# Presentation: 724066

## U.S. National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive PlantsSystem Goals, Objectives, Elements and Processes

- Randy G. WestbrooksUSGS BRD, Whiteville, NC
- Les MehrhoffIPANE, UCONN, Storrs, CT

## Evolution of EDRR and Interagency Partnering for Invasive Plant Prevention

**Phase I – Single Agency Led Weed Eradication Programs and Projects**
**Mega-Size Weed Eradication Programs**
- USDA Witchweed Eradication Program (Carolinas) – 432,000 Acres (1956-2007)
**Medium Size Weed Eradication Projects**
**Goatsrue** (Utah) – 39,000 Acres (1981-1996)
**Common Crupina** (Idaho, Oregon, Washington) – 30,000 Acres (1981-1991)
**Branched Broomrape** (TX) – 1,000 Acres (1986-1995)
**Catclaw Mimosa** (FL) – 500 Acres (1986-1992)
**Micro-Size Weed Eradication Projects**
**Japanese Dodder** (SC) – 2 Acres (1991-1995)
**Small Broomrape** (VA, NC, SC, GA) - 2 Acres Each – (1991-1995)
**Wild Sugarcane** (South Florida – 13 Acres (1991-1992)
**Wetland Nightshade** (South Florida – 500 Acres – 1991-1992
**Giant Salvinia** (SC) – 1 Acre – (1995-1996)
**Tropical Soda Apple** (Southeast) – 5-10 Acres – (1994-2000)
**Phase II – Interagency Partnerships to Address New Invasive Plants**
- NC Giant Salvinia Task Force (2002-2007)
- Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force (2003-2007)
- Washington State Crupina Eradication Task Force (2004-2007)
- NC Bush Killer Task Force (2005-2007)

## U.S. National EDRR System for Invasive Plants - Goals

- Prevent the establishment and spread of new invasive plants in managed areas and natural ecosystems in the United States.
- Develop a Global Early Warning System for Invasive Alien Species

## History of the National EDRR System

**1996 – Current – State /Provincial Interagency Invasive Species Councils**
- WY, CO, NE, AZ, TX, ID, CT, NY, PA, MD, DE, WV, SC, AL, MS, Alberta, British Columbia
**1998 – FICMNEW – EDRR System Recommended**
**2000 – National EDRR Workshop – Ft. Collins, CO**
**2001 – Invasive Plant Atlas of New England**
**2003 – National EDRR System Conceptual Design**
**2003 – Current - New Invasive Plant Task Forces**
- NC Giant Salvinia Task Force, Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force, WA State Crupina Eradication Task Force, Caddo Lake (LA/TX) Giant Salvinia Task Force
**2006 – Regional Invasive Plant Atlases**
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South, MS State
- Invasive Plant Atlas of Alaska
**2007 – EDRR System Development Activities**
- Additional Regional Invasive Plant Atlases
- EDRR Pilot Projects – CT, MD, SC, MS, NE, WY, Alberta

## System Objectives, Elements, Processes

- Interagency Coordination, Partnering
- Early Detection and Reporting of New Invaders
- ID and Vouchering of Specimens
- Field Data Archival and Analysis
- Rapid Assessment of New Invaders
- Rapid Response to New Invaders
- Research and Technical Support
- Outreach and Education

## I. Interagency Coordination and Partnering

**Local Coordination**
- Cooperative Weed Management Areas
- Invasive Plant Task Forces (e.g., Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force)
**State and Regional Coordination **
- State Invasive Species Councils
- State EDRR Coordinating Committee
**National Coordination - FICMNEW**
**International Coordination**
- International EDRR Working Group (IUCN Invasive Species Working Group)
- Organize at EMAPI #9 Conference, Perth, W. Australia, 9-07)

## II. Early Detection and Reporting

**State EDRR Volunteer Detection and Reporting** Network
- Agency Field Personnel and Volunteer Naturalists
**EDRR Target List **
- State EDRR Coordinating Committee
**Training Curriculum for EDRR Volunteers **
- IPANE, USGS
**Training Workshops for EDRR Network Volunteers**
- State EDRR Coordinating Committee

## III. Identification and Vouchering

**State ID Coordinator**
- EDRR Coordinating Committee
**Designated Botanists and Herbaria**
- Agency Botanists
- University and College Botanists

## IV. Field Data Archival and Analysis

**Regional Invasive Plant Atlases**
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South
- Invasive Plant Atlas of Alaska
**National Plants Database (USDA NRCS)**
**APHIS Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) Database **
**Global Early Warning System for Invasive Alien Species (ISSG, USGS, NBII??)**
- North American Early Warning System for IAS
- Alberta Invasive Plant Council
- FICMNEW
- Weeds Across Borders Workshop Partners
**National EDRR System Clearinghouse **
- Website for Showcasing EDRR Projects and Coordinating System Development

## V. Rapid Assessment.

- Rapid Assessment Guidelines (USGS BRD and IPANE)
- APHIS Weed Risk Assessment System
- AQIS Weed Risk Assessment System
- NatureServe Weed Ranking System
- Onsite and Distant Rapid Assessment of New Exotic Species (USGS, State Weed Scientists, etc.)

## VI. Rapid Response.

**Rapid Response Guidelines – Principles of Eradication (USGS)**
**On-the-Ground Control and Eradication Initiatives**
**Cooperative Weed Management Areas**
- Multi-Species Focus; Including EDRR Target Species
**Invasive Plant Task Forces **
- Species Specific Focus
- Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force, NC Giant Salvinia Task Force

## VII. Research and Technical Support.

**Ecological modeling – IAS Spread Prediction; Survey Planning**
- IPANE - John Silander, UCONN
- USGS National Institute of Invasive Species Science – Tom Stohlgren, Ft. Collins, CO
**Technical Support**
- USGS BRD – Randy Westbrooks
- IPANE – Les Mehrhoff; IPAMS – John Madsen, MS State

## VIII. Outreach and Education.

- Numerous Presentations, Seminars, and Workshops
- FICMNEW EDRR System Video (2003)

## National EDRR System - Summary

**Interagency Partnering to Promote EDRR**
- Local, State, National, and International Partner Groups
**Early Detection and Reporting**
- Trained EDRR Volunteer Network
**ID, Vouchering**
**Data Archival, Analysis**
- Botanists; Regional Invasive Plant Atlases; Ecologists
**Rapid Assessment**
- Onsite and Distant Assessments
**Rapid Response**
- CWMAs, and Invasive Plant Task Forces

## Partnerships Now....  Weeds Won't Wait!

## Slide 16