Group items tagged

One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands. BLM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control and monitor weed populations on public lands. 1. Invasive species cost the public millions of dollars in control and management each year and many invasive plants and noxious weeds are highly competitive and have the ability to permanently degrade our public lands. 2. Noxious weeds and invasive species expansion are recognized as the single greatest threat to our native plant communities and the values they provide us. 3. These native plant communities are essential for supporting wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation opportunities, rural economies and working landscapes. 4. Invasive plants and noxious weeds affect plant and animal communities on farms and ranches, and in parks, waters, forests, natural areas, and backyards in negative ways. 5. Human activity such as trade, travel, and tourism have all increased substantially, escalating the speed and volume of species movement to unprecedented levels.

This requirement will address measures included in the 2008 United States Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) Biological Opinion (BO) for Military Operations on San Clemente Island (SCI) related to plant management on SCI. The BO identifies the need to continue control of invasive weeds that may be limiting the recovery of six listed plant species. Currently, the invasive species management program on SCI is structured around the five goals identified in the 2008-2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan: (1) Prevention; (2) Early Detection and Rapid Response; (3) Control and Management; (4) Restoration; and (5) Organizational Collaboration. Once invasive species have been established, which is the scenario on SCI, at least five types of management can be utilized (biological, chemical, mechanical, harvest management, and fire). This Cooperative Agreement will focus on the first four methods of management (i.e. excluding fire) and will be a continuation of work begun in late 1990. This action is considered to be a new cooperative agreement as work has not been recently procured.

This will require a coordinated effort, as Montanaâ¿¿s intermingled land ownership patterns make it impossible to fight this battle alone. For example, a single lake may have multiple entities managing the shoreline. If only one area were treated, the untreated areas would likely serve as a source area for re-invasion. The project will include detection, eradication, education (prevention), and monitoring. All four of these steps are key to the success of the project. Implement actions to prevent, control, and contain including education and awareness monitoring and reporting aquatic invasive species in cooperation between Bureau of Land Management Districts through implementation of cooperative agreements. Promote the Bureau of Land Management interests in an Integrated Weed management (IWM) system approach to undesirable plants and aquatic invasive species. Implement an IWM system using all available methods or a combination of methods including: (1) the most efficient and effective method of preventing, containing, or controlling undesirable plants species; (2) scientific evidence and current technology; (3) the physiology and habitat of a plant species; and (4) the economic, social, and ecological consequences of implementing the program

This project/program is to restore and maintain healthy, productive ecosystems and wildlife populations through management activities. The project should include (but not limited to):  Commercial and non-commercial thinning of forests, Hand and mechanized treatment of vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel conditions and or improve habitats  Seeding of appropriate wildlife browse and forage species for habitat enhancement, and seeding for erosion and noxious weed control on sites disturbed by management activities. Seeding will be of native species unless science and experience have proven non-native, non-invasive species are more effective. Layout of treatment unit boundaries under the direct supervision of BLM staff. Prescribed fire may be part of the overall project. Federal agency personnel will serve as the lead partner for any prescribed fire planning and operations. All personnel used for prescribed fire operations will meet NWCG requirements

This project/program is to restore and maintain healthy, productive ecosystems and wildlife populations through management activities. The project should include (but not limited to):  Commercial and non-commercial thinning of forests, Hand and mechanized treatment of vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel conditions and or improve habitats  Seeding of appropriate wildlife browse and forage species for habitat enhancement, and seeding for erosion and noxious weed control on sites disturbed by management activities. Seeding will be of native species unless science and experience have proven non-native, non-invasive species are more effective. Layout of treatment unit boundaries under the direct supervision of BLM staff. Prescribed fire may be part of the overall project. Federal agency personnel will serve as the lead partner for any prescribed fire planning and operations. All personnel used for prescribed fire operations will meet NWCG requirements

continuing the project on invasive plants in thinned and burned project areas, TTU will add an analysis of ant assemblages in these project areas. Ants are important dispersers and consumers of seeds of native and non-native plants, and understanding the presence of different ant species and colonies is an important facet of invasive plant ecology. Ant samples are being collected by NPS entomologists, and sorted in the laboratory. Sorted ant samples will be shipped to TTU and identified by ant specialists on campus. Data recorded will include ant species, site and trap number, collection date, and numbers of individuals of different ant castes (workers, soldiers, queens, etc.)

.S. Geological Surveyâ¿¿s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to explore the plant-microbe interactions in Phragmites australis, with a primary focus in the Great Lakes basin. In order to develop a microbe-based management approach for invasive plants, this research will study samples of Phragmites plants (or related species) grown or collected in collaboration with ongoing USGS studies to isolate, identify, and experiment with microbes (e.g., fungi, bacteria). The goals of this research are to improve our understanding of ways that fungal and bacterial endophytes affect Phragmites invisibility and provide targets for microbial control or enhancement. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of invasiveness in Phragmites and to identify potential control mechanisms, research in three general areas that build upon past and ongoing research: 1) comparing key characteristics of native vs. invasive Phragmites genotypes, 2) developing in vitro approaches for exploring Phragmites-microbial interactions, and 3) exploring the role of Phragmites litter as an endophyte inoculum source and contributor to soil microbial community structure and dynamics.

EPA anticipates funding projects in the following categories: -Great Lakes Taxonomy and Barcodes to Support Early Detection Monitoring (EPA-R5-GL2016-TAG) -Invasive Species Control (EPA-R5-GL2016-ISC) -Foundations for Invasive Species Collaborations (EPA-R5-GL2016-FFC) -Phosphorus Risk Reduction Pilots in Western Lake Erie Agricultural Watersheds (EPA-R5-GL2016-PRR) -Agricultural Watershed Management Implementation (EPA-R5-GL2016-AWM) -Urban Watershed Management Implementation (EPA-R5-GL2016-UWM) -Agricultural Incentive Program Effectiveness (EPA-R5-GL2016-IPE)

EPA is soliciting applications for grants and/or cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. EPA will award approximately $13.9 million under a Request for Applications for up to about 40 projects, contingent upon funding availability, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. This RFA is EPA's major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for fiscal year 2015. It is one of several funding opportunities available through federal agencies under the GLRI. Categories (Funding Opportunity Number): *Invasive Species Prevention (EPA-R5-GL2015-ISP) *Invasive Species Control (EPA-R5-GL2015-ISC) *Urban Watershed Management Implementation (EPA-R5-GL2015-UWM) *Agricultural Watershed Management Implementation (EPA-R5-GL2015-AWM) *Maumee River Watershed Nutrient Prevention Pilot Project (EPA-R5-GL2015-MNP)

Design and implement stream restoration measures to restore these streams to their natural state. These measures could include installing erosion control measures, re-grading and replanting native and non-invasive species to restore the natural shallow water habitat and slow the flow of water through the stream. Specifically, the work shall create shallow non-tidal wetland habitat which uses native non-invasive plant species to reduce further erosion and a decrease in water quality. Native plantings shall primarily be used to establish erosion controls due to ground disturbance that will be inherent within this project.

The Bring Back the Natives program, an initiative of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), invests in conservation activities that restore, protect, and enhance native populations of sensitive or listed fish species across the United States, especially in areas on or adjacent to federal agency lands. The program emphasizes coordination between private landowners and federal agencies, tribes, corporations, and states to improve the ecosystem functions and health of watersheds. Priority will be given to projects that address the leading factors in native fish species decline such as habitat alteration, environmental change, and invasive species. Grant awards will generally range in size from $50,000 to $100,000, and require at least one-to-one matching funds. Eligible applicants include local, state, federal, and tribal governments and agencies; special districts; nonprofit organizations; and schools and universities. The pre-proposal deadline is June 28, 2018; invited full proposals will be due August 23, 2018. Visit the NFWF website to review the 2018 Request for Proposals.

The BLM- WO Wildlife Program helps ensure self-sustaining populations and a natural abundance and diversity of wildlife on public lands for the enjoyment and use of present and future generations. The Program is responsible for maintaining, restoring, and conserving species and their habitats in cooperation with the Federal and State wildlife agencies, and other partner organizations. BLM-administered public lands are home to thousands of mammal, reptile, avian, amphibian, and invertebrate species over some of our nation¿s most ecologically diverse and essential habitat. The BLM will work with partners and maintain close collaboration with States, Tribes, other Federal agencies, and other organizations in conserving and restoring wildlife habitats to support wildlife and wildlife uses under a shared conservation stewardship approach. The BLM uses the latest geospatial data technologies to share wildlife and wildlife data within BLM and with partners to work more efficiently. The Wildlife Program leverages funds with other BLM programs to address vegetation restoration that not only improves wildlife habitat, but also increases forage for livestock, improves water quality, removes invasive weed species, and reduces the threat for catastrophic wildfires.

One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands. BLM NM has opportunities to work with partner organizations to collaboratively manage and coordinate treatments, inventories, monitoring, education and outreach, and prevention activities to control new infestations and treatment to remove existing infestations of noxious weeds and invasive species in order to gain efficiencies across multiple jurisdictions.

OIA's Brown Treesnake Control Program funding focuses on preventing the dispersal of this invasive species from Guam to other geographic areas and funding research in support of population suppression with the ultimate goal of eradication.

Recipients will provide support to the Natural Resourceprograms at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Joint Base Andrews InstallationSupport Section Air Force. The recipientwill provided evaluation, management and treatment of invasive species, forestedareas, and wildlife survey as outlined in the Integrated Natural ResourcesManagement Plan (INRMP). Severalinvasive plant species impact various military missions including training andforce protection, reduces biodiversity, and impacts long-term land sustainment.

BLM has an opportunity to work with partner organizations to collaboratively manage and coordinate treatments, inventories, monitoring, education and outreach, and prevention activities to control new infestations and treatment to remove existing infestations of noxious weeds and invasive species in order to gain efficiencies across multiple jurisdictions.

Funds under this award are to be used to conduct habitat restoration, primarily through invasive plant removal targeting Arundo donax and other problematic plant species that are degrading habitat for the endangered Least Bellâ¿¿s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and other wildlife in the Santa Clara River in Ventura County, California.

The Tribes own and operate the Se'lis Ksanka Qlispe Hydropower Facility (formerly known as Kerr Dam). Inva­sive mussels would affect all submerged components and conduits of that facility, costing the Tribes millions of dollars. If the mussels were to become established here, they would quickly move downstream, invading the entire Columbia system, and the projected cost of controlling them at that point is $500 million annually. And once they become established in a system, they are difficult if not impossible to eradicate. Prevention is the least expensive, most effective course of action, which is why this project - developing a 24-hour AIS check station, prevention through public outreach and education and adding enforcement targeting recreational boaters and anglers - is their focus. Mussel-infested boats are routinely intercepted at inspection stations on their way to the Flathead Basin. Currently we estimate that roughly 30% of watercraft are not stopping at inspection stations because they arrive after the inspection station is closed or because they purposely (and unlawfully) drive-by the station without stopping or are unaware of the legal requirement to stop. This project is needed because of the immediate and grave danger posed by these uninspected boats- it only takes one harboring invasive mussels to infest the entire Flathead Basin, and a single infestation in the Flathead threatens the entire Columbia. The purpose of this project is to help ensure that no mussel­ fouled watercraft arriving via the primary route into the Flathead Basin can launch into basin waters.

The National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity for research investigating the challenges involved with international data discovery and sharing specific to invasive species and of existing automated visualizations which operate in a spatial context. This research should generally contribute to the improvement of ecological modeling tools and their user interfaces.

Rapid Ecoregional Assessments REA synthesize the best available information about resource conditions and trends within an ecoregion. They highlight and map areas of high ecological value, including important wildlife habitats and corridors, and gauge their potential risks from climate change, wildfires, invasive species, energy development, and urban growth. REAs also map areas that have high energy development potential, and relatively low ecological value, which could be best-suited for siting future energy development. In addition, REAs establish landscape scale baseline ecological data to gauge the effect and effectiveness of future management actions.

The goal of this program is to detect, prevent, eradicate, and/or control invasive plant species to promote resiliency, watershed stability, and biological diversity on federal, state, or private land.