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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20251216T140137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T125023Z
UID:137023-1773838800-1773842400@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Invasive Grasses and Wildfire Risk in California: From Landscape Patterns to Restoration Solutions
DESCRIPTION:Invasive annual grasses are reshaping fire behavior across California\, increasing ignition frequency and altering recovery pathways in fire prone landscapes. This webinar explores how invasive plants contribute to wildfire risk and what land managers can do in response. Dr. Robert Fitch will provide a broad ecological perspective on grass driven fire cycles and share findings from revegetation trials designed to reduce fire risk while supporting native ecosystem recovery in the wildland urban interface. Participants will gain insight into the science behind invasive grass driven fire dynamics as well as practical strategies for post fire restoration and long term risk reduction. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRobert Fitch\, Postdoctoral Researcher\, University of California Santa BarbaraRobert Fitch is a vegetation and fire ecologist whose work focuses on developing science to support land management in California. His research integrates fire science and restoration ecology to better understand how wildfire risk can be reduced while enhancing native ecosystems in the wildland urban interface.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-invasive-grasses-and-wildfire-risk-in-california-from-landscape-patterns-to-restoration-solutions/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wildfire1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260227T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260227T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20260107T141808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T141949Z
UID:137116-1772197200-1772200800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Invasive Species Threaten American Food Security
DESCRIPTION:Invasive species pose a growing and often underrecognized threat to American food security\, public health\, and economic stability. This webinar will present key findings from a white paper developed by the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)\, which outlines how invasive animals\, plants\, and pathogens directly threaten the food security\, prosperity\, health\, and safety of the American people. \n\n\n\nThe presentation will examine how invasive species damage and disrupt farmland\, livestock\, crops\, fisheries\, aquaculture\, and hunting\, fishing\, and subsistence food systems. These impacts ripple outward\, affecting jobs\, rural economies\, and the industries that support farming and ranching communities across U.S. states and territories. \n\n\n\nBy highlighting ISAC’s recommendations to federal partners\, this session will underscore the importance of strategic investment in prevention\, early detection\, and coordinated response. These actions are essential not only for protecting agricultural productivity\, but also for defending community health\, strengthening food systems\, and reducing long term risks associated with invasive species spread. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeghan Brown\, Administrator Plant Health and Compliance\, Nevada Department of AgricultureMeghan moved to Elko\, Nevada after graduating university to work for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association as their Executive Director. Meghan then worked for Congressman Mark Amodei as his Rural Representative\, with a focus on federal land issues and oversight of regulation that affected the rural fabric of the west. Meghan joined the Nevada Department of Agriculture in 2016 and is currently serving as the Administrator for the Division of Plant Health and Compliance. She serves the agricultural community in Nevada through engagement on issues ranging from invasive species\, native seed development\, and establishment of the regional Early Detection and Rapid Response Network.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-invasive-species-threaten-american-food-security/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-2184817491fs.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20251219T133022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T125149Z
UID:137035-1772110800-1772114400@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: The Surprising Intersection between Marine Invasive Species and Public Health
DESCRIPTION:From the introduction of deadly microbes into seafood to the clogging of cooling systems of a nuclear power plant\, marine invasive species are more than just costly pests that harm food webs. This talk will explore some of the surprising ways that marine invasive species impact our health\, and summarize a new white paper from the Invasive Species Advisory Committee\, advising federal agencies on “Opportunities to Improve Marine Biosecurity“. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristy Martin\, Program Manager & Information Officer\, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)\, University of Hawaii at Manoa – Pacific Cooperative Studies UnitChristy Martin has worked on terrestrial and marine invasive species issues in Hawai‘i and the Pacific region for more than 25 years. She is the Program Manager & Information Officer for the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS\, pronounced “see-gaps”)\, a partnership of agencies and organizations working to protect Hawaii from the impacts of invasive species. In 2022\, Christy was appointed to Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)\, which provides information and advice for consideration by the National Invasive Species Council\, and was reappointed in 2025 as ISAC Chair where she co-led the development of a white paper on marine biosecurity.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-the-surprising-intersection-of-marine-biosecurity-and-public-health/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/nisaw22.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20260107T135547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T174231Z
UID:137111-1772024400-1772028000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Current Situation of the New World Screwworm in Mexico
DESCRIPTION:The New World screwworm remains one of the most serious transboundary threats to animal health\, livelihoods\, and public health in the Americas. In this webinar\, participants will learn about the current situation of the New World screwworm in Mexico and the actions being carried out to prevent its spread and protect both livestock and people. \n\n\n\nThis presentation will outline Mexico’s national control efforts\, including surveillance\, response strategies\, and coordination among veterinary\, agricultural\, and regulatory agencies. Attendees will hear about the results achieved to date and how early detection\, rapid intervention\, and sustained management are critical to limiting impacts. \n\n\n\nBeyond economic losses\, New World screwworm infestations pose direct risks to animal welfare and human health. The larvae can infest wounds in livestock\, wildlife\, pets\, and humans\, causing severe tissue damage and\, in untreated cases\, life threatening complications. By highlighting Mexico’s ongoing control actions\, this webinar underscores the importance of invasive species prevention and response as a frontline defense for public health\, food security\, and cross border biosecurity. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGabriel Ayala-Borunda\, Director General of Animal Health\, of the National Service for Health\, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) in MexicoGabriel Ayala-Borunda is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Master’s degree in Microbiology and serves as Director General of Animal Health at the National Service for Health\, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) in Mexico. He has extensive experience in animal health research; the evaluation and implementation of animal and plant health and safety programs; and the national coordination of federal programs addressing animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis\, brucellosis\, rabies in bovines and other susceptible species\, and tick control. He has served as a consultant on projects for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations\, the Inter-American Development Bank\, and the Trade Agreement between Mexico and the European Union\, and has worked as a private advisor to dairy production units in northern Mexico.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-current-situation-of-the-new-world-screwworm-in-mexico/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-2188801605sw-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20260107T134752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T174152Z
UID:137106-1771938000-1771941600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Alberta Wild Boar Control Program: Challenges and Successes
DESCRIPTION:Wild boar are among the most destructive invasive mammals in North America\, posing serious risks to agriculture\, ecosystems\, and human health. In this webinar\, participants will gain an inside look at the Alberta Wild Boar Control Program and the coordinated efforts underway to eliminate this invasive species from the province. \n\n\n\nThe presentation will provide an overview of recent regulatory changes\, field operations\, and cross jurisdictional collaborations that support Alberta’s approach to wild boar control. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges associated with detecting and eradicating wild boar populations\, including their high reproductive capacity\, adaptability\, and ability to evade traditional management techniques. The speaker will also highlight key successes achieved through strategic planning\, innovation\, and partnership\, and discuss what comes next for the program. \n\n\n\nImportantly\, this session will connect wild boar management to broader public health protection. Wild boar can carry and spread diseases such as African swine fever\, brucellosis\, and other zoonotic pathogens that threaten livestock\, food systems\, and human health. By focusing on prevention\, rapid response\, and sustained control\, Alberta’s program demonstrates how invasive species management plays a critical role in defending community health and reducing the risk of disease spread across landscapes and borders. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHannah McKenzie\, Wild Boar Specialist\, Alberta Agriculture and IrrigationHannah graduated from the University of Alberta with an MSc in Mathematical and Statistical Biology and an MSc in Applied Mathematics. Prior to taking on her current role as Wild Boar Specialist\, Hannah worked with the Alberta Aquatic Invasive Species program along with her K9 partner Seuss. Hannah employs her quantitative skills to make evidence-informed policy and program decisions.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-alberta-wild-boar-control-program-challenges-and-successes/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-2204668507fs2-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260223T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260223T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20260112T175333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T174127Z
UID:137181-1771851600-1771858800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: USGS Invasive Species Science: Innovation for a Healthy Nation
DESCRIPTION:This webinar highlights how U.S. Geological Survey scientists are advancing innovative\, science based approaches to prevent\, detect\, and manage invasive species across diverse ecosystems. Presentations explore the role of invasion biology within a One Health framework\, emerging point of use environmental DNA tools for invasive species\, parasite\, and pathogen surveillance\, and the use of molecular techniques to understand wildlife and fish health. Speakers also examine applied research on contaminants and health effects in aquatic systems\, strategies to reduce wildfire risk from invasive vegetation in Hawaii\, and the development of acoustic deterrents to control invasive carp. Together\, these talks demonstrate how USGS research supports ecosystem resilience\, public health\, and natural resource management nationwide. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Camille Hopkins\, Wildlife Disease Specialist\, USGS Biological Threats and Invasive Species ProgramCamille is the Wildlife Disease Specialist for the Ecosystems Mission Area. At USGS headquarters\, Camille coordinates national science efforts related to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife disease. Camille will be presenting on the: Role of Invasion Biology in a One Health Approach. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Katy Klymus\, Research Biologist\, USGS Columbia Environmental Research CenterSince joining the USGS in 2016\, Katy’s research focus has been on using genetic and genomic methods to inform wildlife species management. Currently she is studying environmental DNA methods\, how they can be used to assess current levels of and changes in biodiversity\, and development of standards for eDNA analyses. Katy will be presenting on the: Current Development of Point-of-Use eDNA Tools for Invasive Species\, Parasite\, and Pathogen Surveillance. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Heather Walsh\, Research Fish Biologist\, USGS Eastern Ecological Sciences CenterDr. Walsh has focused on developing molecular techniques to better understand mechanisms associated with disease in wild fish. To serve this purpose\, she has developed her skills in histopathology\, in situ hybridization techniques\, and laser capture microdissection. The use of these techniques has helped to understand disease observed during fish health assessments conducted in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay (including the Susquehanna and Potomac River drainage). Dr. Walsh will be presenting on: Heavy Metals\, PFAS\, and Health Effects in Blue Catfish from the Patuxent River. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Michala Phillips\, Research Ecologist\, USGS Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research CenterMichala is passionate about using basic science to create knowledge that can be used to support sustainable restoration and management needs of ecosystems. She integrates community\, ecosystem\, plant and microbial ecology in her research by using statistical modeling to combine data from a diversity of approaches (field\, greenhouse\, sensor networks\, soil chemistry and molecular biology techniques). Her aim is to build a better understanding of community assembly and ecosystem processes following disturbances to inform restoration and adaptive land management efforts. Michala will be presenting on: Bridging Science and Practice to Reduce Fire Risk from Invasive Vegetation in Hawaiʻi. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Marybeth Brey\, Research Fish Biologist\, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences CenterFor the past five years\, Dr. Brey has conducted research on the movement dynamics of invasive Asian carps\, both with Southern Illinois University and with the USGS in La Crosse\, Wisconsin. Dr. Brey joined the USGS in 2015 and is currently responsible for conducting research related to movement dynamics of invasive Asian carps in the Illinois River and conducting all studies related to the use of underwater sound to deter invasive fishes in collaboration with the USACE-ERDC\, USGS-CERC\, and University of Minnesota-Duluth. Dr. Brey will be presenting on: Developing Acoustic Deterrents for Invasive Carp Control.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-usgs-invasive-species-science-innovation-for-a-healthy-nation/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/eDNA-detection-1-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111017
CREATED:20251216T132346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260102T153407Z
UID:137016-1769605200-1769610600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Rethinking Invasive Species Communication: Updates from National Workshops and Research
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will explore how the words we use to talk about invasive species can either support or undermine effective management. Drawing on insights from the Sea Grant-led Invasive Species Language Workshop hosted during National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2024\, speakers will look at message framing\, metaphors\, and naming conventions that can unintentionally reinforce xenophobia or exclusion\, as well as approaches that foster inclusion and collaboration instead. \n\n\n\nPresenters will also share early findings from a national survey on invasive species language and common names\, highlighting how different audiences perceive current terms and where there is support for change. Participants will come away with a better understanding of why language matters\, examples of more inclusive communication practices\, and ideas for improving outreach\, education\, and policy discussions around invasive species. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTim Campbell\, Wisconsin Sea GrantTim is the aquatic invasive species program manager for the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Program and the National AIS Liaison for the NOAA Sea Grant Program. He supports AIS prevention outreach\, communications\, and program evaluation\, and works to apply university and Sea Grant resources to AIS issues. He has been with Wisconsin Sea Grant since 2011. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEl Lower\, Michigan Sea GrantEl Lower works with the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS)\, developing and updating species profiles and maps used to track the spread of non-native species throughout the Great Lakes region. El combines experience in stakeholder engagement and science communication to create and promote outreach material on aquatic invasive species and their management efforts at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL) in Ann Arbor. When not combing through literature reviews or teaching kids about lampreys at tabling events\, El can usually be found out in the woods with a stack of field guides or testing new recipes featuring wild and local ingredients. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristine Gilbert\, PhD\, Stony Brook UniversityChristine is an assistant professor at Stony Brook University in New York with joint appointments in the Department of Communication and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Her research focuses on utilizing more effective communication strategies to improve outcomes in scientific and environmental contexts. In collaboration with colleagues\, she is currently working on a number of projects focused on understanding perceptions of current invasive species naming conventions and communication strategies\, and is applying these findings to a local park in New York City struggling with Phragmites. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCatherine de Rivera\, PhD\, Portland State UniversityDr. Catherine de Rivera is a professor of environmental science and management at Portland State University. An ecologist with more than 25 years of experience\, her research examines the spread\, impacts\, and management of introduced marine species\, including long-term work on invasive green crabs. She is particularly interested in how biological invasions intersect with climate change\, habitat connectivity\, and human activities. More recently\, her work has expanded to explore how language and naming conventions shape public perception and management of invasive species. Dr. de Rivera integrates applied research\, collaborative working groups\, and teaching to advance more effective and inclusive approaches to invasive species science and communication.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-rethinking-invasive-species-communication-updates-from-national-workshops-and-research/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/janweb.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250908T115303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T155022Z
UID:136014-1765976400-1765981800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Biocontrol Allies: Managing Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-Heaven
DESCRIPTION:Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) are closely linked invasive species that continue to threaten North American forests\, agriculture\, and ecosystems. This webinar will explore promising biocontrol solutions aimed at managing these invasive pests. \n\n\n\n\nDr. Hannah Broadley (USDA APHIS): An update on the search for and use of natural enemies to manage spotted lanternfly.\n\n\n\nDr. Scott Salom (Virginia Tech): An introduction to tree-of-heaven and research on the use of weevils and fungi as biocontrol agents\, including their potential for area-wide suppression.\n\n\n\nDr. Francesca Marini (BBCA): An overview of tree-of-heaven biology and the use of mite biocontrol in a North American context.\n\n\n\n\nJoin us to learn about the prospects for integrating multiple agents and the future of managing these invasive species through emerging solutions to one of the most pressing invasive species challenges facing our forests\, landscapes\, and communities. \n\n\n\n\nWEBINAR LINK\n\n\n\n\nClosing in on use of weevils and fungi as allies towards area-wide suppression of tree-of-heaven\, a critical host of spotted lanternflyPresented by Dr. Scott M. Salom\, Department of Entomology\, Virginia Tech \n\n\n\nA host-specific native fungal wilt pathogen is being developed as a bioherbicide for use against tree-of-heaven. It has demonstrated significant efficacy in field trials and its development towards eventual availability in the US is looking like a real possibility. Concurrently\, a weevil native to China and host-specific pest of this tree in its native habitat\, has been studied extensively in China and in Quarantine in the US. It attacks the tree under the bark and kills trees that are under stress. In the lab the weevil has been shown to readily inoculate the seedlings with the fungus when feeding on the stems. This weevil is close to being approved for release by USDA APHIS. Once both biological control agents are approved\, efforts will focus on determining how best to deploy them\, alone and together\, with the goal of maximizing their efficacy.  \n\n\n\nAn update on evaluations of candidate biological control agents to manage spotted lanternfly populationsPresented by Dr. Hannah Broadley\, Supervisory Biological Scientist\, USDA APHIS \n\n\n\nIn this talk\, Dr. Broadley will provide an overview of natural enemies of spotted lanternfly\, with a focus on parasitoids being evaluated for classical (or importation) biological control. Natural enemies of spotted lanternfly are present both in the native range and invasive ranges of spotted lanternfly and host specific species are being considered and evaluated as candidate biological control agents. In particular\, the focus of this work is on parasitoids of spotted lanternfly from the native range of China including the egg parasitoid Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) and the nymphal parasitoid Dryinus sinicus (Hymenoptera: Dryinid). Extensive testing determined A. orientalis to have too broad of a host range to warrant further testing. However\, from testing to date\, D. sinicus appears to be a promising candidate biological agent. This presentation will also include a summary of evaluations of natural enemies of spotted lanternfly in Vietnam\, where spotted lanternfly is also native\, and South Korea and Japan\, which both have invasive populations. \n\n\n\nA tiny arthropod\, Aculus taihangensis\, for the management of the global invader Tree of heavenPresented by Dr. Francesca Marini\, Research Leader\, BBCA \n\n\n\nOriginally from China but recently recorded also outside its native range\, Aculus taihangensis is an eriophyid mite species that attacks Tree of heaven. An overview of the potential of A. taihangensis as a biological control agent and its possible contribution to the long-term\, effective management of the tree of heaven will be provided. Host range testing with non-target species\, either phylogenetically or ecologically related to the Tree of heaven\, or economically important\, demonstrated the specificity of the mite for the target species. Field observations and impact testing revealed that the mite significantly reduces the biomass and fitness of new sprouts and seedlings. Finally\, the presentation will share preliminary results from an ongoing experiment studying the efficacy of combining the mite with a mechanical control method. This method shows promise for including A. taihangensis into an integrated management strategy for the control of Tree of heaven. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Scott M. Salom\, Department of Entomology\, Virginia TechDr. Salom is a Professor of Entomology at Virginia Tech focusing on forest pests. He has 25 years of experience in classical biological control. Much of the focus has been identifying\, studying\, implementing\, and assessing specialist natural enemies of hemlock woolly adelgid and tree-of-heaven. He has been the PI for 32 graduate students\, many of whom are professionals throughout and outside the US. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Hannah Broadley\, Supervisory Biological Scientist\, USDA APHISDr. Hannah Broadley is a Supervisory Biological Scientist with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine\, Science & Technology. In her current work\, she leads or co-leads several biological control projects\, including developing biological control methods for spotted lanternfly\, box tree moth\, roseau cane scale\, cotton jassid\, and hemlock wooly adelgid. She earned her doctorate studying the population dynamics and biocontrol of the invasive winter moth. Dr. Broadley’s work includes domestic (invasive range) and international (native range) research and advances innovative\, science-based strategies to protect North American ecosystems from some of the most damaging invasive pests. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Francesca Marini\, Research Leader\, BBCADr. Francesca Marini is a researcher with over a decade of experience in classical biological control of weeds. As Research Leader at the Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA) in Italy\, she is responsible for the management and coordination of weed and pest biological control projects\, in addition to developing of integrated management strategies. This involves exploring the area of origin of the target species\, collecting related biological control organisms\, and assessing their specificity and efficacy through laboratory and field host range tests. Her work contributes to the advancement of sustainable approaches for managing invasive species and protecting ecosystems.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-biocontrol-allies-managing-spotted-lanternfly-and-tree-of-heaven/
CATEGORIES:Virtual,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/treeandlantern.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250409T125728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T163804Z
UID:125787-1763557200-1763562600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Harnessing AI for Invasive Species Detection: Smart Traps\, Drones\, and Machine Learning in Action
DESCRIPTION:Join us this November for a dynamic webinar showcasing how artificial intelligence is transforming invasive species detection and monitoring across ecosystems. Through innovative applications like smart traps\, drones\, and machine learning\, researchers and practitioners are unlocking new tools to manage biological invasions more effectively and efficiently. \n\n\n\nDr. Melissa Miller from the University of Florida will present her work on developing AI-powered smart traps designed to detect and remove invasive tegu lizards—large\, fast-moving reptiles that threaten native wildlife and agriculture in the southeastern U.S. Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller from the University of Exeter will share his team’s research on using deep learning models to detect invasive hornets in real time\, offering critical insights for rapid response and containment. Representing Ducks Unlimited Canada\, Matthew Bolding and Mallory Carpenter will discuss their efforts to integrate drone technology and AI to monitor populations of European water chestnut\, a fast-spreading aquatic invasive plant impacting wetland biodiversity and water quality. \n\n\n\nThis webinar will highlight how emerging technologies are being adapted and applied to meet the challenges of invasive species detection in the field—providing a glimpse into the future of smart conservation. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nArtificial Intelligence Based Smart Traps Increase Effectiveness and Reduce Resources Compared to Traditional TrapsPresented by Melissa A. MillerInvasive species management can be limited due to a lack of sustained resources needed to elicit an effective outcome. Live trapping has proven to be an effective means of detection and removal of certain invasive species such as the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae). However\, research has shown that trapping efforts for this species may be most effective when traps are operated for sustained periods of time with high trap saturation in suitable habitats. These requirements pose a challenge for natural resource managers as traditional means of trapping are often labor and time intensive. Yet recent development of an automated smart trapping system\, designed by Wild Vision Systems (WVS)\, that uses artificial intelligence (AI) for capture of tegus holds promise for improving many resource concerns. The WVS smart traps can be fully operated remotely via a software application and the AI software is designed to selectively trap a target species of interest\, while excluding capture of bycatch. During May – October 2023\, we collaborated with WVS for the first field deployment of smart traps to capture tegus in St. Lucie County\, FL where an incipient population has established. Specifically\, we conducted a comparison study to evaluate the efficacy of smart traps versus traditional (i.e.\, non-smart) traps for the capture of invasive tegu lizards. We observed a higher number of tegus captured in smart traps compared to traditional traps\, as well as a correspondingly higher CPUE for smart traps. Moreover\, use of smart traps resulted in significantly less non-target species captures and reduced labor costs relative to traditional traps. These results indicate that smart traps can have significant advantages over traditional traps regarding selective trapping of target species and reduced bycatch rates\, resulting in a reduction of required resources and increased efficacy of invasive species management. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVespAI: Applying Deep Learning to the Detection of Invasive Hornets Presented by Thomas O’Shea-WhellerThe invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax is a rapidly proliferating threat to biodiversity and apiculture in Europe\, East Asia\, and North America. To date\, authorities have struggled to contain the hornets\, as colonies must be detected and destroyed early in the invasion curve if establishment is to be prevented. Current monitoring approaches rely primarily upon visual alerts by the public and surveillance trapping\, however the former yields less than 0.01% accuracy\, while the latter kills substantial numbers of native invertebrates. With the continuing spread of V. velutina\, there is thus a pressing need to develop improved monitoring technologies within a limited timeframe. In this talk\, I outline VespAI\, an automated system for the rapid detection and behavioural quantification of V. velutina\, V. crabro\, and V. orientalis. VespAI leverages a hardware-assisted AI approach\, combining a standardised monitoring station with deep YOLO architecture\, trained on a bespoke end-to-end pipeline. This enables the system to detect hornets in real-time—achieving a precision-recall score of ≥0.99—and send associated image alerts via a compact remote processor. I discuss the development\, performance\, and future deployment of the system\, and highlight its potential to enhance the scope and sustainability of invasive hornet surveillance at a global scale. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUsing RPAS and AI for Improved Management of Aquatic Invasive SpeciesPresented by Matthew Bolding and Mallory CarpenterManagement of aquatic invasive species is vital to protect at-risk ecosystems and habitat for species at risk\, yet managing invasive species like European water chestnut can demand significant time\, funding\, and staff resources—especially in hard-to-access areas. To help address these challenges\, Ducks Unlimited Canada partnered with Saiwa Inc. to develop an innovative\, AI-powered surveillance tool that enhances early detection while reducing operational costs. By analyzing imagery captured by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)\, the tool uses machine learning to identify the location of European water chestnut plants and provides GPS coordinates to support targeted management efforts. After successful field testing in 2024\, the tool has been integrated into an ongoing invasive species control program and is being adapted to detect other threats\, such as invasive water soldier. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller\, University of ExeterDr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller is interested in the complex interactions that govern collective behavior\, ecology\, and self-organization within social insects. As a Research Fellow based at the University of Exeter\, he works with ants\, bees\, hornets\, and termites to explore colony network dynamics\, social plasticity\, and behavioral heterogeneity in invasive contexts. His current research includes projects pertaining to honey bee epidemiology\, collective decision-making in ants\, and the detection of invasive species using artificial intelligence. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Melissa Miller\, University of FloridaDr. Miller specializes in invasion ecology with a focus on understanding mechanisms through which biological invasions impact native ecosystems. Through applied and basic research of large invasive reptiles in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem\, she addresses ecological and evolutionary questions to further our understanding of invasions and aid natural resource managers in invasive species control efforts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatthew Bolding\, Ducks Unlimited CanadaMatt Bolding leads the Ontario invasive species program at Ducks Unlimited Canada where his team is working to advance drone surveillance tools for aquatic invasive species and supporting the development and implementation of Phragmites biological control. Matt has been working with Phragmites since 2016 and has been involved in monitoring around Phragmites treatment at Long Point\, Big Creek and the St. Clair NWA. Matt is currently the Eastern Regional Coordinator for the Ontario Phragmites Action program. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMallory Carpenter\, Ducks Unlimited CanadaMallory Carpenter is a GIS specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada. Based in Ottawa\, she is part of the team integrating image processing and artificial intelligence techniques to help automate the detection of European water chestnut.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-harnessing-ai-for-invasive-species-detection-smart-traps-drones-and-machine-learning-in-action/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250624T170619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T163808Z
UID:133780-1759928400-1759932000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer: Applying California’s Lessons to Support Management Efforts in Western Australia
DESCRIPTION:The polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a tiny but devastating invasive beetle that poses a major threat to urban forests and natural ecosystems. First detected in California in 2003 and more recently in Western Australia\, PSHB carries a fungal pathogen that disrupts water and nutrient flow in trees\, leading to branch dieback and\, in severe cases\, tree death. \n\n\n\nJoin us for this insightful webinar as Dr. Shannon Lynch shares lessons learned from decades of PSHB management in California—including surveillance\, host tree impacts\, and community engagement strategies—and how these experiences are shaping Western Australia’s response to this emerging threat. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Shannon Lynch is an Assistant Professor of Forest Pathology and Plant Disease Ecology at the University of California Davis in the Department of Plant Pathology. Her career has been dedicated to effectively responding to emergent pests and pathogens as drivers of global change in forest ecosystems. She develops new analytical approaches that merge large-scale monitoring with tools from phylogenetic ecology and climate science to create predictive epidemiological models of the spread of novel pests and pathogens over heterogeneous landscapes. She complements this work by combining culture-dependent approaches with metagenomics to examine how tree microbiomes shape host resilience to destructive pathogens. Finally\, she combines analytical and community-based approaches to understand the intersecting impacts of environmental injustice\, urban forest pathogens\, and climate change on disadvantaged communities in cities and urban forest systems.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-polyphagous-shot-hole-borer-applying-californias-lessons-to-support-management-efforts-in-western-australia/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250917T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250917T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250422T163932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T124751Z
UID:125993-1758114000-1758119400@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Islands Under Siege: Combating Invasive Species to Protect Unique Island Ecosystems
DESCRIPTION:Islands are home to some of the world’s most unique and vulnerable ecosystems—and also some of the most threatened by invasive species. Join us for a powerful and inspiring webinar exploring the impacts of invasive species on island biodiversity and the dedicated efforts to restore and protect these fragile environments. \n\n\n\nWe’ll hear from David Sischo with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources\, who will share the vital work of the Snail Extinction Prevention Program\, a conservation initiative focused on saving Hawaiʻi’s imperiled native tree snails from the brink of extinction in the face of invasive predators. \n\n\n\nWe’ll also be joined by Luciana Luna Mendoza\, Director of Ecology at GECI (Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas)\, who will take us through the remarkable ecological restoration of Guadalupe Island. From the removal of feral goats to landscape-scale reforestation efforts beginning in 2014\, her presentation will highlight both passive and active restoration strategies that have helped revive this critical island ecosystem. \n\n\n\nRounding out the panel is Jose Luis Herrera-Giraldo\, Project Manager at Island Conservation\, who serves as the Point of Contact for the organization’s activities in Puerto Rico\, the U.S. Virgin Islands\, and the Dominican Republic. Jose Luis will present on the effort to restore Savana Island\, a vital habitat for the endangered Virgin Islands Tree Boa. Invasive black rats\, which prey on the boa’s eggs\, juveniles\, and even adults\, pose a serious threat to its survival. This project aims to eradicate invasive rats using cutting-edge aerial conservation techniques and restore the island as a safe refuge for native wildlife. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaving Hawaiʻi’s Jewels Of The Forest – Widespread Land Snail Extinction Driven By Introduced SpeciesPresented by David R. SischoWith over 750 described species in 13 families\, the Hawaiian Islands were host to spectacular land snail diversity found nowhere else in the world\, a true scientific spectacle of evolution. Unfortunately\, the past century has witnessed accelerating range reductions and extinction of much of this incredible fauna\, due largely to introduced predators. Recent catastrophic declines\, observed in wild populations across islands\, are heralding the end for many species. It is estimated that we are on the verge of losing 10 genera of land snail\, comprising approximately 100 species\, within the next 10 years. In a rush to prevent extinction\, the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources – Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP)\, and partners across the state\, are “manning the lifeboats”. Here we will go over the novel techniques being used to save Hawaiʻi’s “Jewels of the Forest” including\, predator-proof fencing\, predator control\, invasive species detection dogs\, captive propagation\, translocation\, and reintroduction. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaving the Guadalupe Island forest from extinctionPresented by Luciana LunaGuadalupe Island\, Mexico\, located in the Eastern Pacific\, is a priority site in terms of biodiversity conservation. It is a Protected Area\, as well as an Important Bird Area and an Alliance for Zero Extinction site. Several vegetation communities\, including forests\, woodlands\, and native grasslands\, dominated the landscape; some of the representative species were the endemics Cupressus guadalupensis and Brahea edulis. Feral goats were introduced in the 19th century and had devastating consequences on the island’s flora: most of the plant communities disappeared\, and at least 26 plant taxa became extinct or extirpated. The successful eradication of goats in 2005-2007 was the beginning of the island’s recovery. Yet\, to achieve the island’s full recovery\, active restoration actions were needed\, including landscape restoration through reforestation\, soil management\, and fire risk prevention. The island’s fauna has also benefited from restoration\, particularly invertebrates and landbirds such as the endemic Guadalupe Junco (Junco insularis; Endangered) that rely on forests for their survival. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDavid R. Sischo\, Wildlife Biologist\, Department of Land and Natural ResourcesDavid Sischo is a Wildlife Biologist specializing in the conservation of Pacific Island land snails\, one of the most extinction-prone fauna in the world. David is based in Honolulu Hawaiʻi\, where he has coordinated the Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP)\, for the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources\, since its founding in 2012. Known as the “Jewels of the Forest”\, over 100 species of Hawaiian land snails\, without conservation intervention\, are facing oblivion within the next decade due to introduced species and climate change impacts. David and his team are on the very front lines of extinction working to build the capacity to intervene in and accommodate this onslaught. He oversees a multitude of partnership conservation and research projects across the state including\, rare species monitoring\, surveys\, translocations and reintroductions\, threat abatement\, strategic planning\, and a land snail captive-rearing program that maintains over 40 of the Hawaiian Island’s rarest species. David received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from California State University Fresno\, and his Master’s and PhD in Zoology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLuciana Luna is a conservation biologist with a PhD in Biological Sciences. For over two decades\, Luciana has been dedicated to active conservation work on Guadalupe Island\, a unique 247 km2 volcanic island in the Mexican Pacific\, located 260 km off mainland México. There she was involved in the feral goat eradication\, a 3-year program that successfully concluded in 2007. She has witnessed and measured the remarkable recovery of Guadalupe’s flora after the goats were gone\, particularly of the endemic cypress\, pine and palm\, as well as of many coastal sage scrub and chaparral species\, and participated in the active restoration actions to recover the original vegetation communities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJose Luis Herrera-Giraldo\, Project Manager\, Island ConservationJose Luis earned a MS in biology from the University of Puerto Rico\, conducting research with the amphibians and reptiles composition in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge at Vieques Island in Puerto Rico. Before joining IC in 2011\, Jose Luis held various positions related to natural resources conservation\, including working with Envirosurvey Inc\, a conservation and wildlife organization based in Puerto Rico\, conducting forest and wildlife assessments and outreach campaigns promoting conservation practices in partnership with state and federal governmental agencies. For two years he worked with to manage sea turtle nesting habitat and hatchlings and has conducted additional ecological work with amphibian and reptile species as a private consultant or volunteer. From 2009 to 2010\, Jose Luis started working on Desecheo Island with the UCSC Conservation Measures Program\, doing surveys for a single-island endemic gecko and assisting the ecosystem restoration project on Desecheo through the removal of invasive predators. At Island Conservation\, he supports and leads various restoration work on islands such as Desecheo\, Juan Fernández\, Cabritos\, Alto Velo\, Antipodes and Mona for the benefits of threatened and unique species. Jose Luis is currently serving as the Point of Contact for the Island Conservation’s activities in Puerto Rico\, the U.S Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-islands-under-siege-combating-invasive-species-to-protect-unique-island-ecosystems/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iStock-1299849270.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250530T144417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T160508Z
UID:133404-1755694800-1755700200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Research Spotlight: Managing the European Green Crab Invasion
DESCRIPTION:The European green crab is spreading rapidly along the Pacific Coast\, threatening ecosystems and aquaculture. In this webinar\, three experts will share new research on how we can better understand and manage this invasive species. \n\n\n\n\nAbby Keller (UC Berkeley) will explore how decision theory can guide when to try to remove green crabs—or when to adapt to their presence—as populations grow beyond control.\n\n\n\nMary Fisher (UC Davis) will present research from Willapa Bay\, WA\, using DNA metabarcoding tools to uncover what green crabs are eating and how their diet differs between aquaculture sites and natural habitats.\n\n\n\nRikke Jeppesen (Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board) will share findings on how native sea otters may help keep green crab populations in check in California estuaries.\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar is a great opportunity for anyone interested in invasive species\, coastal ecosystems\, and science-based management. This webinar is being jointly hosted by NAISMA and Sea Grant. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe transition from resistance to acceptance: managing a marine invasive species in a changing worldPresented by Abby KellerOften the pace of European green crab spread and establishment outpaces resources available for population suppression. When should a manager “resist” change by removing green crab or “accept” change by investing resources in adaptation? We use concepts from decision theory to develop a framework for navigating management decisions in this resist-accept paradigm\, highlighting scenarios when population control can no longer shape the invasion trajectory. \n\n\n\nWhat can diet DNA tell us about predation impacts of an invasive marine species?Presented by Mary FisherThe invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) has recently increased in abundance and expanded its distribution in the US Pacific Northwest\, generating concern for estuarine ecosystems and aquaculture production. However\, regionally-specific information on the trophic impacts of invasive green crab is very limited. We used diet DNA metabarcoding (“diet DNA”) to compare the stomach contents of green crabs collected on clam aquaculture beds versus intertidal sloughs in Willapa Bay\, Washington\, providing the first in-depth description of European green crab diet at a crucial time for regional management. We first identified 54 putative prey items using DNA metabarcoding of stomach content samples from 61 green crabs. Arthropods were the most frequently detected prey\, with the native hairy shore crab (Hemigrapsus oregonensis) the single most common prey item. We then compared diet composition across sites using prey presence/absence and an index of species-specific relative abundance. We found that the stomach contents of crabs collected from clam aquaculture beds were significantly different from the stomach contents of crabs collected at intertidal sloughs. For eight prey species\, we also calibrated diet DNA data to quantitatively compare DNA abundance between prey taxa\, to describe an ‘average’ green crab diet at an intertidal slough versus a clam aquaculture bed. In addition to providing timely information on green crab diet\, our research demonstrates the novel application of a recently developed model for more quantitative DNA metabarcoding. This represents another step in the ongoing evolution of DNA-based diet analysis towards producing the quantitative data necessary for modeling invasive species impacts.Associated paper (open access): Fisher et al. 2024. Invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) predation in a Washington State estuary revealed with DNA metabarcoding.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302518 \n\n\n\nRecovering population of the southern sea otter suppresses the green crab\, a global marine invaderPresented by Rikke JeppesenUnderstanding the role of apex predators on ecosystems is essential for designing effective conservation strategies. Supporting recovery of apex predators can have many benefits; one that has been rarely examined is control of invasive prey. We investigated whether a recovering apex predator\, the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis)\, can exert local control over a global marine invader\, the green crab (Carcinus maenas). We determined that southern sea otters in Elkhorn Slough estuary in California can consume large numbers of invasive green crabs and found strong negative relationships in space and time between otter and green crab abundance. Green crabs persisted at highest abundance in this estuary at sites with artificial tidal restriction that were not accessible to otters. Green crab abundance remained lower in this estuary than in all other estuaries in the region\, which lack resident sea otters. Conservation organizations and agencies have invested heavily in recovery of southern sea otters\, increasing their numbers in this estuary. Restoration of natural tidal exchange\, lost marshes\, and seagrass beds further support sea otter populations. We have demonstrated that these investments in top predator recovery and habitat restoration have reduced the impacts of a global invader. Our investigation highlights that investment in recovery of top predators can increase beneficial food web interactions and resilience of the entire ecosystem. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbby Keller is a PhD candidate in Environmental Science\, Policy\, and Management at the University of California\, Berkeley. She studies decision analysis and quantitative ecology. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Fisher is a postdoctural scholar at the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute at the University of California\, Davis. She is an interdisciplinary marine scientist interested in how adaptation to climate change affects coupled human-natural systems. Her research has drawn on quantitative and qualitative techniques to explore trade-offs and unexpected consequences associated with climate adaptation in US West Coast fisheries. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRikke Jeppesen has a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of California Santa Cruz. She is currently an Environmental Scientist at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board\, San Luis Obispo. Her green crab studies were conducted at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve where she studied invasive invertebrates\, while also working on water quality research and large-scale salt marsh restoration projects.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-research-spotlight-managing-the-european-green-crab-invasion/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250709T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250709T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250513T121134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T121223Z
UID:132942-1752066000-1752069600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Identifying the Diversity of Phyllachora Species Causing Corn Tar Spot and Their Potential to Infect Grasses
DESCRIPTION:Tar spot of corn is a recent and increasing threat to US corn production\, but has been known in other countries of the Americas for over a century. The disease is known to be caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis\, which has been considered the only Phyllachora species reported to infect corn until a recent study suggested that various Phyllachora species may infect corn and possess a broader host range. In this webinar\, José will highlight his current research which focuses on identifying the host range and diversity of Phyllachora species associated with corn. His research aims to identify the diversity of Phyllachora species infecting corn and their host range\, and to determine if other Phyllachora fungi that infect grasses can infect corn. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosé E. Solórzano is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota\, currently researching tar spot of corn\, an emerging plant disease. Originally from Danlí\, El Paraíso\, Honduras\, he grew up working with crops and animals\, fostering a strong connection to nature. José earned a bachelor’s degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Agricultura y Ganaderia (UNAG) in Honduras. In 2016\, he participated in a study abroad program at Texas Tech University\, focusing on animal production and food safety. During his senior year at UNAG\, he received a research scholar position at Louisiana State University (LSU) to study fungal secondary metabolites. After completing his master’s degree at LSU in 2021\, José began his PhD studies at the University of Minnesota\, where he continues his work on plant disease research.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-identifying-the-diversity-of-phyllachora-species-causing-corn-tar-spot-and-their-potential-to-infect-grasses/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250618T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250618T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250417T121817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T122203Z
UID:125935-1750251600-1750255200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Invasive Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii) in North American lakes
DESCRIPTION:Many people have recently noticed small jellyfish floating around in summer in lakes. These are mostly a single invasive species known officially as Craspedacusta sowerbii or sometimes as the Peach-blossom jellyfish. If you have noticed them\, you may think you are seeing things\, but they are probably real. I will discuss what we know about this invasive species in North American lakes and why they are being noticed more and more often. While scientists still have a lot to learn about these organisms\, I will discuss in this webinar the knowledge we currently have\, providing some insight into their life histories and ecology\, as well as how they might be affecting food webs in our lakes. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Beatrix Beisner is Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Québec at Montréal (UQAM). Completing her PhD at the University of British Columbia in 2000\, she has over 30 years of experience in limnology. Her research interests are focused on lake ecology\, plankton community dynamics\, spatial ecology\, functional traits and biodiversity. She works with both phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in freshwater habitats using empirical\, experimental\, and modelling approaches. Dr. Beisner is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Plankton Research (Oxford University Press) and she was Director/Co-Director of the Interuniversity Research Group in Limnology in Québec (GRIL) from 2015 to March 2025. She has co-edited 3 books and has published over 130 journal articles. In 2023 she was the recipient of the Frank Rigler Award\, the highest honour in her field from the Society for Canadian Aquatic Sciences. \n\n\n\nORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6972-6887
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-invasive-freshwater-jellyfish-craspedacusta-sowerbii-in-north-american-lakes/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jelly.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250521T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250521T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250320T161505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250518T224545Z
UID:125701-1747832400-1747837800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Beyond Buckthorn: Innovative Strategies for Invasive Control and Habitat Restoration
DESCRIPTION:Invasive buckthorn continues to threaten native ecosystems\, but new and creative management approaches are showing promising results. This webinar will explore cutting-edge strategies to control and replace buckthorn\, including the Cover It Up program\, which utilizes native plantings to suppress regrowth\, targeted goat grazing\, and the use of fungal pathogens to weaken buckthorn populations. Join experts as they share research-backed insights\, real-world applications\, and success stories from the field. Whether you’re a land manager\, conservationist\, or homeowner\, this session will equip you with practical tools to restore habitat and reclaim invaded landscapes. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nUsing plants to control buckthornPresented by Dr. Mike Schuster\, University of MinnesotaThe Cover It Up project evaluates novel approaches to controlling invasive buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and improving forest understory resilience. Since the project started in 2016\, we have found how establishing dense cover of native plants immediately following management can limit the abundance and vigor of returning buckthorn and suppress other invasive plants. In some cases\, this type of restoration planting can completely prevent buckthorn re-establishment. Our ongoing work continues to advance our understanding of which species to plant\, how to plant them\, which conditions favor their success\, and how these methods can be used in conjunction with other management strategies to fortify forests against invasion. \n\n\n\nSome things to chew on regarding goat browsing to control buckthorn Presented by Dr. Dan LarkinThe goal of invasive plant management is often to benefit native plants; however\, consequences of control actions on native vegetation are often not assessed. This is true with targeted grazing using livestock\, such as goats\, which is a rapidly expanding but little-studied method. Opinions among land managers vary widely regarding the potential effects of targeted goat browsing on native plants\, ranging from anticipating strong benefits to severe damage. To address this uncertainty\, we experimentally tested responses of deciduous-woodland understory plant communities to goat browsing for control of common buckthorn. The immediate and longer-term effects of goat browsing were quite different. Immediately after browsing\, there were striking reductions in buckthorn abundance and native plant communities. However\, one year later\, buckthorn and native plants alike had recovered. In fact\, native diversity was higher in the year following browsing\, perhaps due to reduced dominance by woody species. These results provide tentative support for goat browsing as a component of a broader woodland restoration strategy. They also caution against drawing conclusions from appearances immediately after browsing. Monitoring should continue for a minimum of one year following treatment and should address responses of both buckthorn and native plants. \n\n\n\nFungi Associated with Buckthorn as Prospects for BiocontrolRyan D. M. Franke and Robert A. Blanchette\, Department of Plant Pathology\, University of Minnesota\, Saint Paul\, MN\, USA 55108Common and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica & Frangula alnus) are invasive species that can form dense stands that displace native species and threaten natural forest habitats. Cutting buckthorn is labor intensive and resprouting occurs. Chemical methods for control of invasive buckthorn are effective but can negatively affect sensitive ecosystems. A few recent investigations have explored the potential of fungi as inundative biological control for invasive buckthorn; however\, this research has been narrow in scope\, focusing on two species of fungi\, Puccinia coronata var. coronata and Chondrostereum purpureum\, with varying degrees of efficacy. Our project objectives are to collect and test a broad range of native fungi for their potential use as agents of biological control. During the summers of 2023 and 2024 with the collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources\, we visited 19 sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin with dead and dying invasive buckthorn. 412 fungi were isolated from samples of diseased buckthorn tissue and identified via DNA extraction and sequencing. These fungi were identified as 120 unique taxa belonging to 81 genera. Of these fungi\, 42 species belonging to 26 genera are considered canker or root-rot pathogens of woody plants\, including species in: Aplosporella\, Cadophora\, Cylindrobasidium\, Cytospora\, Diaporthe\, Didymella\, Diplodia\, Dothiorella\, Erythricium\, Eutypella\, Fusarium\, Hymenochaete\, Irpex\, Mycoleptodiscus\, Nectria\, Nectriella\, Neocosmospora\, Nothophoma\, Paraconiothyrium\, Peniophora\, Pezicula\, Phaeoacemonium\, Phaeobotryon\, Ramularia\, Thyronectria\, and Xylaria. In addition to the fungi isolated from dead and dying buckthorn\, 9 other pathogenic fungal taxa isolated from non-buckthorn hosts in Minnesota are also being evaluated for their biocontrol potential. These isolates were inoculated into healthy common buckthorn in the greenhouse to assess their pathogenicity. Results from this pathogenicity experiment will be presented. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Mike Schuster works in the Department of Forest Resources\, University of Minnesota Twin Cities studying invasive plant species\, nutrient cycling\, and climate change. His current project is Cover It Up: using native plants to control buckthorn\, which investigates impacts of forest revegetation on buckthorn re-invasion. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Dan Larkin is a Professor & Extension Specialist in the Department of Fisheries\, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He and his research team work on applied challenges in ecological restoration and invasive plant management in terrestrial\, wetland\, and aquatic habitats. Through extension\, he trains volunteers and professionals to support ecological restoration and invasive species response efforts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRyan Franke graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. He began cultivating fungi as a hobbyist in 2017. His interest in microbial science inspired him to gain employment with the biotech company\, TerraMax\, in 2020. Thereafter\, Ryan came to the University of Minnesota to work in the Department of Ecology. Currently\, Ryan is a graduate research assistant in the Blanchette Forest Pathology lab at the University of Minnesota studying the potential of using fungi to biologically control non-local buckthorn. In his free time\, Ryan enjoys playing soccer and spending time outdoors with his wife Alicia and 2-year-old son Malachi.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-beyond-buckthorn-innovative-strategies-for-invasive-control-and-habitat-restoration/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250416T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250416T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250124T131913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T170953Z
UID:124827-1744808400-1744813800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Spotted Lanternfly in North America: Insights\, Impacts\, and Preparing for the Future
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a dynamic webinar featuring expert insights on the spotted lanternfly invasion in North America. Learn about the insect’s biology\, cold tolerance thresholds\, and the potential for northward expansion. Discover how Washington State is preparing for its arrival with a focus on cultural resource protection\, and explore a citizen science initiative preserving lanternfly specimens for future research. \n\n\n\nSpeakers:Julie Urban\, Penn State University\, Amanda Roe\, Natural Resources Canada\, Jessica La Belle\, Washington Invasive Species Council\, Michelle Duennes\, Saint Vincent College \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nTiming of female spotted lanternfly reproductive development across its present range in the US presented by Julie UrbanAs the spotted lanternfly expands its range in North America\, it is encountering temperatures that are potentially beyond the range of those used to date to model its seasonal activity. In warmer regions\, we hypothesize that heavy feeding and reproductive maturation are likely to occur earlier than in cooler regions\, and that this could translate into greater impact on host plants due to longer\, heavier feeding. We also hypothesize that in cooler regions\, reproductive maturation is likely to occur later than in warmer regions\, and could translate into less impact on host plants due to shorter durations of cumulative feeding. To test these hypotheses\, female adult spotted lanternfly were collected from each of four sites across the northern/southern extent of its current US range at multiple time points in the 2024 field season. Results obtained concerning the body mass of collected female adults showed mixed support for our hypotheses\, and demonstrate the importance of “ground truthing” model expectations with data from wild SLF populations. \n\n\n\nSurprising lower lethal limits of the invasive spotted lanternfly presented by Amanda RoeAmanda D Roe and Anna J TurbelinSpotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is invasive in North America. This species continues to spread beyond its initial infestation site and has established in over 18 states in the eastern USA. Cold winter temperatures are predicted to limit the northern spread of this species\, however the cold tolerance and lower thermal limits of this species have not been examined in the North American invaded range. We demonstrate that the egg masses (the overwintering stage of the spotted lanternfly) are surprisingly cold tolerant. We observed hatch after short and long term exposures to temperatures below -20C\, well below previously published thermal limits for the species. These results will be critical to inform future risk assessments and distribution modeling for this high risk invasive. \n\n\n\nCultural Impacts of the Spotted Lanternfly in Washington State presented by Jessica La BelleSpotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has not yet been detected in Washington State\, but Washington is taking a proactive approach and has recently completed the Spotted Lanternfly State Action Plan. This plan is unique in that it addresses the potential impacts of spotted lanternfly on culturally significant ethnobotanicals. \n\n\n\nThe Spotted Lanternfly Invasion Archive: a citizen science effort to track and study an invasive species presented by Michelle DuennesThis presentation will discuss the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion Archive project\, which engages students and community members across several Pennsylvania counties to collect and preserve samples of the invasive spotted lanternfly. The archive supports future research on the species’ spread\, adaptation\, and evolution. The talk will highlight current progress in building the specimen collection and outline next steps. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Bios: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Julie Urban – Dr. Julie Urban is a Research Associate Professor in the Entomology Department at Pennsylvania State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University at Albany. She studies planthopper evolution and their co-evolution with multiple bacterial and fungal symbionts. Her recent work involves aspects of basic and applied research on the invasive planthopper\, the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). She has been a member of USDA’s Technical Working Group of scientists\, advising management and research on the Spotted Lanternfly\, since it was first detected in the US in September\, 2014. Dr. Urban is the lead PI on a $7.3M regional USDA NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative grant studying the biology\, management\, reducing the impact of Spotted Lanternfly in specialty crops in the eastern USA. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Amanda Roe –  Dr. Amanda Roe is a Research Scientist with Natural Resources Canada at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre based in Sault Ste. Marie\, Ontario\, Canada. Her research team focuses on the evolutionary ecology of forest pests. They quantify the cold tolerance physiology and population genomics of invasive and native forest pests to characterize their history of spread and predict the risk of future establishments. This knowledge supports the management and regulation of high-risk pests\, informing risk assessments and forest management. Dr. Roe also provides scientific oversight to the Insect Production and Quarantine Laboratory\, an internationally recognized multi-species rearing facility that provides research-quality insects and insect diets to clients around the world. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJessica La Belle – Jessica is the Invasive Species Program Specialist for the Washington Invasive Species Council and facilitator for the multi-agency Spotted Lanternfly Preparedness Advisory Group. She has worked with a variety of invasive species from apple maggot to zebra mussels. Jessica was the primary public point of contact when the discoveryof northern giant hornet in Washington state became national news and a viral internet sensation. She assisted in the dissection of the first northern giant hornet nest found in the US\, and has been featured on the Discovery Channel\, RFD-TV\, and YouTube. She holdsa bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alaska Anchorage\, and a Master’s in agricultural sciences and extension education from Colorado State University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Michelle Duennes – Dr. Michelle Duennes is an Associate Professor of Biology at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe\, Pennsylvania. She teaches General Biology II\, Ecology\, Evolution\, and Invertebrate Zoology. Her research focuses on bumble bee nutritional ecology and conservation genomics\, and now also spotted lanternfly invasion genetics. She is one of the co-founders of the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion Archive\, a citizen science project where participants are encouraged to collect spotted lanternflies yearly to track how they move and adapt over time.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-spotted-lanternfly-in-north-america-insights-impacts-and-preparing-for-the-future/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spot12323.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250319T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250319T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250117T140540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250222T180432Z
UID:124730-1742389200-1742392800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Canadian Biocontrol Experience: Past\, Present and Future
DESCRIPTION:Biological control efforts in Canada have a long history of success\, with the first programs targeting invasive agricultural pests in the 1930s. Canada’s first weed biocontrol program soon followed\, with herbivorous insects from Europe used to control St. John’s wort. In collaboration with British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests\, a long-time funder of biocontrol research in Canada\, we are now reevaluating Canada’s oldest weed biological programs\, to assess their contemporary efficacy (St. John’s wort\, spotted knapweed). We will discuss our findings in these old systems before turning to more recent programs that are successfully controlling invasive plants in Canada using agents that have not been available in the US (i.e. houndstongue). We will then highlight study systems that are in the earliest stages of on-the-ground biocontrol in Canada and show promise (i.e. garlic mustard)\, before discussing new options on the horizon for invasive plants of growing concern (parrot’s feather\, Tree of heaven – and its linkage to management efforts for the invasive pest insect\, spotted lanternfly). Together\, these study systems serve to outline Canada’s long\, successful and ongoing biological control programs for invasive plants that are concerns globally. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. David Ensing\, Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada \n\n\n\n Dr. David Ensing is a Research Scientist in Vegetation Ecology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Summerland\, BC\, Canada. His research interests focus on understanding the evolutionary ecology of species distributions. His research programme at AAFC includes weed biological control\, Indigenous food security and sovereignty\, rangeland ecology\, and vegetation management in managed and unmanaged agro-ecosystems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Chandra Moffat\, Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada \n\n\n\nDr. Chandra Moffat is a Research Scientist in Entomology and Biological Control with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Her team conducts research to develop\, evaluate\, and improve classical/importation biological control programs for both invasive arthropod and invasive plant species that impact horticulture\, rangeland\, Indigenous food systems\, and natural areas. Her team uses integrative methods in field ecology\, natural history\, plant and insect taxonomy\, and molecular ecology (both DNA barcoding and population genomics) to develop new biological control solutions for invasive species management.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-canadian-biocontrol-experience-past-present-and-future/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Canadian.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250122T133223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250224T192858Z
UID:124786-1740744000-1740751200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Strategic Prevention Initiatives - Having Impact at Multiple Scales
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will highlight examples of strategic and collaborative prevention projects supported by the Department of the Interior (DOI). Projects featured include recipients of DOI’s Notice of Funding Opportunity offered in 2022 to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species through strategic landscape-level approaches. Presenters will provide an overview of progress made. \n\n\n\nPresentations and Speakers: \n\n\n\n\nRapid deployment of watercraft cleaning stations – Zach Burnside\, Wildlife ForeverThis presentation will detail the steps taken to work with local and state partners in the Columbia River Basin to install signage\, pavement markings\, and user-led watercraft cleaning stations at public access sites in the Columbia River Basin.\n\n\n\nStrengthening the California Islands biosecurity program to leverage outcomes for biosecurity on U.S. Department of the Interior Islands – Dr. Nick Holmes (The Nature Conservancy) and Annie LIttle (National Park Service)Annie Little and Nick Holmes will be presenting efforts to Strengthen the California Islands Biosecurity program including opportunities to leverage outcomes for biosecurity on US Department of the Interior Islands broadly.\n\n\n\nAn international approach to addressing aquatic invasive species in commerce – Leah Elwell (Conservation Collaborations\, LLC) and Stephanie Otts\, J.D. (National Sea Grant Law Center)Commerce in aquatic invasive species represents a significant pathway for their introduction and spread globally. This presentation will share multiple solutions to address key areas that lead to aquatic invasive species issues associated with commerce.\n\n\n\nPreventing the introduction and spread of invasive species through NAISMA’s strategic international prevention programs – Christie Trifone Millhouse\, NAISMANAISMA and our partners steward and implement international prevention programs\, including PlayCleanGo®: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks® and Certified Weed Free Products (WFP). These well-established prevention programs are aimed at stopping the spread of invasive species through specific human-assisted pathways. With funding received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law\, NAISMA has taken significant steps to advance these campaigns.\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nZach Burnside\, Invasive Species Program Manager\, Wildlife ForeverZach manages national Clean.Drain.Dry. Initiative outreach\, education\, and implementation of access-based cleaning solutions to empower the recreational boater and angler to do their part \n\n\n\nto prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Nick Holmes\, Associate Director of Oceans\, California Chapter of The Nature ConservancyNick lead’s TNC’s Island Resilience Strategy and works in thematic areas of island conservation\, invasive species management\, seabird restoration and threatened species recovery. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnnie Little\, Supervisory Natural Resource Manager\, Channel Islands National Park\, National Park ServiceAnnie leads the terrestrial program for Channel Islands National Park. Her focus is the conservation of unique island ecosystems\, including eradication and control of invasive species\, habitat restoration\, and species recovery. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLeah Elwell\, President\, Conservation Collaborations\, LLCLeah leads Conservation Collaborations\, LLC.\, that works with partners to identify solutions for invasive species and conservation issues. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStephanie Otts\, J.D.\, Director\, National Sea Grant Law Center As Director\, Stephanie oversees a variety of legal education\, research\, and outreach activities and has conducted extensive research on legal issues related to invasive species management. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristie Trifone Millhouse\, Executive Director\, North American Invasive Species Management AssociationChristie serves as the Executive Director of the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA). With over 25 years of experience in the conservation sector\, Christie brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic vision to her leadership role. As Executive Director\, she oversees the development and implementation of innovative policies and programs that address invasive species management across North America. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders\, including land and water resource managers\, agency directors\, and nonprofit organizations. Christie’s expertise and dedication ensure that NAISMA remains at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of invasive species through education\, outreach\, and professional networking.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-biosecurity-at-the-department-of-the-interior/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250203T230609Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T231143Z
UID:125259-1740738600-1740742200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Operationalizing Collective Action for Pandemics\, Ecosystems\, and Community Resilience in 45 Countries: One Health\, Sustainable Development Goals and the OH-SMART tool
DESCRIPTION:Invasive species threaten our ecosystems\, our economy\, and our community’s health and well-being. Yet\, mitigating this threat is highly complex. Introduction and invasion of these species touch many agencies\, constituencies\, and sectors from the very local municipal and community level all the way to global governmental\, non-profit\, and private sector organizations. In addition\, each species that is introduced comes with a completely new array of stakeholders that must be engaged and coordinated to prevent or control invasion. This talk will discuss several models and tools that have successfully fostered collaborative action in 45 countries for addressing complex threats to communities and ecosystems including invasive species. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: Dr. Katey Pelican\, Director\, Strategic Partnership and Research Collaborative and Co-Lead Systemwide University of Minnesota Sustainable Development Goals InitiativeDr. Pelican has worked in 45 countries to strengthen the multi sectoral systems needed to address the world’s most complex challenges in the integrative fields of One Health and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She founded and directs the SPARC office (sparc.umn.edu) at U. Minnesota charged with establishing and growing large-scale\, interdisciplinary programs and projects. She founded and co-leads the system-wide SDG Initiative (sdg.umn.edu) to mobilize UMN to meet these 17 UN goals from the local to the global level. She also created the OH-SMART toolkit (oh-smart.umn.edu) that has improved multi-sectoral cooperation around complex challenges in the US and 29 countries globally.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-operationalizing-collective-action-for-pandemics-ecosystems-and-community-resilience-in-45-countries-one-health-sustainable-development-goals-and-the-oh-smart-tool/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/iStock-2181897384-3.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250228T103000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250123T125954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T174639Z
UID:124799-1740735000-1740738600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: New World Screwworm 2025: Preparing for a U.S. Domestic Response
DESCRIPTION:With the movement of New World Screwworm northward through Central America since 2022 and into Mexico in November 2024\, the United States Department of Agriculture\, Veterinary Services is preparing to address domestic cases and outbreaks of NWS in animals as part of fortifying inspection processes along the United States’ southern border. Numerous preparedness activities including policy\, outreach and training for staff and stakeholders are planned and being delivered. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: Denise Bonilla\, Entomologist\, USDA APHIS \n\n\n\nFor the past 8 years\, Denise Bonilla has served as the USDA APHIS Strategy and Policy\, National Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Coordinator and a Veterinary Services Entomologist in Fort Collins\, Colorado. She holds a M.S. In Environmental Science and Policy Management from University of California\, Berkeley\, a M.S. in Biology from Georgia Southern University\, and a B.S. in Entomology from the University of Florida. Her background is in Medical and Veterinary Entomology. She has worked with lice\, mosquitoes\, bed bugs\, and specializes in ticks and tick-borne disease ecology. She is also a Veterinary Services subject matter expert for Cattle Fever Ticks\, New World Screwworm\, and the Asian longhorned tick.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-new-world-screwworm-2025-preparing-for-a-u-s-domestic-response/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/swork1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250227T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250227T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250122T132800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T125344Z
UID:124784-1740657600-1740670200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Biosecurity and the US. Army Corps of Engineers
DESCRIPTION:Explore the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ innovative approaches to biosecurity in this insightful webinar. Topics include the implementation of watercraft inspection stations\, the use of alligator weed flea beetles for biocontrol\, strategies for invasive carp protection\, and biocontrol measures to enhance border protection. Join us to learn how these efforts are safeguarding ecosystems and supporting national biosecurity goals. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nPresentations and Speakers:  \n\n\n\n\nUSACE’s Invasive Species Leadership – What’s It All About – Brianna Treichler\n\n\n\nBiological Control within USACE: Short- and Long-term Environmental and Economic Benefits – Nathan Harms\n\n\n\nConnecticut River Hydrilla Control Technology – Ben SperryHydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a highly aggressive aquatic invasive plant that has invaded every region of the US. This plant forms dense stands that impede navigation and recreation\, alter water flow posing flood risk\, out-competes native plants\, alter water chemistry\, and degrades aquatic ecosystems. Additionally\, three distinct hydrilla genotypes have been introduced to the US since the 1950s. This presentation will discuss the past\, present\, and future R&D efforts by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s for protecting US waterways from hydrilla invasions.\n\n\n\nJacksonville District Alligator Weed Flea Beetle Program – Chelsea BohatyThe Jacksonville District manages the Alligatorweed Biological Control Program; the presentation will go through the annual process to coordinate\, capture\, and distribute Alligatorweed Flea Beetles from Florida to other locations across the US; the service is free to requesting agencies and supports significant reductions in Alligatorweed infestations across the U.S. each year.\n\n\n\nAquatic Plant Control Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Activities – Jonas Grundman\n\n\n\nRapid Response to Giant Salvinia in the St. Johns River Basin – Jessica Spencer\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChelsea Bohaty is a biologist in the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers with the Invasive Species Management Branch. She leads the Alligatorweed Biological Control Program to distribute alligatorweed flea beetles nationwide to help control invasive species. She and her colleagues employ integrated pest management to manage invasive plants throughout the state of Florida and beyond\, focusing on the St Johns River system and Lake Okeechobee. \n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Benjamin Sperry is a Research Biologist and Leader of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Aquatic Plant Management Team who conducts applied research to provide management solutions for aquatic plant control operations. His research focuses on aquatic and invasive plant management and he specializes in aquatic herbicide use-pattern develop for key invasive plants in the US. Dr. Sperry received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida in plant science and weed science\, respectively. He earned his Ph.D. in weed science from Mississippi State University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrianna Treichler is a Natural Resource Specialist at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)\, Blue Marsh Lake Project in Leesport\, PA. She is the Partnership and Volunteer Coordinator at Blue Marsh Lake working with various state\, local\, educational\, and non-profit institutions on projects related to environmental stewardship and recreation. In her role\, one of her main focuses is integrating invasive species management practices into projects while also leading the Water Quality/Harmful Algal Bloom and Invasive Species Management programs. Brianna recently became the Chairperson for the USACE Invasive Species Leadership Team (ISLT)\, where she represents the USACE North Atlantic Division. Established in 2005\, the ISLT is comprised of various individuals and researchers to provide oversight and guidance to the Invasive Species Program throughout the Corps. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJessica Spencer is an invasive species biologist working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Jacksonville District for the Invasive Species Management Branch.  She has been in this position for 16 years\, developing invasive species management plans\, overseeing invasive species control contractors and collaborating with agency partners to address invasive species issues throughout the state of Florida\, as well as other district offices throughout the nation.  She currently holds a Pesticide Applicator License from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  She is an active member of the Florida Native Plant Society\, Florida Invasive Species Council\, Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and the First Coast Invasive Working Group.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-biosecurity-and-the-us-army-corps-of-engineers/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/corps1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250226T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250226T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250127T153738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250212T124229Z
UID:125008-1740574800-1740582000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Strengthening Pacific Island Biosecurity: Insights to Slow the Spread of Invasive Species
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an informative webinar exploring strategies to protect Pacific Island ecosystems from invasive species. Experts will share insights into Pacific Islands Biosecurity\, explore the unique and important roles and challenges of Pacific Islands in preventing the spread of invasive species\, discuss efforts to build resilience through regional networks\, and present cutting-edge techniques like Strawberry Guava detection using aerial imagery and LiDAR data on Hawaiʻi Island. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Elliott Parsons\, Specialist\, Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network\, Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa \n\n\n\nDr. Elliott Parsons is a specialist with the Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (Pacific RISCC) Management Network at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has worked with Pacific RISCC since 2022\, and he has almost 15 years of experience working in conservation\, management\, and research in Hawaiʻi. Dr. Parsons holds a Ph.D. in Fish & Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and a B.A. in Anthropology at the University of California\, Santa Cruz\, and he most recently led the Nāpuʻu Conservation Project (NCP) at Puʻuwaʻawaʻa in North Kona for 12 years for the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources. In addition to his conservation work\, Dr. Parsons taught both undergraduate and graduate wildlife science courses at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo between 2016 and 2023. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOlivia Jarvis\, Graduate Student at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo\, Research Assistant at the Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization (SDAV) LabOlivia Jarvis is currently a graduate student at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo pursuing her Master’s of Science degree in Tropical Biology and Environmental Science. She recently earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Science from UH Hilo in 2022. Olivia’s thesis work is focused on exploring remote sensing methods such as RGB aerial imagery and LiDAR data to detect invasive strawberry guava trees on Hawai‘i Island. She is also currently working as a research assistant for the Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization lab at UH Hilo with her advisor Dr. Ryan Perroy. She supports other remote sensing work including photogrammetry with imagery taken via small unmanned aerial systems and helicopters\, invasive species detection with object detection machine learning\, and the deployment and monitoring of biocontrol for strawberry guava trees.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-climate-change-and-invasives/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250225T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250225T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250203T224725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250222T180310Z
UID:125236-1740492000-1740495600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: Natural Security is National Security - Invasive Species and their Insidious Impacts on Critical Infrastructure
DESCRIPTION:Biological invasions may represent a larger threat to health\, economic\, and national security than natural disasters but are largely insidious and unappreciated threats. Recent estimates place the costs of invasive species as >$26B every year for the last decade in North America\, with significant costs coming from the food and agriculture; emergency services; and nuclear energy\, hydropower\, and other water dependent sectors – all essential components of U.S. critical infrastructure. Despite this\, collective awareness and action remains discouragingly low. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Agriculture are working together and with other partners to amplify existing efforts to address this critical threat and develop new approaches to early warning and response. Collective work includes developing case studies to strengthen messaging; conducting exploratory analyses to develop shared priorities for action and identify opportunities to harmonize funding for capacity building; and strengthening early detection and response efforts. Effectively addressing invasive species requires a fuller appreciation of their direct national security impacts and an expansive\, multidisciplinary\, One Health approach to address the threat before it is too late. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatthew Kuhn\, DVM\, Ph.D. – Veterinary Medical Officer with the Department of Homeland SecurityMatt Kuhn is a Veterinary Medical Officer with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Security. Dr. Kuhn first joined DHS in 2021 as a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow\, supporting the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office’s policy office on biodefense issues. Here\, he coordinated the Department’s input on topics such as the 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and re-writing and exercise of the BINA protocol. Matt has prior experience in the Department of Defense as a Deputy Senior Scientist providing technical and regulatory affairs support for Warfighter vaccine development. Matt graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Animal Science (BS)\, Veterinary Medicine (DVM)\, and Immunology (PhD) and currently resides in Michigan. Matt is a father of two\, an avid Michigan State fan\, and looks forward every Spring to tapping his backyard trees to make real maple syrup.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-natural-security-is-national-security-invasive-species-and-their-insidious-impacts-on-critical-infrastructure/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250225T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250225T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250123T124857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T161543Z
UID:124793-1740484800-1740492000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: USGS Research Partnerships Enhancing Biosecurity to Reduce Risks of Invasive Species
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an engaging webinar exploring innovative biosecurity efforts led by the United States Geological Survey. Topics include the use of airborne rapid eDNA technology in the Pacific Islands\, building effective partnerships to strengthen Pacific biosecurity\, evaluating the biosecurity benefits of boot brush stations\, and addressing the threats posed by exotic annual grasses to the western drylands. Discover how these cutting-edge initiatives are helping to protect ecosystems across diverse landscapes. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nAbstracts & Speakers \n\n\n\nCargo shipments represent one of the primary means for accidental introduction of invasive species to remote islands in the Pacific. Visual inspections can be challenging because of the complexity of different types of cargo and the small size of many invasive species of concern\, particularly insects. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a highly sensitive approach for species detection if an area can be effectively surveyed to collect eDNA\, which is challenging in terrestrial settings. Airborne eDNA represents a promising avenue to collect and isolate DNA from cargo areas\, and the enclosed nature of a cargo container may allow eDNA to accumulate\, even among small invertebrates. We will discuss preliminary work our team has been doing to assess the promise of airborne eDNA for island biosecurity and if successful\, how these protocols could be implemented in the future \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStephen Spear\, Research Biologist\, USGS Upper MidwestEnvironmental Sciences CenterStephen began his career as a conservation scientist with the Orianne Society\, a reptile and amphibian conservation organization and concurrently as a visiting scientist with the University of Idaho. During this time he worked on landscape genetics of snakes\, developed an eDNA monitoring program for eastern hellbender\, and initiated a bushmaster conservation program in Costa Rica. After six years at Orianne Society\, he worked for four years as Director of Wildlife Ecology at The Wilds\, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums institution in eastern Ohio\, where he oversaw hellbender and American burying beetle headstarting and reintroduction\, conducted site-level ecological studies\, and continued his work on eDNA and genomic projects. His USGS research portfolio includes advancing environmental DNA detection and use as an early detection and rapid response tool for management of invasive species. \n\n\n\n\n\nDeveloping strong biosecurity measures requires scientific knowledge\, standardized processes\, partnerships across disciplines\, and local leadership. In January 2025\, Guam led an on-island Biosecurity Training that served to showcase and advance years of information exchange with local\, regional\, and national agencies on best practices for managing the flow of invasive species into and off of the island. Guam is a major transportation hub for the Pacific Islands and is key to strengthening the region’s resilience to and preventing the spread of invasive species. This presentation will focus on the roles of the Department of the Interior and USGS in supporting the partnerships and science that supported Guam in hosting its recent Biosecurity Training\, and how we can advance timely followup action items and promising outcomes that benefit Guam as well as the neighboring islands in the Pacific region. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHeather Kerkering\, Assistant Regional Administrator for the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science CenterPrior to serving as Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA)\, Kerkering was the Science Coordinator for the PI CASC. As the ARA\, Kerkering facilitates collaborations with USGS scientists and partners across the State of Hawai’i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) that focus on building resiliency of the Pacific’s fragile island ecosystems\, while acknowledging the importance of U.S. government strategic planning across the region. She was a founder of the Pacific RISCC and serves on several related committees\, including the National Invasive Species Council. Her work supports the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs and she represents USGS to events such as the annual Territorial Workshops\, Biosecurity Trainings\, and the Pacific Ecological Security Conference. Kerkering had the privilege to join the DOI delegation for Our Oceans 2022. Kerkering also oversees dozens of PICASC projects that span a wide range of topics and geographies\, carried out by federal and University Principal Investigators and local/regional community partners. Before joining PICASC\, Kerkering served as the Director of the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) at the UH Mānoa\, She also helped launch the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CenCOOS) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. She co-edited the first book on Coastal Ocean Observing Systems and has participated in numerous regional\, national\, and international initiatives to improve the collection\, coordination\, and application of environmental information to improve decision-making. \n\n\n\n\n\nBiological invasions represent a major threat to natural resource protection and conservation of biodiversity. With greater socioeconomic connections\, use of recreation areas\, and climate change\, the spread of invasive plants is only expected to increase. These biological pressures have led to significant investments in control measures\, with particular interest in early detection and rapid response tools. In the last decade\, boot brush stations have emerged as a promising tool for limiting introduction and spread of invasive organisms on human footwear in natural areas. In the first part of this presentation\, we review existing literature to evaluate what is known about the efficacy of these stations in different environmental\, biological\, and social contexts and their potential for biosecurity in the United States. In the second part\, we highlight efforts from the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) to promote a national network of boot brush stations as part of their PlayCleanGo program. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Pearse\, Ecologist\, Fort Collins Science Center Ian conducts research at the individual\, population\, community\, and ecosystem level scales. His work focuses on plant-insect interactions and involves work on endangered insects such as bumble bees\, strategies to map and control invasive plants\, the chemical ecology and behaviors that affect herbivory\, and the boom-and-bust seed production dynamics of many trees (i.e. mast seeding). His work informs management decisions made by the US Fish and Wildlife Service\, National Parks\, and a variety of other groups. \n\n\n\n\n\nCheatgrass and other exotic annual grasses have severely impacted vast expanses of semiarid uplands\, causing damaging increases in wildfire\, loss of native perennials and the habitat they provide\, and detracting from grazing\, military training\, recreation\, and other landscape uses. Management responses have ranged from acceptance of the changes; or resisting the changes through fire protection and suppression; or directing the changes to tolerable “alternative” vegetation states\, often with mixed success. Key breakthroughs have been made recently in detection\, monitoring\, and mapping of the invaders and the wildfire risks they pose\, and in the toolkits for eradication and restoration. Involvement of USGS scientists in the planning\, implementation\, and assessment of the treatments had led to substantial advances in the understanding of the fire and invasion problems\, enhancement of the tools\, and improved security of the fire and invasion threats across vast areas. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatt Germino\, Supervisory Research Ecologist\, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science CenterMatt Germino is a supervisory research ecologist that developed and now leads the USGS FIREss team (Fire\, Invasives\, and Restoration Ecology of Shrub Steppe) of 20 researchers on the invasive-grass and wildfire problem affecting sagebrush rangelands and similar habitats in the western USA. The team provides both basic and actionable science for adaptive management of invasive grass-fire problems\, typically co-produced with managers of BLM\, FWS\, NPS\, DOE\, DOD\, state\, and private lands. His work topics such as ecology and control options for cheatgrass and other invaders\, wildfire fuels and risk modeling\, post-fire recovery. and determining the right restoration seed at the right time and place are described in nearly 200 journal articles over the last 25 years.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-biosecurity-at-usgs/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250122T125021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T193152Z
UID:124777-1740403800-1740411000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: NOAA's Efforts to Support Biosecurity in Marine and Great Lakes Environments
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will explore emerging threats from invasive marine species\, the latest research on coral disease\, and innovative approaches to marine biosecurity. Experts will discuss NOAA’s response to invasive soft corals\, advancements in diagnosing and mitigating stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)\, the evolving impact of lionfish populations\, and strategies for strengthening marine biosecurity to protect ocean ecosystems. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nNOAA’s Response to an Emerging Threat of Invasive Soft Corals in the Pacific and Caribbean Basins – Presented by Dr. Joe KriegerRecently\, several marine invasive species have been identified in the Pacific and Caribbean that could impact mission critical operations for US military\, federal and state agencies\, and local communities. If these are not addressed and accounted for\, there’s a substantial risk that these species could be unintentionally spread to other US regions\, potentially causing escalating and compounded economic and ecological damage. In this presentation\, I will detail NOAA’s response to this emerging threat and ongoing efforts to prevent the spread and establishment of these marine invasive species. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoe Krieger\, Ph.D.\, NOAA Invasive Species Coordinator \n\n\n\nDr. Krieger serves as NOAA’s national invasive species coordinator and is duty stationed at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor\, MI. Joe helps to coordinate NOAA’s invasive species work across the country and to bring awareness to new and emerging threats to NOAA’s managed resources (coral reefs\, fish stocks\, coastal/ shoreline habitat\, etc.). \n\n\n\n\n\nMolecular characterization and diagnosis of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) – Presented by Dr. Michael StudivanStony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is the most destructive coral disease described to date\, and has become endemic in most parts of the Caribbean. The AOML Coral Program is conducting interdisciplinary research to mitigate further impacts of this disease on Caribbean reefs\, as well as to prevent the potential spread of SCTLD to Pacific reefs. In this talk\, Dr. Michael Studivan will present an overview of the research the AOML Coral Program is conducting to characterize\, diagnose\, and model SCTLD spread\, including implications for management. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Michael Studivan\, Associate ScientistDr. Michael Studivan is an Associate Scientist at the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)\, as part of the AOML Coral Program. His research involves the use of advanced molecular techniques to better understand coral diseases and treatments\, genetic connectivity of coral ecosystems\, and physiology/adaptation of corals in marginal and extreme environments. \n\n\n\n\n\nNature\, Take the Wheel!: Lionfish Abundance\, Impacts\, and Control After the Invasion Peak – Presented by Dr. Steve GittingsWhere are lionfish on the timeline of their invasion cycle? In many places they probably reached peak abundance several years ago. How will the post-peak phase play out? What will determine the levels of future impacts? Will the legacy of lionfish impacts be highly destructive on a continual basis\, less disruptive at some lower level\, or just a memory? \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSteve Gittings\, Ph.D.\, Chief Scientist\, NOAA Office of National Marine SanctuariesDr. Steve Gittings is a conservation scientist\, training and working at Texas A&M University before managing the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary\, then becoming Chief Scientist for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in 1997. His specialty is ecosystem characterization and monitoring. He has studied coral reef ecology\, invasive species\, biofouling\, and impacts from ship groundings and oil spills. His team produces reports on resource status and trends in national marine sanctuaries\, which are critical elements of management planning. He has been a diver for over 50 years\, a scientific diver for over 40 years\, has done four saturation missions in the Aquarius habitat\, operated ROVs\, and is a submarine pilot. He also developed a lionfish trap that he hopes will help control deep populations of this invasive species while supplying lionfish as seafood. \n\n\n\n\n\nImproving Marine Biosecurity – Presented by Dr. Val BrownThis talk will provide a brief overview of marine biosecurity concepts including prevention\, early detection and rapid response\, and control and the challenges of addressing invasive species in the marine environment. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVal Brown\, Research Coordinator\, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary of American SamoaVal Brown is one of the leads for the Pacific Preparedness Team of the US Coral Reef Task Force Coral Disease and Disturbance Working Group. She has worked in the Pacific Islands since 2004 on a broad array of issues including regional marine biosecurity. She was part of the teams that developed the strategic implementation plan for the Micronesia and Hawai’i Regional Biosecurity Plan and control efforts for crown of thorns starfish\, a nuisance species\, in Guam. In her current role as the Research Coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa\, Val leads the conservation science program and efforts to better understand and protect the amazing marine resources in the sanctuary and the ecosystem services they provide to the people of American Samoa. \n\n\n\n\n\nHorizon Scanning and Risk Assessment – Presented by Rochelle Sturtevant\, Ph.D.This talk will provide an overview of NOAA work in the Great Lakes region to synthesize horizon scanning and risk assessment conducted at scales ranging from local to global\, and to scale this information for application to the Great Lakes. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRochelle Sturtevant\, Ph.D.\, AIS Specialist and Program Manager for the NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS)\, Michigan Sea Grant\, Michigan University ExtensionDr. Sturtevant has worked with the GLANSIS database since its inception in 2003\, first as the Sea Grant Liaison to NOAA-GLERL and later as the GLANSIS Program Manager. This NOAA-led regional searchable database provides researchers\, natural resource managers and educators with access to distribution and impact data\, risk assessments\, and synthesis of the latest research publications. Rochelle’s position allows her to work collaboratively with Michigan Sea Grant\, Michigan State University Extension\, and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) to address regional science information needs and support early detection and rapid response as well as regional coordination. Dr. Sturtevant serves as Sea Grant research representative to the Great Lakes Panel on ANS as well as contributing to the National Invasive Species Council’s Horizon Scanning Task Team and the ANSTF’s Early Detection and Rapid Response Subcommittee. \n\n\n\n\n\nAn overview of Chondria tumulosa in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the development of preliminary biosecurity protocolsChondria tumulosa was first observed and collected in 2016 after it was found in small patches overgrowing coral reefs around the northeastern backreefs of Manawai (Pearl & Hermes Reef) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). It was not until a research expedition in 2019 that the seriousness and extent of Chondria reef overgrowth and spread came to light. At that time\, preliminary lethality experiments were conducted to inform management of the biosecurity protocols required to mitigate the risk of inadvertently spreading this cryptogenic species elsewhere in the PMNM or inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Further trials were conducted in 2022 to better expand managers’ biosecurity mitigation options after the alga was discovered at the adjacent atoll of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) in 2021. In 2023\, the species was identified at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll) growing cryptically and is now considered to be present at the last three atolls of the Hawaiian Archipelago. It is imperative that managers understand the options available to prevent further spread of this species through vectors associated with anthropogenic activities and natural occurrences. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian B. Hauk\, Sanctuary Resource Specialist\, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries-PapahānaumokuākeaBrian Hauk is the Resource Protection Specialist for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Part of his duties are to oversee PMNM’s marine biosecurity protocols for alien species management in the Monument. Prior to his time at NOAA\, he worked for Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources utilizing mechanical removal techniques and biocontrol methods to control several invasive red algal species. This background has been very applicable to PMNM’s most recent challenge of managing Chondria tumulosa. Since its discovery\, Hauk has been heavily involved in the development of management actions related to the cryptogenic species that is overgrowing pristine coral reefs in the northern most atolls of PMNM.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-marine-biosecurity/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250224T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250122T124408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T133215Z
UID:124773-1740398400-1740402000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:NISAW Webinar: The role of primary and secondary introduction pathway management in effective biosecurity
DESCRIPTION:Effective biosecurity is crucial for safeguarding the United States’ ecosystems\, economy\, and public health from the growing threat of invasive species. One important component of biosecurity is identifying and managing the many ways in which non-native species are moved from one location to another. Introduction pathways include the vector that carries the non-native species (e.g.\, ship hulls\, horticulture\, aquaculture)\, and the geographical routes the species travels. Introductions can be classified as primary – where non-native species cross jurisdictional or biogeographic boundaries\, or as secondary – where they move within these boundaries after the initial introduction. Focusing management efforts on high-risk primary introduction pathways is an efficient approach for reducing the threat posed by multiple invasive species at once before entering the United States. However\, once a species breaches those borders\, the management focus shifts to secondary pathways to limit its spread. This presentation will cover the benefits of managing introduction pathways\, the transition between pre-border\, at-the-border\, and post-border pathway management\, and the challenges we face moving forward. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Bio: Deah Lieurance\, Asst. Professor of Invasive Species Biology and Management\, Penn State University \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Lieurance is an Assistant Professor of Invasive Species Biology and Management in the Ecosystem Science and Management Department at Penn State University. She has worked for over 12 years in invasive species prevention and risk assessment and led the first horizon scan for invasive species threats in the United States. Currently\, Dr. Lieurance is leading horizon scans for the U.S. Virgin Islands\, Puerto Rico\, and a national horizon scan for plants in trade\, as well as a project ranking secondary spread pathways to contribute to the National Early Detection and Rapid Response Framework. She also ran the University of Florida’s risk assessment program for non-native plants and is currently building the Penn State University Invasive Species Risk Analysis Program: a cooperative extension program to determine the invasion status or invasion risk of non-native species for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council. Her research spans plant-herbivore interactions\, the enemy release hypothesis\, and biocontrol development for high-priority invasive plants. She is currently developing a research program to investigate the effect of climate change on the ecophysiology and chemical ecology of invasive plants and how that might shape plant herbivore interactions.ns.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/nisaw-webinar-the-role-of-primary-and-secondary-introduction-pathway-management-in-effective-biosecurity/
CATEGORIES:NISAW,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250219T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250219T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20250117T141428Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250212T124417Z
UID:124737-1739970000-1739973600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Green Crab Invasion: Coastal Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:The European Green Crab is among the most successful invasive predators in coastal marine ecosystems\, with established populations on five continents. While this invasive species has long impacted the Atlantic coast\, its more recent arrival on the Pacific coast has resulted in rapid expansion\, stretching from California to Alaska. This webinar brings together expert speakers from New Hampshire Sea Grant\, Washington Sea Grant\, and the Metlakatla Indian Community in Alaska to provide a comprehensive look at the Green Crab’s ecological impacts\, monitoring\, and management efforts. Join us to explore how communities across both coasts are addressing the challenges posed by this prolific invader. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar is being jointly hosted by NAISMA and Sea Grant. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers: \n\n\n\n\nTim Campbell\, Wisconsin Sea Grant/USFWS/Sea Grant AIS Liaison\n\n\n\nGabriela Bradt\, New Hampshire Sea Grant\n\n\n\nEmily Grason\, Washington Sea Grant\n\n\n\nIan Hudson\, Metlakatla Indian Community\n\n\n\n\nPresentations and Speaker Bios: \n\n\n\nThe New Hampshire Green Crab Project: Working on solutions to tame an invader – Presented by Dr. Gabriela BradtIn 2015\, in response to local lobstermen seeking assistance in dealing with green crabs in their traps\, NH Sea Grant and UNH Cooperative Extension initiated a multi-pronged approach to addressing the problem that included basic biological research\, market research and development\, and public engagement and education through participatory science. This long-running program has contributed significantly to how the Northeast is approaching green crab mitigation through science\, innovation\, and public engagement to tame and utilize a resource rather than seeking to eradicate a well-established invader. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGabriela Bradt\, Ph.D. – New Hampshire Sea GrantGabriela is a Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension State Specialist for New Hampshire Sea Grant and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Her programming and research is centered around seafood marketing\, market creation\, and consumer education and awareness about New Hampshire’s fisheries\, aquaculture\, and local seafood accessibility. Her research on invasive green crabs explores market development for a potential green crab fishery\, as well as soft-shell crab production. Additionally\, she leads citizen science programs looking at green crab population and distribution in coastal New Hampshire.Gabriela received a Ph.D. in Zoology from The University of New Hampshire in 2005\, and an M.A. in Biology from Bryn Mawr College in 2000. Since 2011 she has been involved in fisheries and aquaculture research and outreach. \n\n\n\n\n\nA Wide Net and a Deep Bench: Searching and monitoring for European green crab with community members – Presented by Dr. Emily GrasonAs green crab threatened to expand their foothold in Washington State in the early 2010s\, Washington Sea Grant partnered with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to launch a citizen science program for early detection. Community involvement set the stage in Washington not only for successful early detection\, but also for extraordinarily broad engagement across partner groups\, jurisdictions\, and institutions. WSG Crab Team now hosts two participatory science efforts related to green crab monitoring\, the flagship monitoring network and a newer more expansive program called Molt Search. Integrated with other components of Crab Team’s support for regional efforts\, such as capacity building and research\, these programs advance support for\, education on\, and efficacy of statewide efforts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: Emily Grason\, Ph.D. – Washington Sea GrantEmily Grason is a marine ecologist at Washington Sea Grant. As the lead for Crab Team\, she oversees a comprehensive program focused on monitoring and control of the European green crab. Starting with a flagship citizen science early detection monitoring network ten years ago\, the program has expanded to support Washington’s technical needs related to green crab management\, including research and capacity building among managers and trappers. \n\n\n\nEmily holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington\, completed her master’s work at Western Washington University\, and her undergraduate work at Bowdoin College. She really enjoys walking in\, on\, and through Washington’s muddy\, salty places\, and sometimes remembers to look up for birds. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nManaging the First European Green Crab Invasion in Alaska – Presented by Ian HudsonIn 2020\, the Metlakatla Department of Fish and Wildlife began monitoring for the invasive European Green Crab. In 2022 the first live EGC specimen was confirmed on Annette Islands Reserve in southern Southeast Alaska\, the first one to be discovered in the state of Alaska. Since the confirmation of the first EGC on AIR\, the MICDFW has conducted extensive trapping efforts to manage this invasive species. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: Ian Hudson\, Metlakatla Department of Fish and WildlifeIan Hudson is a tribal member of the Metlakatla Indian Community and works as the Fisheries Biologist and European Green Crab Coordinator for the Metlakatla Department of Fish and Wildlife since June 2024. Prior to working for MICDFW\, Ian worked at Metlakatla High School for the last 10 years\, 6 of which he was a science teacher.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-green-crab-invasion-coastal-perspectives/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20241016T134545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T175606Z
UID:124132-1736946000-1736949600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Progress Towards a Model Legal Package for NAISMA’s Weed Free Products Program
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Stephanie Showalter Otts\, Director of the National Sea Grant Law Center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program at the University of Mississippi School of Law.As the North American Invasive Species Management Association’s Weed Free Products (WFP) program expands across the country\, legal and policy barriers have emerged that limit implementation. To advance the WFP standards\, the National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC) at the University of Mississippi School of Law is collaborating with NAISMA to create a model legal package for state noxious weed programs focused on pathway prevention through certified weed free forage\, gravel\, and mulch. The three-year project\, which launched in January 2023\, is supported by the U.S. Department of Interior with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. During the first phase of the project\, the NSGLC compiled an inventory of state invasive plant statutes\, regulations\, and policies nationwide and conducted an analysis of six priority policy attributes. In the next phase\, the NSGLC will be conducting a gap analysis to assess state authority to implement WFP programs. The inventory and findings from the gap analysis will provide the foundation for the development of the model legal package in the third phase of the project. In this special session\, the NSGLC will provide an overview of the project and present findings from the inventory and gap analysis. In addition\, the NSGLC will solicit participant input on research findings and the proposed approach to development of the model legal framework through interactive polling or similar technology. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStephanie Showalter Otts is the Director of the National Sea Grant Law Center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Stephanie graduated from Penn State University with a B.A. in History and received a joint J.D./Masters of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School in 2001. Stephanie began her career at the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2002 as the National Sea Grant Law Center’s first staff attorney (research counsel). Prior to joining the University of Mississippi\, Stephanie served as a Law Clerk for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre\, Pennsylvania. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and Mississippi. As Director\, Stephanie oversees a variety of legal education\, research\, and outreach activities addressing ocean and coastal law issues. She conducts legal research and provides technical assistance to organizations and governmental agencies on a variety of topics\, including aquaculture\, fisheries\, invasive species\, and coastal development. Stephanie also teaches a foundational course on ocean and coastal law at the University of Mississippi School of Law and serves as the co-coach of the Pace Environmental Law Moot Court team. Her research on natural resources\, marine\, and environmental law issues has been published in a variety of publications. Stephanie has conducted extensive research on marine and freshwater invasive species. Recent relevant publications include “Confronting the Marine Invasive Species Threat: Practical and Legal Challenges” in Climate Change Impacts on Ocean and Coastal Law: U.S. and International Perspectives (2014) and “Legislative and Regulatory Efforts to Minimize Expansion of Invasive Mussels through Watercraft Movements” in the Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy (Summer 2013).
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-progress-towards-a-model-legal-package-for-naismas-weed-free-products-program/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/webinar23232323.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241016T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241016T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20240213T194716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240814T190041Z
UID:122034-1729083600-1729087200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: White-Nose Syndrome and Bats
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Jonathan Reichard and Jeremy Coleman\, White-Nose Syndrome Response Team\, USFWS \n\n\n\nWhite-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that affects hibernating bats\, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). This fungus thrives in cold\, dark\, and damp environments\, attacking the bare skin of bats during their hibernation. As it grows\, it disrupts their hibernation patterns\, causing them to burn through the fat reserves needed to survive the winter. The result is often fatal\, with millions of bats in North America already lost to this disease. WNS is especially concerning because bats play a critical role in ecosystems\, particularly in controlling insect populations. Additionally\, people can unknowingly spread the Pd fungus when they move from one location to another without properly cleaning their gear. This makes it crucial to clean and disinfect shoes\, clothing\, and equipment between trips to help prevent the spread of WNS. In this webinar\, we’ll explore the impact of White-Nose Syndrome and learn more about the efforts of the White-Nose Syndrome Response Team to combat this deadly disease. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-white-nose-syndrome-and-bats/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/orca_wns_RyanvonLinden.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240918T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240918T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T111018
CREATED:20240209T143833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240930T163850Z
UID:122020-1726664400-1726668000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease – An Overview
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr. Nicholas Rosenau\, U.S. EPA Office of Wetlands\, Oceans\, and Watersheds \n\n\n\nStony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first reported in September 2014 off the coast of southeast Florida and has since become the most lethal coral disease ever recorded due to its swift spread\, extensive tissue necrosis\, and high mortality rates. \n\n\n\nThe etiological agent(s) and the mechanisms(s) of spread remain under investigation. Research has shown that SCTLD can be transmitted via seawater and direct contact with sick corals and sediments. Ocean currents are believed to play a role in transmitting the disease over relatively short distances (e.g.\, Florida’s Coral Reef) but cannot explain the pattern of spread across the wider Caribbean. Recent attention has focused on the roles vessels (specifically\, ballast water and biofouling) may play in transmitting SCTLD and the implications these potential modes of transport could have for SCTLD spread to coral reefs around the globe. This presentation provides an overview of SCTLD and discusses the hypothesized short- and long-range mechanisms of SCTLD transmission including ocean currents\, sediments\, ballast water and biofouling. Ongoing and planned efforts in the U.S. to understand the cause\, mechanisms of spread\, and impacts of SCTLD will also be presented. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNick Rosenau (U.S. EPA)Nick Rosenau is a Biologist at the U.S. EPA in the Office of Wetlands\, Oceans & Watersheds | Ocean & Coastal Management Branch (OCMB) in Washington\, DC. He is the staff lead for the branch’s Coral Reef Protection Program and coordinates EPA’s National Coral Reef Team. He also serves as the Biofouling lead for EPA’s rulemaking under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA). \n\n\n\nNick received his Ph.D. in Earth Science from Southern Methodist University (2013) and Bachelors’ degrees in Geology and Chemistry from the University of Arkansas\, Little Rock (2007). Before moving to the DC area in 2016\, he worked as a Geologist for several energy & environmental consulting firms in Colorado\, and as a Staff Geochemist for oil and gas operators (Pioneer Natural Resources; Sklar Exploration) in Texas and Colorado. Prior to joining EPA full time in 2020\, he was an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellow in EPA’s Office of Water where he supported a number of coastal management programs and worked on coastal acidification\, coral disease\, water quality\, vessel discharges\, and vessel sewage no discharge zones projects.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-stony-coral-tissue-loss-disease/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/stonycoral2.jpg
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