2011 TIPCC Conference Announced

This November, the Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Council will be hosting the fourth statewide conference on invasive species at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. Building off the 2005, 2007 and 2009 conferences, the 2011 conference will be a professional level meeting including keynotes, concurrent sessions, posters, field trips and symposia.

To learn more about the Conference Program, Call for Papers, Abstract Submission, or Sponsors and Exhibitors, visit the 2011 Conference Website.

Meet Commander Ben

There are not many kids out there spreading the word about invasive plants, but 12 year old Ben has found it his calling to reach out and educate a younger generation. Through his alter-ego Commander Ben he has created educational and humorous videos about Commander Ben's adventures trying to defeat villain Arundo donax and his cohort of invasive plants. Visit www.commanderben.com to follow Commander Ben and his adventures.

Invasive Leafhopper Spreading Across Central Texas

The invasive red-streaked leafhopper was first found along Loop 1604 outside of San Antonio during surveys in 2008, but it has now been found spreading all the way to Houston. Currently it is known to occur in Bandera, Bexar, Harris, Hays, Kerr, Kleberg, and Travis counties. This leaf hopper is very hard to spot, but we would like to know if you come across it. Please email pictures to Mike Quinn if you think you have seen this hopper.

More News

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Biological Control Cooperator's Meeting
July 26-27th
Hampton Inn Chambersburg, Chambersburg, PA
More Information

2011 Pulling Together Initiative Request for Proposals - More Information

2011 Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Conference: November 8-10, Austin, TX - Learn More

If you would like your invasive species event or news listed in the next iWire, please send the details to iwire@texasinvasives.org.

 		 
invaders_type.gif

New Citizen Scientists Join Cross Timbers Invaders

This month we had the pleasure of conducting a workshop for the Cross Timbers Invaders at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas' (BRIT) new location. The Cross Timbers Invaders have historically been one of our most active satellites, having logged 4,900 observations since 2006. The new citizen scientists have already hit the ground running, recording observations throughout the DFW area. Welcome, new class of Cross Timbers Invaders!
New Invasive Species and Rare Plant Monitoring Citizen Science Workshops Coming to East Texas

The Invaders of Texas has teamed up with the National Forest Foundation and the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas to offer a new kind of citizen science workshop. These new workshops will expand on the Invaders of Texas model by adding a rare plant monitoring component. The first of three workshops will be held in Lufkin on August 19-20th. Please contact Travis Gallo for more information or to register.
Mimosa Tree Competition
(Albizia julibrissin)

It should be about that time of year when Mimosa trees are starting to be more noticeable with their pretty pink flowers peering through the forest's edge. Of course it has been dry across Texas, so they may be a little harder to find this year. For our summer competition, we will give out mouse pads created from photographs taken by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's photographer Bruce Leander. The 10 people who submit the most observations of mimosa between now and August 31st will get one of these mouse pads. Good Luck!

Learn more about mimosa tree and other Texas Invasives.
Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Workshops

*New* Rare Plant Monitoring & Invasive Species Workshops
Friday & Saturday August 19-20, 2011
9am-4pm
Lufkin, TX

*New* Rare Plant Monitoring & Invasive Species Workshops
Friday & Saturday September 23-24, 2011
9am-4pm
TBD, East Texas Pineywoods

For more information or to request a workshop, please visit our Workshop Page.