Event information
Date
Time
Central time
Location
Webinar series
Contact
Michelle Isaacson, isaac162@umn.edu or 507-389-6714
Central time
Webinar series
Michelle Isaacson, isaac162@umn.edu or 507-389-6714
Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp. australis) is a tall, non-native grass that can dominate wetlands and lakeshores, displace native flora and fauna, and harm recreation, infrastructure and ecological functioning.
Starting in 2017, crowd-sourced reporting and dedicated surveillance revealed a manageable invasion that, with enough effort, could be reversed. We partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and many local managers to confront the problem.
Now, four years into a statewide control effort, partners have largely succeeded in preventing the sprawling invasive Phragmites stands seen in other states. Ongoing efforts have continued to raise awareness and identify new populations. A substantial number of previously treated populations are no longer detectable.
We will discuss progress toward finding alternatives for wastewater treatment facilities that use invasive Phragmites in their operations and hybridization with native Phragmites.
Concerned individuals can help by learning to identify the plant, avoiding actions that could contribute to its spread, and reporting suspected new populations. With collaboration, attention to detail and persistence, we can prevent invasive Phragmites from transforming Minnesota lakeshores, wetlands, and other habitats.
Chelsey Blanke is a U of M researcher focused on invasive species and ecological restoration. She and Julia Bohnen work closely with the Minnesota DNR and many local managers to coordinate the statewide invasive Phragmites control effort.
Julia is involved in research and outreach related to ecological restoration and invasive species management. She coordinates multiple partners in a statewide invasive Phragmites control effort and consults with wastewater treatment facility operators to transition from using invasive Phragmites for biosolids dewatering. She also co-facilitates a series of five online Ecological Restoration Extension courses.
Dan Larkin is a MAISRC research fellow and associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. He and his research team work on applied challenges in invasive species management and ecological restoration in lakes, wetlands and terrestrial habitats. He trains volunteers and professionals to support invasive species response and ecological restoration efforts.
AIS detectors, AIS professionals, researchers and anyone interested.
Free
Registration is required.
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact Michelle Isaacson two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) webinar series brings in speakers from a broad range of aquatic invasive species topics to share the latest prevention, management, education and outreach updates.
Each webinar in the series offers participants an opportunity to hear a presentation from a researcher with ample Q&A time to engage with the speaker on the topic. The presentations are intended for a broad audience, including resource management agency staff, lake managers, researchers, lakeshore residents and other interested members of the community.
© 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.