Invasive species workshop slated Oct. 28-30 in Anchorage
October 21, 2014
907-474-5406
10/21/2014
The Alaska Invasive Species Workshop Oct. 28-30 in Anchorage will highlight invasive species management around the state, with an emphasis on elodea and other aquatic plants.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host the workshop at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown hotel.
Workshop coordinator Gino Graziano said elodea is a concern because the aquatic freshwater plant grows so fast it can reduce fish habitats and create difficulties for recreational boaters and for pilots landings on lakes.
“It’s the only aquatic weed in Alaska that’s been targeted for eradication,” he said. The plant, grown in aquariums, has been found in rivers and lakes in Southcentral, the Kenai Peninsula, Cordova and Fairbanks.
Presentations will cover elodea control on the Kenai Peninsula, stakeholder preferences on eradication, Flouridone treatment and preparing permits for elodea treatment.. Other sessions will cover caribou control on Kagalaska Island, Anchorage bird cherry, using citizen science for detection of marine invasive species, and other research and management topics.
Four hands-on workshops Oct. 30 will provide training on herbicides, terrestrial and aquatic weed control, weed management in rights of way, revegetation and using the exotic plant data portal. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation will offer continuing education credits to certified pesticide applicators who attend the workshop.
The agenda and registration are located at www.alaskainvasives.org. The workshop was organized by the Alaska Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plant Management and the Alaska Invasive Species Group, informal groups composed of agencies and organizations statewide. For more information, contact the Anchorage District Extension office at 907-786-6300.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Brianne Blackburn, 907-745-8785, Brianne.Blackburn@alaska.gov
DC/10-21-14/093-15