The Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is once again hosting the 13th Annual Columbia Gorge Invasive Species and Exotic Pest Workshop! This opportunity is designed to provide information on invasive species management to land managers and the interested public. We are excited to be once again hosting the event in person at Skamania County's Hegewald Center! Register here.
AGENDA*
2024 Invasive Species and Exotic Pest Workshop
Thursday, February 29, 2024, 9:00am – 3:30pm
Hegewald Center
710 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA, 98648
9:00 – 9:10 Welcome
Hannah Brause, WSU Extension
Bio: Hannah Brause is an Associate Professor in the Community and Economic Development Unit of Washington State University. Hannah's key areas of focus include Agricultural Educations, Food Systems, and Community Leadership. In addition to her faculty appointment Hannah Brause has also served as the County Director of Skamania and Klickitat County. Hannah shared that it has been a privileged to serve as the EMCEE for the Gorge ISEP program because of the fantastic line up of speakers providing an excellent learning opportunity, as well as the opportunity to network with others passionate about natural resource work.
9:10 – 9:20 Columbia Gorge CWMA Update
Angie Kimpo, Portland Water Bureau
Bio: Angie is the Co-Chair for the Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area. Angie has worked for the Portland Water Bureau since 2009 as the Vegetation Stewardship Manager. Her work is focused on invasive species and vegetation management in the Bull Run Watershed, Sandy River Watershed and the City of Portland. She has worked in the field of restoration ecology in Western Oregon for the past 25 years.
9:20 – 9:30 Western Invasives Network Update
Courtney Gattuso, Western Invasives Network
Bio: Courtney is the Coordinator of the Western Invasives Network, housed with Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation & Development. In this role, she provides support to our CWMAs, working groups, and noxious weed agencies in western Oregon and southwestern Washington. For much of her career, she has worked in natural resource management with various public entities to pursue her passion for conservation. She studied Environmental Science and Geography at San Francisco State University and previously coordinated the 4-County and Columbia Gorge CWMAs.
Abstract: A brief update from the Western Invasives Network.
9:30 – 10:00 Towards Less Problematic and More Effective Invasive Species Common Names
Dr. Catherine de Rivera, Portland State University
Bio: Cat de Rivera works at Portland State University’s Department of Environmental Science where she teaches and researches biotic interactions, spread, and impacts of introduced species; potential effects of climate change on salt marshes and marine communities; and habitat connectivity in terrestrial systems. She serves on the Oregon Invasive Species Council, The Western Regional Panel for Aquatic Nuisance Species, and both Metro-area and state habitat connectivity groups. She earned her PhD from UC San Diego researching fiddler crab behavioral ecology, and her BA from Earlham College, where she helped research plant community ecology and turtle population ecology.
Abstract: Ever more introduced species are spreading into the Pacific Northwest, increasing the importance of the general public in reporting sightings, taking actions from spreading them or helping control them, and also being supportive of agency-led efforts. For these and other reasons, many natural resource managers aim to improve outreach and communication about invasive species issues. Using common names that help identify a species or its impacts can help with this reporting, whereas using placed-based common names can alienate some people. Furthermore, language influences how people think about issues and using place-based or ethnicity-based common names, especially when combined with militaristic language, could add to any pre-existing biases. In addition to covering the extent of the issue and the reasons to use descriptive common names, this presentation will include discussion of the barriers to switching from place-based names.
10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 – 10:45 Creating the WA Invasive Ranking System
Tynan Ramm-Granberg, WA Natural Heritage Program
Bio: Tynan has been a vegetation ecologist with the Washington Natural Heritage Program since 2015. His recent work focuses on climate change vulnerability assessments of wetland ecosystems, development of a standardized tool for assessing the ecological impact of non-native plant species, and improvements to condition assessment tools such as Floristic Quality Assessment indices and Ecological Integrity Assessment. Before joining the Heritage Program, Tynan studied Arctic and alpine treeline dynamics in Sweden and led National Park Service vegetation mapping crews at North Cascades, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Parks, among other endeavors.
Abstract: The presence and/or abundance of invasive plant species is one of the most commonly used measures in wetland function and condition assessment tools. Existing state lists of noxious weeds and invasive species are based heavily on economic impacts and values and do not result in a comprehensive list of the plant species that are most impactful to the ecology of native ecosystems. Consequently, wetland practitioners have often relied on “best professional judgment” to determine the invasivity of nonnative species when using wetland assessment tools. Some wetland assessment tools have tried to address this by providing a priori lists of invasive species, but these generally identify only a small subset of invasive plants that might occur in a wetland. A standardized list of invasive plant species is needed to minimize the inconsistent and subjective use of invasives as indicators of ecological condition. To this end, the Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) has adapted existing invasive species ranking tools to produce a standarized protocol for determining the ecological impact and management difficulty of nonnative plant taxa in Washington. With the help of volunteer rankers, WNHP is using this protocol to produce a standardized list of invasive plants for ecological applications.
10:45 – 11:15 Invasive Insects of Concern for Pacific Northwest Trees
Christine Buhl, Oregon Department of Forestry
Bio: Christine Buhl is a graduate of Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has served as an entomologist from Hawaii to the country of Lebanon on projects spanning from public health to chemical ecology. She currently serves as the state Forest Entomologist with the Oregon Department of Forestry where she provides statewide technical assistance to public and private landowners and monitors forest health via aerial and ground surveys.
Abstract: Christine will provide a status update on emerging exotic insects tree pests: Emerald ash borer, Mediterranean oak borer, Spotted lanternfly
11:15 - 11:30 Lightning Talks
Gifford Pinchot (CFC, FYS)
Evan Olson, Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Bio: Evan is a Botany Technician for the U.S. Forest Service, stationed in Trout Lake WA at the Mt. Adams Ranger District, on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. His duties include native plant seed collection and planting, invasive species inventory and manual control, and rare plant surveys and monitoring.
Abstract: Evan will showcase the treatment and restoration of a small Geranium robertianum site on the GP.
Hood River SWCD-Puncturevine
Brittany Welsh, Hood River SWCD
Bio: Brittany has been with the Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District since early (March) 2023. She started in a role that was focused on assisting property owners with wildfire preparedness and education. Now she is working on a variety of small grant projects, including irrigation upgrades, riparian restoration, and invasive weed eradication.
Abstract: Hood River SWCD has led volunteer work parties to remove puncturevine at the Hood River Waterfront two summers in a row. The ’23 effort was funded by a grant from the Gorge CWMA and was planned in partnership with the City of Hood River. This project will continue in the Summer of 2024 with additional community engagement.
Friends of the Gorge Stewardship
Sarah Skelly, Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Bio: Sarah is the Stewardship Volunteer Coordinator for Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust. She most enjoys helping facilitate stewardship by pulling, planting and studying nature alongside Gorge volunteers and nurturing a volunteer community. Sarah found her home in the Pacific Northwest in 2000 and her career path weaves together passions for habitat restoration, community science and environmental education. She now resides in Mosier, OR where she stays busy exploring east Gorge botany, birds and biking, often at the same time.
Abstract: Gorge volunteers increase stewardship capacity, ecological outcomes and connection to place through Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust’s Land Steward Program. This short presentation will highlights the value of partnerships and long term volunteer engagement on public lands and Land Trust Preserves and how investing in this program is both effective and fun!
11:30 – 12:00 Invasive Mussels: Risk, Prevention, and Response
Decontamination Biologist, WDFW
Bio:
Abstract: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the lead state regulatory department for managing invasives of the animal kingdom statewide. This responsibility involves excluding pests, domesticated animals, or livestock managed by the Department of Agriculture. WDFW is developing a certification decontamination training program based on the Department’s Invasive Species Management Protocols.
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch -On your own
WDFW Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose (CD3) station demonstration during the lunch break
1:30 – 2:00 Invasive Species Quiz
Kimberly Quayle, WA Department of Natural Resources
Bio: Kimberly is the eastside assistant ecologist for the Washington Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas program.
Abstract: An interactive quiz covering species identification. Questions will include classic “what species is this” questions, “early detection rapid response” questions about species distribution and species not yet in the area, and rapid fire “native vs. exotic” questions. A brief PowerPoint about the identification of each featured species will follow the quiz.
2:00 – 2:30 Lightning Talks
Trout Lake Reed Canary and Oregon Spotted Frog: Ethan Coggins, Washington DNR
Bio: Ethan is a Natural Areas Specialist with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. He is a lifelong plant fanatic and feels very lucky to work in the unique ecosystems of the Columbia Gorge. He is passionate about protecting rare species and ecosystems and loves the challenges that come with weed management in protected areas.
Abstract: For over a decade, DNR Natural Areas has been utilizing weed fabric to control various weed species. In this short talk, the use cases, efficacy, and pros and cons of using weed fabric will be examined.
A 5-minute demonstration to set up an iNaturalist project to leverage community science for your weed management efforts
Sam Leininger, Clackamas SWCD
Bio: Sam has been working in the field of ecology for nearly 25 years and has been the WeedWise Program Manager for the Clackamas SWCD since its inception in 2009. Sam was born and raised in rural eastern Oregon before attending Oregon State University, where he earned an Honors BS in Environmental Science. He later graduated from the University of California, Davis with an MS in Ecology specializing in invasive species ecology and management. Sam currently oversees the Clackamas SWCD WeedWise Program including technical assistance and priority weed management.
Abstract: This lightning talk will walk you through the process of setting up a new iNaturalist project in 5 minutes. These projects will leverage existing observations and allow you the opportunity to recruit community scientists to help you identify and manage invasive species.
Columbia Land Trust & Rush Skeletonweed
Kate Conley, Natural Area Manager
Bio: Kate Conley has been a Natural Area Manager with Columbia Land Trust for 11 years. She stewards forest, riparian, and prairie habitats on Columbia Land Trust properties in Hood River and Wasco Counties in Oregon and parts of Skamania and Klickitat Counties in Washington. She has a background in collaborative watershed management.
Abstract: Rush skeletonweed is a difficult-to-control invader of grasslands and other unforested areas in the east gorge. Columbia Land Trust has tried various skeletonweed control methods over the years and is currently working to restore some skeletonweed-infested fields to native prairie species. This presentation will include a quick overview of lessons learned to date and an introduction to some strategies the CWMA might use for advancing our collective understanding of this problematic weed and potential control methods in our region.
Skamania Demonstration Garden
Cyndi Soliz, Skamania County Noxious Weed Program
Bio: Cyndi has been serving as the Partnership Specialist for the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program since 2008. She enjoys killing knotweed and other invasive weeds and in her spare time, long walks on the beach with her dogs.
Abstract: To showcase all the wonderful benefits of native plants and to provide food and habitat for wildlife, the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program started a demonstration garden in 2017. This presentation shows where it all started and how it is going now.
White Nose Syndrome in Bats
Carly Wickhem, WDFW
Bio: Carly is a Wildlife Biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife covering Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties.
Abstract: Caused by a non-native fungus, white-nose syndrome is one of the most destructive wildlife diseases ever found in North America and has killed millions of bats across the US and Canada since it was first detected in 2007. I will give a brief overview of the fungus, the disease, and the work Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is doing to monitor our bat populations and track the spread of this disease.
2:30 - 2:45 Break
2:45 - 3:15 The Invasive Species Cookoff: Bringing people to the dinner table to promote awareness of invasives and their environmental impact
Tom Kaye, Institute for Applied Ecology
Bio: Tom Kaye is Executive Director and Senior Ecologist at the Institute for Applied Ecology, a nonprofit organization with a mission to conserve native habitats and species through research, restoration, and education. He is also a courtesy Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. Tom conducts research on rare species reintroductions, pollination biology, habitat restoration, plant invasions, plant population responses to climate change, and engages prison inmates in conservation through the Sagebrush in Prisons Project. Sourcing native plants for restoration is a key area of interest, research and publication for Dr. Kaye. He serves on the board of the Society for Ecological Restoration as the North American Representative.
Abstract: The Invasive Species Cookoff is an annual event that features exotic and introduced species in cuisine to increase public awareness of the impacts of invasives on our environment and economy. Each year since 2012 (with a gap during the COVID-19 pandemic) the Institute for Applied Ecology has hosted this event, combining food and facts to reach the hearts of our community members through their stomachs. The event typically involves a catered meal with invasive species ingredients as well as a competition for the best dish prepared by community members in the meat, vegetable, and dessert (and some years even beverage) categories. This talk will review the history of and motivation for the event, some of the wild dishes we have seen, and how you too can attend and compete.
3:15 – 3:30 Closing Remarks
Hannah Brause, WSU Extension
*Agenda is subject to change
