SYMPOSIUM WRAP-UP COMMENTS
OVERHEADS
www.wsweedscience.org
FLIP CHART SHEETS
Needs/Ideas for the Future
Can (will) we incorporate research into BLM and FS restoration, revegetation, and control efforts?
Most important issues to wildland weed managers:
Aquatic Invasive Species
Look at how communities accept other programs like recycling, water conservation
Invasive species and water quality, fisheries and riparian habitat
Weeds and fire management
Education general public, especially children
Behavior-change models for
Conflict resolution – skills for developing common ground
Land user (i.e., ranchers) advisory group to have input into research projects – need
to get more research land-use-driven. Solve problems with reasonable solutions, not just
ask questions.
We need to think outside the box – I think supporting research in what genetic
modification (i.e., sterility) can contribute to weed control (yellow starthistle and
medusahead, etc.)
LIST YOUR TOP 3 NEEDS (poll – 124 responses)
X’s after statement indicate additional votes for this concept.
Money XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Support for early detection.
Policies to slow spread and introduction of invasives.
Process to screen horticultural plants to prevent introduction of invasives.
Survey and management of wilderness areas geared to prevention. X
Rate plants before introduction into U.S. to predict weediness. X
An understanding of mechanisms underlying the process of invasion.
Identify areas that are susceptible to alien plant invasion.
More biological control in IPM systems.
New biocontrols for new weeds. XXX
More biocontrol resources.
Need to know that introduced biocontrols can possibly demonstrate top-down control before they are released.
Research on seed banks x biocontrols.
Research on predation of biocontrols agents – effects on suppression.
Fund biocontrols projects in full – upfront, not piecemeal.
Biocontrol agents for field bindweed.
Import mongoose.
Impact data for biocontrol agents across site conditions.
Better basic ecology done before biological control introductions (e.g., interactions among natural enemies, interactions between natural enemies and competitors, etc.)
More foreign explorations.
Interference between ecology/biocontrol/genetics.
Sustainable weed management/control.
Aquatic weed control information.X
No-till control of knapweed for native grass/forb restoration.
Effective treatments.
Better (and affordable) monitoring systems for large, remote areas, e.g., high elevation imagery (plane or satellite) XXX
Develop better inventory and monitoring techniques. XXXXXXX
Accurate inventory of weed species. XXXX
Long-term monitoring within each habitat where IWM methods have been in use.
Further habitat identification of weeds.
Thorough inventory of entire forest and adjacent lands.
Information on how to effectively collect weed and sampling data.
Coordination of inventory/monitoring efforts and support.
More grazing and weed viability in intestinal tract study.
Some guidelines for moving weed grazing livestock from area to area without spreading weed seed.
Beneficial grazing systems that are not too complicated or complex.
More herbicide access. X
Continuous boom-spraying of highway rights-of-way.
More herbicide application resources.
Species- or at least genus-specific herbicides.
Pasture label for Plateau/Oasis.
Chemicals as selective as biocontrol insects.
Research
Additional state/university personnel doing research. X
Long-term projects producing real-world results.
Program development that focuses on multi-year funding for perpetuity of programs.X
More research into the effects of weeds and control treatments on other components of ecological communities, native plants, insects, mammals, etc. XX
Guidelines for integration (i.e., chemicals and grazing, biocontrol and grazing) XXXXXXXX
Knowledge of how to create and maintain weed-resistant communities.
Continue to develop better technology.
More research on revegetation options, especially with native species (spp. selection, spp. blends/mixes, seeding rates) XX
Economical/efficient revegetation.
Find the "silver bullet" for inaccessible/steep areas.
Restoration solutions and alternatives for the tough sites (YST Hell’s Canyon); what are our best options pending further technology advances?
More experiments that have been completed – many presentations offer preliminary results.
Results from long-term studies (5-15 years).
More information about impact of maintenance, long-term impact of herbicide use on native communities.
More information on managing knapweed in western Washington – most methods are not appropriate for higher rainfall areas.
Research on effects of exotic weeds on seral microflora communities.
Funding of research that connects the parts (sometimes it’s the small important stuff that doesn’t get funded).
Operational research on rehab/restoration on monocultures of weeds, competitive cultivars designed to outcompete specific needs and meet objectives.
Movement from study-based information toward land-based information – large-scale results.
Economically viable post-control strategies.
Better techniques for riparian areas. XXXX
Research new invaders.
Understanding of biology and ecology of the weeds and the systems of invasion. X
Research on what happens of we do nothing.
Effects on environment, wildlife, etc.
Best management practices.
Adapted varieties of grasses and forbs that can revegetate formerly infested land.
Management techniques for infested-site preparation to sequester allelopathic chemicals and excess nutrients.
Information for restoring to a native flora, and the effects on the ecosystem (pollinators, native plants, birds, etc.).
Controlling knapweed in sensitive areas.
Research associated with ongoing land use practices on public lands.
Information on specific weed treatment strategies.
Further research on most effective / cost-effective control methods.
More information on competitive effects of native species and functional groups of natives on restoration and invasive weeds.
Weed management models for similar situations.
Methodology for inventory of weeds under a closed canopy and a partially-closed canopy (trees).
More R&D regarding selection and development of vigorous early- and mid-seral perennial revegetation species for cultural weed suppression and restoration on depleted sites. X
Incorporation of VAM inoculation into restoration/revegetation activities during and following weed control.
Attention to desert invasives and ID research, outreach materials, etc.
Soil nutrient evaluation.
Revegetation for landscape weed control – semi-lawn sites.
Research to address environmental concerns.
Evaluate and develop the feasibility of using genetic engineering to control (i.e., to limit the spread of) some weeds (i.e., YST, medusahead, etc.
Education and Awareness
Clear vision of desired plant community and how to get it established.
Greater commitment to manage weeds over long term. X
Greater public awareness about weeds. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Better public awareness programs.
Greater awareness on part of decision-makers. XXXX
More political support. XX
Public buy-in and support to learn, participate in and support weed management and moreover sustainable native plant ecosystems. XXX
Public involvement on a positive note rather than negative (anti-gov’t, anti-regulation, anti-chem, anti-biocontrol, etc.) X
Understanding/communication among public, managers, and scientists
Public support and encouragement from local and state legislature to deal aggressively with the issue. XXX
Education and outreach to local, regional, and national groups; public involvement. XXXXXXXXX
More ideas in education.
Public education programs will effectively teach people not directly working in natural resources so they change their activities so they don’t spread noxious weeds.
Find out what others have done – don’t duplicate information.
Better cooperation among neighboring landowners to manage weeds. XX
Gain wider public understanding and awareness about all lands.
Social science – not land managers/practitioners talking about their program or how important education is; rather how do people receive and interpret educational messages, how to change behavior, etc. X
Well documented success stories to convince audiences that efforts are worthwhile.
More communication, talking to the public. XX
Convince landowners that plant competition is the most powerful "tool" available for use in the plant management toolbox.
Education for environmentalists (extremist groups) in a non-hostile manner where a consensus can be achieved to use all tools including herbicides, using the best tool for the job without misunderstanding.
More weed ecology classes in university.
Economic impacts of weeds. XXX
Urban areas cleaned up (of weeds).
Urban education. X
More Extension material. X
Simple outreach materials for marketing invasives control to the public.
Easy accurate info regarding ID and control – use one good internet site with links.
Miscellaneous
How to deal with "weed-fighting fatigue."
Functioning plant development programs to provide adequate quantities of desired native species at affordable costs, to use in large-scale restoration efforts.
Obtain realistic funding. XXXX
Stable funding for agencies. XXX
Full-time weed specialists in land management agencies. XX
More full-time field people. XXXXXXXXX
Managers will to work with researchers to go beyond "projects" to documented research.
Agencies loosening artificial barriers to good management practices.
Public Extension plan and implementation of it.
All mid-level management support and commitment that weed management is a top priority. X
Continual funding to achieve long-term, sustainable management – at various levels. XX
Cooperation between managing agencies, landowners, industry, universities, tribes, non-profits, enviros, community (schools, church). XXX
Interagency communication and support. X
Identify, develop, maintain, and (?) native plant refugia and weed-free zones to demonstrate to the public that it can be done. These areas will eventually link up and create a network.
Continued forums for information exchange such as symposiums.
Long-term staffing – people once trained often move on due to seasonal nature of job. X
Establish cooperative weed management areas involving states, agencies, private. XXXXXX
Regional planning and strategy. XX
NEPA reform.
More input from landowners/producers.
Site-adapted ecological management across all uses.
Clearinghouse for all the issues from prevention, to eradication, to managing weeds.
Include ecological community in information regarding successful noxious weed control.
Political and social will to organize and move the invasive issue forward.
A better understanding of the end result or objective and understanding of success.
At these meetings have each person "pull" a weed. That would be 300 fewer weeds.
Uniform databases that work across agencies.
Integration of weed management into other natural resource management programs.
Willingness and money to fill the gap that eradicated weeds have left. Fill in the new niche with desirable vegetation.
The Forest Service needs a good way of dealing with the NEPA document in order to be more persistent and consistant in weed treatment than the weeds they are dealing with.
Narrow the gap between knowledge and on-ground application.
Understanding on the part of those responsible for eradication (APHIS) that new invaders will never have a constituency to support prevention/eradication efforts as individual species.
Noxious weed coordinator for forest = strategic planning on the landscape level.
Ability to focus on this issue rather than fragmentation of duties.
Stronger legislation and enforcement.
Society and government need to take the weed problem as seriously as the national wildfire program and provide the same level of commitment to killing weeds as suppressing fires. By doing this we’ll get the resources we need: People, Equipment, Funding.
Ways to mobilize / capitalize on human resources to help control.
Funding for inspectors’ on-the-ground time.
Cooperation/enthusiasm of landowners – private and public/commercial (highway dept., railroad, lumber companies)
Change in paradigm about natural resource and land management. Weeds are not the focus – good stewardship is. Land management agencies and individuals will be aware and incorporate steps to stop introduction and spread of weeds in all plant communities they are responsible for.
Method to capture society’s expectations for future land use (management) and what degree of weed infestation is acceptable.
A way to bring more private landowners into cooperative weed management areas without dragging them in with traditional enforcement.
Need to change some of the commercial weed mgmt enterprises so they are not trying to sell only one mgmt tool and to work within the integrated framework.
Cooperation from management to do the work. (management education).
Changes in land management to promote restoration efforts.
Sen. Craig’s weed bill passed.
Vegetation management recognized as the goal, not just killing weeds.
Overall plan/strategy that has a proven high rate of success.
Conflict resolution information.
Less regulation.