Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements

Transcription

1 Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements JANUARY JUNE 2005 January 14 At the end of December, the Pawleys Island Coastal Observer featured an article on beach vitex entitled Researchers at Work While Plant Sleeps. It focused on the continued efforts to find out more about different aspects of the plant, including its sand trapping ability, how it spreads, and the best way to get rid of it. In '05 the SC Beach Vitex Task Force plans to work with the nursery industry to discourage the use of the invasive plant and provide them with other plants that will benefit the dunes. Efforts to combat beach vitex have begun in NC where the plant has been found on a number of beaches. January 30 The 25 th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium was held in Savannah, GA Jan A beach vitex poster, created by Dale Suiter (NC Fish and Wildlife Service) and Beach Vitex Fact Sheet were displayed. The NC Beach Vitex Symposium, scheduled for Jan. 20 was postponed due to snow in the Raleigh area. The meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for Friday Feb. 25, The Myrtle Beach Sun News ran an article Jan. 25 entitled Study focuses on pushy plant on area dunes. An editorial ran the following day entitled Kudzu on the beach vitex must not be allowed to take over the dunes. February 15 Gene Crider from the Coastal Observers (Pawleys Island) wrote a profile on Beach Vitex Task Force Coordinator, Betsy Brabson in the February 3rd issue. The front page article featured a color photograph and focused on Brabson's involvement with the sea turtle protection group SCUTE as the start of her involvement with beach vitex. Loggerheadlines, published by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources Endangered Species Office, features sea turtle news from SC and targets the large network of sea turtle volunteers on the coast. The August December edition featured a beach vitex update and listed relevant upcoming events. This newsletter is available online at turtles/lhl.htm. February 25 The rescheduled North Carolina Beach Vitex Symposium was held in Wilmington and attracted a diverse group of attendees. Dale Suiter of the US Fish and Wildlife Service organized and hosted the meeting, which included a field trip. David Nash (NC Cooperative Extension Service) agreed to take the lead in organizing a NC Beach Vitex Task Force, and Matthew Godfrey (NC Wildlife Resource Commission) agreed to enlist the help of sea turtle volunteers to document locations. The NC Aquarium will host a symposium on beach vitex in June. The NC and SC Task Forces will work together to share information and resources. A tabletop exhibit on beach vitex was displayed at the US Botanic Gardens during Weed Week. Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 1

2 March 3 Randy Westbrooks (US Geological Survey) and Betsy Brabson (SC Beach Vitex Task Force Coordinator) attended the 6 th National Invasive Weed Awareness Week (Feb. 27 March 3) in Washington, DC. The weeklong conference, which included people from all over the US in federal, state and local agencies and industries, was a chance to get the word out about beach vitex and see how this plant fits into the national picture of invasive weeds. (Invasive species cost the US $140 billion yearly.) During Weed Week, a tabletop exhibit on beach vitex was displayed at the US Botanic Gardens, and conference attendees had briefings at the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. While in Washington, Dr. Westbrooks and Betsy met with aides of Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Jim DeMint and Rep. Henry Brown to discuss funding needs for beach vitex eradication and dune restoration. These representatives were invited to attend the March 10 Beach Vitex Symposium in Georgetown, and follow up calls will be made as information is gathered. Betsy gave a Power Point presentation on beach vitex at the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW) meeting. The SC Beach Vitex Task Force was highlighted as one of three success stories. March 10 The 2 nd Beach Vitex Symposium was held at Hobcaw Barony s Kimbel Lodge. About 45 people attended from various federal and state agencies, institutions, non government organizations and media. A representative of Sen. Lindsey Graham was also in attendance. The morning session focused on Task Force accomplishments by Clemson, NI WB NERR, SCNPS, USGS, DNR s sea turtle network, US FWS. Plans for the coming season were discussed after lunch in the afternoon session. Representatives from NC, where beach vitex is also a problem, asked to join forces and share information with the SC Task Force. David Nash, who will head up the NC Task Force, shared his expertise with planting dunes using greenhouse grown native grasses after beach renourishment projects. In anticipation of the symposium, the Sun News ran an article about invasive plants in its March 7th edition. Tom Murphy, SC Dept. of Natural Resources, shared with the Task Force some aerial photos he took last summer of beach vitex at Pawleys Island. Dr. Courtney Murren, biology professor at the College of Charleston, invited Betsy Brabson to speak about beach vitex to a class of environmental studies graduate students. Dr. Murren is interested in having her students replicate work done last summer by Dr. Chuck Gresham and Governor s School student, Amber Neal. The research sites will be the Folly Beach and Isle of Palms/Seascape Condominiums locations of beach vitex. March 15 The SC Beach Vitex Task Force will receive $30,000 for its second year of funding as part of the National Fish and Wildlife Pulling Together Initiative grant. March 24 The Coastal Observer ran an article about the March 10 Beach Vitex Symposium written by reporter, Gene Crider. Efforts to remove invasive plant gain urgency focused on the desire to rid the beaches of beach vitex while it is still a manageable problem and money is available rather than waiting until all scientific studies on the plant are complete. Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 2

3 April 12 National Geographic special, Strange Days on Planet Earth, a 4 part series on invasive plants, aired April 20 and 27 on public television. Go to: Beach vitex begins 'greening up' in Georgetown County a little later than last year, which was around April 6. Chuck Gresham, Clemson University, submitted an article for the March issue of SC Nurserymen s Association s Newsletter. Recent nor easter storms have taken their toll on SC beaches. Dunes have been severely scarped and officials are saying they are in the worst shape since Hurricane Hugo in Isle of Palms Turtle Team members took photographs of the damage to dunes in front of Seascape Condominiums. Beach vitex, which was planted behind the secondary dune is now hanging over the scarped primary dune. The same sort of damage is visible in other coastal areas such as Georgetown County. April 15 Task Force members John Brubaker, SCNPS, retired botanist Bob Shuhmacher and coordinator Betsy Brabson attended the DNR Spring Sea Turtle Workshop at Ft. Johnson in Charleston. The purpose was to conduct a plant ID workshop for the sea turtle project leaders and teach them how to distinguish beach vitex from native dune plants. Brubaker and Schuhmacher collaborated on a dune plant brochure which Jennifer Koches, USFWS, produced. If beach vitex is located, volunteers were instructed to pinpoint the location by address or GPS, fill out the report form on the website and send it to Brabson. She will send an expert to confirm that the plant is beach vitex. Dunes have been severely scarped and officials are saying they are in the worst shape since Hurricane Hugo in The National Invasive Species Council ( chose beach vitex to be its featured invasive species for the month of May. The North Inlet Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at Hobcaw Barony will host a special focus lecture on beach vitex Thursday, May 12 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This free, informal lunchtime lecture will provide current information from local experts and Task Force members on the invasive plant. The audience will be landscape architects, nursery owners, planners, coastal managers, other decision makers and the general public. Contact Beth Thomas or Jeff Pollack at the Reserve ( ) for more information. May 6 The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded second year funding of $30,000 to the Stop the Spread of Beach Vitex in SC. The award was made on the condition that these funds be matched by $56,100 in additional nonfederal funds. The Belle W. Baruch Foundation, Georgetown, SC, will administer the grant. SC Wildlife Magazine features an article about Beach Vitex in its May/June publication. May 15 The North Inlet Winyah Bay NERR special focus lecture held on May 12 was informative and thoughtprovoking. The presentations are provided by the Coastal Training Program. Thank you to Jeff Pollack, CTP coordinator, for making these presentations available The Charleston Post & Courier selected Task Force volunteer Bev Ballow as their featured "Unsung Hero" Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 3

4 CLEMSON EXPERIMENTAL HERBICIDE TREATMENT RESULTS Jack Whetstone and Larry Nelson, Clemson, have seen results from the test site where they sprayed 4 different herbicides on beach vitex last September. Glyphosate (10%), Triclopyr (20%, 80% vegetable oil), Imazapyr (5%,1% MSO) and 2,4 D (2%) were used. Imazapyr had the highest success rate. The herbicide treatments were rated for control of vitex: Glyphosate 80%, Triclopyr 90%, Imazapyr 100%, 2,4 D 10% Results of experimental herbicide treatments on beach vitex. Herbicides were not sprayed against the house. Triclopyr is a broadleaf herbicide and the grasses appear to be uneffected and growing well. Glyphosate and Imazapyr were foliar applications and some grasses were controlled, but it appears some are regrowing. They plan to replant this site with sea oats, etc. after the beach vitex roots decay. Dr. Ted Whitwell, Clemson University, has results from his work on a test site at Litchfield Beach: 90% control was achieved by cutting vitex stems and painting them with 50% Glyphosate in December. All of the regrowth came from long runners that were well rooted in the sand and may not have gotten enough Glyphosate on them in Dec. This method was very effective in reducing 1700 sq. ft. of vitex to less than 3 sq. feet of regrowth with very little total herbicide used. It is labor intensive and requires disposal of the stems and branches but leaves the root system in place to help prevent beach erosion until revegetation starts. The regrowth was cut and retreated in May with either Glyphosate (50%) or Garlon (50%). There were no vitex emergence from seed at this location although there are a lot of seeds on the surface of the sand. The vitex infested area was planted with 100 sea oat plants and 100 sweet grass plants. A problem with the sand repelling water was evident when attempting to water the newly planted grasses. A shallow hole was made around each plant to effectively get water to the roots. The goal is to get these grasses established this spring. Follow up retreatments will be made of any beach vitex regrowth. Seed studies indicated that each capsule can have 4 seeds in it but usually has only 1 or 2. The average was 1.3 viable seed per capsule for both 2003 and 2004 seed samples. The seeds were tested with tetrazolium stain to determine viability which matches the results found in germination studies. Capsules weigh 4.8 grams/100 and are 4.8 mm in diameter. Best emergence of seed comes after a 5 degree C (41 F) chilling time for 12 weeks but some will emerge with as little as 4 weeks of chilling. Evaluations were made at 5 C (41 F), 10 C (50 F) and 15 C (59 F) for chilling requirements, and best emergence was found with 5 degrees C. A few seedlings emerged at 15 degrees C. Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 4

5 SUMMER RESEARCH Researchers at the College of Charleston and Clemson University have a full schedule of research planned for this summer s growing season. Dr. Courtney Murren and Dr. Allen Strand, College of Charleston Applied to SeaGrant for money to: 1. Describe pollinator visitation patterns in NC and SC and assess mating systems (self pollination versus cross pollination) and potential for inbreeding depression. They hypothesize that high level of selfing and inbreeding depression may be contributing to low seedling recruitment. 2. Begin field work for demographic modeling, to assess changes in population dynamics spatially and temporally, including a seed bank experiment. They hypothesize that they will find different genetic patterns between sites in NC, where V. rotundifolia has been established longer, and those in SC. 3. Begin assessment of genetic diversity, to potentially track local spread, and to evaluate several alternative hypotheses of spread: multiple introductions, genetic bottleneck from North to South Carolina and single severe bottleneck at the most recent, putatively most successful, introduction. Re-growth/retreatment Dr. Jack Whetstone, Dr. Chuck Gresham, Kate Cummings, Clemson University 1. Establish replacement trials at several locations where three methods of eradicating Vitex will be tried followed by replanting with sea oats and either bitter panicum or seashore elder. 2. Continue sand accumulation measurements at eight sites in Georgetown County by measuring depth to buried plates. 3. Start dune erosion measurements by periodically surveying beach dune cross sections in areas of Vitex and control areas without Vitex. 4. Continue greenhouse research on the competitive strategy of Vitex which will involve continuing tests of allelopathy and co occurance of Vitex and sea oats. 5. Further define the role of hydrophobic soils and Vitex. 6. Quantify Vitex root biomass distribution in dunes. 7. Test methods of disposing of Vitex cuttings at the County Landfill. Dr. Ted Whitwell, Clemson University A cross section of seed capsule stained with tetrazolium indicating 3 viable 1. Begin a herbicide screening in bunkers of sand at Clemson to determine which herbicide is most effective. 2. Interplant sea oats after herbicide application to determine any residual effects of the herbicide. 3. Continue seed germination research. Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 5

6 May 30 Parade Magazine ran a cover story on invasive species. Go to: archive.parade.com/2005/0522/0522_index.html. The article lists related links like where beach vitex is features as the invasive species of the month! This is great national publicity. Dale Suiter, US Fish and Wildlife Service, was interviewed on NC public radio station WUNC in Chapel Hill about beach vitex. The program aired on May 24 on NPR stations across the state. Pawleys Island's Coastal Observer featured a half page article on beach vitex in their Memorial Day "Beaches" section. Reporter Gene Crider recapped the May 12 lecture hosted by the North Inlet Winyah Bay NERR at Hobcaw Barony's Kimbel Lodge. June 2005 In the summer of 2004 Seascape Condominiums, Isle of Palms, had large stands of beach vitex covering the secondary dune and growing toward the back side of the primary dune (see top left photo). The complex completely lost their primary dune due to severe storms in February and March (top right photo). Beach vitex is now growing on the new frontal dune and onto the beach (bottom left photo). Isle of Palms Turtle Team reported several aborted sea turtle nesting attempts which they attribute the beach vitex in front of the condominiums. In one case, the turtle could not dig because of the mass of roots covering the dunes. Turtle volunteers documented that the turtle tried four times on two consecutive nights before successfully nesting (see bottom right photo). Tommy Socha, US Army Corps of Engineers, contacted the Task Force regarding the Corps' current renourishment project at Folly Beach. There are several locations of beach vitex that need to be eradicated before being Problems with beach vitex at the Seascape covered with sand. Socha was referred to Jack Whetstone, Clemson, for instructions on this process. Whetstone sent a letter to the Town of Folly Beach, advising Condominiums, Isle of Palms them of the most effective means of eradication and the proper method of beach vitex disposal at the landfill. (see Beach Vitex Control Recommendations) In response, town officials have created a survey team, headed by a horticulturist, to document plantings of beach vitex on the island. On Monday, June 27, John Brubaker, of the SC Native Plant Society and Beach Vitex Task Force coordinator, Betsy Brabson, gave a presentation on beach vitex and a plant ID workshop. Town Administrator Toni Connor Rooks, said Folly Beach has also proposed an ordinance prohibiting further plantings and will eradicate existing beach vitex. The ordinance will give the town the right to remove stands of beach vitex (per Clemson's instructions) even if it is on private property and the owner will not do so voluntarily. The ordinance requires three readings with the first occurring on July 12. The mayor of Folly Beach has contacted SC State Rep. Scarborough and Rep. Campsen about passing legislation regarding beach vitex. Oceanfront property owners who want to plant on their dunes must first apply for a permit from SC OCRM (Ocean and Coastal Resource Management). OCRM's Bill Eiser informed the Task Force that beach vitex will now be specifically in the permit, which states "No beach vitex allowed." The Coastal Observer (Pawleys Island) ran a front page article in the June 23 issue regarding the decision. Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 6

7 The Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful Committee asked Betsy Brabson, Task Force Coordinator, to speak about beach vitex at their June 14 meeting. Brabson gave a PowerPoint presentation and showed cuttings of the plant. The northern coast is not monitored by sea turtle volunteers and has not been surveyed for beach vitex. The committee would like to help document occurrences of the invasive plant and is coordinating that effort. Beach Vitex Control Beach vitex should be properly identified and approval from of the property owner for the removal of beach vitex should be obtained prior to the initiation of the project. Beach vitex should be cut back to the ground and an application of 50% glyphosate (40% active ingredient) and 50% water should be painted or sprayed on the cut stem as rapidly as possible after cutting. If a less concentrated formulation of glyphosate is purchased, the full strength rate should be applied. The beach vitex should be removed in the proper manner in proper receptacles. Beach vitex should be treated as Building Construction and Demolition Material in the Landfill (burial). If yard wastes are guaranteed to be properly composed to above 140 degrees so all material is degraded and not viable as a cutting, composting would be an acceptable method of disposal. Mulching is NOT recommended as beach vitex has been demonstrated to spout from plant segments. Follow up monthly for resprouting and treat with glyphosate formulations. Read and follow the herbicide label. The Label is The Law! Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 7

8 Several oceanfront property owners who had beach vitex growing on their dunes voluntarily eradicated the invasive plant over the winter. The SC Beach Vitex Task Force commends these homeowners and appreciates their efforts. Before (left) and after (right). Dr. Chuck Gresham, Clemson University, and Kate Cummings, SC Governor's School, are conducting greenhouse and field research on beach vitex this summer. Plant inventory at Clemson herbicide test site Setting up seed germination experiment in the lab Spraying beach vitex to extract solution to water experimental plants of corn, pea and sea oat seeds Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Archived Announcements 8

9 The Sun News 01/25/2005 Study focuses on pushy plant on area dunes Subscriber Services Complete Forecast Search Recent News Archives Web for Go News Breaking News Crime & Courts Columnists Local Headlines Nation Obituaries Photos Politics Weird News World Sports Entertainment Business Living Opinion ONLINE EXTRAS Visitors Guide Myrtle Beach Golf NIE Jobs Cars Real Estate Apartments Local Shopping Find Sales & Deals Shop Local Stores All Classifieds Personals Weddings & Engagements Discussion Boards Maps & Directions Yellow Pages Newspaper Ads Back to Home > News > Posted on Tue, Jan. 25, 2005 Local Study focuses on pushy plant on area dunes Funding awarded to study beach vitex By Kelly Marshall The Sun News this Monday, Jan GEORGETOWN - Recent federal funding is paying for efforts along the Grand Strand to study growing, nonnative species nicknamed "kudzu of the coast." Beach vitex, a nonnative species that is quickly taking over the dunes in Horry and Georgetow counties, and parts of the N.C. shore, is the subject of a study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation gave $47,000 last year to research the aggressive plant now growing in parts Horry, Georgetown, Charleston, Beaufort, Jasper and Colleton counties. Local members of the S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force hope to use the federal money, the first th ever received, to hold local training seminars, recruit new volunteers and buy equipment to h them study the plant. "That will enable us to buy some GPS [global positioning system] units and have training wor to educate people on how to identify beach vitex," said Betsy Brabson, a DeBordieu resident a coordinator of the S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force. "We can train the sea-turtle volunteers so the doing some double duty to recognize beach vitex." The upcoming seminar, which could be held at Hobcaw Barony, will give an update on a test s program to contain beach vitex, Brabson said. SITE SERVICES Archives Contact Us Advertise Clemson University has sprayed some plants in Georgetown County with pesticides, but it wil know the results of the program until spring. Other information will be shared about beach vitex, which was brought to the United States i 1990s as a way to control beach erosion. Beach vitex now grows in South Carolina, parts of Alabama and North Carolina. The plant crowds native species but does not provide food or shelter for sea turtles or other a Brabson said. Page 1

10 The Sun News 01/25/2005 Study focuses on pushy plant on area dunes The plant is used for medicinal purposes in other countries. Researchers in North Carolina want to learn more about the plant, Brabson said. The state possibly will apply for a beach vitex research grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation. "North Carolina is trying to get geared up," Brabson said. "They would like to learn from our y experience and streamline their efforts." S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force members will go in April to the sea-turtle workshop, sponsored by S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The group has attended plant identification workshops and held other plant identification sem Georgetown County. Fast factsprogram Information on beach vitex will be provided on National Public Radio Day" program between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday. Program "Your Day" is a magazine produced as a public service of Clemson University Radio Productions. Seminar A seminar on beach vitex will be March 10 in Georgetown County. Contact For information, call Betsy Brabson, S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force coordinator, at Contact KELLY MARSHALL at or kmarshall@thesunnews.com. this News Business Sports Entertainment Living Shop Local Classifieds Jobs Cars Homes About MyrtleBeachOnline.com About the Real Cities Network Terms of Use & Privacy Statemen About Knight Ridder Copyright Page 2

11 The Sun News 01/26/2005 'Kudzu' on the Beach Subscriber Services Complete Forecast Search Recent News Archives Web for Go Back to Home > The Sun News > Monday, Jan Op Posted on Wed, Jan. 26, 2005 'Kudzu' on the Beach this Vitex must not be allowed to take over dunes Federal funding to pay for a study of a pesky plant threatening to take over dunes along the c encouraging. The invasive beach vitex already is growing in most counties along the S.C. coast and in parts North Carolina. If action isn't taken, beach vitex could crowd out sea oats and other plants that are beneficial dunes and coastal animals. The plant also could destroy sea turtle nests. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation is studying the nonnative plant that has been nickname "kudzu of the coast." The S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force hopes to use federal money to recruit a volunteers to identify the plant as it spreads along the coast. The plant was brought to the United States in the 1990s and promoted as a way to control b erosion. But the plant has a shallow root system that probably would not be able to hold the d during rough weather. Not only will it not hold the dunes, it also could destroy plants that do, sea oats. Clemson University has been conducting a spray program but doesn't yet know how successf be. It's important that federal, state and local authorities take the destructive weed seriously. We not allow it to take over the dunes and jeopardize our community's most precious resources, beaches. this News Business Sports Entertainment Living Shop Local Classifieds Jobs Cars Homes About MyrtleBeachOnline.com About the Real Cities Network Terms of Use & Privacy Statemen About Knight Ridder Copyright Page 1

12 BEACH VITEX MEETING MINUTES February 25, :00 AM 4:00 PM New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington, NC WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS See list of attendees at the bottom of the meeting minutes. HISTORY OF BEACH VITEX IN NC (Dale Suiter) Dale Suiter gave a PowerPoint presentation on beach vitex in North Carolina, including photos of areas along Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, North Topsail Beach and Bald Head Island where beach vitex has escaped from landscape plantings and taken over large sections of the dunes. Various people have noticed beach vitex spreading along the coast of NC, but to the best of our knowledge, the surveys conducted in 2004 represent the first attempt to document locations of beach vitex in NC. Dale Suiter first noticed beach vitex in landscape plantings at Bald Head Island and brought it to the attention of biologists with the Bald Head Island Conservancy. Since that time, many beach vitex colonies have been discovered on Bald Head Island, some are fairly large in size. While working with Doug Piatkowski with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to conduct surveys for seabeach amaranth along Bogue Banks, Dale and Doug found several new populations from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle. Dale showed photographs of beach vitex dominating some sections of dunes along with comparisons of nearby dunes vegetated with native species. The USFWS is concerned that beach vitex could negatively impact nesting sea turtles, turtle nests and hatchlings as well as occupy habitat for the federally threatened seabeach amaranth, a rare plant that grows on the ocean side of primary dunes. Beach vitex also has the potential to displace dune blue curls (Trichostema sp. 1), a new, undescribed species of Trichostema. It may also displace seaside little bluestem (Schizachyrium littorale ssp. littorale) which is believed to be the host plant for an undescribed skipper (a type of butterfly), Atrytonopsis sp. 1. Jackie Harris suggested beach vitex has the potential to impact colonial water bird nesting sites if it invades areas behind the sand dunes. According to information provided by Richard Olsen, a graduate student in Horticulture at NCSU, beach vitex plants were given to the NCSU Arboretum in the early 1980 s. It is believed that J.C. Raulston observed beach vitex in the wild in Korea in the mid 1980 s and, upon his return, began to promote the plant as a good candidate for plantings on the sand dunes in North Carolina. SC BEACH VITEX TASK FORCE UPDATE (Betsy Brabson) Betsy Brabson, the SC Beach Vitex Task Force coordinator, first noticed the invasive qualities of beach vitex while conducting regular beach walks searching for sea turtle crawls and nests at Debidue Beach in SC. After trying to bring this plant to the attention of various state and federal government agencies, she finally was put in contact with Dr. Randy Westbrooks, US Geological Survey. As part of the Early Detection Rapid

13 Response (EDRR) program, Randy came to the site, surveyed the original plantings and volunteer seedlings. He then called for a symposium which was attended by federal, state and local agencies as well as groups such as sea turtle volunteers. A task force was formed and a National Fish and Wildlife grant was applied for and received. Betsy s presentation included photographs of various colonies of beach vitex in SC including sites at Pawley s Island, Debidue Beach, and Isle of Palms. Betsy mentioned Jack Whetstone s (Clemson University) ongoing research to evaluate the effectiveness of various herbicides on beach vitex. They will know more about the results of that study after the plants leaf out (or not) this spring. Betsy mentioned the problem of seedlings and rooted cuttings that have resulted from yard waste that included beach vitex being chipped up and spread as mulch. The SC Beach Vitex Task Force and the SC Native Plant Society have conducted beach vitex identification workshops at Huntington Beach State Park, Seabrook Plantation and Hilton Head Island. She has been interviewed by various newspapers and television stations and there will be an article about beach vitex in an upcoming issue of SC Wildlife Magazine. The SC Beach Vitex Task Force has a web site that his hosted by the North Inlet Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Georgetown, SC. The web address is: SC Beach Vitex Task Force received $47,000 in 2004 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation s Pulling Together grant and recently learned that they will receive an additional $30,000 to continue their work in The purpose of the grants is to document the occurrence of beach vitex on SC s eleven major beaches and two National Wildlife Refuges; remove seedlings; train volunteers; hire a coordinator (Betsy Brabson) and purchase necessary equipment. The Task Force enlisted the help of the turtle volunteer network to help document plantings of beach vitex by GPS. Volunteers have found the plant growing at James Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, North Island, DeBordieu, Pawleys Island, Litchfield, N. Litchfield, Huntington Beach State Park and Garden City Beach. Over 400 seedlings have been removed. This work will continue in Melanie Doyle mentioned her personal experience with beach vitex that was planted in the landscape around the Aquarium. She has extensive experience with various methods of control and eradication and she noted that roots left in the ground during removal are able to send up new shoots. Randy Westbrooks credits Tommy Socha, plant specialist for the Charleston District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as the first person to notice the invasive qualities of beach vitex. Originally, he thought it would be a good species to use in dune stabilization and revegetation projects, but then he became concerned about its growth because it had taken over sections of dune and created a monoculture. Stacy Samuelson pointed out that there could be political problems if the State allows the sale of this species in some counties but not in others. 2

14 David Nash noted that the use of spray irrigation in coastal landscapes can wash off salt spray and allow species to grow in the dunes or near the beach that otherwise wouldn t be able to grow there. Eelco Tinga, Jr. said that he doesn t believe that stopping the production and sale of beach vitex will negatively affect the nursery trade business. He has already stopped selling beach vitex and said that it was such a small part of his business that he didn t miss the income from it. He also doesn t think it will be controversial within the nursery industry if they are asked to stop selling it. RESEARCH Chuck Gresham gave a short presentation on the work that he and his student (Amber Neal) have done on beach vitex colonies in Georgetown County, SC. They looked at the ability of beach vitex to displace native dune species as well as the growth rate, seed production, seed germination, seedling growth and allelopathy of beach vitex. Significant findings from his research include the average annual seaward growth rate was 188 cm with a maximum growth of 330 cm. Seed production averaged 10,920 seeds/square meter and the most productive area had a seed crop of 22,352 seeds per square meter. Beach vitex also creates hydrophobic soils and dense shade at the ground level. Allelopathic qualities were not found, but more research needs to be done. The manuscript that summarizes their work can be found on the internet at: LUNCH We broke for lunch at the Bridge Tender Restaurant and then visited a beach vitex site at the ocean front end of Mallard Street toward the north end of Wrightsville Beach. David Nash is working with the Town of Wrightsville Beach to make this a demonstration project. CAMA requires that oceanfront houses be setback 60 feet from native vegetation line. Ron Perozzi, Terra Company, Inc. showed photographs taken at a beach vitex planting on Surf City/Topsail Island. According to his observations, beach vitex plants that are watered regularly with drip irrigation are not out-competing other (native) plantings, including bitter panicum and yucca. He removed beach vitex from an irrigated area with little problem and so far no beach vitex has come back. DISTRIBUTION North Carolina Atlantic Beach - escaped from plantings Emerald Isle - escaped from plantings, seedlings observed on the beach North Topsail Beach - escaped from plantings Surf City - escaped from plantings Topsail Beach - escaped from plantings Figure Eight - escaped from plantings Wrightsville scattered throughout; we visited a site on the dunes at Mallard Street Carolina Beach / Kure Beach - probable 3

15 Fort Fisher aquarium staff found a plant that was presumably a seedling Oak Island - escaped from plantings Holden Beach - seedlings Ocean Isle Beach probable Sunset Beach / Bird Island no reports, Sunset is NC s only accreting beach South Carolina North Myrtle Beach probable Myrtle Beach - present Garden City - present Huntington Beach State Park - seedlings Litchfield Beach - present Pawley s Island escaped from plantings Debidue Beach escaped from plantings North Island / Hobcaw - seedlings Isle of Palms - escaped from plantings Folly Beach - escaped from plantings James Island planted in a landscape setting Hilton Head? training workshop in 2004, no plants observed yet Georgia Sapelo Island (Ann Gill, Mecklenburg Co.) Little Tybee Island Florida Fernandina Beach - near the north end entrance, in the dunes past the Condos (Ann Gill, Mecklenburg Co.) Scattered on beaches along the northern gulf coast (Al Schotz, AL NHP) Alabama Herbarium specimen from Dauphin Island, Montgomery County, AL INVENTORY Additional surveys Matthew Godfrey, NC Wildlife Resources Sea Turtle Coordinator agreed to request the assistance of sea turtle volunteers throughout NC to help with beach vitex detection. Randy Westbrooks agreed to attend their sea turtle training session on April 4 at Hammocks Beach State Park and give a short talk on how to identify beach vitex and the data that we would like for the sea turtle volunteers to collect. Biologists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conduct surveys for seabeach amaranth on 175 miles of beach every summer. Stacy Samuelson offered additional beach vitex survey assistance during 2005 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Staff that will already be conducting surveys for seabeach amaranth will also look for populations of beach vitex on the beach and dunes. We agreed that this additional work should not add a substantial amount of time to the survey work already being conducted 4

16 for Seabeach amaranth. If possible, Corps staff will collect GPS points where they encounter beach vitex and will categorize the colony according to size and location. We agreed to meet with Corps staff prior to the 2005 seabeach amaranth survey season to discuss our data needs. Jackie Harris also requested that beach vitex training/identification materials be sent to the NC Aquarium for use in their environmental education program. Jackie will check on the possibility of creating a small display dedicated to beach vitex concerns. REPORTING (Dale Suiter) Dale Suiter showed an Excel spreadsheet that he created to keep track of various aspects of beach vitex activities. Separate pages are dedicated to various aspects of beach vitex monitoring and education including: 1.) recording information on the location, size and invasiveness of beach vitex plantings, seedlings or rooted ramets; 2.) town hall education; 3.) real estate (rental company) education and 4.) nurserymen and landscaper education. Betsy Brabson noted that Laura Schmidt, a GIS person at the North Inlet Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve accepts addresses and GPS locations of SC populations of beach vitex and maintains an electronic map of the species range in SC. CONTROL Chuck Gresham mentioned that Jack Whetstone s (Clemson University) research to evaluate the effectiveness of various herbicides on beach vitex is ongoing. They will know more about the results of that study after plants begin to leaf out this spring. Melanie Doyle mentioned that they use the herbicide Bushmaster with a surfactant and apply it using the cut and brush method. Stems are cut and the open cut is then painted with the herbicide. RANKING SYSTEM (Dale Suiter) Dale Suiter developed a ranking system to prioritize beach vitex sites for eradication. The following list includes the suggestion from Randy Westbrooks that we should make small, isolated sites with a high probability of successful eradication a top priority. A- covering a small area on the dunes (seedlings, cuttings, etc.); high likelihood of successful eradication B- covering a large area, escaped on the dunes C- small or large, inland D- small, isolated, inland site OUTREACH / EDUCATION Articles about Beach Vitex (up to now): Betsy Brabson and others have been interviewed by various newspapers and television stations and articles have appeared in the Sun News, Wilmington Star, Pawley s Island Coastal Observer, Charleston s Post & Courier, Columbia s State Newspaper, etc. One 5

17 article was picked up by the Associated Press and run in at least 20 newspapers around the country. Fact Sheet / Handout (Betsy Brabson) Betsy Brabson and Randy Westbrooks have produced a one page fact sheet about beach vitex. The beach vitex poster (mentioned below) can also be printed as an 8.5 x 11 handout. Poster Patty Matteson and Dale Suiter produced a beach vitex poster that was displayed at the Green n Growin plant show in Greensboro (January 2005), the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Savannah, GA (January 2005) and the Piping Plover Recovery Meeting in Jekyll Island, GA (February 2005). Electronic copies of the poster were available at the meeting on CD and the poster is also available at the web site listed below. Web Sites Again, the SC Beach Vitex Task Force has a web page at The web page includes photographs, contacts and other information regarding the species and Betsy makes regular updates to the site. Patty Matteson added that the Raleigh Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently added a poster about beach vitex to their web site. The address is: The NCSU Cooperative Extension Service web site currently includes beach vitex. Dale Suiter asked Richard Olsen to see if they would remove it from their list of recommended plants. Other Outreach Opportunities Misty Franklin (NC Natural Heritage Program) announced the upcoming meeting of the NC Exotic Pest Plant Meeting to be held at the NC Botanical Garden on March 2, Richard Olsen, a graduate student in Horticulture at NCSU will give a presentation on the history of beach vitex in North Carolina at this meeting. Dale Suiter will give a presentation on the status of beach vitex in NC and the results of this meeting. David Nash mentioned that he gave a talk to the NC Shore and Beach Preservation Association about seabeach amaranth and beach vitex and suggested that we interact more with that group as well as the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Jackie Harris mentioned that the NC Aquarium produces an online newsletter that could be used to get out information about beach vitex. Jesica Blake mentioned a company, Invasive Species Control, Inc. that specializes in invasive species control as well as presentations about invasive species. The NC Coastal Land Trust has hired them to address English ivy issues on Ocracoke Island. 6

18 Other outreach suggestions and the person making the suggestion: SC Nursery show, Myrtle Beach, SC, February (Eelco Tinga) Radio spots for the aquarium (Jackie Harris) Extension service radio show (David Nash) Coastal Gardner on local television (David Nash) Carolina Gardener Magazine (Dale Suiter) Paul Hosier, ecologist UNCW (David Nash) Bill Cleary, geologist UNCW (Stacy Samuelson) William Cleary ( ), but he is a coastal geologist. Probably your best bet would be to call Martin Posey ( ) Public Service Announcement on the local cable station Sea Grant s Coastwatch Magazine (David Nash) Interpretive signs at the north end of Wrightsville Beach (Alan Cradick) NC Coastal Federation (Jesica Blake) PARTNERS (Randy Westbrooks and Dale Suiter) Below is a list of potential partners that may be potential cooperators in our efforts to prevent the spread of beach vitex: Government Agencies U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Natural Resources Conservation Service National Park Service (National Seashores) NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services NC Natural Heritage Program NC Botanical Garden NC Aquariums NC Division of Coastal Management NC State Parks and Recreation Areas NC Division of Coastal Management NC Coastal Reserve Program Nursery Industry NC Association of Nurserymen NC Landscape Association Sea Turtle Volunteers NC Wildlife Resources Commission Municipalities Bald Head Island / Bald Head Island Conservancy Atlantic Beach 7

19 Other Emerald Isle North Topsail Beach Surf City NCSU Extension / NCSU Arboretum NC Exotic Pest Plant Council Homeowner Associations Coastal Land Trust Sea Grant Audubon Society of NC The Nature Conservancy NC Coastal Federation BASF WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? (Randy Westbrooks) Randy Westbrooks suggested that NC needs an invasive species council and that a NC Beach Vitex Task Force would be a working group under this bigger umbrella. We can work cooperatively with the SC Beach Vitex Task Force to learn from their experiences, share ideas, develop joint projects and team together to apply for grants. David Nash agreed to take on a leadership role regarding the development of a NC Beach Vitex Task Force Misty Franklin noted that there is already the NC Exotic Pest Plant Council that fulfills some of the needs that an invasive species council might fill. In fact, beach vitex is the featured plant at this year s annual meeting at the NC Botanical Garden on March 2, It was also recommended that we consider a Beach Vitex Symposium modeled after the upcoming SC Beach Symposium to be held on March 10 in Georgetown, SC. Jackie Harris suggested that the NC Aquarium might be able to host such a symposium and offered to check with Aquarium management to see if we could use their facility. THINGS I FORGOT TO MENTION AT THE MEETING: Alexander Krings, Curator of the Herbarium at NCSU received a specimen of beach vitex in It was collected at Pawley s Island, SC by a NCSU employee. Little is known about beach vitex seed transport, viability and germination. Dale Suiter placed 25 seeds in a plastic cup with approximately a cup of tap water on November 23, Additional water was added as evaporation took place. In January, 2005, the seeds and water were placed in a glass jar with a lid and stored in the refrigerator. To date, all but one of those seeds is still floating. This makes one wonder about the potential for beach vitex seeds to float out to sea (note that salt water makes things more buoyant than fresh water) and once seeds are in the Gulf Stream, they could be transported to various locations in the Atlantic Ocean. 8

20 Ann Gill with Charlotte Mecklenburg recycling program is currently conducting experiments to determine the viability of seeds after they have passed through the composting process. 9

21 ORIGINAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: Hello Folks I'm sure that many of you have heard about beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), a potentially invasive plant species that was brought to the southeastern U.S. through the horticulture trade. Native to Asia, beach vitex has been promoted as a fast growing dune stabilizer. It has been planted on many of our dunes and coastal landscapes and appears to be overtaking the native plants on some sections of our beaches. Cursory surveys indicate that it is present on most of the beaches between Atlantic Beach, NC and Folly Beach (Charleston), SC. There is currently one report each from Florida and Alabama. Sea turtle enthusiasts in SC recently brought this plant to the attention of biologists interested in coastal issues and the SC Beach Vitex Task Force was formed. As a result of the awareness they raised about beach vitex, several large stands of this species have been found on NC beaches. There are concerns that beach vitex may impact sea turtle nesting areas and occupy habitat for the endangered seabeach amaranth as well as several other rare plants and animals. Beach vitex may also be crowding out native dune vegetation such as sea oats, bitter panicum, American beachgrass, etc. For additional information about beach vitex, please see the attached fact sheet prepared by the SC Beach Vitex Task Force or visit their web site at Since the key to addressing invasive species is to catch the problem early, I am proposing a meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2005 in Wilmington, NC to discuss beach vitex issues on the North Carolina coast. David Nash with the NC Cooperative Extension Service has kindly offered to host the meeting at the New Hanover County Arboretum at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington, NC. Directions to the facility are at the bottom of this . The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and we will break for lunch and visit a beach vitex site in Wrightsville Beach. If you wish to have lunch as a group at a seafood restaurant in Wrightsville Beach, please bring small bills so that you can pay with exact change. I appreciate your interest in beach vitex and I hope that you can attend this important meeting. Since the meeting space is limited, please RSVP as soon as possible so we know how many to expect and also please contact me if you think someone should be invited who is not on the To: list. Finally, please review the draft agenda below and let me know if you have additional topics that you would like to discuss at the meeting. Directions to the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Office From I-40 Upon entering Wilmington, I-40 officially ends and becomes NC 132 (College Road). Stay on this four lane road heading South until it intersects with Oleander Drive (US 76). Turn left (heading east) at the intersection of College Road and Oleander Drive. Travel approximately 5.5 miles to 6206 Oleander Drive. The New Hanover County Extension Center will be on the right side of the road. From Hwy 17 coming from North of Wilmington 10

22 Upon entering Wilmington via Hwy 17, take Hwy 17 Truck by-pass (Military Cutoff Rd.). Stay on this for next several miles. The road changes names to Oleander. Roughly 1/4 mile past the Bradley Creek bridge, the Extension Center offices will be on the left. From Hwy 74/76 heading East and from Hwy 17 coming from South of Wilmington Highways 74/76 & 17 merge together coming over the Cape Fear River Bridge into Wilmington. Come over the bridge and go straight at the light. This will put you on Dawson Street. Travel approximately 3 miles on Dawson Street until you reach Oleander Drive. Travel approximately 8.5 miles on Oleander Drive until you reach 6206 Oleander Drive. The New Hanover County offices for Extension Center will be on your right. 11

23 Attached is a list of meeting attendees. If you attended, please review your entry and make sure we have included your contact information correctly. Beach Vitex Meeting, February 25, 2005, Wilmington, NC Name Agency Address Phone Dale Suiter Patty Matteson Alan Cradick Eelco Tinga Jr. Jackie Harris Wayne Batten Jesica Blake Maureen Dewire Matthew Godfrey Joanne Harcke Melanie Doyle Randy Westbrooks Betsy Brabson US Fish & Wildlife Service US Fish & Wildlife Service Audubon NC Tinga Nursery Inc. NC Aquarium Ft. Fisher Pender Co. Coop Ext NC Coastal Land Trust Bald Head Island Conservancy NC Wildlife Resource Comm. NC Aquarium Ft. Fisher Horticulturist, NC Aquarium US Geological Survey SC Beach Vitex Task Force NC Coastal Reserve Clemson P.O. Box Raleigh, NC P.O. Box Raleigh, NC Market Street Wilmington, NC Castle Hayne Rd. Castle Hayne, NC Loggerhead Rd. Kure Beach, NC S. Walker Street Burgaw, NC Racine Dr. Suite 101 Wilmington, NC P.O. Box 3109 Bald Head Island, NC Ann St. Beaufort, NC Loggerhead Rd. Kure Beach, NC Loggerhead Rd. Kure Beach, NC Border Belt Dr. Whiteville, NC Bonnyneck Dr. Georgetown, SC Anthony Snider P.O. Box Wilmington, NC Chuck P.O. Box 596 Gresham Univ. Georgetown, SC Ron Perozzi Terra Co. Inc Highway 210 E. Hampstead, NC ext ext. 25 Dale_Suiter@fws.gov Patty_Matteson@fws.gov VUFINDER@bellsouth.net Tinnur1913@bellsouth.net Jackie.e.harris@ncmail.net Wayne_batten@ncsu.edu jesica@coastallandtruust.org Maureen@bhic.org mgodfrey@seaturtle.org Joanne.harcke@ncmail.net Melanie.doyle@ncmail.net ext rwestbrooks@usgs.gov wbrabson@sccoast.net asnider@fastmail.fm cgrshm@clemson.edu terracoinc@yahoo.com 12

24 Stacy Samuelson Misty Franklin David T. Patterson USACE NC Natural Heritage Program NCOA & CS 69 Darlington Ave. Wilmington, NC Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC Plant Protection Section PO Box Raleigh, NC David Nash NCCE 6206 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC rmy.mil ext The following people were interested in the meeting, but couldn t attend: Name Agency Address Phone Rob Evans Johnny Randall Joe Neal Jack Whetstone Courtney Murren Andrew Bell Richard Olsen NC Plant Conservation Program NC Botanical Garden NCSU Horticulture Clemson University, Baruch Institute College of Charleston NC Botanical Garden NCSU Horticulture 1060 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC NC Botanical Garden, Campus Box 3375 Chapel Hill, NCSU, Box 7609 Raleigh, NC P.O. Box 596 Georgetown, SC Coming Street Room #214 Charleston SC NC Botanical Garden, Campus Box 3375 Chapel Hill, Kilgore Hall Box 7609 Raleigh, NC Rob.Evans@ncmail.net jrandall@unc.edu jcneal@unity.ncsu.edu, joe_neal@ncsu.edu jwhtstn@clemson.edu murrenc@cofc.edu bell@unc.edu rtolsen@unity.ncsu.edu 13

25 OTHER Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) a model for detecting and databasing invasive species. Jennifer Koches spoke about an incident on Isle of Palms, SC where sea turtle hatchlings crawled toward artificial light on a condo (away from the beach) and got caught in beach vitex stems. Approximately 80 sea turtles died. 14

26 S o u t h C a r o l i n a BEACH VITEX T A S K F O R C E 2 ND BEACH VITEX SYMPOSIUM Thursday, March 10, :00 a.m. Hobcaw Barony Kimbel Lodge AM Session: Accomplishments 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon AGENDA Introductions Betsy Brabson, SC Beach Vitex Task Force Beach Vitex History/Restoration Strategies Tommy Socha, Army Corps of Engineers Task Force Update Betsy Brabson Outreach Jennifer Koches, US Fish and Wildlife Service Detection and Reporting Sally Murphy, SC DNR Training/Plant ID Workshops John Brubaker, SC Native Plant Society Mapping/Webpage Laura Schmidt, North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR Research Chuck Gresham, Clemson University Assessment Randy Westbrooks, US Geological Survey Control Jack Whetstone, Clemson University Ted Whitwell, Clemson University Lunch 12 noon 1:00 p.m. PM Session: What s next? 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Beach Vitex in North Carolina David Nash, NC Cooperative Extension Service Dale Suiter, US Fish & Wildlife Service, NC Research Chuck Gresham Control Demonstrations Jack Whetstone Regulatory Assessment Randy Westbrooks Long Term Funding Strategy Dave Gordon, (?) US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners Program Notes of Interest Randy Westbrooks Adjourn

27 BEACH VITEX SYMPOSIUM March 10, :00 3:00 Kimbel Lodge Minutes Welcome: Betsy Brabson, SC Beach Vitex Task Force Beach Vitex History on SC Coast: Tommy Socha, US Army Corps of Engineers Tommy Socha, the first to raise a concern about beach vitex (BV), gave a presentation on a $50 million Corps project from N. Myrtle Beach to Garden City Beach. He demonstrated how this successful mile project involved beach renourishment, sand fencing, careful planting, fertilization and watering of native dune plants. The photos showed substantial sand accumulation in less than a year. Plants left over from the project were planted in front of a house at Pawleys Island in May 95. At this time, Socha noticed a vine with a purple flower growing below the high tide line and among the sea oats and bitter panicum. Socha invited several plant specialists to look at BV in the winter of 96 to see if it might be a good dune stabilization plant. After careful observation, it was agreed that this was an invasive plant, it had choked out the natives, and it was forming a monoculture. There was no federal program at that time to deal with invasives such as beach vitex. By 2003, it became apparent that BV was a possible threat to sea turtle nesting. Because the plant now impacted a federally threatened species, it gave more of a need for action and by this time there was a federal program to deal with invasive species. Socha suggested the planting of sweetgrass on the back side of the secondary dunes. This would be an attractive, native plant as well as provide the basket -weaving community with a new source for their craft. John Brubaker, SCNPS, agreed this was a good idea and cited Muhlenbergia filipes as the correct species. Task Force Update: Betsy Brabson, coordinator Brabson gave a presentation on SC Beach Vitex Task Force accomplishments over the past 16 months including: volunteer participation in documenting plantings and seedling removal, mapping of locations, research and control demonstrations, plant ID workshops, outreach and media coverage. She said the goals for the upcoming season were continued documentation of BV locations, seedling removal and education; more control test sites; ecological and regulatory assessments and exploring funding opportunities for cost share with property owners in restoration of the dunes. Outreach: Jennifer Koches, US Fish and Wildlife Service Jennifer Koches was unable to attend but Betsy Brabson thanked her for development of a display for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo and printing of a comprehensive brochure. Koches has also helped remove seedlings on Hobcaw Beach, participated in plant ID workshops, attended the NC BV Symposium and contacted the Post and Courier (Charleston) about BV which resulted in a feature article in that newspaper July 9, 2004.

28 Detection and Reporting: Sally Murphy, SC DNR Murphy spoke of the importance of sea turtle volunteers in documenting locations of BV. She wants volunteers to be able to accurately identify the plant. The Sea Turtle Spring Training Workshop will be on April 15 at Ft. Johnson in Charleston. John Brubaker, SC Native Plant Society, and Betsy Brabson will instruct project leaders in how to distinguish BV from other native dune plants. Murphy said for the beaches not covered by sea turtle volunteers, that there are DNR personnel surveying for other purposes such as shore birds. She will instruct them to be also looking for BV. She stressed that it is crucial for the plant to be stopped primarily because of its threat to sea turtle nesting habitat. Training/Plant ID Workshops: John Brubaker, SC Native Plant Society The first Plant ID Workshop, held in May 03, was initiated by Steve Roff and Mike Walker from Huntington Beach State Park. Brubaker conducted workshops at Seabrook Island and Hilton Head Island. He wants people to be confident in identifying BV which is often confused with 6 other native dune plants. He encourages people to report the plant rather than digging it up. Brubaker had cuttings of BV laminated at Staples and feels these are good field guides and easy for turtle volunteers to carry on their walks. He will laminate 25 more for the project leaders at the Sea Turtle Workshop in April. He remarked that he was available for more workshops. Mapping/Webpage: Laura Schmidt, NI-WB NERR Schmidt sees the need for a uniform mapping system using GPS coordinates rather than street addresses which are not always accurate. She needs GPS coordinates on the Garden City and North Island locations of BV. Schmidt felt it would be helpful to develop a standardized reporting form for BV locations that could be downloaded from the webpage. She suggested listing the extent of the BV (seedling, mature plant, large colony, etc.), location (beachfront vs. street), contact (homeowner, volunteer, task force member) and action taken. Brabson and Schmidt will work up such a form for the webpage. It was suggested that NC also be added to the mapping of BV locations to which Laura agreed. The webpage, hosted by NI-WB NERR s website, will be reformatted making links to updates, research papers, photos, etc. rather than viewed by scrolling. Research: Chuck Gresham, Clemson University Gresham gave details on his research last summer 04 with SC Governor s School student Amber Neal. They used 9 test sites (Litchfield, Pawleys Is. and DeBordieu), counted plant stems by species, measured stem growth and fruit density, took soil samples and gathered litter layer, took PAR measurements at 3 sites and sunk plexiglass plates to measure sand trapping ability. Gresham and Neal found there were few other plants where BV was growing. BV produces 10,000-22,000 seeds per sq. meter. It deprives other plants of sunlight and water (which beaded up-produces hydrophobic soil). Allelopathic relation was not strong but Gresham plans to refine that test. Plates sunk on the dunes will be inspected in the near future for sand trapping ability. Some plates have been lost due to storms eroding the dunes. Greenhouse experiments yielded poor germination of seedlings. Efforts to find out if birds eat BV seeds using a motion-

29 activated scouting camera were non-conclusive. Someone at the NC BV meeting remarked they had noticed cardinals and squirrels eating BV seeds. He suggested either getting rid of BV or trying to contain it to property lines, keeping it off the front dune and away from sea turtle nesting habitat. He will test alternate plant species this summer as replacements for BV. A photo was shown where BV seemed to extend further seaward than the dunes covered with native species. Ecological Assessment: Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Discipline, Whiteville, North Carolina. Westbrooks used beach vitex as a major example of why we need a national pre-screening system to keep invasive species from entering the United States. For introduced species like beach vitex that do become established, it is far less expensive to detect and eradicate them early. In order to fully succeed, it is important for the BV Task Force to establish a good relationship with the Carolina horticulture industry. They will need to stop selling beach vitex, but they can sell other native dune plants that are more beneficial in controlling erosion this is clearly a win-win outcome for industry and the task force. In conducting the assessment, Westbrooks learned that beach vitex, considered a sandbinder in Asia, occurs as a native plant on 48% of coastal dunes in Korea. The native range is Japan to Australia. Viable seeds and stem fragments are spread by ocean currents. It forms low thickets with a tight leaf canopy that causes sand to blow over the top of the plant instead of being trapped to build a dune. It is also used as a medicinal herb in Japan, China and Korea. Currently, beach vitex is found in South Carolina (70+ Sites), North Carolina, Alabama (at least one site on Dauphin Island), and possibly in Florida. Based on its native range from Japan to Australia, it could grow well in 1/3 2/3 of southern U.S. coastal zones. Beach vitex is invasive because it forms monocultures, crowds out natives; is a prolific seed producer; is fast growing; produces hydrophobic soil which discourages seed germination and growth of other species; shades out native plants; releases toxic compounds from its roots, and is wind and salt spray tolerant. Beach vitex has the ability to establish free-living colonies with seeds and root fragments being spread by waves and currents. It degrades sea turtle nesting habitat and hatchling emergence. Westbrooks feels that real estate values will ultimately be decreased by the presence of BV on dunes. He said removal of seedlings by volunteers should continue. Using the APHIS Weed Risk Assessment System, Westbrooks came up with a mediumhigh rating for BV, which is normally sufficient for listing a new species as a Federal Noxious Weed. However, in order to determine if BV can be listed as a State and Federal Noxious Weed by Clemson, NCDA, and APHIS, we will need to determine the total extent of the infestation in the Carolinas and elsewhere. Regardless of whether beach vitex is listed as a regulated Noxious Weed, he does think it is important for OCRM to put it on a DO NOT PLANT list for the dunes, or at a minimum, to strongly discourage its use as a landscape plant on primary and secondary dunes. Beach vitex should also be banned from coastal dunes in North Carolina as well. He is in the process of completing the APHIS Weed Risk Assessment for beach vitex, and will continue to

30 evaluate the plant using the NatureServe Invasive Plant Ranking System, the New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment System, and the Australia Weed Risk Assessment System. Dr. Bran Cromer and a graduate student assisted the assessment effort through literature reviews and translation of Korean journal articles on beach vitex. Dr. Westbrooks recommendations for the Task Force are to: - Seek additional funding for task force activities. - Submit the BV Risk Assessment to USDA APHIS and Clemson University for listing on State/Federal Noxious Weed List. - Document the extent of infestations in N.C; once that is completed, submit the assessment to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture for consideration in listing as a State Noxious Weed. - Seek federal funding for a BV Eradication and Dune Restoration program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Seek funding for BV Eradication through APHIS, Clemson, and NCDA, if the plant is listed as a State and Federal Noxious Weed. Control: Jack Whetstone, Clemson University Whetstone introduced Payton Parsons, Parsons Nursery, as a representative of the nursery industry and past president of the SC Nursery and Landscaping Assoc. Parsons said he realized how aggressive BV was and stopped using it. He has not noticed the plant on any lists lately. Whetstone explained that using herbicides to eradicate BV has advantages over digging it out. He said it is less intrusive and accepted for invasives. Herbicide types can be either broad spectrum (kills everything) or broadleaf herbicide (allows grasses to come back); and also either contact or systemic. It can be applied by injection, foliar spray, basal application and soil application. Whetstone and Larry Nelson, Clemson University, sprayed a test site using 4 different herbicides: Glysophate, Imazapyr, Triclopyr and 2,4- D. They were chosen because they have an aquatic label, are broad spectrum (Glyphosate and Imazapyr), or broad leaf only (Triclopyr and 2,4-D), have unrestricted use and a short half-life. Dr. Whitwell discussed his laboratory/growth chamber experiments and his attempt at BV control at Litchfield. Dr. Whitwell found that the seeds of BV, while numerous, do not readily germinate. There appears to be a relationship with a need for cold hardening. Temperatures under 40 degrees F. appear to be needed over a period of time for germination. Dr. Whitwell removed BV from an area at North Litchfield in December and painted the cut stumps with glyphosate to treat the root systems. A problem with the removal was where to remove the debris to and how the debris was processed. There is a concern that as yard debris the BV would reroot. The compost method must exceed the 140-degree minimum temperature process to stop rerooting. The other alternative is to treat BV as Construction/Demolition Waste and bury it or incinerate it. Jack said the BV Symposium was held a month too early to determine which herbicide was most effective because BV greens up in early April.

31 Lunch: 12:15 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Beach Vitex in NC: Dale Suiter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Suiter gave some early history of beach vitex compiled by Richard Olsen, NCSU Horticulture Dept. It was first introduced in 1955 in the US. The NCSU Arboretum began promoting BV in the late 1980s. In 2004 the SC Beach Vitex Task Force raised awareness and the plant was discovered in NC. In 2005 the NC Beach Vitex Task Force was formed. Known locations of BV are: Nags Head/Dare County??, Atlantic Beach, Topsail Is., Figure Eight Island, Wrightsville Beach, Fort Fisher, Bald Head Is., Long Beach, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle. Dale showed a number of photographs of infestations along the NC coast at these locations citing one that had recently been planted. From some of the photos of roots, Suiter does not believe BV is a good sand binder. Other states that have BV are GA, FL and AL. Beach vitex poses a threat to native dune vegetation: sea oats, bitter panicum, sea beach amaranth and dune blue curls. Marine and coastal animals at risk are: sea turtles, colonial water birds and Radio Island skippers (butterflies). Suiter emphasized the importance of planting native species during restoration. He mentioned that he had had BV seeds floating in a jar on his desk for 3 mos. He felt this simulated a long float time in the ocean s currents. David Nash, NC Cooperative Extension Service Nash began discouraging use of beach vitex in He has done extensive dune restoration work using sea oats and other native dune plants. He developed a production system using indigenous sea oats (gathered from within 50 mi.) and growing them using a float method in his greenhouse on Oak Island. Nash is not in favor of herbicide use if it can be avoided and feels hand removal is a possible method for BV removal. He feels the nursery industry will support our efforts if asked to discontinue selling BV. When asked if $25,000 was a realistic price per acre to replant dunes, Nash said it was if the work was contracted out. He advocated using volunteer labor which would cut the cost in half or by 60%. He cited using volunteers, working from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. that 18,000 plants could planted. He said volunteers are easy to get to plant sea oats but that it is best to do in the cooler temperatures of the day. Service clubs, garden clubs and scout troops are good groups to use. The media is also helpful in getting the word out. Nash suggested growing our own plants to save money and that he could teach us his method. He harvests the seeds in September, puts them in cold stratification and then into float cultivation around Valentines. SC will need about 2 million plants for 100 acres. The best planting time is late spring/early summer. A variety of native plants should be used including: sea oats, bitter panicum, sea shore elder and spartina patens. It takes about 21, 800 plants per acre. Nash suggests digging an 8 deep hole and adding 1 level tsp. of Osmokote ( ) fertilizer. No irrigation is needed if the dunes are planted properly. When asked about survival rates on large plantings, Nash said he had better than 95% success and that it quickly builds dunes. A beach vitex workshop will be held at Fort Fisher Aquarium on June 23. David will take the lead in developing the NC Beach Vitex Task Force and asked that we share information and mapping of BV locations. Laura Schmidt, NI-WB NERR, agreed to take that responsibility.

32 Long Term Funding Strategy: Dave Gordon, US Fish and Wildlife Service Gordon explained the Coastal Ecosystems Program saying it was developed to help in balancing coastal conservation with economic development. The trend shows a substantial increase in the number of people living in coastal areas. If current trends continue, 75% of the population will live in these areas by The SC Coastal Ecosystems Program protects and restores nationally significant habitat in the 5 major coastal watersheds through voluntary partnerships with state agencies, other federal agencies, non-government organizations, business partners and landowners. Gordon feels the Coastal Program is a good match for the BV issue and that the current administration favors these types of partnerships. The invasive species issue is one of the USFWS priorities for the next 5 years. The national funding level is based on need and Congressional interest. Gordon is willing to be more involved in the BV issue than in the past. He usually has funding available in his existing budget and from the national office/invasive species. He mentioned grant opportunities other than the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Gordon has experience in going to the Hill to request funding. When asked about producing a training video for BV, he said they have requested funding in this years budget. He said they have produced several videos during the past 10 years through the Winyah Bay Focus Area Task Force and this group is willing to help produce a beach vitex video. They have contracted the work out to a TN firm who produces broadcast quality productions. The Winyah Bay Focus Area Task Force has a lot of file footage archived with the TN firm that would help save time and money for a new production. The Winyah Bay Focus Area Task Force could help produce a stand alone beach vitex video as a spin-off of a larger video production they have planned on the overall invasive species issues in the Winyah Bay Ecosystem. Adjourn: Betsy Brabson Planning Session: 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Sally Murphy, Randy Westbrooks, Dave Gordon, Jack Whetstone, Chuck Gresham, John Brubaker, Dale Suiter, David Nash, Laura Schmidt, Ted Whitwell,, Anna Toline, Betsy Brabson Betsy Brabson said that a representative from Sen. Lindsey Graham s office, Susan Chapman, attended the morning session and was very interested in the BV issue. She owns a house at Bald Head Island and is familiar with BV. She wants us to keep her updated on our progress. Westbrooks and Betsy invited Sen. Graham to tour some BV locations the next time he is in the area. Sea Turtle Volunteers: Sally Murphy felt that locations of BV would be documented by mid-july. After some consideration, Murphy felt the best system was for volunteers to report a possible location, have a botanist positively ID it, take a GPS reading and send the coordinates to Betsy Brabson. She would forward them to Laura Schmidt to be added to the GIS database. Murphy would like to have brochures to hand out at her Spring Sea Turtle Workshop April 15. FWS will print more of the ones that Jennifer Koches designed for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo. BV partners could be listed on the mostly blank back page. The brochure could also be adapted for the NC BV Task Force. Murphy

33 will find out which projects do not have GPS units so Brabson can purchase them as well as 50 ft. tapes. Disposable cameras could be purchased for the Pawleys, Litchfield and DeBordieu volunteers. If a sea turtle came in contact with BV, the volunteer could take photographs of the turtle s reaction to the plant. Because there is no actual data on sea turtles encountering beach vitex, Anna Toline thought it would be a good idea to obtain data on the effects of BV on turtle nesting behavior. Toline suggested that the volunteers could easily note where false crawls occurred and note whether or not it was in a BV location. This would initiate a data set that could quantify, to some extent, the effect of BV on turtle nesting behavior with limited effort by the volunteers. Murphy and Toline will discuss this at the meeting in April. Murphy suggested that some theoretical nests could be put near a stand of BV. They could be observed to determine if, over time, the plant grew over or into the chamber. Mapping: Brabson and Schmidt will work on developing a standard form for reporting locations of BV to be posted on the webpage so it can be downloaded. Funding: Dave Gordon said USFWS can help fund programs in both NC/SC but the amount of assistance is contingent on funds being available in any given year at the field level. Sea Grant can fund training materials, workshops and train sea turtle volunteers. He said a comprehensive budget is needed. The budget for a video would be about $15,000- $20,000. Randy Westbrooks suggested the BV/NFWF grant could help pay a part of the cost. Research: During the summer of 2005, researchers at the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science will continue their projects seeking to understand the biology and control of beach vitex. Specifically, greenhouse and laboratory studies will attempt to better define any allelopathic relations between Beach Vitex and Sea Oats and between vitex and garden vegetables as a bioassay. These tests will examine the sources of allelochem and their effects on target species growth and the production of hydrophobic soils. On the beaches, sand accumulation measurements will continue, measurement of the ability of vitex to protect dunes from wave-caused erosion will be established, vitex root biomass will be described, the success of hand removal of vitex will be monitored and a replicated test of vitex replacement methods will be installed. We will examine three herbicide application methods that are all appropriate to the windy conditions of front beach dunes and hand removal followed by stump herbicide application. All of these treatments will be planted with one of two species combinations in the fall. Finally we will test methods of eliminating vitex seedlings colonizing new front beach areas. Dr. Courtney Murren of the College of Charleston will begin her work on the genotypic dynamics of the species to determine if the genetic composition of beach vitex has been altered since its introduction to the United States. She will also examine methods of natural regeneration via seed.

34 Anna Toline suggested that ongoing research projects be posted on the webpage. Sally Murphy suggested that an abstract written by the researcher could accompany the research list. Control: Jack Whetstone expressed the need for additional funding for control. He, Larry Nelson and Ted Whitwell would like to replicate some of their work. They would also like to find some alternatives to chemical use. Additional funding will be needed if we are going to grow our own dune plants. Whitwell needs $8000-$10,000 to get started and rent a greenhouse. Dave Gordon said he may be able to help. Anna Toline feels we can pull together volunteers for eradication/restoration. Plant ID Workshops: Help is needed in documenting BV locations where there are no sea turtle volunteers, particularly the north part of the coast. Gary Forrester, Clemson, can contact Master Gardeners to document. The North Strand Master Gardener Assoc. was also suggested. A member, Nancy Edelman, contacted Betsy Brabson on March 7 to say the group was interested in BV and a focus this year was to learn more about invasive plants. She invited Brabson to come speak at one of the Association s meetings. Brabson wrote her and suggested a Plant ID workshop for the group. Sally Murphy suggested contacting trash collectors and beach services that drive on the beach to help document BV locations. Bob Schuhmacher, who attended the symposium, is a retired botanist and interested in helping the Task Force. He told John Brubaker he would do some drawings of BV and was available to help at Plant ID Workshops. Etc.: Lin Roth mentioned during the discussions earlier in the day that she thought it would be good to have a comprehensive natural history review of BV. She would like to do some experiments with BV roots. Anna Toline offered to help Roth coordinate with students if she was interested.

35 The Sun News 03/07/2005 Efforts fight problem plants Page 1 of 5 3/15/2005 Subscriber Services Complete Forecast Search nmlkji Recent News nmlkj Archives nmlkj Web for Go Jobs Cars Real Estate Apartments Local Shopping Find Sales & Deals Shop Local Stores All Classifieds Personals News Breaking News Crime & Courts Columnists Local Headlines Nation Obituaries Photos Politics Weird News World Sports Entertainment Business Living Opinion Back to Home > News > Posted on Mon, Mar. 07, 2005 INVASIVE SPECIES FAST- GROWING BEACH VITEX, KUDZU, PHRAGMITES HAVE BECOME ENVIRONMENTAL MENACES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY Efforts fight problem plants Meetings study how, why to resist spread By Kelly Marshall The Sun News Thick stalks of phragmites and trailing tendrils of kudzu and beach vitex that now appear brown and lifeless will soon be revived in the warmer days of spring. Local Welcome G Sign Up Sign In Tuesd this Before the weather brings tinges of green to the Lowcountry and landscaping efforts kick into high gear, plant specialists are trying to teach Grand Strand residents to identify nuis that threaten the livelihood of native species protecting dunes, wetland and marshes ONLINE EXTRAS Visitors Guide Myrtle Beach Golf NIE Weddings & Engagements Discussion Boards Maps & Directions Yellow Pages Newspaper Ads SITE SERVICES Archives Contact Us Advertise Invasive species of plants on the Grand Strand are being studied by numerous scient members of the S.C. Beach Vitex Task Force to determine how they can be controlled Kudzu and beach vitex were brought to South Carolina to control erosion and provide landscaping. Phragmites, which resembles marsh grass, probably was a stowaway on Europe. The work to stop the spread of invasive species is attracting the attention of the fede government, which dedicated the end of February as National Invasive Weed Awaren An invasive plants workshop was held in Washington this past week. A beach vitex sy posium, the second held in Georgetown County, is planned for Thursday at Hobcaw B There are plans to involve other groups, including the S.C. United Turtle Enthusiasts, to control the plant. Local nursery owners also are taking a stand against beach vitex and other invasive p