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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:20250820T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250917T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250917T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20250422T163932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T124751Z
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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:20251008T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251008T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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:20251119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/drones2323.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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:20260223T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260223T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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:20260224T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260225T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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:20260227T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260227T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260211T142628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T143053Z
UID:137774-1776258000-1776263400@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Shifting the Momentum on Feral Swine: National Leadership and Lessons from Missouri's Success
DESCRIPTION:In this webinar\, Michael Marlow\, the Assistant Program Manager for the USDA’s National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSP) will provide an overview of the challenges associated with invasive wild pigs and describe how the NFSP is supporting efforts across the US to control wild pig populations. Megan Cross and Keith Carlisle\, researchers with the USDA\, will then present findings from a recent qualitative study that investigated how government agencies and organizations from the nongovernmental sector achieved notable progress in their efforts to eliminate wild pig populations in the state of Missouri. They spoke with agency leaders\, managers\, and field staff to understand the policies that were implemented and the strategies and management methods that were used to successfully eliminate wild pigs in many of the state’s watersheds. Key policies included prohibiting transport and release of wild pigs and restricting recreational wild pig hunting on public lands. Key management strategies included the use of presence/absence models\, systematic baiting\, and the innovative use of new technology (e.g.\, drones). In addition\, the agencies adopted the Incident Command System (ICS)\, forming a unified response team to improve accountability\, efficiency\, and interagency coordination. The goal in sharing this research is to highlight successful policies and strategies that could help natural resource managers in other states facing similar challenges. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Marlow\, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesMichael Marlow is a Wildlife Biologist and serves as the Assistant Program Manager for the APHIS Wildlife Services’ National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSP). Michael began his Wildlife Services career in Oklahoma in 1996\, where he served as a Wildlife Specialist performing duties to resolve wildlife damage; as a Wildlife Biologist combating pecan depredation by crows; as a Wildlife Disease Biologist\, conducting surveillance on a wide variety of wildlife including coyotes\, beaver\, feral swine\, and a number of avian species. Prior to becoming a member of the NFSP he served as the Resource Management Specialist with WS’ Operational Support Staff\, where his duties focused primarily on addressing livestock industry needs relative to Integrated Wildlife Damage Management and livestock protection. Michael received an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology and a graduate degree in International Agriculture\, both from Oklahoma State University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMegan Cross\, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesMegan Cross is a Social Scientist at the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services-National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins\, Colorado. Her research focuses on human-wildlife conflict\, with an emphasis on wild pig governance and large predator management\, including nonlethal livestock protection strategies. Megan brings expertise in both qualitative and quantitative social science methods to address complex wildlife management challenges\, and she holds a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and an MS in Natural Resource Science and Management from the University of Minnesota. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeith Carlisle\, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesKeith Carlisle is a social scientist and Human Dimensions Unit Leader at the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services-National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins\, Colorado. Broadly\, his research focuses on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence and natural resources governance through an interdisciplinary lens that includes social psychology\, economics\, law\, and political science. Keith holds a J.D. from the New York University School of Law\, an M.E.M. from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University\, and a Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-shifting-the-momentum-on-feral-swine-national-leadership-and-lessons-from-missouris-success/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/feralswine126.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260320T183515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T183832Z
UID:138177-1778677200-1778682600@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Small Ants\, Big Impacts: Managing Invasive Ant Species in North America
DESCRIPTION:Invasive ants are spreading into new regions\, disrupting ecosystems\, impacting agriculture\, and creating challenges for land managers and communities. From aggressive supercolonies to painful stings\, these small invaders can have outsized ecological and economic consequences. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a webinar exploring the impacts and management of several high priority invasive ant species. Brooke Mahnken (Maui Invasive Species Committee) will share insights from Hawai‘i’s ongoing efforts to detect and manage little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Maui. Christina Boser (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) will discuss the ecology\, spread\, and management of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile)\, drawing on her experience with eradication and control efforts in sensitive island ecosystems in California. Dr. Christopher Hayes (North Carolina State University) will highlight the emerging threat posed by Asian needle ants (Brachyponera chinensis)\, including their impacts on native ecosystems and human health. \n\n\n\nTogether\, these presentations will provide an overview of the biology\, impacts\, and management strategies associated with invasive ants\, along with practical lessons for early detection and response. Participants will gain a better understanding of how these species spread and what land managers can do to help reduce their impacts. \n\n\n\nImage Credit: Image used with permission\, Little Fire Ants by Melody Euaparadorn\, Hawaii Ant Lab \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrooke Mahnken\, Maui Invasive Species CommitteeBrooke Mahnken is a Data Analyst\, GIS Specialist\, and Invasive Ant Supervisor with the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). Originally from Washington state\, he joined MISC in 2005 as part of the plant field crew and later became the program’s operations and GIS specialist. Since 2016\, he has coordinated MISC’s efforts to detect and manage little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Maui\, using spatial data and field operations to support early detection\, containment\, and response efforts. Brooke holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Washington. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristina Boser\, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceChristina Boser is a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an ecologist with more than 15 years of experience in conservation\, invasive species management\, and collaborative research. Her work has focused extensively on invasive ants\, particularly Argentine ants (Linepithema humile)\, and their impacts on sensitive ecosystems in California. She has led and contributed to multi-agency partnerships\, including the California Islands Argentine Ant Eradication Fellowship\, advancing innovative strategies for detection\, control\, and long-term ecosystem recovery. Christina holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master’s degree in Ecology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristopher Hayes\, PhD\, North Carolina State UniversityDr. Christopher Hayes is an entomologist at North Carolina State University whose research focuses on the ecology\, behavior\, and management of urban and structural pest insects. He leads the Hayes Structural Pest Research Lab\, where his work examines invasive pests such as Asian needle ants and Formosan termites\, as well as other medically important insects\, to better understand how they spread and how management strategies can reduce their impacts. Dr. Hayes earned his B.S. in Environmental Sciences from North Carolina State University\, an M.S. in Global Health from Duke University\, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State University.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-small-ants-big-impacts-managing-invasive-ant-species-in-north-america/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260617T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260617T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260226T133551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T133844Z
UID:137971-1781701200-1781704800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Starry Trek: Mobilizing Volunteers for Early Detection of Aquatic Invasive Species
DESCRIPTION:Since 2017\, Minnesota’s Starry Trek Program has demonstrated how coordinated volunteer engagement can significantly expand early detection capacity for aquatic invasive species. Originally launched as a statewide effort to search for starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa)\, an invasive freshwater green alga that can form dense mats and disrupt lake ecosystems\, Starry Trek has grown into a successful model for large scale\, volunteer powered surveillance. Each year\, hundreds of trained participants survey public water accesses across the state\, contributing to the discovery of new infestations of starry stonewort and other priority aquatic invasive species. In this webinar\, we will explore how Starry Trek was built\, how it has evolved over time\, and what lessons have emerged from organizing a recurring\, statewide volunteer detection event. Participants will gain insight into the partnerships\, coordination strategies\, and program design considerations that have allowed Starry Trek to scale while maintaining scientific credibility and management impact. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMegan Weber\, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center/University of Minnesota Extension \n\n\n\nMegan Weber is an Extension Professor at the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center and University of Minnesota Extension. Megan’s work focuses on the development and delivery of AIS education\, volunteer\, and citizen science programs that work towards solutions to aquatic invasive species problems. A native Minnesotan\, Megan studied marine biology in California and received her B.S. from University of California Santa Cruz and her M.S. in environmental studies from San Jose State University.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-starry-trek-mobilizing-volunteers-for-early-detection-of-aquatic-invasive-species/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260715T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260715T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260312T173411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T173546Z
UID:138101-1784120400-1784124000@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Practical Approaches to Managing Amur Honeysuckle
DESCRIPTION:Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is an invasive shrub native to eastern Asia that was widely planted for ornamental use and wildlife habitat. It is now established across much of the eastern and midwestern United States\, where it forms dense understory thickets that outcompete native plants\, reduce plant diversity\, and alter forest structure and ecosystem processes. \n\n\n\nJoin Kaleb Baker of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission for a practitioner focused webinar that translates recent research into practical\, on the ground management guidance for landowners and land managers. This session will cover how to identify Amur honeysuckle\, summarize its ecological impacts\, and explore management options and challenges faced in the field. \n\n\n\nDrawing from recent studies evaluating seasonal basal bark herbicide treatments\, prescribed fire\, and soil responses to herbicide applications\, this presentation will provide an overview of research objectives\, methods\, and results while highlighting how these findings can inform efficient\, targeted control strategies that align with broader land management responsibilities. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKaleb Baker\, Illinois Nature Preserves CommissionKaleb Baker is a Natural Areas Preservation Specialist with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. He earned a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Northern Illinois University\, where his research examined the effectiveness of triclopyr basal bark treatments and prescribed fire for controlling Amur honeysuckle. Since 2015\, Kaleb has worked in land stewardship\, focusing on invasive species management\, prescribed fire\, and restoration practices that support diverse and resilient native ecosystems. His work combines research and hands-on field experience to inform practical management strategies for invasive species.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-practical-approaches-to-managing-amur-honeysuckle/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260302T134204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T134314Z
UID:138016-1787144400-1787149800@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Planning for the Unknown: Tools for Urban Forest Pest Preparedness
DESCRIPTION:Urban forests are on the front lines of invasive pest threats and climate uncertainty. This webinar features two practical tools that help communities assess risk\, strengthen preparedness\, and respond strategically to emerging forest pests. Representatives from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will introduce the Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook\, a resource that guides towns\, cities\, counties\, and urban forestry programs through self assessments and recommended actions to close gaps between local managers and state and federal response partners. We will also explore Portland’s Tree Inventory Project and how comprehensive tree data supports proactive management. By measuring\, mapping\, and identifying public trees across the city\, Portland has strengthened its ability to plan for climate impacts and invasive species\, including using inventory data to inform its response planning for emerald ash borer. Join us to gain practical insights and learn about scalable tools that can help your community prepare for the next pest threat before it arrives. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHeidi Asplund\, Washington Department of Natural ResourcesHeidi Asplund is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist holding a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. She has worked in tree care for over 20 years with a municipal parks department\, a public power company and currently as an Urban Forestry Technician with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Urban & Community Forestry Program. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Urban Forestry at the University of Washington and a Master’s in Public Administration at Seattle University focusing on public land protection. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBiz Miller\, Portland Parks and RecreationBiz Miller leads forest assessment projects for Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Foresty\, including tree inventory\, tree mortality\, and canopy monitoring projects. She is a certified arborist and ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnya Moucha\, Portland Parks and RecreationAnya Moucha is the Forest Pests and Pathogens Coordinator with Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry. In her role\, Anya guides the city’s response to forest health threats like Emerald Ash Borer\, Dutch Elm Disease\, and Mediterranean Oak Borer. A certified arborist\, she has a background in landscape architecture and environmental policy.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-planning-for-the-unknown-tools-for-urban-forest-pest-preparedness/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tools12.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260916T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260916T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260304T130213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T130216Z
UID:138045-1789563600-1789567200@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Managing Invasive Blue Catfish in the Chesapeake Bay
DESCRIPTION:Invasive blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) have become an increasingly prominent species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed\, raising important ecological and management questions for resource professionals across the region. Join Branson Williams from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for an update on how the state is working to better understand the scale of this invasion and inform management decisions. This webinar will provide an overview of current monitoring and research efforts\, including the use of electrofishing to assess blue catfish populations and improve estimates of abundance in key waterways. Our presenter will share insights into how improved data collection and collaborative efforts are helping guide management actions in a large and complex estuarine system. This session will be particularly valuable for invasive species managers\, fisheries professionals\, and others interested in how science based monitoring tools can support informed decision making in aquatic invasive species management. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBranson Williams\, Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesBranson Williams is the Invasive Fishes Program Manager within the Freshwater Fisheries and Hatcheries Division at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He has worked for the department as a Natural Resources Biologist since 2010 and has served in his current role since 2023\, where he leads efforts to better understand and manage invasive fish species across Maryland’s waterways. Branson holds a Master of Science in Fisheries Science from William & Mary and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He has co-authored multiple research publications focused on blue catfish movement and population dynamics\, and his work emphasizes data driven research to inform effective fisheries management strategies for both native and invasive species.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-managing-invasive-blue-catfish-in-the-chesapeake-bay/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/septweb.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261118T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261118T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T182615
CREATED:20260310T130405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T130612Z
UID:138090-1795006800-1795010400@naisma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Building Capacity for Rapid Response: Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team (IInSRRT)
DESCRIPTION:The Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team (IInSRRT) is a program being designed to support or lead\, as requested\, rapid response actions across jurisdictions in support of lead management authorities\, such as DOI land management agencies\, states\, tribes\, and territories. \n\n\n\nThe goal of the IInSRRT is to respond to nationally significant invasive species\, as appropriate to the DOI mission\, and across multiple jurisdictions regardless of land ownership within the authorities of DOI bureaus. The program structure is composed of the IInSRRT Coordinator\, an IInSRRT Guidance Group\, and deployment team responders initially composed of employees within the DOI. The Guidance Group provides guidance and support for the program. The IInSRRT Coordinator has been assisting in achieving management objectives flowing from the  National Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Framework and other local\, regional\, and national efforts. The IInSRRT program is meant to increase resources available to support rapid response actions\, through Incident Command System (ICS) emergency response support that may include an interjurisdictional deployment team for invasive species incident response on and off DOI lands and waters as requested. \n\n\n\nThis presentation will provide an overview of the IInSRRT structure\, roles the program can support during response actions\, and provide one of many opportunities for suggestions on how to effectively implement the program. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER NOW\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMcKayla Spencer\, Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team CoordinatorMcKayla Spencer is the Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team (IInSRRT) Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). She received her B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida and her M.S. in Biology from Austin Peay State University with a thesis on comparative physiology and behavior of two native North American snakes. She worked with invasives species on Guam\, including Brown Treesnakes\, before working with other invasive species in Florida with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as the state’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator. She now coordinates the IInSRRT program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\, implementing the program with partners to increase the capacity for invasive species rapid response.
URL:https://naisma.org/event/webinar-building-capacity-for-rapid-response-interjurisdictional-invasive-species-rapid-response-team-iinsrrt/
CATEGORIES:NAISMA Webinar,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://naisma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/novweb1.jpg
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