Cogongrass Eradication Efforts Continue to Show Positive Gains in 2018.

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1 Cogongrass in Georgia Winter 219 Update January 1, December 31, 218 Mark McClure, Forest Health Specialist Cogongrass Eradication Efforts Continue to Show Positive Gains in 218. In 218, Schley County, located in southwest Georgia, was the only county reporting cogongrass for the first time. There were 91 new detections in 218, bringing the number of known cogongrass spots in the state to 1256, scattered across 61 counties. The 1256 cogongrass spots encompass a total of 32 acres. There were 91 sites eradicated in 218 with 91 new detections. Data reflects a nine percent decrease in new detections from 217 to 218. The status and treatment for each spot is at varying levels. The Georgia Forestry Commission recognizes a spot as eradicated after three consecutive years of finding no cogongrass resprouts. Presently, 814 spots have been eradicated, 127 spots have been negative for two years, and 126 spots have been negative for one year, with the remaining 189 spots classified as active. Overall, approximately 85% of all known spots are now negative for cogongrass. Landowners with questions regarding the status of the cogongrass spot(s) on their property should contact their Regional Forest Health Specialist. 218 Cogongrass Status Summary 65% 15% 1% 1% Active Year 1 Negative Year 2 Negative Eradicated Cogongrass Status Eradicated Year 2 Neg. Year 1 Neg. Active Where are cogongrass sites being detected? The most common cogongrass detections in Georgia are located within thinned pine stands or along road and utility rights-of- way. Approximately 74% of all cogongrass detections have been in thinned pine stands and 18% in rights-of-way. An additional eight percent have been unique detections in places such as pastures, pond dams, urban landscapes, flower beds, welcome centers, wildlife food plots, and within the sand dunes along the coast. These sites are of special interest to specialists tracking the movement and spread of this exotic, invasive species. Location of Cogongrass in Georgia 18% 5% 1% 1% % 1% 74% Pine Forest Right-of-Way Open Yard Planted

2 Where are the most detections being made? The southwest corner of the state continues to be the cogongrass epicenter in Georgia. Decatur, Seminole, Early, Thomas, Grady, Mitchell, Miller, Baker and Worth counties, located in southwest Georgia, and Carroll County, located in west Georgia, complete the top 1 ranking counties by number of detections Top 1 Cogongrass Counties in Georgia Total # of Detections Which counties had the most detections in 218? The top five reporting counties in 218 were Decatur, Thomas, Baker, Early and Grady. The map on the right displays all counties with new detections (shaded green) along with the number of new detections. The graph below charts the top five counties. 2 Top 5 Counties Reporting New Detections Total # of New Detections in 218 An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 2

3 Which counties in Georgia have cogongrass and how much? The map below identifies cogongrass detections in each Georgia County. What is the cogongrass status in these counties? Approximately 84% of all known cogongrass spots in Georgia are considered inactive. However, this percentage varies among counties. The graph below displays the number of active and inactive spots for the top counties Cogongrass Activity in Georgia's Top Counties Active Inactive An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 3

4 The Cogongrass herbicide treatment program began in 27. After 12 years, how much cogongrass is now inactive in each county? The map below displays the amount of cogongrass in each county that is inactive. Cogongrass in all counties shaded red is 76-1% negative. That means 24% or less of the total number of spots are still active. Counties shaded orange have 51-75% of the total spots inactive, while light green shaded counties are 26-5% inactive. Counties shaded dark green have -25% of the total spots inactive. How many cogongrass spots have been reported annually since the Georgia Forestry Commission began its lead role in 27? The graph below shows annual detections since the year 27. Annual Cogongrass Detections # of New detections Year Cogongrass detections An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 4

5 Georgia cogongrass facts as of 218: This marks the 12 th year the Georgia Forestry Commission has held the lead role in the cogongrass detection and eradication program. The Georgia Forestry Commission will continue to treat new cogongrass detections for landowners at no cost. All cogongrass spots continue to be monitored and treated annually until eradicated. Workshops, presentations, field days, etc. continue to be delivered to further educate Georgia citizens about identifying and controlling invasive species. Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health staff delivered the message Stop the Spread of Invasive Species to thousands of landowners at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. In addition, over 1 landowner programs were conducted delivering the cogongrass message to landowners and Natural Resource professionals. Many more programs were delivered by our task force partners. 85% of the total number of spots are negative (yr. 1, yr. 2, or eradicated). 85% of the total cogongrass acreage is negative. The average size cogongrass spot is between.1 and.25 acres. The largest spot treated in 218 was approximately five acres in size. Sixty-one counties have had positive cogongrass detections. Twenty-seven of 61 cogongrass counties are now negative. The map to the right displays counties with active (positive) cogongrass spots in red, and counties with inactive (negative or eradicated) in green. Counties shaded white have no cogongrass detections. David Todd with F&W Forestry was the cogongrass detection winner for 218! The Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health staff held a contest seeking to award the person detecting the 1,25th spot of cogongrass in Georgia. David Todd with F&W Forestry and former GFC field forester detected the spot while marking timber in Grady County. David was awarded a Silva precision compass as a prize. The GFC Forest Health Dept. will award a prize to the person who locates the most positive detections in 219. Therefore, all landowners and resource professionals are encouraged to search for cogongrass during the 219 calendar year. An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 5

6 Elements of a successful invasive species eradication program: Cogongrass eradication in Georgia began in the 199 s. The USDA APHIS-PPQ began spraying cogongrass in Georgia in the 199 s, led by Dr. Art Miller. It wasn t until approximately 25 that Dr. Dave Moorhead with UGA Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health contacted then Georgia Forestry Commission Director Ken Stewart to discuss the long term impact of cogongrass on Georgia s landscape. At that time, less than 3 cogongrass spots had been detected statewide. Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health Coordinator James Johnson initiated Georgia s cogongrass education, detection and eradication program. Dr. John Taylor with the USDA Forest Service was instrumental in providing the necessary funding to start the program. Numerous federal partners, state agency partners and private organizations met and formed a task force to unify Georgia s approach to addressing cogongrass. The key to controlling cogongrass or any other invasive species was determined to be an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) program. This involves a proactive approach to controlling an invasive population at an early stage. Allowing a population to reach undesirable levels before beginning control measures creates a reactive approach. Reactive approaches are seldom successful. Education is the most critical aspect. The history, biology and identification of cogongrass in the U.S. is paramount in laying a foundation to slow the spread of the plant across the Southeast. Georgia s EDRR program has proven very successful. Data shown on the previous pages indicates critical areas of accomplishment, such as an 85% control rate. Success is not always seen in acreage treated, but in acres protected. Georgia has only treated 32+ acres of cogongrass. However, how many acres have been protected across not only Georgia but our neighboring states of South Carolina, Tennessee and North Carolina by having a cogongrass EDRR program? Long term success is more desirable than short term success. Therefore, due diligence is required by everyone to transform Georgia s short term success into a long term reality. The vast majority of cogongrass in Georgia is located in the southwestern portion of the state. Hurricane Michael devastated this region in October 218. Nearly 2.4 million acres of forest land were damaged at an estimated value of $763 million dollars. Numerous logging, contract utility and land clearing equipment from outside the impacted area have played an instrumental role in reestablishing utilities and cleaning and removing storm debris. A concern today is the spread of cogongrass in this region, due to enormous amount of natural and human-caused disturbance. Therefore, the spread of not only cogongrass but also invasive species, such as Japanese Climbing Fern, may be attributed to Hurricane Michael, either directly and/or indirectly. In conclusion, some key points to a successful invasive eradication program include but are not limited to: Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Funding Partnerships Education Commitment On behalf of the Georgia Forest Commission Forest Health Staff, we would like to congratulate Dr. Dave Moorhead on his retirement. Dr. Moorhead has been instrumental in extension outreach and research in all aspects of silviculture in southern forests, not only with invasive species and forest herbicides. In addition, he has produced numerous technical publications. The knowledge and expertise he has provided the GFC Forest Management Department, all other natural resource professionals and landowners is incalculable. Congratulations on your retirement. An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 6

7 How to identify cogongrass: Spring flowering season is the easiest time to detect cogongrass infestations. Cogongrass primarily flowers between April and early June. The white, fluffy seed heads are visible from a distance. However, the distinct golden brown coloration in late fall through winter following frost makes cogongrass visible during the colder months of the year. Cogongrass is most difficult to detect during the growing season. The most distinguishable feature of cogongrass is its dense, sharp, pointed rhizome root system, and it is recommended the rhizomes be dug up to make a positive identification. Cogongrass identification brochure and pocket ID available from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Contact your local GFC office or Regional Forest Health Specialist to obtain copies of these publications. An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 7

8 How do I report a suspected cogongrass spot? Call your county Georgia Forestry Commission office or contact your Regional Forest Health Specialist. A resource professional will visit the site to make a positive identification. The Georgia Forestry Commission will continue to spray all cogongrass detections in 219 at no cost to the landowner. Landowners are required to sign a spray agreement with the Georgia Forestry Commission to legally allow resource professionals to access the property and spray the identified cogongrass. All positive detections are monitored annually until eradicated. Landowners are encouraged to share information concerning cogongrass with their family, friends and adjoining landowners. It is important to realize that invasive plants such as cogongrass invade natural ecosystems and displace natural plant communities. Therefore, invasive species have a negative impact on our forest resources. Forest Health Specialists: North Region Southwest Region Lynne Womack Mark McClure 386 Martha Berry Hwy, NE 291 Newton Rd. Rome, GA 3165 Albany, GA 3171 (o) (o) (c) (c) lwomack@gfc.state.ga.us mmcclure@gfc.state.ga.us Southeast Region Program Coordinator Chris Barnes Chip Bates 5645 Riggins Mill Rd US Hwy. 31 N. Dry Branch, GA 312 Statesboro, GA 3461 (o) (o) (c) (c) cbarnes@gfc.state.ga.us cbates@gfc.state.ga.us An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider 8