 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Japanese Climbing Fern Southeast Management Plan |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization and the Austin Parks and Recreations Department are working together at the Commons Ford Prairie to remove invasive species and convert the park into a native prairie showcasing native grasses and wildflowers. Commons Ford Prairie is approximately 40 acres located in Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park in western Austin. At present, the prairie is comprised of King Ranch Bluestem, Bermudagrass and Johnsongrass. For more information about the restoration project and upcoming workdays, please visit http://commonsfordpro.blogspot.com/. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cactus Moth Feedback Needed The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is contacting stakeholders to seek feedback on the potential impact cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) would have on prickly pear (Opuntia) were it to spread to Texas. APHIS is seeking your input regarding the potential impacts that Cactoblastis cactorum could pose to prickly pear if it becomes established in Texas. Please contact Stuart Kuehn if your organization would like to share thoughts or concerns. APHIS is also offering the opportunity to take a brief survey (only 2-3 minutes) regarding this particular pest. - Learn More |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
2nd Annual National Invasive Species Awareness Week The 2nd Annual National Invasive Species Awareness Week will be held in Washington, DC, February 28 - March 4, 2011. Invasive species awareness week is a week of activities, briefings, events, and workshops to highlight the economic, environmental, and social threats of invasive species. Planned events include State invasive species council workshops, National Press Club announcement of National Invasive Species Agenda, briefings on regional invasive species issues, a reception at the United States Botanical Garden, and a reception at the National Aquarium. - Learn More |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Invasive Spotlight: Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, proved to be a successful agent for the biological control of invasive Opuntia species in Australia and other places where these cacti are not endemic. However, its introduction to the Caribbean in the 1950’s and subsequent spread led to detection in the Florida Keys in 1989. Since arriving in Florida, the cactus moth has moved along the Gulf Coast, at an increasing rate of approximately 100 miles per year. In January 2008, a small infestation was found on Petit Bois Island, Mississippi. Adult cactus moths are inconspicuous, brownish-gray moths. Females are generally larger than males, and their wings are slightly darker. Caterpillars of this moth are capable of destroying entire stands of cacti with their feeding, thereby threatening native landscapes and agricultural industries in the Southern United States and Mexico. - Learn More |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
More News 2010 NPSOT Symposium The Native Plant Society of Texas has opened on-line registration for Symposium 2010, a how-to-create sustainable landscapes educational event, to be held from Oct 7 - Oct 10 at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. More information 2010 Registration for Potential Invasive Pest Workshop This workshop will include specialists on some of the most recent invasive pests and on potential invaders in order to provide researchers, regulatory personnel and growers with the necessary tools to address these potential threats. More information 2010 Natural Areas Conference This conference will provides practical, land management focused information through symposia, workshops, paper sessions, posters, roundtables and opportunities for social networking. More information If you would like your invasive species event or news listed in the next iWire, please send the details to iwire@texasinvasives.org. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Review: Bringing Nature Home By Marilyn Sallee If you want a lush, vibrant, healthy garden with minimum work and high biodiversity, here is the guide for you. Tallamy looks at our urban and suburban gardens through an entomologist’s eyes and sees the term “pest free” as the death of the ecosystem. Our 40 million acres of pristine, perfect lawns is as sterile as an asphalt parking lot. If ever there was a solid, reasoned, scientific argument why we need to give up imported plants and return to our native species, Tallamy has hit on it. - Full Review |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Would You Like a Cactus Moth Workshop? Victor Maddox from Mississippi State University is looking to conduct a Cactus Moth training workshop in the Gulf Coast. This would be a great opportunity for our satellites in the Gulf Coast to extend their knowledge beyond plants and would also be a great training opportunity for any conservation organization in the area. Please contact Victor Maddox directly if you would like to request a workshop. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo Upload Problem Fixed Some of you may have received an error screen when trying to upload a species observation photo into the Invaders database. We have now fixed the problem and tested it thoroughly to make sure it won’t happen again. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Workshops 2010 We currently have one workshop scheduled. We currently have funding for 10 workshops this year. To request a workshop, please visit our Workshop Page. Saturday November 20, 2010 9am-4pm LCRA McKinney Roughs Environmental Learning Center, Bastrop, TX |
|
|
 |
 |