Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Conference: Save the Date!

The 2013 Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Conference will be held October 21-24 at Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Texas), and is co-hosted by the Institute for the Study of Invasive Species (ISIS).

Who Should Attend?

• Land management specialists from local, municipal, state and federal agencies-organizations
• Environmental and non-profit organizations
• Researchers and students from state or private universities
• Companies servicing restoration and weed removal projects
• Anyone who has an interest in invasive species in Texas

• Monday - October 21: Travel Day & Evening Reception
• Tuesday - October 22: Plenary, TIPPC Business Meeting, Exhibitors, Concurrent Sessions, Banquet
• Wednesday - October 23: Concurrent Sessions, Exhibitors, Report from Session Chairs
• Thursday - October 24: Field trips & workshops (half day) 

Crazy Ants Displace Fire Ants

In 2012, we featured several articles on the introduction and rapid spread of Rasberry crazy ants in Texas. More recently, they have been identified as Nylanderia fulva, and given the official common name “tawny crazy ants".

Webinar debate where two "Invasion Biology" leading scientists, Dr. Mark Davis (author of Invasion Biology, 2009) and Dr. Daniel Simberloff (UT-Knoxville Institute for Biological Invasions Director) will discuss when, if and how conservation biologists and managers should deal with non-native species. - Register here.

EAB Awareness Week: An Effort to Educate Summer Vacationers
The week of May 19th - May 24th was Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week, where special attention was given to the destructive, ash-killing beetle and the associated risk with moving firewood. - Learn More. 

Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council: 5th Annual Meeting July 9th, 2013
The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC) is calling for oral and poster presentation abstract submissions that focus the issue of invasive plants in Oklahoma. Presentations are encouraged from all stakeholders, including students, which address the topics outlined in the OkIPC strategies.

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

There is Still Time! 
Attend Training & Volunteer to Monitor Invasive Plants in Austin

The City of Austin and the Invaders of Texas Program have partnered to train local volunteers on invasive plant species identification and monitoring.  This summer, volunteers will visit 35 properties in search of invasive plants.  The data will help the City make informed land management decisions and use resources more efficiently.

Citizen Science Workshops

Sentinel Pest Network & Invasive Species Workshops
Invaders of Texas program workshops train volunteers to become "citizen scientists" to identify, detect and report invasive plant species.  Workshops can include sessions on the Sentinel Pest Network, which serves to increase the probability of early detection of Emerald Ash Borer, Cactus Moth, Asian Longhorned Beetle, and other pests of regulatory significance.  Workshops can be tailored to meet the interests of your volunteer group, and supplementary session examples include an introduction to the TX Invaders mobile application and the Eradicator Calculator, a feature on Texasinvasives.org designed to help organize and track volunteer-based eradication efforts.  

Workshop Schedule:

Saturday June 8th, 2013
Location: Austin, Texas 
Host: City of Austin and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Contact: Jessica Strickland 
*See announcement above for more details

Sunday June 9th, 2013
Location: Austin, Texas 
Host: City of Austin and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Contact: Jessica Strickland 
*See announcement above for more details

Saturday June 22nd, 2013
Location: Acton Nature Center (Acton, TX)
Host: Rio Brazos Master Naturalist
Contact: Robert Theimer

Saturday June 29, 2013
Location: Bryan/College Station, TX
Host: Brazos Valley Master Naturalist
Contact: Dr. Amanda Chau

Saturday July 13th, 2013
Location: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (Athens, TX)
Host: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Contact: Jessica Strickland

Saturday September 7th, 2013
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center (Humble, TX)
Contact: Rose Belzung

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