The Crook County Invasive Species Patrol. Resource Guide. For prevention, early detection, reporting, and rapid response to invasive species

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1 The Crook County Invasive Species Patrol Resource Guide For prevention, early detection, reporting, and rapid response to invasive species Volunteers practicing preventive medicine for the land

2 Crook County Invasive Species Patrol s MOST WANTED 1. African rue 2. Houndstongue 3. Jointed Goatgrass 4. Leafy Spurge 5. Mediterranean sage 6. Perennial pepperweed 7. Scotch & Musk thistle 8. Dalmatian & Yellow toadflax 9. Yellow flag iris 10. Yellow starthistle 11. Eurasian Watermilfoil 12. Hydrilla 13. New Zealand Mudsnail 14. Zebra & Quagga Mussel This is a list of invasive species that the Cook County Invasive Species Patrol comprised. These species are independent of the County weed list (See and were chosen because they are potential threats to Crook County

3 The Nature Conservancy s EDRR Program The Nature Conservancy s Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program aims to reduce the number of newly established plant and animal invasions and to enable our partner organizations to best implement EDRR for new invaders. Our goal is to build a network of landowners, volunteer groups, public agencies, and organizations that are cooperating to look for, report, and respond to new populations of invasive species. At the foundation of any EDRR program are the volunteers these are dedicated people who look for new invaders as they work or play. Volunteers help protect natural areas from the impacts of invasive species by detecting new populations early before they get out of hand. Crook County is starting up its own EDRR program in which landowners, agency folks like the Forest Service, and volunteers will look for invasive species while working or will visit specific areas with invasive species in mind. We work with many other partners such as the BLM and Soil and Water Districts. Volunteers are the eyes and ears of an EDRR program, but for EDRR to fully work, there also needs to be a community of land managers, private landowners, and invasive species specialists. This community of experts work by forwarding reports to the appropriate person or organization, verifying the species identity, planning a strategic response, and when possible, providing technical help to landowners. Together, the Volunteers and the community of responders, form the Oregon Invasives Species Early Detection Network. Why Worry About Invasive Species? Invasive species are non native species that cause ecological and economic problems by reproducing and growing so prolifically that they displace native species. It is important to note that not all non native species are harmful; in fact, some like grapes or wheat are beneficial or harmless. However, just a few invasive species have the potential to transform entire ecosystems. Once established, invasive species reproduce and spread, often forming monocultures that slowly take over more and more territory, displace native species and animals, hybridize with those natives, and may potentially alter ecosystem functions and processes. Often the transition from a native to an invasives dominated environment is so gradual that it goes unnoticed until it is too late. Native animals and plants, along with the communities that depend on them for food and shelter begin to disappear. Taking a Watershed Approach to Invasive Species Invasives species know no political boundaries. They ignore fences, don t respect property lines, and will establish anywhere the habitat is suitable. Through wind and water dispersal, by hitchhiking on people, vehicles and animals they can spread throughout the landscape, degrading watersheds

4 What is a Watershed? Technically, a watershed is the area of land from ridge top to ridge top. It is drained by creeks, streams and rivers to a common destination such as a lake, a larger river system, a bay or an ocean. The watershed captures precipitation, filters and stores water, and controls the release of water over time. People are part of the picture too. Our day to day lives are directly affected by the health of our watersheds. For example, a healthy watershed maintains clean water, good soils, and habitat for fish, wildlife, plants as well has people. Our ability to drink clean water, raise livestock, farm, or even spend time in the Great Outdoors depends on healthy watersheds. Managing Invasives from a Watershed Perspective A watershed perspective also helps us plan the best way to manage invasive species. Each action we take, or don t take, has an effect on a watershed. For example, if you are working to control invasives on your property, but your neighbor is not, success is difficult. This is the basis for the creation of Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA). In CWMAs, like the Crooked River Weed Management Area, landowners cooperate to address invasions at a large, scale by sharing information, results of control techniques, and new species of concern. The idea of cooperating to control invasive species on a large scale is also the foundation for Early Detection and Rapid Response. We all share in the responsibility of invasive species control. Figure 1. As invasive species infestation sizes increase over time, control costs also increase exponentially. Adapted from McNeely, J, LE Neville, and M Rejmanek

5 Early Detection Early Detection is the most effective approach to invasive species control. Prevention can be as simple as keeping equipment, boats and even boots clean and not transporting invasive species to new areas. Early detection is key to preventing establishment of these invasive species. This is because large areas of invasive species are difficult to control or remove. Fortunately, many potentially harmful species have not yet arrived to Oregon or still have a low enough abundance to be contained or eradicated. Finding and controlling invasive species while populations are still small will require dedicating resources toward surveying areas for species that are likely to invade, or to high priority areas which currently are free of invasive species. The US Government s Office of Technology & Assessment produced a report in 1993 (Harmful Non Indigenous Species in the US) that examined numerous case studies and found that, on average, every dollar spent on early intervention (early detection and rapid response) prevented 17 dollars in future expenses. Volunteers around the state involved in Early Detection Rapid Response will play a vital role in stopping invasive species establishment. Early Detection is as easy as 1, 2, 3: 1: Learn em. Familiarize yourself with the invasive species that are threatening to invade your area. In Crook County we are concerned about new invaders establishing (see the Most Wanted list at the beginning of this guide). You also may be concerned about new weeds along public roadways, a pristine place you like to visit, or in your own backyard! 2: Look for em. Look out for the Most Wanted species while at your area of concern. Early Detection Patrol volunteers can be assigned a specific area to survey for new invaders, or they may just keep an eye out while conducting other work. 3: Document and report em. Documentation is as easy as taking a photograph and marking the location on a map. We ask our volunteers to fill out a report form and return it to the Crooked River Weed Management Area. If you find an invader that has been identified as a concern in another area then take a picture and report to the Oregon Invasive Species Council at or call INVADER

6 Know your Invaders Like a criminal investigator, you will have a higher detection success by getting inside the mind of your invasive species. For plants, that means understanding the plant s phenology (when it emerges in the spring, when it flowers and fruits, and when it loses its leaves in the fall) and its habitat (will you find it in a forest, prairie, wetland, lake, or stream?). For animals, it means understanding its ecology where will it look for food? What habitat will you find it in? You should also imprint in your mind a search image for each species on your watch list. What key characteristics make that invader stand out from the rest of the vegetation or habitat? What image are you looking for at a distance vs. very close up? You can study the criminal profile by reading fact sheets and studying pictures of the species. See the Crook County Invasive Species List for invaders we are concerned with. Also visit to research invasive species on a larger scale. When and Where to Look for Invasive Species Active Detection: Local EDRR programs may ask that you visit certain areas to search for invasive species. These areas were selected because they are either vulnerable to specific species of concern, or are hot spots for species introductions (such as trailheads, roadsides, and boat launches). If you will be visiting a certain area specifically to look for new invaders, it is important to plan your visits according to when the plants or animals will be most easily identified. You may consult the Calendar of Events for information about when targeted invasive plants emerge in the spring, flower and fruit. Carefully consider the habitat in which target plant or animals will be found and plan your site visits accordingly. Fact Sheets on each invasive species have information about the habitat they invade (available in your resource packet). Passive Detection: Most volunteers will coordinate their searching with another outdoor activity. For example, if you are hunting or horseback riding you can keep an eye out for invasive plants targeted for reporting in that area, or signs of an invasive animal (such as feral swine dig outs). Similarly, if you are a boater or fisherman, you can be looking for new aquatic invaders such as New Zealand mudsnails by picking up the occasional rock or looking for bullfrogs as you wade in a stream. For passive detection, an awareness of habitat and life cycle is also important. But, rather than planning a trip around what is visible, you can make a list of what you are likely to see in the season of your trip. Again, the Calendar or Events and the Invasive Species Fact Sheets in your packet will be helpful for knowing what you can be looking for and where

7 The role of disturbance: Keep in mind that invasive species are known to occur in association with disturbance. We often see an invasive species following roads, trails, construction areas or other areas highly disturbed areas. Invasive weeds, however, can also take advantage of natural disturbances such as floods, deer trails, or tree falls. This correlation between invasive species presence and both human and natural disturbance can give us clues as to where and when to look for new invasions. Don t forget about the underwater aquatic habitat. This is a difficult habitat to access so aquatic invasions often go unnoticed until it is too late. Remember that we are looking for new invasions, so it is most likely that you might find small populations, making careful observation very important. Document your Invader The Crook County Invasive Species Patrol program has developed a report form to document your find. If you find a new invader, please fill out and follow the instructions on the form. This form is available in your Resource Packet. 1) Identify it: Review the species identification information to confirm its identity and for special instructions regarding the species. Go ahead and report it even if you are not sure of its identification. 2) Mark it: Tie a flag near the plant population, take a GPS point (use lat/long WGS 84 datum), or mark the location on a map. 3) Photograph it: If possible take a photograph of the infestation. As a general rule, take a photograph of the general area and habitat where you found the species, along with a close up of distinguishing characteristic like the flower and the leaf. 4) Abundance: Indicate whether it is a single individual, scattered individuals, a dense monoculture, or scattered patches. 5) Gross area. Estimate the gross area of the infestation. This is an estimate of the general area of infestation and can include areas that are not occupied by the species in question. Gross area is defined by drawing a line around the general perimeter of the infestation not the canopy cover of the plants. The gross area may contain significant parcels of land that are not occupied by weeds. 6) Habitat. Indicate the type of habitat where found. This can be roadside, field, forest, riparian (the land that is directly influenced by water like river banks and marshes), aquatic (lakes, streams, ponds, etc), urban (within the city limits). 7) Turn in your report! The last and most important step is to TURN IN YOUR REPORT. The most critical thing about reporting is that you do it without delay! Once you find a new invasive species infestation, it is important to report and respond as soon as possible so we can avoid further spread and take control right away! - 7 -

8 Please turn in reports to: The Crooked River Weed Management Area 498 SE Lynn Blvd, Prineville, OR (541) To pull or not to pull Pulling a found plant population on the spot could save time and resources; however, many precautions must be taken to avoid further spreading the invasive plant. Before you pull 1) Make sure that you have correctly identified the species. If there is any doubt about your identification, don t pull! 2) Check your fact sheet for species specific control instructions. Whether or not to pull a plant will depend on the species and the season. For example, disturbing the root systems of some species can encourage vigorous growth. Also, early season pulling can stimulate further germination of some species; for other species pulling species late in the season while in seed may further disperse the seeds. If you determine pulling is appropriate, use GREAT CAUTION not to further spread plant fragments and seeds in the process. Please always use a plastic bag to place plants or seed heads! Seal or tie off the plastic bag in dispose of it at the local landfill. Find em, don t spread em Volunteers, along with other well intentioned people who access natural areas to enjoy, study, or restore them, can become vectors for spread by moving seeds or live individuals from one place to another. Fortunately it is easy to prevent spread. Here are some prevention guidelines we HIGHLY recommend. Clean boots before and after hiking or working in infested areas. Clean boat and fishing gear thoroughly before and after launches. Boats & trailers entering Oregon should be thoroughly cleaned with a 5% Chlorine solution or allowed to dry at least 30 days before use. Clean vehicles and equipment. Don't release aquarium species, bait or other animals into the wild. Make sure you are using non invasive species in your garden (Natives are always best). Quarantine livestock that have ingested or passed through infested areas, until seeds have been passed or worn off the hide. Volunteer to help remove invasive species. Feed weed free feeds and plant weed free seed

9 Field Safety Surveying for invasive species will present you with the inherent physical risks posed by walking in a natural environment and getting to field sites. We recommend you follow these safety precautions: Avoid venturing out alone, as well as, in the dark Use gloves to avoid plant defensive mechanisms (toxins, thorns or spines, etc) Carry sufficient water, food and sun protection. Bring your medications with you if you have known allergies or other medical conditions. Carry a topographic map or trail map of areas in which you will be hiking. Learn to use a map and compass if you plan to go off trail. Inform someone not in your party of where you are going and when you plan to return. Bring a cell phone (but be aware that many remote areas are out of service range). Equipment list The Crook County Invasive Species Patrol asks that you bring the following items. Compass or GPS unit (Use lat/long WGS 84 Datum) Map of the area Plenty of Food and Water First Aid Kit Blank Report Form and writing utensil Flagging or something to mark a site Camera (digital is preferred) Resource Packet (factsheets, plant calendar, etc) Weeding tool and plastic bags (garbage bags work well) Contact Information: We welcome questions, comments, or suggestions! Please direct them to: Crooked River Weed Management Area 498 SE Lynn Blvd Prineville, OR (541) Berta Youtie, Coordinator CRWMA: Berta.Youtie@oregonstate.edu Brooke Gray, Eastern Oregon EDRR Coordinator: bgray@tnc.org - 9 -

10 Noxious Weeds of Concern in Surrounding Counties Deschutes County Hawkweeds Leafy spurge Medusahead rye Perennial pepperweed Purple loosestrife Ribbon grass Whitetop Yellow starthistle Jefferson County Chinese clematis Cypress spurge Myrtle spurge Oxeye daisy Orange hawkweed Plumeless thistle Purple loosestrife Russian knapweed Spotted knapweed Salt Cedar Yellow starthistle Wheeler County Spike weed Mediterranean sage Rush skeletonweed Tansy ragwort Squarrose knapweed Plumeless thistle Musk thistle Purple Loosestrife Salt Cedar (Outside Domestication) Russian-Olive (Outside Domestication) St Johnswort Scotch Broom Yellow Toadflax Grant County Bearded creeper (Common crupina) Squarrose knapweed Leafy spurge Mediterranean sage Perennial pepperweed Purple loosestrife Rush skeletonweed Spikeweed Yellow starthistle Tansy ragwort Plumless thistle Houndstongue Diffuse knapweed Spotted knapweed St Johnswort (Klamath weed) Harney County Tansy ragwort Diffuse knapweed Spotted knapweed Squarrose knapweed Yellow Starthistle Purple Loosestrife Leafy Spurge Rush skeletonweed Scotch broom Salt Cedar Musk thistle Yellow Toadflax Black henbane