Best Management Best Management Practices for Invasive Practices for Invasive

SpeciesSpecies

Avoid introduction of new species into priority areas.

Local eradication of new infestations. Slow the spread of existing infestations. Maintain sustainability of ecosystems.

Reed canary grass

Objectives of BMP’s

Wisconsin Council on Forestry

Task groups on issues

Invasives

Forest Invasives Leadership Team (FILT)

Governor’s Forestry

Conference

How the Best Management Practices (BMP) process got started

Best Management Practices for Invasive Species

Four Parallel Tracks

ForestryLoggers, Foresters, Landowners

Recreational UsersCampers, Hikers, ATV riders, Horse riders, Bicyclists,etc.

Rights of Way DOT, County / Township Roads Managers, Utilities

Urban ForestryUrban Foresters, Arborists, Nurseries, Landscapers, Homeowners

ATV impacts in northern WI

“Wisconsin Forestry’s Best Management Practices for Invasive

Species:Field Manual for Loggers,

Landowners and Land Managers”

“Wisconsin Forestry’s Best Management Practices for Invasive

Species:Field Manual for Loggers,

Landowners and Land Managers”

Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species -

Audiences

Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species -

Audiences Foresters – federal, state,

county, private, industrial, tribal Loggers – independent, mill

contract Other land managers – wildlife,

fisheries, natural areas, conservation holdings

Private landowners Industrial landowners

Outline for Invasive Forestry BMPs

Chapters- Purpose and Scope Statement Introduction Elements of Invasive Species

Management Management Planning Forest stewardship activities Timber Harvesting Forest Access Reforestation and Restoration Fire Management Wildlife Management Transport & storage of wood products Glossy buckthorn

Outline for Invasive Forestry BMPs

Appendices Detection, inventory and monitoring Managing established populations

(control, prioritization) List of invasive plants List of invasive invertebrates List of non-native diseases Recommended seed mixes Matrix linking the invasive species and

the BMP’s Resources Sources of financial assistance Regulations References

Glossy buckthorn

Chapter 4 – Forest Stewardship

BMP 4.1: Prior to moving equipment onto and off of an activity area, scrape or brush soil and debris from exterior surfaces, to the extent practical, to minimize the risk of transporting seeds, vegetative material, or insects.

Sample Draft BMPSample Draft BMP

Horses Motorized Vehicles Mountain Bikes Hunting and Angling Hiking and General Recreation Camping Winter Sports Campground Management Trail Management Public

Overview of Potential Recreational BMPs and

Audience

Road/trail construction and maintenance- Clean equipment prior to construction- Acquire clean fill, gravel, woodchips and mulch- Time any mowing to cut off bolting stems- Regularly monitor for new invasions along roads

Report new infestations

- Collect voucher specimens or photograph and report new species or new counties of occurrence. - Report to DNR or any UW herbarium.

Learn to identify plants in the area

• Learn your area’s invasive plants

• Learn to spot new invaders

and new infestations

• Learn basic ID characteristics

between invasive and native

or non-invasive species

Hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) - Often mistaken for native broad-leaf cattail and assumed to indicate a healthy wetland

Choose planting stock carefully• Avoid “miracle” plants that are fast

growing, control erosion, claim to provide ideal wildlife habitat or food

Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) promoted for quick turkey habitat

Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) promoted for fast growth and coppicing for frequent harvests

Choose seed mixes carefully

• Specify native or non-invasive nonnative species• Avoid single species plantings• Verify that only specified seed is being planted

• Require certified weed-free mulch

Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) still in some NRCS seed mixes and very aggressive in full sun northern habitats

Avoid creating habitat for weeds

• Minimize soil disturbance

• If possible, limit soil disturbing activities, such as logging, to frozen soil conditions

• Use erosion control practices

• Seed in with cover crop as soon

• Use certified weed-free mulch

• Keep trail width narrow and minimize fragmenting habitats to minimize edges

Avoid transporting pests• Inspect gear and vehicles for egg masses after

being parked for more than a few hours• Do not move firewood more than 50 miles • Do not move any firewood from areas with known

infestations of any wood-borne pests• When planting into a forested area, remove the

soil, clean the roots and plant bare-root to avoid moving soil invertebrates, seeds, eggs and disease organisms

Don’t let pets spread seeds

• Don’t allow dogs to run free in infested areas when seeds are present

• Carefully brush dogs and dispose of seeds• Clean horses coats and hooves before leaving

the barn• Use weed free hay if having horses staged near

wild areas• Use weed free feed if available a few days prior

to going into wild areas

Time mowing carefully• Know what species you are trying to contain by

mowing• For most species, mow after bolting, but before

flowers open• Avoid mowing after seeds

have begun to form • Do not mow from an infestation• with seeds to uninfested areas

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is best mown immediately after theFlowers have opened (late June/e. July)

Avoid Spreading Seed

• Do not route trails through infestations with hitch-hiking seeds

• Stay on trails/roads• Keep vegetation trimmed back from trails to

avoid brushing against seeds• Create equipment staging areas where seeds

won’t get picked up. Mow or spray staging areas before bringing gear in.

Gear Cleaning

• Clean all equipment before going to the field– Steam clean– Pressure wash– Spray– Sweep/Scrape off soil and seeds– Brush/knock off soil

• Clean boots and shoes

• Clean clothing – dispose carefully of seeds

Weeds To Watch For: Plants that have the potential to become invasive in Wisconsin,

but are not yet widespread

Black swallow-wort

(Vincetoxicum nigrum)

Japanese Hops(Humulus japonicus)

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Japanese Hedge Parsley Spreading Hedge Parsley (Torilis japonica) (Torilis arvensis)

Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) )

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)

NRCS

Jed and Bonie McClellan

Cut-leaved Teasel(Dipsacus laciniatus)

Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin DNR

Common Teasel(Dipsacus sylvestris)

. kelly S Kearns

Stephen L. Solheim

Japanese Stilt Grass(Microstegium vimineum)