Weed management in non-crop areas presents very different problems compared to highly managed agricultural and horticultural crop situations. Invasive weeds can displace native vegetation (or preferred naturalized plants), reduce economic or recreational opportunities, alter fire regimes and generally cause problems with ecosystem services on a local, watershed, and regional basis.
Further complicating the problem of noxious and invasive weeds is the difficulty in implementing control strategies on vast areas of often difficult terrain. For example, yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) has invaded over 12 million acres in California alone! http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/yst.php
Several new short courses sponsored by various Societies, Agencies, and Universities offer land managers an opportunity to develop an understanding of invasion ecology, and ecologically-based management techniques. I'm reposting writeups for three short-courses discussed in a recent newsletter from the Western Society of Weed Science. While I'm hawking weed schools, I'll also plug two regularly-occuring Weed Science events at UC Davis:
2011 North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course (NAIPSC) - July 6-8, 2011
2011 Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) Field School – September 13-15, 2011
WSWS 2011 Noxious Weed Short Course - April 18-21, 2011
Weed Day - July 14, 2011
Weed Science School - September 19-21, 2011
2011 North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course (NAIPSC)
January 21, 2011. Organizers of the 1st annual North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course (NAIPSC) are pleased to announce the receipt of funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the Nebraska Academy of Sciences to help finance graduate student participation. “Providing money to help pay for graduate student registration costs is a significant incentive for those who are interested, but may not be able to pay their own way,” said Steve Young, NAIPSC lead organizer. “We need a good mix of participants with broad interest levels at the NAIPSC and these funds help move us in that direction,” he added. The NAIPSC is three days of intense instruction and learning on the basics of invasive plant ecology and management and will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research & Extension Center in North Platte, NE. The funds, in the form of $300 scholarships, will be available to the first 10 graduate students who register for the NAIPSC. Graduate students must be enrolled in an accredited university graduate program, which may include ecology, natural resources, environmental policy, geospatial sciences, or other subjects relating to the topics of the NAIPSC. In addition, graduate students must complete a 1-2 credit online project in association with their participation in the NAIPSC. For more information, go to http://ipscourse.unl.edu. All interested graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Young at 308-696-6712 or syoung4@unl.edu.
2011 Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) Field School
Are you ready for a new learning experience, where you will take home the skills to start successfully managing invasive plant species? The Western Society of Weed Science is sponsoring the 2011 Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) Field School – September 13-15 in Park Valley, Utah and we hope to see you there! What makes this course so exciting? Our team of instructors uses field demonstration sites managed on local ranches to develop hands-on learning activities. You will gain the knowledge and experience to begin implementing the EBIPM decision framework. EBIPM takes you out of the never-ending cycle of treating the symptoms (invasive weeds) and provides the principles and strategies to start repairing the underlying problems that cause invasion. A greater understanding of the ecological underpinnings of invasive species will yield substantial payoffs.
At the EBIPM field school you will:
· Learn in the field about the processes directing plant community change and how to manage these processes to improve land productivity and health.
· Learn and use site-specific criteria to prevent and manage invasive species.
· Understand how plant communities can become more invasion-resistant/resilient and less likely to suffer from further degradation.
· Implement adaptive management.
· Gain experience to tackle your invasive plant challenges with other weed professionals.
With our learn-by-doing format you will leave the school knowing:
· Methods to assess ecological processes in need of repair.
· Ecological principles to formulate management strategies.
· Technique that allows you to adjust strategies and identify best management practices as management progresses.
Cost of the course is $275.00/ person and will include all meals during the field school. All participants will receive an EBIPM workbook that you can use for developing EBIPM plans for your specific situation. Park Valley, Utah is a small ranching community in Northern Utah that is actively engaged in cooperative weed management using the EBIPM framework. Partial proceeds from registration will benefit the local Parent-Teacher Association who will be providing our meals. The EBIPM Field School will be an adventure – bring your tent or trailer for camping at the local park! Producer/ Rancher scholarships are available. To learn more, download a program or to register visit www.ebipm.org or contact Brenda Smith at brenda.smith@ars.usda.gov or 541 573-4084. Don’t delay; we look forward to your participation!
WSWS 2011 Noxious Weed Short Course
The 2011 Noxious Weed Short Course will be held April 18-21, 2011, at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Loveland, Colorado.
The Western Society of Weed Science Noxious Weed Short Course is an intensive three-day study of current technologies and best management practices associated with the noxious and invasive weeds in the Western United States. It is designed for professionals interested in current advances in noxious weed management.
The WSWS 2011 Noxious Weed Short Course will target local, state, federal government, and other land managers throughout the western region who desire a better understanding of weed management. The Short Course is designed to benefit those new to invasive plant management and experienced professionals seeking a comprehensive update in western invasive weeds and their management.
The short course is limited to 48 participants. Enrollment will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants who are not able to enroll in the current course will be placed on a waiting list and will be given first priority for enrollment in the 2012 Short Course.
The registration fee ($650.00) provides each attendee the educational program, an electronic version of PowerPoint presentations, course manuals, laboratory sessions and related course materials, other supplies and daily refreshment breaks. Lodging is separate.
To register or for further information please visit www.wsweedscience.org/Shortcourse/shortcourse.asp or contact Sandra McDonald at 970-266-9573 or sandrakmcdonald@gmail.com
Weed Day July 14, 2011 :: UC Davis
Scheduled annually in July
Weed Day is an annual event that offers farm advisors, pest control advisors, applicators, growers, chemical company cooperators, college faculty and students, and regulatory officials an opportunity to learn about current weed science research at University of California.
The program begins at 8 AM with a tour of field demonstrations and current research studies in terrestrial and aquatic weed control and is then followed by indoor presentations in the afternoon.. Lunch is included in the registration fee.
Continuing education credit for PCAs, QACs, QALs, and Private Applicators is typically offered.
Questions can be directed to the UC Weed Research & Information Center at (530) 752-1748 or wric@ucdavis.edu.
Weed Science School September 19-21, 2011 :: UC Davis
Scheduled during the Fall of odd-numbered years (even-numbered years we hold an Aquatic Weed School)
The Weed Science School is an intensive three-day course focusing on the mode and mechanism of herbicide activity in plants and the fate of herbicides in the environment. The course covers herbicide selectivity, resistance and additives. Weed biology, ecology and seed bank dynamics are also covered. These topics are presented in a lecture format. Laboratory activities focus on recognition of herbicide symptoms and broadleaf and grass weed identification.
The school is designed for those involved in consulting, research, development, or sales of agricultural chemicals in either the private or public sector. Emphasis is on herbicides registered for use in California and important weeds within the state. A handbook will be provided with lecture summaries and additional information.
Weed Science School will provide a rare opportunity for professionals to efficiently update their understanding of weed science and the action of herbicides in the plant and the environment. This course is designed for the working professional who can appreciate the latest research provided by some of the most respected Weed Scientists in the world.
Questions can be directed to the UC Weed Research & Information Center at (530) 752-1748 or wric@ucdavis.edu.
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