Newsletter of the Invasive Plant Council

Land management and COVID-19 4 Knotweed in Marin County 6 Cape ivy galling fly biocontrol 8 2020 Cal-IPC Symposium 9 CDFW generates new ACE layer 10 Forest Service and County Ag 12 Why I joined the Cal-IPC EDI Working Group 13

Volume 28 Number 2 Summer 2020 From the Director’s Desk Conservation and social justice

By Executive Director Doug Johnson

n our community, BLM has long can be a lot to ask when their prospects 1442-A Walnut Street, #462 meant the US Bureau of Land are weighed down, their very life in Berkeley, CA 94709 Management, which oversees 15% of danger, from social structures. This is ph (510) 843-3902 fax (510) 217-3500 I cal‑ipc.org info@cal‑ipc.org the land area of California (and much especially true for those of us working on more of some other western states). In an issue whose rationale sometimes gets Protecting California’s environment and recent months, however, the BLM on mistaken for xenophobia. economy from invasive plants everyone’s mind is Black Lives Matter. The current moment, in which STAFF There has been a flood of emails our federal government struggles to Doug Johnson, Executive Director from conservation groups joining the address a public health crisis, shows us Jutta Burger, Science Program Director fight. When a Black man birdwatching how poorly our institutions sometimes Agustín Luna, Director of Finance, Operations & Administration is threatened, when a Black medical function. This powerful moment provides Bertha McKinley, Program Assistant technician is shot by police in her home, an opening, a reminder of our collective Claire F. Meyler, Communications & Marketing Manager compassionate environmentalists are duty to continue the work of building BOARD OF DIRECTORS compelled to look up from their busy this country. Those of us working to President: Laura Pavliscak, Santa Clara River Conservancy work and acknowledge the wildfire of protect biodiversity must work to protect Vice-President: Drew Kerr, Invasive Spartina Project injustice. cultural diversity, too. Treasurer: Doug Gibson, Nature Collective Secretary: Julia Parish, American Conservation Experience Beyond being morally reprehensible, Cal-IPC has taken programmatic steps Past President: Gina Darin, Cal. Dept. of Water Resources systemic injustice hinders conservation over the last three years to bring issues Jason Giessow, Dendra, Inc. groups from meeting our missions. of equity, diversity, and inclusion to the Sarah Godfrey, Center for Natural Land Management We have lofty goals to protect the table, including at the Symposium. We Marla Knight, (retired) Tanya Meyer, Yolo County Resource Conservation District environment from harm — which are applying for capacity-building funds LeeAnne Mila, El Dorado Co. Ag. Dept. originates with people. In the hierarchy for staff and board to work internally on Juli Matos, of needs, asking people to care about, inherent biases that affect our work. We Steve Schoenig, Schoenig Consulting Baldeo Singh, Sacramento Conservation Corps let alone work on, environmental issues need all of us on board to build a better Amanda Swanson, Cal. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife tomorrow. Marcos Trinidad, Audubon Center at Debs Park

STUDENT LIAISON Katherine Brafford, UC Davis Robert Fitch, UC Santa Barbara On the cover meaning drier conditions in the creeks Clarissa Rodriguez, UC Riverside An American Conservation Experience and less water available for plants and Noah Teller, UC Riverside (ACE) conservation corps service people. It creates monocultures domi- Affiliations for identification purposes only. member removes cut Arundo donax nated by only a few kinds of plants, Cal‑IPC Dispatch canes from the San Diego River water- which means loss of biodiversity and Spring 2020 – Vol. 28, No. 2 shed in Alpine, CA. (Photo by Jessica less overall habitat value in these critical Editor: Doug Johnson Plance, First Place in our 2019 Photo wetland areas.” Along with Arundo, Associate Editor: Claire F. Meyler Designed by Melanie Haage Contest). ACE crews are working with crews are controlling salt cedar (Tamarix Published by the California Invasive Plant Council. Articles the Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) to spp.), castor bean (Ricinus communis), may be reprinted with permission. Previous issues are restore native habitat and protect the and tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). archived at cal‑ipc.org. Mention of commercial products community in the foothills of the Once invasive species are removed, does not imply endorsement by Cal‑IPC. Submissions are Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego riparian areas will be replanted with welcome. We reserve the right to edit content. County from potentially catastrophic native willow, cottonwood, mule fat, wildfire. Jon Green, Program and and herbaceous understory plants to Outreach Director at BCLT, explains, restore the native habitat conditions “Arundo uses five times as much water historically found in our headwater Follow us: per acre as native riparian species, creeks and streams.

2 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org Wildland Weed News

Cal‑IPC Updates New office –Like many others, Cal-IPC Am I an staff is working remotely. We left our Invasive 2020 Symposium – Now online! We Berkeley office and downsized to a new Species? – How are excited about the platform we have office in nearby Richmond. Our mailing we talk about plants and selected and expect to bring the same address remains the same. relates to how we think mix of presentations, discussion groups, about — and treat — each other. and informal networking that makes the Invasive lunch – For the third year,

An essay in High Country News, July 9, Jones by Ryan Illustration Symposium special. Join us! See page 9. Cal-IPC worked with the University of 2020. California’s Cooperative Extension to put New projects – Cal-IPC has received on a series of lunchtime webinars during funding from the California Dept. of Food California Invasive Species Action Week Beaver on – The Nature Conservancy & Agriculture to develop regional prioritiza- in June. The talks ranged from detection has posted a storymap on a Beaver tions across the state, and from the dogs to environmental DNA, garnering Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) for National Fish & Wildlife Society to assist more than 500 attendees, including determining appropriate sites for with environmental documents for initia- some from outside the US. watershed improvement in California. tion of Canada thistle treatment on three COVID-19 and invasive species Odther up ates watersheds in the . – Authors point out how the invasion Eye on Invasives – The California science can facilitate the cross-disciplinary EDRR white paper – Cal-IPC is working Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Invasive effort needed to understand and manage with the California Landscape Stewardship Species Program has revived their environmental factors that promote Network on a white paper describing the newsletter, Eye on Invasives. The latest emerging infectious disease. Trends in importance of early detection and rapid issue focuses on partnerships. Sign up to Ecology and Evolution, August 1, 2020. response. Targeting state decision-makers, receive notice of future issues. the paper aims to follow the path of the Wild bee declines – A university study Slow lane for climate change – A network’s Cutting Green Tape initiative (to UC Davis study identified 15% of natural reform environmental permitting) in from Toronto links native bee declines to plant-pollinator network changes and lands in California that best serve as engaging state agency leadership in climate refugia for plants. Part of a addressing systemic challenges. plant species introductions. Conservation and Diversity, May 2020. special issue on climate refugia, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, June 2020. Trainings – After a successful run of Hyphothesis mapping – Ever trainings this winter (some for volunteers, wondered how all the various aspects of Reducing C sequestration – A New some for conservation corps members), our invasion science, from the “Tens Rule” to Zealand experiment demonstrated how Wildland Volunteer Network had to cancel “enemy release,” fit together? Explore invasive plants can accelerate carbon loss several training events this spring. Instead, the interactive visualization tool at from soils through their interactions with we held a Bay Area-wide training online, hi-knowledge.org. invertebrate herbivores and soil biota. attended by more than 200 people. Science, May 29, 2020.

Thank you, Dana! Megadrought – Columbia University I n 2010, when Cal-IPC received to mapping Arundo across the researchers using tree ring studies say that federal stimulus funds to create Central Valley. She has made many California and other western states are in CalWeedMapper, we connections throughout a historic drought that rivals the worst hired geographer Dana our community and will lengthy droughts on record, going back Morawitz to lead the remain one of us forever. to the 1800s. effort. A decade later, As a fitting bookend after years of invaluable to her role in building Your Membership work as part of our team, CalWeedMapper, Dana left Thank you for keeping your Dana is moving on. She has on a high note by raising membership current. Note that your been instrumental to many $24,000 for enhancing expiration date is shown on the mailing efforts, from coordinating CalWeedMapper. Thank label of this newsletter. Cal-IPC’s you, Dana, for all the work regional partners to set success in meeting its mission depends landscape-level priorities Photo courtesy Dana Morawitz and camaraderie! on your vital support.

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 3 Weathering a pandemic: How land managers are dealing with COVID-19

Doug Johnson, Cal-IPC

n ways ranging from mundane Agricultural Commissioner’s office, is to profound, California’s land feeling the added strain. “Onboard- Imanagers are switching gears in ing new weed mapping programs response to COVID-19. Cal-IPC while attending to increased staff talked to a few members demand at home has been intense. I across the state to hear how the have been working around the clock pandemic has impacted their work. and that is exhausting. Thank Despite frustrations, all have found goodness the effort is for something resourceful ways to salvage at least I care about deeply.” part of the weed treatment season. Social distancing makes travel Corps get props tricky. Many organizations are not Speaking with leaders from three allowing coworkers to carpool to southern California conservations job sites, requiring more vehicles. corps — Orange County Conserva- Some conservation corps do allow tion Corps (OCCC), Long Beach multiple corps members in a van Conservation Corps (LBCC), and with good ventilation and seating Urban Corps of San Diego County plans that ensure distancing. Travel — it was striking that these groups is even more tricky for the Channel have hardly missed a beat in Islands Biosecurity Group, which pivoting to fulfill essential services Long Beach Conservation Corps setting up a coronavirus triage depends on ferries and small planes center. Photo courtesy Long Beach Conservation Corps. needed in the community, like food to reach work sites. Either traveling distribution. or on-site, it is often difficult to find “We put younger people into an open public restroom. state, work has been able to proceed as positions that would be much Hiring freezes have kept positions from normal. In Modoc County, in northeast- riskier for elderly volunteers,” says Josh being filled, including seasonal hires ern California, weed crews have been Volp of OCCC. “Our folks are fired up to needed to implement weed manage- out in force, according to Gary Fensler, see people holding up signs to thank ment projects. Elevated unemployment the county’s Agricultural Commissioner. them for their work. It gives them a real benefits can also provide a disincentive As of this writing, Modoc County still sense of contributing to the community. for staff to return to work if they were had zero cases of COVID-19. Tom Getts, They don’t always get that when they’re temporarily laid off (for instance, while the Weed Ecology and Cropping Systems doing land management. They’re just as an organization applied for a federal Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension likely to get yelled at for making noise Payroll Protection Program loan). Many for Lassen, Modoc, Sierra, and Plumas with chainsaws.” volunteer efforts, which provide substan- counties can still conduct research once While not all corps across the state tial assistance in local, state, and national he gets permission through the university were able to respond immediately, they parks, have also been curtailed. for a specific project. “Working on a have been able to support each other by Some stewards maintain that restora- cooperator’s property evaluating weed sharing information through their tion work is an excellent lockdown control methods with no one in sight is association. Other states have expressed activity. Steve Rosenthal enjoys volun- pretty low-risk work!” interest in California’s structure. Dan teers regularly with a small group in Many people are struggling to balance Knapp of LBCC sees momentum building Santa Clara County, because “folks can increased pressure from home and work for a Civilian Conservation Corps 2.0. be separated by ten feet or more and yet needs. Working from home with kids “We need jobs, just as we did when the have the feeling of being part of a team around is a real challenge, and leaving Corps was created in the 1930s. There’s and accomplishing something great home is not an option for many folks with a lot of work to get done in our commu- together.” kids now home full-time. Hannah Wallis, nities, and a lot of people looking for In some less populated parts of the Biologist with the Monterey County meaningful work.”

4 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org California local corps also run charter schools that help members graduate from high school. Like many other graduations this year, the corps adjusted for the times. Urban Corps held theirs online, while OCCC had each student come by in-per- son on scheduled ten-minute intervals.

Staying sane Susannah Manning, Biologist with the Redwood Community Action Agency, oversees the Northcoast Knotweeds project and co-chairs the Humboldt County Weed Management Area (WMA). She has stayed grounded by serving on the board for the nonprofit Friends of the Dunes, which has engaged the community through projects such as a kids’ art contest on solitary bees and Heading out before sunrise in Lassen County to spray a field trial. Photo: Tom Getts. the annual sand sculpture event. “Hum- boldt County is small. A lot of people know each other and working through infrastructure easier. We tried some new Take a look at their Wild Wonders all these challenges together has things. Goat grazing was a hit on social channel on YouTube! strengthened the community.” media. Our outreach staff, which normally Glad for WMA grant “It feels like going back in time,” says leads hikes on our properties, have led Hannah Wallis expressed gratitude for a Garrett Dickman, a botanist for Yosemite virtual tours with live questions on grant from CDFA for the Monterey Coun- National Park, reflecting on the sleepy Instagram.” ty WMA to map priority weed popula- feel in the park with workers sheltering tions. Staff in the Agricultural Commis- at home and public visitation reduced. Missing the volunteers sioner’s office are getting up to speed on “At work, however, we’ve been busier Devyn Friedfel, Natural Resource Special- using Calflora’s Weed Manager tools to than ever, figuring out how to cover all ist at Pepperwood Preserve in Sonoma track A-rated weeds, weed abatement the normal bases with the addition County, says he misses being able to investigations, and roadside vegetation variable of coronavirus.” work with their community of volunteers for a new survey project. and the collective sense of stewardship. “It’s been a godsend in terms of Funding constraints The preserve has also been unable to maintaining workloads for staff and Lindsey Roddick, Sr. Restoration Ecologist continue their engagement with student having work that can be done while for the Land Conservancy of San Luis volunteers from the local Santa Rosa socially distancing. Having a new pro- Obispo, says they have had enough Junior College. gram has kept staff morale high. They capacity and resourcefulness to complete As a result of losing thousands of are learning new skills and working in field work on their sites, but detection volunteer hours, Devyn ended up different regions across the county. Plus, surveys in ten open space areas, includ- spending 100% of his time doing field with mapping it is immediately gratifying ing control sites for high-priority weeds work this spring, which left him feeling to see the progress of your work, while like wooly distaff thistle (Cartahmus connected to the land. He found some actual weed control work can often feel lanatus), could not be completed be- new invasive plant detections and Sisyphean. Right now, new is good.” cause of lost local funding. Another deepened his knowledge of local flora funding source required personal protec- and fauna. With fewer people on the Lessons learned tive equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks Preserve, wildlife was more active. “I saw Our partners acted as quickly as possible and nitrile gloves that were not available coyotes and bobcats (never seen those to adapt programs to new conditions. during the time-sensitive window for before). Our cameras captured more bear Some were able to get back to a new effective control of veldtgrass, so that activity. Some ravens nested in our field workflow within two weeks, while others opportunity was lost. offices because we weren’t there.” took two months. With luck (and But there have been silver linings. Like many organizations, Pepperwood’s planning), organizations are now better “Because our properties were closed to education team took the opportunity to prepared to meet future emergencies. the public, it made upgrades to grazing ramp up their social media channels. Stay safe and healthy out there!

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 5 Knocking Out Knotweed in Marin County Anna Dirkse, Japanese Knotweed Outreach Coordinator, UC Cooperative Extension, Marin County

apanese knotweed knotweed outcompetes other (Fallopia japonica) is no vegetation, establishing Jdifferent from other monoculture stands and invasive weeds in that it shows reducing native species. no respect for arbitrary Specifically, it prevents tree boundaries such as property seedling establishment that is lines. In Marin County, this important to nutrient cycling was a problem when knot- and other stream functions. As weed was being treated a result, salmon are impacted downstream on public lands by the loss of leaf litter, shade, beginning in 2017, and not and large woody debris. In upstream on private lands. The addition, Japanese knotweed formation of the Marin can grow through asphalt, Knotweed Action Team septic systems, cracks in home (MKAT) ensures a holistic foundations, and concrete, approach to the control and making a compelling argument long-term eradication of to homeowners to allow it to Japanese knotweed from the be managed on their property. San Geronimo Creek and Mechanical or physical means Lagunitas Creek watersheds in of removal and control of West Marin. Japanese knotweed are either MKAT is a coalition of public not effective or not feasible. In agencies and nonprofit addition, attempts at mechani- organizations, including cal removal stimulate plant California State Parks, Marin growth. Japanese knotweed County Department of Agricul- relies on its extensive rhizome ture, Marin County Parks, system to come back each Marin Municipal Water District, spring. This underground stem Marin Resource Conservation system stores an incredible Large leaves with a distinctive shape and zig-zag stem. Photo courtesy MKAT. District, Point Reyes National amount of energy that the Seashore, and the University of plant can utilize, so that tiny California Cooperative Extension. Togeth- a member of the buckwheat family and fragments of rhizome can create new er, we are dedicated to sustaining the was known as Reynoutria japonica and infestations following flood events. Lagunitas Creek and San Geronimo Creek Polygonum cuspidatum before its more Japanese knotweed can also spread via watersheds and their valuable habitat for recent naming as Fallopia japonica. It is a cut stems, which is why cutting or endangered Coho salmon and threatened shrub-like perennial with hollow stems (it mowing is not recommended. The steelhead. We strive to be a resource to is not a vine nor is it woody). It can grow rhizomes can stretch 10 feet down and educate community members about up to eight feet tall in late summer up to 23 feet away from an aboveground Japanese knotweed and to help landown- before dying back in the winter, though patch, making it highly unlikely it can be ers identify and manage Japanese knot- some plants may remain only a foot or dug up completely without spreading it weed on their land. two feet tall during the growing season. in the process. Newly deposited, single- Japanese knotweed has a mythic Distinctive characteristics include spade- stem plants have been successfully dug reputation elsewhere in the United States shaped leaves with a flat base, zig-zag up though. Any plant material needs to and in the United Kingdom due to the stems and plumes of small cream-colored be carefully bagged and sent to a landfill notorious damage it wreaks on property flowers appearing in mid to late summer. facility because of its propensity to and the environment. Although its stems Known for its vigorous growth and its regrow and spread. A biological control is resemble bamboo, Japanese knotweed is extensive rhizome network, Japanese on the horizon, a psyllid known as

6 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org Aphalara itadori, but it is still undergoing USDA APHIS review. By far, the most effective treatments are a foliar spray of an aquatically-ap- proved formulation of imazapyr and/or glyphosate and an adjuvant. This is applied in the late summer or early fall as the plant is bringing energy back down into its rhizomes. Spraying earlier in the year is not effective, though some land managers will conduct two separate treatments six weeks apart in the fall to catch missed plants. MKAT’s ability to use both glyphosate and imazapyr has been important. Glyphosate can be used when homeowners are concerned about neighboring desirable vegetation or when wells are present. For homeowners who shy away from the name recogni- Map from Calflora showing the infestation in the San Geronimo Valley in Marin County. tion of glyphosate, imazapyr presents purposes. Section 15307 “Actions by itself as an alternative (though imazapyr Regulatory Agencies for Protection of does not bind to soil particles and has a Natural Resources” allows for actions greater risk of leaching). taken by regulatory agencies as autho- MKAT’s outreach included initial rized by state law or local ordinance to targeted mailings to streamside home- assure the maintenance, restoration, or owners and follow-up door knocking as enhancement of a natural resource well as mailers sent to all 2,000 house- where the regulatory process involves holds in the San Geronimo Valley. procedures for protection of the environ- Community talks, ads in community ment. newspapers, postings on Nextdoor and Thanks to both community support Facebook and appearances on local radio and regulatory tools, all known stream- were also used to appeal to a sense of bank populations of Japanese knotweed responsibility to help us eradicate this on private land adjoining San Geronimo weed. Our work requires the public to Creek were treated in 2019, as well as trust us and our intentions. Likewise, we populations further downstream on need to trust the intentions of the public public land. Eradicating Japanese knot- and have faith that they are invested in weed will require time and continued the health of the San Geronimo and surveying, as well as sustained long-term Lagunitas Creek watersheds. Community Japanese knotweed is found along streams in a funding sources for monitoring to ensure members are an asset, not a liability. handful of California counties. It is one of the top that populations do not return or move Initial funding through the National weeds in Oregon and Washington, and is listed by throughout the watershed. Lastly, Park Service and the County of Marin the IUCN as one of the world’s 100 top invasive Japanese knotweed has been found in enabled a full-time coordinator to be species. Photo courtesy MKAT. streams in other counties such as Santa hired in 2019. Two grants in 2019 and Rosa Creek in Sonoma and the San 2020 from the California Department of a pest worthy of managing throughout Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, highlighting Food and Agriculture were key to any part of California where it occurs. the need for a sustained management sustaining the surveying and treatment This designation, along with Food and effort across the state. efforts. The Marin County Fish and Agricultural Code Sections 5402 and Wildlife Commission also awarded a 5403, give the County Agricultural See Japanese knotweed near you? Enter small grant for outreach materials. Commissioner the legal authority to your sighting and pictures in Calflora! For It is important that Japanese knotweed abate a nuisance by eradicating, control- more information and resources, visit is listed as a Noxious Weed in California ling, or destroying the pest. This designa- MKAT’s website at https://ucanr.edu/sites/ Code of Regulations Section 4500 and tion also allowed a CEQA categorical MarinKnotweedActionTeam/ has a pest rating of A, indicating that it is exemption to be filed for CDFA granting

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 7 Cape-ivy galling fly established and thriving along the California Coast

Scott L. Portman and Patrick J. Moran, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

he long-time program to develop In total, more than 2,500 female and biocontrol agents against Cape-ivy male flies have been released in cages at T— one of California’s worst invasive different field sites. USDA-ARS scientists plants — has reached an important discovered that repeated releases at the milestone. Populations of the Cape-ivy same sites over several months (May-Sep- galling fly from South Africa have tember) improved the likelihood that the successfully established in the wild at fly would take up residence; however, it sites on the California coast. established after just a single release in Since Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata) was San Luis Obispo. first introduced to California, it has ARS researchers have now confirmed invaded riparian, forest, and scrub that P. regalis is established at four sites habitats along the coast. It smothers and An adult shoot-tip galling fly, P. regalis, on a Cape- along the coast: Coast Dairies State Park displaces native herbs and shrubs, ivy leaf. in Santa Cruz County; Garrapata State consumes water resources, and can clog Park and the Big Sur Land Trust’s Glen water flow along streams. Natural Digitivalva delaireae (: Deven Ranch in Monterey County; and a resource agencies have spent substantial Glyphipterigidae). San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy site in amounts of money and time on control. After years of rigorous host-specificity San Luis Obispo County. One characteristic that has contributed testing and environmental permitting to The fly established in both riparian and to Cape-ivy’s success is its ability to ensure the agents cannot damage other coastal scrub habitats. This is good news flourish in diverse habitats by changing plants, we began releasing the Cape-ivy for biological control because it confirms its growth to suit different conditions. In fly in September 2016. Since then, we that the insect is not constrained by riparian and forest habitats, the plant have conducted more than 80 field variation in the plant’s morphology. ARS produces a sprawling network of vine- releases of P. regalis at 18 different scientists are now monitoring the fly’s like shoots and broad, delicate leaves. In locations along the coast, from Hum- population levels to determine important coastal scrub habitats, where the plant is boldt County in northern California to parameters such as population growth exposed to more intense sun light and San Luis Obispo County in southern rate, timing of the fly’s lifecycle (phenol- coastal winds, the plant produces short, California. Collaborators at UC Santa ogy), and geographic distribution. stout shoots that grow more upright, Barbara have also released the fly in The fly’s population is growing rapidly with small, tough leaves. Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties. and spreading beyond the original release Starting in 1997, a coalition locations. In May 2019, including Cal-IPC, the Califor- approximately one P. regalis nia Native Plant Society gall was observed for every 10 (CNPS), and a network of land square meters of Cape-ivy. One trusts raised funds to support a year later (May 2020), the biological control program for number had grown to 41 galls Cape-ivy. Entomologist Dr. Joe per 10 square meters — a Balciunas (since retired), from forty-fold increase. Population the USDA-ARS Invasive Species levels were highest in Novem- and Pollinator Health Research ber 2019, topping off at 75 Unit based in Albany, CA, galls for every 10 square worked with South African meters, suggesting that the colleagues to identify two insect’s population peaks in the promising biological control fall. If the fly’s population agents: a shoot tip-galling fly, continues to increase at the Parafreutreta regalis (Diptera: Galls on Cape-ivy from P. regalis at an Alameda County release site. The dark spot current rate, by the end of Tephritidae), and a leaf mining on the gall on far left shows the ‘window’ from which adult flies will emerge. (Continued on page 14)

8 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org Join us online! Connect with colleagues from across the state – and beyond – to share the latest in invasive plant biology and management!

SMP Y OsiuM FEATURES weeds, control techniques, early detec- PRICING Learn the latest updates on effective tion, mapping, and funding. (no cost) Early bird rate ends Sept. 1. Registration tools, relevant research, and strategic 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: DPR Laws & Regs deadline Oct. 26, 5:00 pm. management approaches. Our online WED. to FRI., OCT. 28-30: Member: $75 early bird/$100 regular format will include opportunities to chat MAIN CONFERENCE Non-Member: $100 early bird/$125 reg. with sponsors/exhibitors, engage during Session talks, plenaries, discussion Student Member: $25 early bird/$40 reg. discussion groups, talk to poster present- groups, and posters cover a wide range Student Non-Member: $40 early bird/ ers, and create video meetups with of topics on invasive species biology and $55 reg. friends and colleagues. management, including: Presenter: $25 early bird/$40 reg. • Forest pests, weeds, and fire Student Presenter: $0 early bird/$15 reg. SPECIAL SPEAKER • The role of invasive plant management Dr. Daniel Simberloff Additional Costs/Discounts: in recovery and resilience is the Gore Hunger Extra charge for processing DPR Professor of Environ- • Management lessons learned from continuing education credits: $50 mental Studies at projects across California and beyond Discount for attending SERCAL or CNGA: the University of • Management tools and techniques Subtract $25 (Discount code required) Tennessee and a • Ecology of invasive plants Visit cal-ipc.org/symposium to register, leading voice for • Productive partnerships participate in the Photo Contest, and find invasion biology Photo courtesy Daniel • Moving toward equity in conservation more Symposium information. worldwide. Along Simberloff • Management planning, mapping, and with some 500 prioritization publications on ecology, biogeography, • And more! evolution, and conservation biology he is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Biological SPECIAL SESSIONS: Invasions and author of the book Invasive • Recovery and resilience: Invasive plant Species: What Everyone Needs to Know. management in a global context • Fire, forest pest, and weeds: How TUES., OCT. 27: WMA MEETING climate change may alter our forests AND LAWS & REGS forever 9:00 am – 11:00 am: 2020 Statewide • Progress! Invasive plant management WMA Meeting. Representatives from success stories across California Weed Management Areas convene to Plus our annual Career Panel, Poster California’s 2017 wildfires visible from space. Photo share information on project design, new Session, Photo Contest, and Auction! courtesy NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 9 CDFW generates new ACE layer from Cal-IPC data Elizabeth Brusati, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Dana Morawitz, Cal-IPC (former staff)

al-IPC partnered with in no other region in the the California Depart- country. All three elements Cment of Fish and together provide a more Wildlife (CDFW) to create accurate picture of the role of two statewide maps of invasive plants as stressors invasive plants for CDFW’s than any one element alone. Areas of Conservation The original CalWeedMapper Emphasis (ACE 3.0) project. data have been augmented The maps compare invasive with recent observation plant levels throughout records to provide an updat- California, one for terrestrial ed view of the extent of species and the other invasive plants in the state. covering aquatic and riparian Few comprehensive datasets plants. The maps may be exist for non-plant invaders in useful for planners or anyone California, other than a few who wants to see a compari- well-tracked species such as son of invasive plants across quagga mussels, so we a large area. limited our ACE map to ACE analyzes large plants to provide a consistent amounts of spatial data to comparison across the state. summarize biodiversity, Following the format of significant habitats, habitat ACE’s biodiversity maps, we connectivity, and climate Expert knowledge in CalWeedMapper is populated according to these separated the invasive plant change resilience. Its maps guidelines. Abundance is shown on the left side and depicted in shades of pink. map into terrestrial and To get Distribution (D), the values in low were categorized as ‘trace’; the values provide information for aquatic habitats, with in medium as ‘moderate’; and the values in high as ‘widespread’. conservation planning, riparian species incorporated ecological research, and land-use planning from CalWeedMapper and Calflora. into both. We included all Cal-IPC (available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/ CalWeedMapper combines GIS data and Inventory species with a High, Moderate, Analysis/ACE). The Statewide Biological expert knowledge from land managers, or Limited rating. (Plants with a Watch Richness layer from ACE 2.0 has been an updated by datasets and individual rating are not yet mapped in CalWeed- integral part of Cal-IPC’s Invasive Plant observations from the Calflora database, Mapper; they are also not considered Regional Planning efforts; as included in displaying individual maps for the 225 invasive at this point). The terrestrial map the CalWeedMapper online tool, this layer invasive plant species on the Cal-IPC includes terrestrial and riparian species, adds the geographic element showing Inventory (not including Watch species). as determined within the Inventory plant areas of conservation emphasis. The dataset provides three important assessments. The aquatic/riparian map In 2018, CDFW began adding “stress- pieces of information: which invasive includes all species with a National or” layers to show where important plant species are present in a location, Wetland Plant List wetland indicator ecological areas might be threatened. The how widespread each species is in that status of Obligate or Facultative-Wetland initial stressor layers covered urbanization location, and the potential for impact of (USDA PLANTS Database, plants.usda. and sea level rise. CDFW’s Biogeographic each species. The power of these data lies gov). The duplication of riparian and Data Branch, which oversees ACE as well in the fact that a single suite of species some marsh species in the two maps is as other mapping tools such as the was scored consistently across the entire not a problem because the maps are California Natural Diversity Database, state using GIS datasets and meeting with intended to be viewed separately. This wanted to add a layer on invasive species Weed Management Areas. The final method keeps the maps consistent with but did not have its own comprehensive product is an objective assessment of the ACE’s biodiversity maps, which also dataset, so turned to Cal-IPC for assistance. most problematic invasive species over a include riparian species in both the The new ACE maps use statewide data large area (spanning the state) that exists terrestrial and aquatic versions.

10 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org The ACE invasive layers give a score for approach may also be used to assess for partnership between Cal-IPC and each USGS quadrangle (“quad”), calcu- relative threat within a region, calibrated CDFW. Cal-IPC provided knowledge on lated by summing the Cal-IPC rating and to that region’s weediest quad. Such the plants and the method for calculat- estimated place on the invasion curve for analyses can be used for large-scale ing the scores, while CDFW took the every species in that quad. (See box for planning efforts, such as for Habitat time to perform the spatial analysis to detailed methods.) The maps show the Conservation Plans or CDFW’s Regional create these map layers. We look forward relative “invasive plant level” in each Conservation Investment Strategies, to to working together in the future. quad, ranging from yellow (low) to red inform where more restoration may be (high). In contrast to CalWeedMapper, needed. Layers will be available on ACE by Thank you to everyone who has contrib- which displays maps for individual species, using the “Add data: BIOS” and selecting uted data to CalWeedMapper and the ACE layers combine all species in a “Level of Terrestrial Plant Invasive by Quad Calflora, without which this project could quad. Note that results may be affected [df2810]” or “Level of Aquatic Plant not have happened. Thank you to CDFW by biases in species identification and Invasion by Quad [ds2811].” The layers ACE Coordinator Melanie Gogol-Proku- reporting, and that results strongly reflect are also on CDFW’s BIOS viewer (https:// rat, CDFW BIOS Coordinator Sandra Hill, the greater number of invasive plant apps.wildlife.ca.gov/bios/). and the staff of the CDFW Biogeographic species in coastal areas. The data and This project was a great opportunity Data Branch for GIS analysis.

Determining Invasive Threat multiplying R x D, then summing the multiplied values for all species found in the quad. The invasive threat in each quad was determined based on the species present, their Cal-IPC Inventory ratings, and their For each plant occurrence within a USGS quad: distribution. Calculations were made separately for the R = Cal-IPC Inventory rating terrestrial layer and the aquatic/riparian layer and used data D = Distribution based on invasion curve from 2000 or later. Each plant occurrence in each quad was Score for a quad = Sum of (R x D) for all species found in assigned a rating (R) based on the Cal-IPC Inventory. Each the quad occurrence was also assigned a Distribution (D) score of “widespread”, “moderate,” or “trace,” based on the We calculated the score of a hypothetical “ultimate weedy abundance noted in CalWeedMapper data (based on location quad” by summing (R x D) for all species at high distribution. For on the invasion curve selected by expert knowledge, see any given quad we then normalized to a 0-1 scale by dividing Figure). The scale of invasion in each quad was calculated by the (R x D) sum for that quad by the ultimate weedy quad value.

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 11 Forest Service and County Ag Commissioners Sign New MOU

Sandy Elles, Executive Director, California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association; John Exline, Director, and Diana Craig, Deputy Director, Ecosystem Management, USDA Forest Service, Pacific SouthwestR egion

alifornia’s County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) work Ccollaboratively with the US Forest Service (USFS) to help control weeds on National Forest land in California. In the fall of 2019, the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA) and the USFS Pacific South- west Region began work to renew our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on invasive plant management. National Forests cover 20 million acres in California, 20% of the state’s area. American Conservation Experience (ACE) crews Invasive Plant Crew These lands occur within 25 of the state’s pull musk thistle (Carduus nutans) in Tahoe pulling Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Photo: 58 counties (43%). The working National Forest. Photo: Mary Patterson Blake Engelhardt relationship between each county and limited the amount of weed manage- the National Forest Resource Advisory the local National Forest staff is unique to ment that can be accomplished. While Committee (RAC) for noxious weed that region. The MOU sets broad state funding for Weed Management control efforts.) Such grants are impor- parameters to support these relationships. Areas (WMAs) was resurrected in 2018, tant for making progress on local and The MOU has a five-year term and it is on the chopping block this year due regional priority projects. establishes parameters for cooperation to pressure on the state budget. In 2019, Beyond weeds, CACs in Southern between the parties to limit the introduc- CDFA issued nearly $2 million in grants California counties are ramping up efforts tion, establishment, and spread of to counties and Resource Conservation to control forest pests in coordination invasive plant species, especially State- Districts for noxious weed management with the USFS. Counties are trapping for listed noxious weeds. With mutual projects. In 2020, CDFA approved $1.6 invasive shot hole borer species and benefit and interests in mind, the MOU million to counties for weed mapping initiating tree removal programs to slow calls for CACs to meet with Forest and control grants. (Additionally, Lassen the spread of these pests. Supervisors, offer expertise on Integrated and Glenn counties receive grants from Pest Management (IPM), and collaborate Summary of Weed Work on National with USFS to achieve continuity of T he US Forest Service’s National Strategy Forests implementation of the 2013 Forest and Implementation Plan for Invasive In 2019, the USFS Pacific Southwest Service National Strategic Framework for Species Management was completed in Region treated about 6,200 acres of Invasive Species Management. 2004 and updated in 2013 as the Forest invasive plants and noxious weeds on 18 Reciprocally, the MOU calls on the USFS Service National Strategic Framework National Forests in California, as well as to support the timely completion of for Invasive Species Management. These 680 acres of aquatic invasive plants in environmental documents to implement documents direct Forest Service Units to the . Working with IPM-based approaches to invasive species adopt a “Systems Approach” to invasive partners, we aim to slow the spread of management, to provide National Envi- species management. As a complement weeds through efforts such as: control- ronmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidance to to the Framework, the US Forest ling yellow starthistle across the leading CACs, to utilize Early Detection and Rapid Service National Strategic Plan includes edge of infestations moving up into the Response program agreements, and to objectives to reduce adverse impacts Sierra; eradication of knapweeds in participate in other cooperative activities from invasive and native species, pests, northern counties; and developing involving weed management. and diseases, and restore and maintain watershed-based approaches to musk Unfortunately, resource constraints for healthy watersheds and diverse habitats. both the USFS and the counties have thistle control in the Truckee River area.

12 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org One early invader, Alyssum murale, is on our radar screen because it is invading serpentine areas in Oregon. In some areas, we are keeping an eye out for Cape-ivy and stinkwort. After fires, weed management is a part of Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) efforts. In 2017, there were 24 BAER incidents with 391,146 National Forest acres burned and $325,434 request- ed for weed management. In 2018, there were 23 BAER incidents with 818,495 Youth conservation crews remove tamarisk in Palm Crews cutting and spraying the stumps of edible fig National Forest acres burned and $686,370 Canyon in partnership with the San Bernardino (Ficus carica) in Holy Jim Canyon on the Cleveland requested for weed management work. National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, National Forest (funded Prop 84). Photo: Lance The USFS uses herbicides as part of an and the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Photo: Criley IPM program in most forests. Six National Lance Woolley Forests — the Angeles, Cleveland, The USFS Pacific Southwest Region and Eldorado, Inyo, Lake Tahoe Basin Manage- of work supported include: $1.4 million CACASA continue to support cooperative ment Unit, and Modoc — have completed over five years to the California Dept. of weed mapping efforts through CalFlora, Forest-wide or site-specific weed NEPA Food & Agriculture to support grants to CalWeedMapper, and EDDMapS. These herbicide documents. In addition, seven counties; Special Technology Development efforts support weed inventory, mapping, National Forests have completed NEPA Program (STDP) grants to Cal-IPC for monitoring, and refine focus for future coverage for some areas of the forest, and development of WHIPPET, Calflora tools, work. As memorialized in our renewed several other forests will start site-specific and PRE screening for watch species; fund- MOU, we are committed to working documents for invasive plant control using ing to UC Santa Barbara to support together on a variety of terrestrial and herbicides this year. Arundo and Cape-ivy biocontrols; and aquatic invasive species issues, to improv- Grants from the US Forest Service State funding to the USDA Agricultural Research ing coordination across jurisdictional & Private Forestry program support Service for work on a new rosette weevil boundaries, and to making progress on invasive plant work in California. Examples biocontrol agent for yellow starthistle. weed control in California.

Why I joined Cal-IPC’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group M iriam Sachs Martin, Land Manager, Portal Valley Ranch and Park Ranger, City of San Jose

Article written by Cal-IPC staff from an features, I grew up in a world where I interview. This article represents Miriam’s never thought to question the implica- personal views and should not be inter- tions of words like “native” or “invasive.” preted as a statement by her employers. However, the California that we live in is racialized. If we use words that convey Early in my career, I had a formative exclusion, people who feel excluded in experience that made me rethink the ways their daily lives are going to be sensitive to Miriam checks out the growth one her French we talk about weeds. I was training those overtones. I’m interested in shifting broom patches during the pandemic shut down. Conservation Corps members on manage- the language so that, instead, we’re Photo: Miriam Sachs Martin. ment of blackberry, explaining how we get talking about saving biological diversity ecosystem has a diversity of plants with rid of “invasive plants” when an African and looking at those connections to functions that support each other in American teenager said, “Just like me.” cultural diversity. balance. That single comment changed my life. Let’s focus on inclusion in our conserva- Personally, I see parallels between weed I was raised with a strong multi-cultural tion efforts. In both contexts, diversity is a work and anti-racist work. I find joy in the identity: my mother is from Cuba and my strength. Diverse perspectives add to our process. There may never be an end to it, father is Jewish. But, as a person with fair strength as a society. Likewise, a healthy (Continued on page 14)

cal-ipc.org Dispatch | Summer 2020 13 Cape-ivy galling fly Why I joined Cal-IPC’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Continued from page 8) Working Group 2020 some locations may have increased (Continued from page 13) up to 30 galls per square meter of Cape-ivy. That level of galling fly pressure but I enjoy knowing that we’ve made a As we continue to expand the conversa- will likely have a significant negative difference. Every year that I can buy for tion, I’m interested in also expanding our impact on the plant’s ability to thrive. these big oaks is another year that science definition of who is a weed worker. ARS is continuing to release the advances. Every year we work towards Collectively, Latinx gardeners in suburban Cape-ivy fly at additional sites with the greater equality, we find greater collabo- neighborhoods manage huge parcels of expectation that it will establish at more ration across organizations and across land. They hold so much knowledge. How locations along the coast. This year, more barriers. It’s like eating or cleaning our can we open lines of communication to field releases are planned for Humboldt, house — we’ll do it again tomorrow. learn from each other? I want to see a Mendocino, San Francisco, Alameda, and Anti-racism work is never done. bigger “we” in the land management San Diego counties. A new release I was excited to join the discussion on community. Let’s make sure that our method, involving temporary planting of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the conferences include more diverse attend- greenhouse-reared, galled plants at field 2018 Cal-IPC Symposium, I volunteered to ees, and more speakers that represent our sites, is being tested. Beginning in 2021, join the newly formed EDI working group diverse California. In the same way that ARS scientists will focus on studying the soon after. I’m pleased with the progress teenager opened my eyes with his fly’s effect on Cape-ivy and monitoring we’ve made together: putting an EDI statement of “Just like me,” I want us, the abundance of native plant species. statement on the website, awarding travel collectively, as a professional community, Moreover, host-specificity tests on grants for underrepresented professionals to open our minds and reexamine the second biocontrol agent, the Cape-ivy to the 2019 Symposium, and taking possibilities. Thank you, Cal-IPC, for moth, have been completed, and ARS conscious measures to make the annual inching this conversation forward. scientists will be submitting a petition to gathering an even more welcoming Find links to join the EDI Mailing list, the federal Technical Advisory Group for experience. This year, I was inspired to read Cal-IPC’s EDI statement, or read permission to release the new agent. celebrate my birthday with a Facebook more about EDI in conservation at Anyone observing Cape-ivy galls outside fundraiser to support EDI work at Cal-IPC. cal-ipc.org/EDIconservation. Interested in of the release sites is encouraged to send I was surprised at how generous folks joining the EDI Working Group? Email us a photograph and location information were, despite the pandemic. [email protected]. (GPS if possible). This information would help us track the fly’s dispersal ability and geographic distribution. Authors can be contacted at patrick. [email protected] and scott.portman@ usda.gov. All photos courtesy Scott L. Portman. P. regalis field release cage.

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14 Summer 2020 | Dispatch cal-ipc.org Thank You for Supporting Our Work

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Gifts received from April 8, 2020 to American Conservation Experience HANA Resources, Inc. August 10, 2020 B&J Trading, LLC Hedgerow Farms Calflora Helena Agri Enterprises, LLC Stewardship Circle California Assoc. of Local Conservation Corps H.T. Harvey & Associates Edith Allen, Riverside California Assoc. of Resource Conservation The Huntington Library Anonymous (3) Districts Irvine Ranch Conservancy Doug Gibson, Encinitas California Botanic Garden Irvine Ranch Water District Chuck Heimstadt and Loretta Brooks, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture Jesse Mack Company South San Francisco California Native Grasslands Association Marin Agricultural Land Trust California Wildlife Foundation/California Oaks Marin County Parks Champion Catalina Island Conservancy Marin Municipal Water District Paul Aigner, Lower Lake Chambers Group Inc. Moosa Creek Nursery Anonymous Channel Islands Restoration Nakae & Associates, Inc. Michael Shelley, Paicines City of Brisbane Nature Collective Patrick Skain, San Francisco CNPS — East Bay Chapter Nomad Ecology, LLC CNPS — Los Angeles/Santa Monica Orange County Parks Partner Mountains Chapter Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Jim Dempsey, Chico CNPS — Mount Lassen Chapter Plant California Alliance David and Karen Erickson, Aiken, SC CNPS — Riverside San Bernardino Chapter RECON Environmental, Inc. Naomi Fraga, Claremont CNPS — Sacramento Valley Chapter S&S Seeds Jennifer Funk, Davis CNPS — San Diego Chapter Sage Environmental Group Bob Huttar, Martinez CNPS — Santa Cruz County Chapter San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Mike Kelly, San Diego CNPS — South Coast Chapter San Mateo County Parks Drew Kerr, Pinole CNPS — Yerba Buena Chapter San Mateo County Dept of Agriculture, Karen Paulsell, Oakland County of Santa Clara W&M Peter Schuyler, Santa Barbara Cummings Anesthesia, Inc. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden East Bay Regional Parks District Santa Barbara County Ag Commissioner Wendy and Steve Smit, Healdsburg Dendra, Inc. Sempervirens Fund Paul Ziemann, Boulder, CO Forester’s Co-op SERCAL A special thank you to all the generous Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy SOLitude Lake Management donors to our 2020 Spring Campaign! Your Go Native, Inc. Southern California Botanists generosity helps us continue our hard work. Habitat West, Inc. Triangle Properties

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Wildland Weed Calendar “The words we use when we

Check all websites for latest event updates talk about nature have a life beyond the pages of scientific SERCAL Conference Innovations in Invasive Species journals… When popular September 1-24, Online Management Conference and Training sercal.org/zooming-into-2020 December 14-17, Nashville, TN media reports discuss Vespa invasiveplantcontrol.com/ NEOBIOTA conference20/ mandarini [also known as the September 15-18, Vodice, Croatia ‘Asian giant hornet’] and the neobiota2020.biol.pmf.hr California Weed Science Society January 2021, Online possibility of containment, it’s NAISMA Annual Conference cwss.org in the unspoken but inevitable October 6-8, Online naisma.org/conferences Public Lands Alliance Convention context of an Asiatic contagion and Trade Show Cal-IPC Symposium February 7 – 11, 2021, Portland, OR that we failed to contain.” October 27-30, Online publiclandsalliance.org/what-we-do/ cal-ipc.org/symposium convention Jenny Liou, “Am I an invasive species?” in High Country News, August 2020 Western Society of Weed Science March 1-4, 2021, Boise, ID wsweedscience.org/annual-meeting