Weed Management Partnerships

A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP:

Richard Mack of the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) explained his organization as a network umbrella. Globalization of trade has reconnected continents, removed boundaries, and sped up the movement of invasive species.

GISP develops science-based policy and translates policy into practice. They are action-oriented. Because nations have not worked together on an issue like this before, many wrinkles need to be worked out. In the meantime you can check out some of their work products at www.biodiv.org

They are partnership oriented and based on the Convention of Biological Diversity. They have held six regional (world regions) workshops between 2001-2004 pulling together information in a new way. They have six working groups:

1. information management/linking databases for early warning potential;
2. pathways/defining vectors;
3. assessment/so far focused on vulnerable island and freshwater ecosystems;
4. law and policy/ finding examples for others to use as models;
5. capacity-building; and
6. regional workshops.

WAB II appears to fit neatly into their work and we will discuss that aspect. GISP might have interest in a possible role in 2006. They have concluded that progress tracks closely with communication.

TEAM TAMARISK, a Federal Agency Partnership

National Park Service Exotic Plant Management Teams A Team Attack on Invasives in Our National Parks

Curt Deuser explained the team concept created by the National Park Service. The NPS manages 83 million acres of land in 388 national parks. The Tamarisk infestation in 1987 became a turning point for NPS weed control. Out of a lack of funding, expertise turnover, no continuity, and project by project costs, came the team concept, based on the wildland fire management model. Why not have mobile units to travel to outbreaks of invasive plants? After a successful 1996 Lake Mead control team effort, 16 teams have been funded by the National Park Service to do this work. They now have an opportunity to partner with Mexico, especially in mapping efforts. The NPS also is using the NAWMA mapping standards . Also key to their work is that they are not species driven in decision making, but rather location-driven or the New Zealand model. This is ecologically-based rather than one weed at a time which has been the common approach. (This team approach has "eradicated" weed infestations of 12 species from park units since 2000 to maintenance levels.)

Call to action is done by the host park with the problem. The Park handles any NEPA requirements before calling. A federal job series is now being forwarded by FICMNEW to accomplish continuity of on-the-ground knowledge in these teams and throughout government on this issue.

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS IN MOTION:

Canada and Washington State - Sheila Kennedy of the Okanagon Weed Board found opportunity to reach across the border and partner with Canada on State highway 97 that connects the two countries. An MOU has been signed by the Washington DOT, British Columbia and 4 border counties. Their priorities include: roads, waterways, and the border itself. Top weeds include: puncturevine, musk thistle, wild four o'clock, leafy spurge, hawkweed, and purple loosestrife. They are sharing mapping, revegetation, and education efforts in an unprecedented effort to save both time and money in the prevention and control of invasive plants. Her county's outreach efforts extend to ranchers, tribes, and State DOT.

Sheila shared another outreach idea that many States might consider. Each year Okanogan County hosts a weed tour to show State and Federal legislators the weed problem on the ground. It has been successful in getting the County much needed support. This year it will include Canadian legislators and members of the agriculture, transportation, and environment ministries. Many at the conference thought this could be a coordinated annual effort for all States, Weed Tour Week . . . .a new national partnership for public awareness. More to come.

Mexico and Arizona State Department of Transportation (ADOT) - Chuck Barclay of ADOT has established a proactive initiative with their Mexican counterparts. He explains that their experience can empower their neighbors to the south. ADOT recognizes that chemicals are not a silver bullet, and added a monitoring component to the partnership. Imagine the red tape attached to moving a loaded chemical truck across the border for demonstration purposes. That is what they did, for as Chuck said, "invasive species is an international language". Buffelgrass, salt cedar and Sahara mustard are as much a concern to him as to Rafaela Paredes who aided and abetted this sharing operation. The Arizona DOT already had a travel policy in place that permitted this kind of travel. Their intent was to 1. set a precedent, 2. strengthen a partnership that would lead to an agreement, and 3. share demonstration and training for weed control. It really happened.

Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs)

This partnership idea is now captured in the CWMA Cookbook, A Recipe for Success.

In 2003, an interagency committee in Idaho shared information about the practical CWMA concept. It began with Idaho's Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious Weeds. "The term CWMA refers to a local organization that integrates all noxious weed management resources across jurisdictional boundaries in order to benefit entire communities. While money may be the initial driving for organizing a CWMA, other lasting benefits, such as increased local communication, cooperation, and trust, can be realized. Heightened awareness can lead to more preventive measures that minimize noxious weed spread."

Cooperative Weed Management Areas are cooperating in many States beyond Idaho.

A CWMA plan should include:

• develop an accurate map of the CWMA
• inventory and map known noxious weed infestations
• determine management responsibilities
• establish criteria for prioritization of management activities
• and identify integrated management techniques and resources available.

Some of the benefits realized in Idaho include: weed free hay was shared by agencies, students learned how to map and use remote sensing, community workdays succeeded, and so much more. Consider starting CWMAs in your State if they do not already exist. In times of decreased budgets, a CWMA partnership is a great strategy in the war on weeds. Contact Cathy Ford, (208) 334-8416, at the Idaho Department of Transportation for a copy.