Strategies for Control of Giant Salvinia and Other Invasive Species

Transcription

1 Strategies for Control of Giant Salvinia and Other Invasive Species Projects under consideration for a Caddo Lake Institute grant proposal to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

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3 Initial Focus is on Caddo Lake but all projects are intended to be easily adaptable to other water bodies.

4 The thrust of the CLI proposal will be projects that: help improve the effectiveness of chemical and biological controls through enhanced communication and coordination;

5 improve the effectiveness of chemical and biological controls through enhanced communication and coordination; stimulate Early Detection/Rapid Response (ED/RR) actions;

6 improve the effectiveness of chemical and biological controls through enhanced communication and coordination; stimulate Early Detection/Rapid Response (ED/RR) actions; engage shoreline residents and frequent visitors to help contain and control giant salvinia and other invasives in their waters;

7 improve the effectiveness of chemical and biological controls through enhanced communication and coordination; stimulate Early Detection/Rapid Response (ED/RR) actions; engage shoreline residents and frequent visitors to help contain and control giant salvinia and other invasives in their waters; create public awareness that helps prevent the migration of giant salvinia and other invasives from one water body to another.

8 Four projects under consideration 1. Chemical & Biological Control Managers Coordination System. 2. Weed Warden program. 3. Shoreline Watch program. 4. Public awareness campaign.

9 Benefits of improved coordination among Chemical & Biological managers Enhanced Rapid Response. Prevent redundant spraying & over spraying. Prevent spraying in biological release areas. Improve cost effectiveness.

10 Chemical & Biological Control Managers Coordination System Challenge: increase communication and cooperation among all entities engaged in chemical & biological control actions at Caddo Lake. Answer: Use available technology to create an interactive web platform for C&B managers to track all C&B activities.

11 Website based C&B managers interactive map tracking system functions 24/7 access to all managers Each manager represented by unique icon on screen at every location he has conducted a C or B action. Vertical & horizontal scroll Zoom in or out

12 When cursor hovers over any icon, pop-up boxes reveal C&B actions at that location, stacked chronologically with most recent on top.

13 Clicking on any pop-up box summons detailed report of that specific action.

14 C&B Managers update map with fill-in-the-blanks data base tool. Password/security code protected GPS coordinates, date. Actions taken: Compounds applied? Weevils released? Contractor ID Size of area treated.????? Database structured for any information C&B mgrs need.

15 As soon as entered, new activity is represented on map and all information is available to other managers and viewable by public.

16 The proposed map tracking platform will provide chemical & biological control managers tools to improve coordination and communication.

17 Database system would also provide C&B managers a rolling log of all C&B activities and monthly treatment reports at the touch of a few keystrokes.

18 Interactive map tracking applications can also provide useful tools for volunteers to assist in the control of giant salvinia and other invasives.

19 Volunteer & Community participation can play important role in control of giant salvinia and other invasives. Prevention via boater education & boat ramp vigilance. Early Detection of new infestations. Small batch removals. Support for agencies. Manpower for special projects.

20 The geodata base developed for the C & B managers coordination system would also provide a platform for reports & information exchange from a select group of volunteers who monitored specific areas of the lake on a regular basis.

21 Caddo Lake Weed Wardens Select group of volunteers recruited & trained to regularly monitor a specific area of the lake. Provide reliable Early Detection reports for action by C&B managers. Make other useful observations in their sector and post them on interactive map website.

22 Viewers can click on a specific area of the lake and view information & photos provided by Weed Warden in that area.

23 Weed Wardens have a passionate interest in protecting the lake; have access to appropriate vessels or vehicles; knowledgeable and interested in lake ecology; conform to certain requirements regarding observations and reporting activities.

24 Weed Wardens Receive special training & tools. Registered to input data, photos & text into interactive website. Special recognition. Other incentives/benefits.

25 Shoreline Watch A website based virtual community of shoreline residents & frequent visitors. Website would be the portal to public viewing of C&B managers & Weed Warden sites. Up-to-date information about giant salvinia & other invasives.

26 Website would include plant & animal identification guides, videos & photo instructional material, and links to other sites with valuable information of interest to lake communities.

27 Shoreline Watch website might also include Community bulletin board. Discussion forum for registered users. Photo gallery where registered users can upload photos. Links to all lake oriented sites, such as B&Bs, marinas, guide services, restaurants. Sponsor participation.

28 Chemical & Biological Control Managers Coordination System. Weed Warden program. Shoreline Watch program. Public awareness campaign.

29 Campaign to target boat owners, adapting TPWD materials where possible. Will stress precautions to be taken to avoid transporting giant salvinia & other invasives from one location to another. Public service radio, TV, and print. Billboards. Posters & signage near boat ramps & marinas. Gasoline pump toppers. Contributed articles, op-ed pieces, & editorials. Promo items such as fish rulers, boat key floats, etc. Brochures/ID Guides. Press releases and story ideas. Social networks and website links.

30 To make these programs effective, your ideas, recommendations, and other input is wanted & needed on these and any issues. Lakes or water bodies that should be included. Features & functions for interactive map-tracking system for CBC managers and Weed Wardens. Features & functions for Shoreline Watch website. Useful information for Weed Wardens to report on in addition to invasives. Other aquatic invasives to watch for. Potential partners at Caddo Lake and elsewhere.

31 Strategies for Control of Giant Salvinia and Other Invasive Species Projects under consideration for a Caddo Lake Institute grant proposal to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation