TIPPC News: Disclaimer Required!

New legislation is being proposed that would require a public entity, other than the department (Agriculture), that produces a list of noxious or invasive terrestrial plant species growing in this state shall provide with the list a disclaimer that states:

“This plant list is only a recommendation and has no legal effect in the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture has sole authority to label terrestrial plants as noxious or invasive.”

This disclaimer will be required on all printed material made for public distribution including newspaper, trade publication, notice, circular, or internet website. - See H.B. 338

Asian Carp, for Dinner?

This week an Illinois fish processor sent 44,000 pounds of Asian carp back to Asia as food. Asian carp have been destroying native fish and aquatic plants in the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for years. Originally introduced in the 1970's to eat algae, the carp now threaten the Great Lakes and areas in the southern Mississippi River basin. Big River Fish Co. received a $2 million federal grant to expand its processing plant after remarketing them as an "unpolluted" delicacy and securing a contract with a company in China for 30 million pounds.

Federal and state officials are trying to prevent this invasive species from making it to the Great Lakes, where they could threaten a sport-fishing industry that brings in $7 billion annually. Are these new marketing strategies for the Asian carp a way to address a serious threat? - Learn More

Invasive Spotlight: Tree Tobacco
(Nicotiana glauca)

Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is a woody, evergreen shrub growing to 3 meters high with erect sparsely branched stems and long tubular yellow flowers.

Introduced from South America, as an ornamental, tree tobacco is drought resistant and outcompetes native vegetation forming monospecific stands. It is a prolific seed producer with seed set close to 100%. Tree tobacco is abundant in waste places and dry river beds along the Rio Grande in the Big Bend and throughout southwest Texas.

Learn more about tree tobacco and other Texas Invasives.
More News

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

  
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Welcome Lost Pines Invaders

On November 20th, we had the privilege of traveling to Bastrop to teach an Invaders of Texas citizen science workshop at the beautiful LCRA McKinney Roughs Nature Center. The weather and the people were amazing. The new Lost Pines Invaders have already gotten to work adding observations to a unique area lost in Central Texas. Welcome Lost Pines Invaders!
Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Workshops

We currently have one workshop scheduled and have funding for 9 more workshops this year. To request a workshop, please visit our Workshop Page.

Saturday February 26, 2011
9am-4pm
Hays County Extension Office, San Marcos, TX