Talk on California Invasive Species Action Week, 2015

1. © Project SOUND
Invasive
Species Action
Week - 2015
Constance M. Vadheim, Beth Scott and Dinuk Magammana
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
June 13, 2015

2. I’d like to start with a story….
© Project SOUND

3. …people moved in, creating neighborhoods
© Project SOUND

4. They brought with them their favorite things…
© Project SOUND
http://www.pawsforthought.co.uk/images/africanbullfrog.jpg
…and that’s when the
troubles began

5. Welcome to the second annual California
Invasive Species Action Week
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6. What is the Invasive Species Action Week?
 The goal of the California
Invasive Species Action
Week (ISAW) is:
 to increase public awareness
of invasive species issues and
 promote public participation
in the fight against
California’s invasive species
and their impacts on our
natural resources.
 Sponsored by the California
Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
© Project SOUND
You are part of activities
going on throughout
California – and on-line

7. Why do we need an Invasive Species
Action Week?
 Hundreds of invasive plants and
animals have already established in
California and are rapidly spreading
each year.
 These invaders are negatively
impacting our waters, our native
plants and animals (some of them
rare, threatened or endangered) ,
our agriculture, our health, our
economy, and our favorite
recreational places.
 Estimated damage and control cost
of invasive species in the U.S. alone
amount to more than $140 billion
annually.
© Project SOUND

8. What is an invasive species (invasive exotic)?
 A plant or animal that does not
naturally occur in your area
 Has spread/has the potential
to spread – often dramatically
 Impacts local ecosystems:
 Wild lands/Preserves
 Forests
 Neighborhoods/Gardens
 Farms
 Rivers, lakes and the ocean
© Project SOUND
Castor Bean – Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve

9. Why worry about invasive species?
 Can affect our health or public
safety
 Make our foods and other goods
cost more
 Kill trees and shrubs in our
gardens
 Have serious effects on places
we love – like the Madrona
Marsh Preserve
© Project SOUND
http://www.alltreatment.com/blog/2013/drinking-water-contaminated-with-drugs/
Let’s hear some animal stories from Beth & Dinuk

14. Both beneficial and Invasive.

15. Some of the prettiest plants are also
‘Wicked Weeds’
© Project SOUND

16.  The good
 Pretty flowers
 Attracts hummingbirds
 Larval food for Gulf Fritillary
butterfly
 Good for covering a fence
 The bad & the ugly
 Fruits/seed spread by water,
birds, animals
 Like most tropical vines, very
difficult to get rid of
© Project SOUND

17. © Project SOUND
Passion Vine – Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve

18. How do invasive
plants spread?
 By birds and animals that eat
the fruits and deposit seeds
(along w/ a little fertilizer)
 By ‘hitchhiking’ on animals fur,
hair or birds feet.
 By wind – many grasses – can
distribute seed for miles
 By water
 By humans
 Garden escapees
 Human dumping
© Project SOUND

19. Dumping unwanted
plants is a problem
© Project SOUND
No open water for water birds

20. Why do certain plants/animals invade?
 Fast growth; rapid reproduction
 High dispersal ability
 Phenotypic plasticity (the ability to
alter growth form to suit current
conditions)
 Tolerance of a wide range of
environmental conditions
(Ecological competence)
 Ability to live off of a wide range
of food types (generalist)
 Inadequate natural controls
 Association with humans
© Project SOUND

21. And once they invade, they’re ugly!
© Project SOUND

22. Humans play a key role
in most invasions
 Invasive seeds in straw & hay – or
in hair/fur/wool
 Weed seeds on shoes, clothes,
vehicles, even in wood & green
waste
 Marine invasive animals on boats
[Tiger mussel]
 Release of pets/plants into the
wild
 Choosing garden plants that are
known to be invasive
 Most invasions are associated
with human activity
© Project SOUND

23. Prevention is the most effective strategy
in managing invasive species.
© Project SOUND

24. What can I do to help curb the spread of
invasive species?
1. Celebrate California Invasive Species Action
Week – then take action.
2. Volunteer for invasive species removal/
restoration projects.
3. Download the ‘Wicked Weeds’ posters and
post them where appropriate – go to ‘Mother
Nature’s Backyard Blog’
4. Plant native plants and remove any invasive
plants in your garden. There are many good
native plant alternatives to common exotic
ornamental plants. See http://www.cal-
ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/pdf/SoCalPrintable.pdf
© Project SOUND

25. Prevent, notice and report
invasive species
5. Don’t release unwanted animals or
plants into the wild. Take animals
to a shelter or adoption center;
dispose of plants responsibly.
6. Monitor plants and trees for
infestation symptoms.
7. Learn to identify invasive species
in your area. Report any sightings
to your county extension agent or
local land manager.
© Project SOUND
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1833
http://www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk/category/160

26. Don’t spread pests
8. Regularly clean your boots, gear,
tires and any other equipment you
use outdoors to remove insects and
plant parts that may spread to new
places.
9. Use certified “weed-free” hay,
feed, seed, mulch, soil and gravel.
10. When camping, buy firewood near
your campsite (within 30
miles). Invertebrates and plants
can easily hitch a ride on firewood
you haul to or from a campsite --
you could inadvertently introduce an
invasive to a new area.
© Project SOUND
http://standleeforage.com/nutrition/standlee-
difference/certified-noxious-weed-free
http://ohseed1.org/noxious-weed-free-forage-mulch/
http://news.workboots.com/tips-for-cleaning-leather-work-boots/

27. An ounce of
prevention…saves a
lot of trouble
11. When boating, clean your boat
thoroughly before transporting it
to a different body of water.
12.Don't "pack a pest" when
traveling. Fruits and vegetables,
plants, insects and animals can
carry pests or become invasive
themselves. Clean your bags and
boots after each hike, and throw
out food before you travel from
place to place.
© Project SOUND
http://www.sailwhatif.com/updates/update070413.htm
http://happyherbivore.com/2013/07/how-to-get-rid-of-kitchen-fruit-flies/

28. Prevent invasive pets from entering our
waters
13.Don't release aquarium/pond
fish and plants, live bait or
other exotic water animals
(like turtles, alligators) into
the wild. If you plan to own an
exotic pet, do your research and
plan ahead to make sure you can
commit to looking after it.
14.Help educate others about the
threats of invasive species
© Project SOUND
http://theflirtyguide.blogspot.com/2012/06/why-you-should-
never-release-pet-fish.html
http://adoptapond.info/turtletallyinput.asp

29. We have seen the enemy……..
© Project SOUND
http://margiewarrell.com/personal-responsibility/
Take the Invasive Species Action Challenge and
pass it on to others. Take action – do your part!

30. Celebrate National Pollinator Week (next week)
© Project SOUND
Provide a home for
pollinators & other
beneficial animals (read
our brochure for ideas)