National Forest System Invasive Species Management Program ...

IPCBC
Shutting Out Invaders Conference
Moving from Invasive Plants to
“Invasive Species”
Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia
Vancouver, B.C. – January 24, 2012
Mike Ielmini, TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist
Falls Church, Virginia, USA

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive Species Threaten
• Biodiversity
• Ecosystem Health
• Soil Stability
• Water quality
• Native Fish and
Wildlife
• Recreational Values
• Human Health
• Communities
• Forest Productivity
• Cultural Needs and
Heritage Areas
• Threatened and
Endangered Species
• Aesthetics
• The Economy
• Lifestyles
• …..and much more

Economic Costs
Pimentel, et al. (1999) –
Over 120,000 non-native species of plants, animals and
microbes have invaded the United States, United
Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India, and Brazil, and
many have caused major economic losses in agriculture
and forestry as well as negatively impacting ecological
integrity. The estimate is that non-native species
invasions in the six nations are causing more than
US$ 314 billion per year in damages.

Economic Costs
In 2010, The Nature Conservancy
estimated damages from invasive
species worldwide totaled more than
$1.4 Trillion – five percent of the
global economy.

Our Future is At Stake

The Big Picture

Water
Insects
Plants
Mammals
Birds
Air
Fish
Microbes
Plants
Soil
Sun
Humans
Mollusks
Reptiles
Amphibians
Crusteaceans

Moving from Invasive Plants
to
Invasive Species

The Vision
What are we trying to
achieve
“Healthy and resilient British
Columbia landscapes,
free of the negative impacts of
invasive species”

These invaders undermine almost every effort to
conserve, protect, or sustain these landscapes for
future generations.
Lifestyles are being impacted

Basic Concept
Everything in the Ecosystem
is Connected

Basic Concept
…..and the impact of our activities
across the landscape are connected
and magnified when we join together
against the common interests.

…..Therefore, it is critical to
INTEGRATE AND COORDINATE
those activities to
Maximize Effectiveness

“Collaboration exemplifies the
value of synergy and coordination
to increase efficiency and
effectiveness in meeting a common
goal” – BC I.S. Strategy

Basic Concepts
1. Nobody can do this alone
2. Everyone has limited capacity
3. We need to work together and share
resources
Therefore, It is Critical to
Leverage Existing Capacity and Capabilities

It Will Not Be Easy
to Coordinate or Cooperate
There will be resistance to sharing,
communicating, and partnering
Driven by insecurity
and
competition for limited resources

Different Interests
Different Values
Different Perspectives
Different Capabilities
Different Strengths
Different Weaknesses

Communication
• There is usually too little rather than too much
• Recognize your communication limitations
and strive for improvement.
• Ask for help if you can’t reach your intended
audience.
• Think outside your box with messaging and
marketing.
• Overcome your biases wherever possible

COMMON GROUND IS NOT HARD
TO FIND
As long as you don’t have
“20/20 Tunnel Vision”

THERE IS STRENGTH IN
DIVERSITY
AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH
NON-TRADITIONAL STAKEHOLDERS
You have the power
to unlock the doors that keep you
ISOLATED

Strategic Invasive Species
Management Elements
ARE NOT UNIQUE
TO ONLY ONE SPECIES GROUP
And can often happen in the same
geographic area

Basic Management Elements
and Activities
• Prevention (#1)
• Early Detection and Rapid Response (#2)
• Control and Management
• Restoration and Rehabilitation (Pre- and Post-Invasion)
• Surveys, Inventories, Mapping, and Monitoring
• Research and Technology Development
• Education and Information Transfer
• Partnerships and Coordination

Basic Approach
Invasive species management across the
landscape should be approached in the same
context as “safety”….
….integrated into each program and facet of
our activities on the landscape. Everyone can
take part in the battle against the invasive
species threat in their own small way.

Invasive Species Management
“A Means To and End”

Integration: Invasive Survey, Inventory & Treatment

Management Activity Subunits
Subunit 004
Activity:2550
Biocontrol-Classic
Insect Release
Invasive Plant
Subunit 000
Subunit 001
Activity: 2510
Pesticide Application
Exotic Fish
Subunit 002
Activity 2530
Trapping
Invasive Vertebrate
Subunit 003
Activity 2510
Pesticide Application
Invasive Plant

Acres Infested
Control Costs
Eradication unlikely,
intense effort required
Invasive Species Increase Over Time and Control Potential
Eradication
feasible
Local control and
management only
Eradication
simple
Public Awareness
typically begins here
Introduction
Detection
Plant absent
Scattered
locations
Time
Numerous
locations
At or near biological potential

Acres Infested
Control Costs
Eradication unlikely,
intense effort required
Invasive Species Increase Over Time and Control Potential
Eradication
feasible
Local control and
management only
Eradication
simple
Public Awareness can
be happen sooner with
broader coalitions
Introduction
Detection
Plant absent
Scattered
locations
Time
Numerous
locations
At or near biological potential

The Basics of How To Make A
Raise Awareness of the
Threat in All Circles
Network and Share
Resources
Be Tenacious and
Vigilant
Plan and Act for the
Long-Term
Difference:

Raise Awareness

Network and Share Resources
Cooperate and Collaborate
Not
Coordinated
Well Coordinated
and Effective

Tenacity and Vigilance

Never underestimate the power of a few
committed people to change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

Long-Range Strategic
Planning

Please,
THEIR FUTURE
Is At Stake

IPCBC
Shutting Out Invaders Conference
Moving from Invasive Plants to
“Invasive Species”
Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia
Vancouver, B.C. – January 24, 2012
Mike Ielmini, TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist
Falls Church, Virginia, USA