{"id":15,"date":"2016-08-04T17:04:41","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T21:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ingramcontrols.com\/tnipc\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2021-12-20T13:20:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T18:20:36","slug":"initiatives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tnipc.org\/?page_id=15","title":{"rendered":"Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Public Tips & Guides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Invasive Plant Removal Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Invasive plant removal events are a great way to involve the community in your organization, introduce them to native plant and animal species in a natural setting, and educate them about threats from invasive species. TN-IPC developed a set of practical steps and guidelines, Organizing Volunteer Invasive Plant Removal Projects<\/a>, to help you plan an event in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the guidance of Invasive Plant Control, Inc., and with help from Garden Clubs of America, Weed Wrangles are being held all over the state, region, and nation as part of Invasive Species Awareness outreach.  Find out more about Weed Wrangles<\/a> in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are excellent guides on the identification and control of many of the invasive plants on TN-IPC\u2019s list. To reduce possible confusion with look-a-like native plants, consult the “Mistaken Identity” guide under Helpful Links below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\nTennessee Management Manual<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a><\/td>\nNewly Revised A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests<\/em> by James H. Miller<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a><\/td>\nA Management Guide to Invasive Plants in Southern Forests<\/em> by James H. Miller, Steven T. Manning, Stephen F. Enloe<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

Boot Brush Interpretive Signs for Trails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Boot brush interpretive sign installed by SACWMP on the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs, NC.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP) developed interpretive signage for trailheads along the Appalachian Trail, installing three in Madison County, NC, near Hot Springs. The signs describe the threat exotic invasive plant species pose to natural areas and picture six common invasive species. A boot brush is mounted at the base of each sign to encourage hikers to scrub mud and debris from their boots before entering the trail. The signs are designed to educate the public to the role humans play in spreading invasive plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prove the efficacy of the project, dirt was collected from these brushes, placed in sterile pots, and watered. Seedlings of invasive species, such as Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimenium<\/em>), as well as native plant species quickly germinated. The signs accomplish two goals: the spread of harmful species is at least slowed while hikers learn about invasive plant ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\"boot-brush-sign-tn-eppc-text\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/td>\n
John Odell of SACWMP, developer of the sign, has provided basic construction guidelines<\/a> other groups may use to build signs for their area. TN-EPPC can assist with sign text and photos (as shown at right) if needed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

Early Detection & Rapid Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2009, a group of concerned individuals and representatives of federal and state agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations came together in an effort to cooperatively address invasive plants in the state of Tennessee. Their focus centers first on prevention \u2013 developing strategies to keep new invasive species out of the state, followed by early detection and rapid response to quickly spot and eradicate these troublesome species. This group, the Tennessee Invasive Plant Species (TIPS) Steering Committee, chose to focus on species that are known to be highly invasive where they occur but 1) do not yet occur in the state of Tennessee or 2) are not yet widespread in the state. Representatives of fourteen entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a 41,220 square mile Cooperative Weed Management Area encompassing all of Tennessee and an agreement to work together to educate, detect, inventory, monitor, control, and prevent the spread of cogongrass and other designated species within the state of Tennessee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TN-IPC\u2019s Research on Cost Estimates of Invasive Exotic Plants in Tennessee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TN-IPC estimated the cost of invasive plant management to the state, surveying federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners on how much they spend to manage invasive plant species in Tennessee: at least $2.6 million annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This figure represents the minimum amount of money spent in our state on invasive plant-targeted control (biological, chemical, and mechanical), mapping, and outreach, taking into account only direct costs. Indirect economic impact includes invasive species influence on ecosystem services and land value by decreasing native plant diversity, crowding out wildlife habitat, degrading wildland recreation potential, and lowering property values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estimating the total economic impact of invasive plants is extremely difficult. Nationally, estimates range from $603 million to $25 billion annually ($603 million, Office of Technology Assessment 1993; $25 billion, Pimentel et al. 2005). In 2008, The California Invasive Plant Council estimated that invasive plants cost their state roughly $82 million annually (Brusati 2009). The U.S. Office of General Accounting (2002) recognized that many economic analyses focus on the impacts of invasive species on commercial activities such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, rather than on the impact on natural area ecosystems. We focused primarily on the cost of invasive plants on managed natural lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We sent our survey to nearly 200 agencies and organizations working in Tennessee. Our resulting figure of $2.6 million in expenditures represents the responses received in the survey and is detailed in the fact sheet below. Other invasive plant organizations interested in conducting a similar study, may download a how-to handbook on developing and implementing a cost assessment survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\nTN-IPC Invasive Costs Fact Sheet Summary<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"tn-eppc-survey-protocol-pdf\"<\/a><\/td>\nHow to Develop and Implement a Cost-Assessment Survey<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

Gravel & Sand Pit Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Invasive Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara<\/i>) is inadvertently introduced into Cumberland Gap National Park via gravel for road work.
Photo by Jenny Beeler<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gravel and sand quarry pits are the perfect disturbed habitats for establishment of invasive plants. Some invasive species are deliberately introduced during restoration of plant cover to control erosion and improve water quality. Seeds from invasive plants can contaminate both the active pit and storage piles, providing a pathway for future infestations at construction sites throughout the region. Adapting forms and procedures in use at Yellowstone National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has begun working with quarries used by the park to survey their facilities for invasive species and recommend improvements to minimize seed contamination. Sample inspection protocols and forms, a list of restoration seed mixes to use and seeds to avoid, plus FHWA guidelines on invasive species are below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gravel & Sand Pit Protocols for Weed Inspection<\/a>
Gravel & Sand Pit Weed Conditions Rating Key<\/a>
Gravel & Sand Pit Weed Inspection Form<\/a>
Gravel & Sand Pit Restoration Seed Mix Recommendations<\/a>
Federal Highway Administration Guidelines on Invasive Species<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controlling the Spread of Invasive Weeds from Aggregate: A Tutorial<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yosemite National Park Gravel Inspection Example<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workshops & Seminars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the year, TN-IPC may host one or more workshops or seminars, including our annual meeting, at various locations around the state. These events include topics on invasive plant identification, management recommendations, chemical control, and alternative landscaping options, as well as updates on TN-IPC\u2019s projects and regional and national issues that impact our state. Commercial pesticide applicator recertification points are usually available in several categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PowerPoint Presentations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TN-IPC board members are often available as speakers for interested groups. The Council has developed presentations on the general issue of invasive plants, native plant alternatives for gardens and landscapes, homeowners off-the-shelf herbicide application, and mapping of invasive species in Tennessee. PDF files of four slide presentations may be viewed below. To request a guest speaker or to use one of our presentations, please contact<\/a> us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controlling Invasive Plants in Your Landscape<\/a>
Invasive Plants 101<\/a>
Sustainable Landscaping: Making Informed Choices<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education \u2013 Classroom Teacher Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2008, Middle Tennessee State University\u2019s Center for Environmental Education created an activity guide and video on invasive species.Noxious Neighbors: Invasive Species in Our Backyards<\/em> features 11 classroom activities variously suitable for grades K-12 and includes correlations to Tennessee\u2019s science curriculum standards and a glossary. The video \u201cIf It\u2019s Green, It\u2019s Good?\u201d may be used in conjunction with the activity guide. These resources were funded in part by the National Park Service\u2019s Challenge Cost Share Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"noxious-neighbors-booklet\"<\/a><\/td>\nNoxious Neighbors Activity Guide<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

Download the video \u2014 If It\u2019s Green, It\u2019s Good?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n