvesting, the method must be improved to reduce re- gardeners and it is readily where plants are growth if the shredding is to be an effective available in stores and removed from control for water hyacinth in the long-term. on the internet. Reputed the water mostly to be one of the fastest- intact, shredding For more information: growing plants in the world, water hyacinth leaves chopped fragments in the water to Greenfield, B. K., G. S. Siemering, J. C. An- forms dense mats in waterways, restricting decompose and costs less than harvesting. drews, M. Ryan, S. P. Andrews, Jr., and D. F. water flow and making areas uninhabit- Researchers from the San Francisco Estuary Spencer. 2007. Mechanical shredding of water able for wildlife. Due to its severe impacts Institute, California State University-East hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Effects on and potential for continued spread, water Bay, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis stud- water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin hyacinth has a rating of “High – Alert” in ied the effects of mechanical shredding at River Delta, California. Estuaries and Coasts the Cal-IPC Inventory. Water hyacinth two sites in the Delta then used computer 30(4): 627-640. (Abstract available at http:// spreads to new areas attached to boats or as modeling to extrapolate their results to the erf.org/cesn/vol30n4r3.html) water supplies are moved, and the state of entire Delta. Specifically, they asked how “Don’t Plant a Pest!: Aquatic Plants in California” California has spent $45 million over the this method would affect levels of phospho- brochure. Call 510-843-3902 or email info@ past 15 years to control it. Due to the large rous, nitrogen, carbon, mercury, and dis- cal-ipc.org to request a copy. extent of infestations, aquatic herbicides solved oxygen in the water. While increased have generally been the most cost-effective dissolved oxygen levels help fish and other treatment option. However, recent court wildlife, increased levels of the other ele- decisions have increased the permitting ments cause problems for drinking water. and monitoring requirements for applying Mercury is especially of concern because aquatic herbicides, and the public often water hyacinth bioaccumulates mercury in Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 11

Thank You for Supporting our Work!

Foundation Grants and Barbara Worthing Jones (Richmond), In Memory of Ed Schoenig Beth Keer (Oakland), Drew Kerr (Invasive Patti, Richard, and Shanna Kirschner JiJi Foundation Spartina Project, El Sobrante), Noel Support for Field Courses (Kalamazoo, MI), Steve Schoenig, Carol Korten (Los Angeles), Fred Kramer (San Hillhouse, and family (Davis) Marisla Foundation Diego), Neal Kramer (Kramer Botanical Support for PlantRight outreach Consulting, El Granada), Carol and Brian Cape-ivy Donations LeNeve (Carmel), Karen Lowerison (San Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund Nancy Brownfield(East Bay Regional Luis Obispo Co. Dept. of Agriculture), Support for advocacy Park District, Oakland), Darlene Tamia Marg (Berkeley), Joan Marlowe Chirman (Chirman Biological True North Foundation (CNPS, Cupertino), T. Charles Moore Consulting, Santa Barbara), CNPS Support for general operations (Sunnyvale), Barbara Meislin (Tiburon), Santa Clara Valley Chapter, Karen Audrey Miller (Ferndale), Joseph Moreno Lowerison (San Luis Obispo Co. Dept. (Temecula), Pam Muick (Fairfield), of Agriculture), Halli Mason (CNPS, Recent Donors Wendy Poinsot (National Park Service, LA Santa Monica Mountains Chapter), Point Reyes), Elizabeth Proctor (PG&E, Greg Archbald (Nevada City), Marcia Barbara and Roland Pitschel (Bernal Pacifica),David Sands (Go Native, Inc., Basalla (Novato), Carla Bossard (St. Hilltop Native Grassland Restoration Montara), Jill Sarick (City of Santa Mary’s College of CA, Davis), Chip Project, San Francisco), Jake Sigg Barbara), Susan Schwartz (Friends of Five Bouril (Natural Resources Conservation (CNPS, San Francisco), Lynn Webb Creeks, Berkeley), Jon Shilling (Shilling Service, Yountville), Darlene Chirman (CDFFP, Fort Bragg) (Chirman Biological Consulting, Santa Seed, Auburn), Steve Schoenig (CA Barbara), Mary Lynn Cox (CNPS, Dept. of Fish & Game, Sacramento), Jean Oakland), Elizabeth Crispin (Mount Starkweather (Marin Conservation League, Welcome, New Members! Shasta), Leif Christiansen (PG&E, San San Rafael), Kate Symonds (US Fish Francisco), Buford Crites (City of Palm & Wildlife Service, Cotati), Donna M. Dorothy Abeyta (San Jose), Francis Desert), Jim Duncan (Ashland, OR), Thompson (CNPS, Crescent City), Wendy Bozzolo (CSU San Diego), James Diannaroger Eaton (La Palma), Claire Tokuda (Redwood French Broom Pulling Caldwell (San Francisco), Heidi Davis Englander (Oakland), Sally Falkenhagen Group, Oakland), Tony Varnhagen (Encinitas), Andrew Fulks (Putah Creek (Menlo Park), Mike Forbert (West (San Francisco), Lynn Webb (CA Dept. Reserve, Davis), Scott Godfrey (Down Coast Wildlands, Pacifica),Jim and Forestry & Fire Protection, Fort Bragg), Home Garden & Yard, Missoula, MT), Ruth Gravanis (San Francisco), Jim Annette Wheeler (Los Altos Hills), David Tom Hayduk (Envicom Corporation, Hanson (Meadow Works, Oakland), Wimpfheimer (Point Reyes) Agoura Hills), Jenny McGee (Chambers Pete Holloran (UC Santa Cruz), John Group, Irvine), Aliana Summers (Irvine), Holloway (The Sea Ranch), Lawrence Correction: In our last issue, Carolyn Martus’ Jeannete Taylor (San Luis Obispo), Juan Janeway (Biological Sciences Herbarium, raffle donation should have been attributed to Valencia (Hayward) Chico), Sarah Jayne (Irvine), Larry M. the San Diego CNPS chapter.

Always wanted to do something about invasives in nurseries? Here’s your chance!

The Cal-IPC Speakers Bureau is gearing up to make PlantRight presentations to garden clubs throughout the state. The PlantRight Campaign (see www. plantright.org) provides information on landscaping alternatives and a strong partnership with industry. Sharing your knowledge of wildland weeds with horticultural opinion leaders in your community can make a big difference in raising awareness! We will provide you with presentation materials and match you with a local garden club. Help make this historic campaign a success. Contact us at [email protected] or (510) 843-3902.

12 Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 invasive plant issues and management. to describe the occurrence and impact Readings & Designed for National Wildlife of invasvies in California, to discuss how Refuge volunteers and Friends groups, invasives can be spread through sales or Resources the website provides science-based, movement of ornamental plants, and to introductory information that is suitable identify approaches for managing invasive for anyone interested in learning about plants. www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/ Know of a resource your fellow invasive plants. www.fws.gov/invasives/ PESTNOTES/pn74139.html weed workers should know about? volunteersTrainingModule/index.html Please contact [email protected]. Planning Guide A wide-ranging team of experts has released the second volume of the California Grasslands Book Watershed Assessment Manual. Volume California Grasslands, Ecology and I detailed the process for watershed Management, edited by Mark R. assessment, from organizing the stakeholder Stromberg, Jeffrey, D. Corbin, and Carla process through scientific evaluations, M. D’Antonio, is a new sourcebook for to reporting conditions and developing grassland science and management. www. watershed management plans. Volume II ucpress.edu/books/pages/10891.html provides the watershed community with guidance on ways to include information on Definitions water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, The national Invasive Species Advisory periphyton, fire ecology, and river processes, Committee (ISAC), which serves the all of this in the context of environmental National Invasive Species Council, indicators and conceptual models. http:// produced a white paper on invasive species cwam.ucdavis.edu definitions—11 pages worth.www. invasivespeciesinfo.gov/docs/council/isacdef.pdf Master Gardener Guide The UC Integrated Pest Management Ken Moore, a core instructor for Cal-IPC E-Learning Field Courses, discusses effective scything The US Fish & Wildlife Service have Program has published a “Pest Note” to clarify how invasive plants differ from techniques at the Monterey War on Weeds developed an e-learning website aimed conference in November. at engaging volunteers and the public in common garden and agricultural weeds,

Quotable

“Millions of Americans care not only for their pet cats but for the stray cats who live out their lives outdoors, many on lands adjacent to wildlife refuges. These Americans are deeply concerned about the impact this bill could have on cats.”

From a letter from the Humane Society and others to Sen. Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, regarding H.R. 767, the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response (REPAIR) Act, which would fund invasive species control on National Wildlife Refuges.

“Even though many of [these invasive species] have been around for years, we have never had a coordinated system in place to attack the problem, a system that threads together the issues of public outreach, funding and legislation needs, and research.”

Commissioner Pete Grannis, of the newly created invasive species office of the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, from “New Office Fights Exotic Species in N.Y.”, Associated Press, 12/27/07.

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 13 Publications Available from Cal-IPC Order at www.cal-ipc.org or call (510) 843-3902 CA tax and shipping costs will be added.

Weeds of California and Other Western States Invasive Plants of California’s Wildlands (two volumes) Carla C. Bossard, John M. Randall and Marc Joseph DiTomaso and Evelyn Healy C. Hoshovsky, Eds. University of California UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, 2006 Press, 2000 Identification guide to 750 weed species, with 3000 Biology and control information on 70 of the color photos. Detailed descriptions of morphology state’s worst wildand weeds. Maps, photos, and biology. Includes a CD-ROM with all photos. illustrations. 360 pp. $25.00 $103.00

The Weed Workers’ Handbook Aquatic and Riparian Weeds of the West Cal-IPC and The Watershed Project, 2004 Joseph DiTomaso and Evelyn Healy Biology and control information on 25 SF Bay UC Agriculture & Natural Resources, 2003 Area wildland weeds, plus background on orga- nizing local projects. Illustrations. 120 pp. $8.00 Comprehensive identification guide to the West’s riparian weeds. Photos, identification keys. 440 pp. $40.00

Grass and Grass-like Weeds of California California Invasive Plant Inventory Joseph M. DiTomaso. California Weeds, 2004 Cal-IPC, 2006 Menu-driven CD-ROM identification guide Summarizes the impacts, potential for spread, to more than 200 invasive grasses and native and distribution of more than 200 non- perennials used in restoration. Requires Windows native plants that invade wildlands in 95 or higher, 650 MB free hard-drive space. California. 39 pp. Currently out of print. $30.00 Online pdf at www.cal-ipc.org. Broadleaf Weeds of California Joseph M. DiTomaso. California Weeds, 2006 Expert computer-based identification guide The Use of Fire as a Tool for to 722 broadleaf weeds of California. Controlling Invasive Plants Requires Windows 95 or higher. $37.00 Joseph M. DiTomaso and Douglas W. Buy both CD-ROMs for $60.00 Johnson, Eds., 2006 Captures current state of knowledge on the use of fire to manage invasive plants in Don’t Plant a Pest! brochures wildlands. 49 pp. $5.00 Wildland-safe alternatives to invasive plants sold at nurseries. 14 panels. Choose: San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Central Coast, Central Valley, Aquatic Plants in California, or Trees in California. Central Valley and new Aquatic Plants of California are free. Otherwise, $22.99/100 Yellow Starthistle Management Guide brochures [up to 10 free] Joseph M. DiTomaso, Guy B. Kyser, and Michael J. Pitcairn, 2006. Biological Pollution brochure Comprehensive overview of treatment methods Describes ecological and economic impacts of invasive for yellow starthistle. Approx. 78 pp. $5.00 plants in California for a general audience. Tri-fold. $12.00/100 brochures [up to 10 free]

14 Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 The WILDLAND WEED CALENDAR

California Council of Land Trusts Annual California Invasive Weeds Day at the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Conference Capitol Sunday, May 4, 2007 Feb. 4-6, 2008 March 12, 2008 East Bay, San Fransico Bay Area Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA www.bringingbackthenatives.net www.calandtrusts.org Join weed workers from around the state to visit legislators in support of WMA funding Bay Area Open Space Council Annual Weed Science Society of America Annual and other issues. Co-sponsored by Cal-IPC. Conference Conference We encourage all members to consider May 21, 2008 February 4-7, 2008 attending—the event has grown stronger San Francisco Chicago, IL every year. http://openspacecouncil.org www.wssa.net www.cal-ipc.org/policy/state/ciwad.php Weeds Across Borders Biennial CNGA Workshop: Livestock Grazing on North American Wildlife and Natural Conference Resources Conference Vernal Pool Landscapes May 27-30, 2008 February 8, 2008 March 25 to 29, 2008 Banff, Alberta, Canada Santa Rosa, CA Phoenix, AZ www.nawma.org www.cnga.org/action/events.php Includes sessions on invasives organized by the National Military Fish & Wildlife Global Climate Change and Your National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week Association and the Association of Fish & Backyard Wildlife Agencies February 24-29, 2008 www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/ May 30-31, 2008 Washington, DC nawnrc/index.htm UC Davis Weed workers from across the U.S. come to http://ccuh.ucdavis.edu the Capitol to discuss invasive plant policy People-Powered Projects: The National with federal agencies and Congress. Cooperative Weed Management Area California Invasive Weeds Awareness www.nawma.org/niwaw/niwaw_index.htm (CWMA) Conference Week April 15-17, 2008 July 21-27, 2008 Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Reno, NV Statewide Conference A great time to meet with your legislators, Representatives from all 50 states will gather show off your weed management projects, February 29, 2008 to focus on CWMA funding and logistics, UC Berkeley or conduct outreach campaigns. working with volunteers, EDRR, outreach, www.cal-ipc.org/policy/state/ciwaw.php www.BayFriendly.org and state and national initiatives. www.weedcenter.org Salmonid Restoration Conference— SERCAL Annual Conference— Central Valley Salmon & Steelhead: Restoration’s Bigger Picture: Linking Restoration in the California Heartland CNGA Field Day at Hedgerow Farms Local Restoration with Regional and Global Issues March 5-8, 2008 April 18, 2008 Lodi, CA Winters, CA August 13-16, 2008 www.calsalmon.org www.cnga.org Santa Rosa, CA www.sercal.org/2008_conference.htm

Western Society of Weed Science Annual California Native Grasslands Association Conference Annual Conference—Conserving California’s Grasslands: Policies and March 11-13, 2008 Practices Know of an event your fellow weed work- plus special Arundo & Phragmites May 1-3, 2008 ers should hear about? Please contact us at Symposium Santa Rosa, CA [email protected]. March 13-14, 2008 www.cnga.org/action/conference.php Anaheim, CA www.wsweedscience.org

Cal-IPC News Winter 2008 15 Cal-IPC Membership Form We’re working to protect California’s wildlands from invasive plants—join us! Cal-IPC’s effectiveness comes from a strong membership that includes scientists, land managers, policy makers, and concerned citizens. Please complete this form and mail with check or credit card number. Additional donations support our projects. We are a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, and donations beyond regular membership rates are tax deductible.Join or donate online at www.cal-ipc.org.

2008 Individual Membership 2008 Institutional Membership Regular $35 Regular $150 Family $60 Small company Name Contributing $75 or nonprofit $100 Life $1,000 Joint Cal-IPC/SERCAL $60 Donations Affiliation Joint Cal-IPC/CNGA $70 for Cal-IPC programs: $____ Cal-IPC/SERCAL/CNGA $100 for Cape Ivy Biocontrol: $____ Student/Volunteer $15 (info online at cal-ipc.org) Address

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