Summary
The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health is developing and providing educational information and programs for Georgians on invasive plant issues.
Situation
Invasive plant species, also known as exotic or nonnative species, are plants that have been introduced into areas outside their natural ranges and cause economic or environmental harm. These plant species are capable of having a negative effect on Georgia's economy, natural environment, and human and animal health. If left uncontrolled, invasive plants can limit land use, cause economic losses, threaten the state's biodiversity, and become a financial burden to control. Because of the potential negative impacts that can result from invasive plant species, the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health is developing and providing educational information and programs for Georgians on invasive plant issues.
The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health's mission is to utilize partnerships and information technology to advance invasive species, forestry and agricultural education (www.bugwood.org).
Response
The Center provides timely, relevant and easily accessible information on invasive plants for landowners, educators, county extension offices, extension personnel, and land managers. All of our publications, articles, brochures, flyers and other promotional tools are available in print and on the World Wide Web (www.bugwood.org). Anyone can access this information that is free for educational uses.
The Center collaborates with the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and others to control and manage the introduction and spread of invasive plant species in Georgia through education and outreach. Center personnel developed promotional tools distributed around the state to county extension offices, schools, college and universities and landowners.
Impact
The Center highlights for 2010 include:
- Developed, printed and distributed the Top 6 Most Unwanted Species (cogongrass, tallowtree, non-native privet, non-native olive's, multiflora rose, Japanese climbing fern) Poster for State Parks, Georgia Forestry Commission and CES offices;
- Developed, printed and distributed tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium Japonicum) early detection miniflyers;
- Developed a marketing plan for invasive plant species awareness for Georgia Invasive Species Task Force partners;
- Expanded online resources – top 6 poster, miniflyers, brochures, publications;
- Developed the Georgia Invasive Plant Management Handbook (113 pages) which is available online and as pdf includes an Introduction, Step-By Step Instructions for Reporting an Invasive Plant Sighting in EDDMapS, Introduction to GPS, Choosing a GPS Receiver, Plant collecting guidelines and preparing Herbarium Specimens, Digital imaging, Field Preparation, and EDRR-Invasive Plants to Watch for in Georgia;
- Developed Invasive Species in Georgia Presentation which is a narrated 104 slide power point video addressing the problems invasive species cause and what citizens can do to help.
- Developed one page plant factsheets covering identification, habitat and distribution, impact, distribution, control recommendations and images for cogongrass, tallowtree, non-native privet, non-native olive's, multiflora rose and Japanese climbing fern;
- Produced articles on EDDMapS Training Workshops in Georgia, Georgia Cogongrass Task Force, and Noxious Weeds in Georgia (Lygodium spp.). These articles were published on Georgia Faces website, Wildland Weeds and several local newspapers;
- Produced posters for numerous state and regional conferences and events about the Center's efforts across Georgia;
- Updated and redesigned website for Georgia Invasive species Task Force, www.gainvasives.org;
- 12 educational programs with 506 attendees, totaling 664 CEU's
State Issue
Conservation & Management of Natural Resources
Details
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Year:
2010
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Geographic Scope:
State
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County:
Tift
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Unit, Department, or Group:
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
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Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
