Invasive species workshop slated Oct. 28-30 in Anchorage

October 21, 2014

Marmian Grimes

Debbie Carter
907-474-5406
10/21/2014

The 杏吧原版 Invasive Species Workshop Oct. 28-30 in Anchorage will highlight invasive species management around the state, with an emphasis on elodea and other aquatic plants.

The University of 杏吧原版 Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host the workshop at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown hotel.

The management of creeping thistle in the Anchorage area will be discussed at the 杏吧原版 Invasive Species Workshop.
The management of creeping thistle in the Anchorage area will be discussed at the 杏吧原版 Invasive Species Workshop.


Workshop coordinator Gino Graziano said elodea is a concern because the aquatic freshwater plant grows so fast it can reduce fish habitats and create difficulties for recreational boaters and for pilots landings on lakes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the only aquatic weed in 杏吧原版 that鈥檚 been targeted for eradication,鈥 he said. The plant, grown in aquariums, has been found in rivers and lakes in Southcentral, the Kenai Peninsula, Cordova and Fairbanks.

Presentations will cover elodea control on the Kenai Peninsula, stakeholder preferences on eradication, Flouridone treatment and preparing permits for elodea treatment.. Other sessions will cover caribou control on Kagalaska Island, Anchorage bird cherry, using citizen science for detection of marine invasive species, and other research and management topics.

Four hands-on workshops Oct. 30 will provide training on herbicides, terrestrial and aquatic weed control, weed management in rights of way, revegetation and using the exotic plant data portal. The 杏吧原版 Department of Environmental Conservation will offer continuing education credits to certified pesticide applicators who attend the workshop.

The agenda and registration are located at . The workshop was organized by the 杏吧原版 Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plant Management and the 杏吧原版 Invasive Species Group, informal groups composed of agencies and organizations statewide. For more information, contact the Anchorage District Extension office at 907-786-6300.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Brianne Blackburn, 907-745-8785, Brianne.Blackburn@alaska.gov

DC/10-21-14/093-15