Weed Watchers Guide. Invasive species early detection and rapid response for the Tualatin River Watershed OREGONINVASIVESHOTLINE.

Transcription

1 Weed Watchers Guide Invasive species early detection and rapid response for the Tualatin River Watershed OREGONINVASIVESHOTLINE.ORG

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents Introduction to Early Detection and Rapid Response... Tualatin River Watershed Weed Watchers... Become a Weed Watcher!... Web Resources... How to Report... Shrubs Indigo Bush... Japanese Knotweed... Pokeweed... Spurge Laurel... Herbs Drooping Sedge... False Brome... Garlic Mustard... Giant Hogweed... Goats Rue... Italian Arum... Japanese Butterbur... Lesser Celandine... Orange Hawkweed... Policeman s Helmet... Yellow Archangel... Yellow & Purple Starthistle... Aquatics South American Water Primrose... Parrotfeather... Purple Loosestrife... Yellow Floating Heart Photo Credits... Acknowledgements

3 Introduction to Early Detection and Rapid Response Early Detection and Rapid Response is an approach to invasive species management that focuses on surveying and monitoring areas to find and treat infestations at their earliest stages of invasion. Monitoring can be conducted actively or passively. In active monitoring, an individual visits a site regularly and thoroughly surveys for a particular species or set of species. In passive monitoring, new invasives are found as monitors do regular activities such as walking, hiking, or riding in a vehicle. Once a targeted species is found, control measures are implemented rapidly to prevent establishment and spread. After prevention, EDRR is the most successful, cost effective, and least environmentally harmful. Introduction INVASION CURVE Local control and management ONLY AREA INFESTED Public awareness typically begins Detection Eradication FEASIBLE Eradication UNLIKEY, intense effort required CONTROL COSTS Introduction Prevention or Eradication Easier TIME 3

4 Introduction Tualatin River Watershed Weed Watchers Tualatin River Watershed Weed Watchers Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Program is a partnership between volunteers, nonprofits and government agencies. Volunteers and staff look for and report new, high priority invasive species in the Tualatin River Watershed. Reports are then investigated and infestations are controlled by various partnering groups and/or agencies. This EDRR weed identification guide was developed to aid in identifying, detecting and reporting the weeds that have been given priority for early detection and rapid response in the Tualatin River Watershed. Thank you in advance for your commitment to keeping invasive weeds out of our region. Become a Weed Watcher! We provide free trainings to individuals, groups, and organizations so they can help. The effort to control invasive species will succeed only with public support. There is too much ground to cover. To become a Weed Watcher or to get more booklets contact Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District at swcd.net. Watch for weeds, but don t spread em: Take care not to spread invasive plant seeds or materials as you hike, bike, or boat! Brush off your boots, bike, horse and dog before leaving an infested area. If you get in water, clean and dry your boat, footwear and gear before going to a new place. Learn more at playcleango.org. 4

5 Web Resources Descriptions and photos of listed noxious weeds in the state of Oregon: oregon.gov/oda/plant/weeds Photographs of and control information for invasive species: invasive.org Introduction General invasive species information and resources: 4countyCWMA.org opb.org/programs/invasives kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsandplants/ noxious-weeds.aspx invasivespeciesoforegon.com westerninvasivesnetwork.org wmswcd.org/types/invasive-species swcd.net/resource-area/invasive-and-noxious-species playcleango.org How to Report a Sighting Do you suspect that you have found any of the weeds in this ID guide in the Tualatin River Watershed? Please make a report, so invasive species experts can follow up. 1. Collect information Take a picture: Include something to show scale (a ruler or a common object like a quarter) and close-ups of distinctive features of the plant. Take your time to make sure the photo is in focus. Collect a written description: Flower color, shape and size; leaf shape/size; is the plant hairy, etc. 5

6 Introduction Collect location information: GPS coordinates are the best. Written directions to the site work too. The closest address, intersection or mile marker, or how far past a trail or bridge crossing, as well as nearby landmarks are most helpful. Estimate the size of infestation: How many feet wide and how many feet long is the weed patch? Or you may estimate the number of plants at the site. 2. Make your report The easiest reporting method is to click the Report Now button on oregoninvasiveshotline.org. Fill out the form, including plant description, location and infestation size. Make sure to add your images of the plant. Often we need more information before we can respond to a report, so please include your contact information. If you don t have access to the internet, the second way to report a sighting is by calling Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District. 3. Experts will respond When we receive a report of a species in this guide, we will most likely: Contact you with follow-up questions, if needed. Contact the landowner and request permission to visit the reported site. Visit the site to verify the species. Determine if the area/habitat is one in which control is appropriate. Determine the most effective response. Begin control of the species as soon as possible, if appropriate 6