Hawaii "Eyes and Ears" Early Detection Network Overview Feb 2010
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The document discusses creating a Hawaii "Eyes & Ears" Network to engage communities in monitoring their neighborhoods for invasive species through early detection. It outlines establishing target species lists for each island, developing human and technical infrastructure like a reporting website and workshops, and conducting targeted public outreach to natural resource professionals, community groups, and industries. The goal is to expand the network statewide by creating target lists, infrastructure, and outreach for additional islands.
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Hawaii "Eyes and Ears" Early Detection Network Overview Feb 2010
- 1. Creating a Hawaii “Eyes & Ears” Network Increasing public awareness of invasive species early detection and engaging communities in the monitoring of their own neighborhoods. Elizabeth Speith and Sky Harrison USGS Pacific Basin Information Node Lissa Fox Maui Invasive Species Committee
- 2. Project Background Project Framework Expanding the Network Statewide Sky Harrison Elizabeth Speith, Lissa Fox Elizabeth Speith
- 6. Program Background Initial implementation of HISC project ended in 2007 Written in into successive PBIN / DOFAW invasives support proposals for FY ‘08 and ‘09 supported Early Detection technician (Beth) to move the project forward on Maui and potentially “roll out” components of the early detection framework to other islands Expanded and solidified technical components (redid website, more species, added mapping and reporting capabilities) Ultimate Capability: facilitate interagency data sharing by acting as a hub or nexus of early detection reporting HDOA -------------------- ISC --------------------- DOFAW
- 7. Program Background Project Framework Expanding the Network Statewide Sky Harrison Elizabeth Speith, Lissa Fox Elizabeth Speith
- 8. Project Framework - Island-specific Target List Creation - Human and Technical Infrastructure - Targeted Public Outreach The project framework contains three main elements:
- 9. Hawaii “Eyes and Ears” pest lists by island: http://pbin.nbii.org/reportapest/pestlist.htm Island Specific Charismatic Actionable Formal review and update process Creating the Target Lists
- 11. Human and Technical Infrastructure
- 12. Human and Technical Infrastructure www.reportapest.org 2008 25,825 page views (unique) 2009 23,813 page views (unique)
- 13. Human and Technical Infrastructure SQL DB HPWRA Diagnostic Support Services http://pbin.nbii.org/invasives_report/online.asp
- 14. Human and Technical Infrastructure - Content creation - Conduct workshops - Promote “eyes and ears” network growth - Personal interactions with all participants
- 15. Targeted Outreach Natural Resource Professionals (HAWP field crews, TNC, ISC staff) MISC field crew controlling Ivy Gourd MISC & Puu Kukui Watershed Staff
- 16. Targeted Outreach Neighborhood Associations / community members (public meetings) Kihei Early Detection Workshop Upcountry Early Detection Workshop
- 17. Targeted Outreach - Harbor / Dock Workers (Kahului Harbor) - Nurseries (Maui Association of Landscape professionals) - Golf Courses - Utility Workers - Road crews USDA-APHIS employees surveying for little fire ant Kahului harbor users workshop
- 18. Workshops 3 General Types of Workshops “ What’s in my backyard- Invasive Plants and Animals of Maui” http://tinyurl.com/yg73yh4 -“Be Maui’s Eyes & Ears” http://tinyurl.com/yzmnzbk -“First Line of Defense” http://tinyurl.com/firstlinedefense
- 19. Workshops “ You are crucial in the search for invasive species”
- 20. - Species Web Pages - Field Guide - Printable Pest Flyers - Workshop Structure - Facebook Fan Page
- 21. Toolbox http://www.slideshare.net/nbiipbin/maui-early-detection-field-guide Field guide template available for other Hawaiian islands. ID pages for Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai (Kauai in April 2010)
- 22. Toolbox Downloadable ID pages for HEDN targets “ Eyes and Ears” workshop structure can be modified for use on any Hawaiian Island.
- 23. Toolbox Facebook Fan Page highlights target species from all Hawaiian Islands
- 24. Program Background Project Framework Expanding the Network Statewide Sky Harrison Elizabeth Speith, Lissa Fox Elizabeth Speith
- 25. Expanding the Current Network State Wide - Target List Creation - Human and Technical Infrastructure - Targeted Public Outreach - Toolkit components
- 26. Expanding the Current Network State Wide Kauai Target list creation: KISC designated, 2009 Kauai Early Detection Field Guide, due in March 2010 Targeted Public Outreach: Prototype workshop in March/April 2010 Website ID pages: April 2010
- 27. Expanding the Current Network State Wide Oahu Oahu Early Detection project (OED) OED Detection Community Discussion Forum OED Survey Species Guide http://www.hear.org/oisc/oahuearlydetectionproject/pdfs/oedsurveyspeciesguide20080421.pdf
- 28. Expanding the Current Network State Wide Maui Nui Maui: Continued workshops to expanded audiences Maui “Sting Operation” Little Fire Ant Outreach Lanai: Target list designated by MISC, 2005 Target audience list creation, workshops initiated 2010 (anticipated) Molokai: Target list designated by MoMISC, 2006
- 29. Expanding the Current Network State Wide Hawaii Target List Creation: 2009 BIISC Website ID pages: April 2009 Target audience list creation, workshops initiated 2010 (anticipated) Field guide, 2010/2011 (anticipated)
- 30. Expanding the “eyes and ears” network... will foster and support active community surveillance for island-specific early detection targets.
- 31. Contact us for more information about the “eyes and ears” program. www.reportapest.org Elizabeth Speith, espeith@usgs.gov, 808-984-3716 and Sky Harrison, sharrison@usgs.gov. 808-984-3722 USGS Pacific Basin Information Node Lissa Fox , miscpr@hawaii.edu, 808-573-MISC Maui Invasive Species Committee
Editor's Notes
- While we are presenting feel free to take notes in the box provided. You will be able to download those notes at the end of the presentation. Also, fee free to ask questions in the chat box on the right hand of your screen.
- Recap the vision of the project: The Early Detection Network’s goal is to engage the communities of Hawaii in the detection of incipient plants and animals in their own neighborhoods. To this end, we have created a project framework which consists of three main elements: the creation of early detection target lists for each island, the human and technical infrastructure needed, and targeted public outreach to actually create the “eyes and ears” network.
- The first step in creating island-specific early detection outreach is to determine a target species list for each island. The lists for Maui, Molokai, and Lanai were created by the MISC committee and based on the experimental eradications list created by Forest and Kim Starr, USGS. The target list for Hawaii was created by the BIISC early detection crew with input from Page Else, BIISC outreach coordinator. The list from Kauai was created by KISC and was based on preliminary early detection roadside survey data and their existing target list. A project is underway between the NPS Inventory & Monitoring Pacific Island Network, USGS PBIN, and the ISCs to create a standard operating procedure and review/updating schedule for these early detection target lists. All of the lists contain charismatic targets- that is plants and animals that would are easy to learn to identify, all target species sightings will trigger an immediate response by an agency, are demonstrated pests on neighbour islands, and can be eradicated from the island on which it is a target.
- Creating this network requires human time and technical resources to provide the support for this community of early detection “eyes and ears.” One of the elements in this infrastructure is the “eyes and ears” network website. This website has identification guides for each of the target species lists for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii. So far we have given out over 250 identification guides to participants who attended a workshop. There is an online form and walk-in locations for diagnostic/identification support of any emerging threats that may be detected by any of the “eyes and ears” network participants. The walk-in support locations is currently limited to Maui and Molokai. There are collection guidelines to further help with the that identification support. Finally. there is also a fun pest test and a target species widget which can be embedded into other people’s websites, and information about current workshops and how to get involved in the “eyes and ears” network.
- The species identification web pages have simple diagnostic identification pointers and common Hawaiian look-alike species which may cause confusion.
- The website gets around 24,000 – 25,000 page views a year (2007-2009). There seems to be a general trend that when we conduct more workshops, we get more website visits. In May of 2009 we conducted public workshops across the island.
- We provide diagnostic support to all network participants via an online web form, walk-in locations, and collection protocols. The online web form links to a database which allows questions to be tracked, geotagged, linked to an image, and reviewed by a number of regional taxonomic authorities. (Anyone want to volunteer to participate in this service?) In turn, the information submitted can be displayed on a map and/or shared with other managers and network participants. We are hoping that this will encourage a positive feedback loop for our participants, so they can ask questions and see that the answers to their questions which will in turn encourage more questions.
- Perhaps the most critical component of this project framework is the human element of this infrastructure. Thus far the key facilitators have been in USGS-PBIN and MISC. They have created the content that is provided on the website and at the workshops; conducted the workshops, answered questions and facilitated the diagnostic assessments of potential pests.
- When planning the outreach component we first identified several targeted segments of the public about for participation. Here are a few of the outreach audiences identified by a MISC committee in 2005, first priority were other conservation professionals, (staff at MISC, Watershed partnerships, field technicians). We have given workshops to all conservation groups on Maui; Early Detection workshops have become integrated into the training program for Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project Interns, going on 3 years now.
- General public was targeted through workshops offered in each community. Advertised through community associations, newspapers, bulletin boards, etc. These audiences range from urban, Central Maui, to rural-Kipahulu/Hana Community.
- The last type of audience we identified is perhaps the most important, yet has proven challenging to reach—the, for lack of a better term, outdoor professionals. These are the people who work outside in various capacities in “target-rich environments” along vector pathways: Landscapers, golf course maintenance crews, county road crews, harbor and airport staff. In total, we have conducted a number 19 of intensive hands-on workshops for a number of these target audiences on Maui, many of which have been conducted annually or semi-annually. We are planning to hit some new audience types in 2010, including the utility workers group, nurseries and (Another group?).
- The workshops are generally 1-2 hours long and include hands on activities and specimens. While each workshop is catered specifically to the audience, we have 3 general types: “what’s in my backyard?” for the general public, “Be Maui’s eyes & ears” for natural resource professionals, and “first line of defense” for harbor users/ road crews, nursery owners/employees, USDA-APHIS, etc. We don’t ask participants to “map” populations, like other programs such as Invasive Plants of New England (IPANE), TNC weed watchers, Texas Invaders. Species on Target list don’t lend themselves to mapping, rather we’re asking for community to “keep and eye out for” and share that information. With the Early Detection Program we’re essentially set-up to respond to little fire ant with an identification training component. Offers engagement opportunity for concerned citizens.
- Some of the key messages in each of these presentations are: “You are crucial in the search for invasive species (because you are defacto protecting our native forests and reefs; and we can’t do it alone). In each presentation we make sure to have target species specimens, create interactive elements with built in evaluation of participants understanding of the concepts (i.e. BINGO), and to provide participants with a Maui Early Detection Field Guide.
- Through the pilot program on Maui we’ve developed tools that can be adapted for use elsewhere, as you see fit: 1) species web page, 2) field guide, 3) printable pest alerts, 4) workshops structure, presentations, evaluations, bingo games, pest quiz, species specimens.
- Depending on audience and what you want to include 1) species web page- online information specific to island needs, 2) field guide—57 pages covering 18 species, some would be appropriate for other islands, some not
- 3) printable pest alerts, 4) workshops structure, presentations, evaluations, bingo games, pest quiz, species specimens.
- 3) printable pest alerts, 4) workshops structure, presentations, evaluations, bingo games, pest quiz, species specimens.
- So, what does it mean to roll-out this project statewide? Looking back at the project framework there are three elements which could be utilized on each island. As you know, approaches must be modified and adapted to account for the unique communities found on each island. Elements of the “toolkit” can also be utilized by the island-specific programs.
- On Kauai KISC has initiated the process of creating an “eyes and ears” community. Tiffani Keanini, the outreach coordinator for KISC, and PBIN staff have begun the process of modifying the Maui early detection field guide for Kauai. It will be published by March of this year. Tiffani will be attending a “eyes and ears” workshop on Maui this month, and we will be conducting a prototype workshop for KISC staff and other natural resource employees in April. Web pages for the early detection targets and Kauai walk-in locations will be completed by April. We will continue to work together to create a targeted audience list and grow the early detection community on Kauai in the upcoming year.
- The Oahu Early Detection project (OED) was established in 2007/2008. Alex Lau and Daniele Frohlich, the early detection team, have conducted roadside surveys of almost all of the drivable roads on Oahu, and are in the process of developing a standardized process for ranking the plants that they found and coming up with a smaller, early detection target list. An email list, the OED Detection Community discussion forum, was created to disseminate information and requests from the Oahu Early Detection (OED) Project to members of the Detection Community and to facilitate discussion among members regarding incipient weeds on Oahu. This email list could be a model for other island discussion lists or a statewide “eyes and ears” email list and/or twitter group. A species survey guide was created for 131 species and would make a great model for a field guide. Because of the population density of Oahu and the fact OISC has integrated early detection rapid response into their work plan, the potential for creating an active “eyes and ears” team here is very promising.
- On Maui , we are planning on continuing the early detection workshops to expanded audiences. Due to the recent discovery of the little fire ant and the launch of the “Sting Operation” outreach initiative, MISC and the USGS will combine efforts to incorporate the early detection message into the little fire ant outreach. Lanai has started to develop a burgeoning conservation community with the growth of the Lanaihale forest and watershed projects started to protect u’au (Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel) habitat and the partnership between MISC and Castle & Cooke is continuing to grow. Since there is a target list that was designated by MISC in 2005 (a subset of the MISC list), and there has been interest by Maui County staff and others, we would like to start to provide workshops and ongoing support of early detection efforts starting this year. MoMISC designated an early detection target list in 2006 for Molokai. We would like to assist in the creation of target audience lists and possibly hold workshops here in 2010/11.
- On the Big Island, the target list of 10 species was designated in 2009. Identification guides were created for each of these species. Page Else, the outreach coordinator for BIISC, has been working with the “USGS” to create a target audience list and would like to possibly initiate workshops in 2010/11. There has been interest expressed by NPS I&M Pacific Islands network in creating a field-rugged version of an early detection field guide that will include BIISC early detection target species. USGS-PBIN is working with the NPS I&M PACN program to integrate the NPS into the early detection partnership. Some of the ideas for collaborative projects in 2010-2015 are to create an early detection field guides for Big Island and possibly Molokai (as well as AS, CNMI, and Guam), to facilitate early detection target list workshops with NPS staff, and to print field-rugged field guides for Hawaii, Molokai, Maui, and possibly AS, CNMI, and Guam.
- We continue to innovate our current framework and expand our audience to grow the “eyes and ears” network. We hope that with your active participation and input we can create an island-wide network of community members on the look-out for new invasive pests.