tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71869192755012217282024-03-13T14:53:54.945-07:00Oregon Invasive SpeciesHow invasive species are affecting Oregon and the Pacific NorthwestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08162459742695622177noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-89472656767419792862014-11-19T10:37:00.001-08:002014-11-19T11:11:28.471-08:00Looking Back on Invasive Species Encounters in Oregon<i>A blog post by Dan Hilburn </i><br />
<br />
<i>He writes, "The time has come for me to pass the baton and head for the locker room. I’ll be retiring in November. The Department has generously allowed me several weeks to wrap up loose ends. One of those is downloading information that that might be useful to those still in the race. Here is a look back at how Oregon has responded to invasive species in the last few decades. My focus is on ODA insect and weed programs where I have first-hand knowledge."</i><br />
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<br />
<h3>
<i>The Early Years </i></h3>
<h4>
1960's - Recognition of the Risks</h4>
Prior to the 1960’s, ODA surveys focused on documenting pest population levels of established agricultural pests. By the late 1960’s, this evolved to include surveys for pests threatening to invade but not known to occur in Oregon, including Japanese beetle, cereal leaf beetle, and Khapra beetle. One of my predecessors, Bill Kosesan, recognized the risk. He wrote in 1968: “Because we travel more and faster these days and move plants, food, forest, and fiber products in greater quantities, the danger of spreading plant pests is greatly increased.” “If present trends are any indication Oregon can expect more pest invasions, not fewer.”
<sup><a href="#fn1" id="ref1">1</a></sup><br />
<sup> </sup>
<br />
<h4>
Gypsy Moths</h4>
In 1977, Oregon began annual surveys for gypsy moth, one of the worst forest pests ever to invade North America. Two years later, Diana Kearns, who still works for us, reported the first positive trap in West Linn. The first infestation to trigger an eradication treatment occurred in Salem in the early 1980’s. Mill Creek, right outside ODA headquarters, was covered with plastic to minimize insecticide getting into the water. That was good practice for 1984 when a very large infestation was discovered in Lane Co. 19,096 gypsy moths were caught that year triggering a massive aerial assault that grew to include a quarter of a million acres.
<sup><a href="#fn2" id="ref2">2</a></sup>
The State Legislature allocated several million dollars for the treatments and continued monitoring. Due to concern about spraying residential neighborhoods with chemical pesticides, ODA pioneered use of B.t., a naturally occurring biological insecticide, for this large-scale eradication project. It took three applications per year applied by helicopter for several years, but happily it worked. We’ve continued to rely on that technique for the last three decades and the funding that came in response to that outbreak.<br />
<br />
<h4>
1990's - the Federal Government </h4>
In 1993, the U.S. Congress’s Office of Technology Assessment came out with a report on “Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States.”
<sup><a href="#fn3" id="ref3">3</a></sup>
The following year, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture came out with “Biological Pollution: A Serious New Environmental Challenge.” That report concluded: “What is needed is a national initiative to properly address the issue of harmful non-indigenous species as biological pollutants. Such a national initiative would provide a mechanism whereby all federal, state, and private agencies could join in a holistic effort to deal with the problem.“
<sup><a href="#fn4" id="ref4">4</a></sup><br />
The term “invasive species” wasn’t commonly used until President Clinton signed executive order 13112 on Feb. 3. 1999, entitled “Invasive Species.”
<sup><a href="#fn5" id="ref5">5</a></sup>
His order created the national invasive species council and it’s advisory committee. I remember reading that order, especially one particular paragraph that read: “Among other things, the advisory committee shall recommend plans and actions at local, tribal, State, regional, and ecosystem-based levels to achieve the goals and objectives of the management plan in section 5 of this order.” Somebody should do that in Oregon, I thought. The idea stayed with me.<br />
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<h3>
<i>
The Start of the Oregon Invasive Species Council </i></h3>
Eventually I called Dr. Mark Systma, Oregon’s aquatic nuisance species guru at PSU. He’d also read the executive order and was thinking along the same lines. We pulled in Paul Heimowitz from OSU Sea Grant and Larry Cooper from Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and together drafted a legislative concept that would create an Invasive Species Council in Oregon. We made it easy for legislators by suggesting funding for the Council come from reassigning a few thousand dollars that were going toward a moribund interagency IPM committee. Momentum built through 2000 when OSU hosted a Biology Colloquium called: Biological Invasions! The Quiet Global Change. The legislature responded and the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) was born a year later. <br />
OISC included <i>ex officio</i> members from State agencies that deal with invasive species plus appointed at large members representing “the geographic, cultural and economic diversity of this state.” The Council’s purpose was, and is, to: <br />
<ul>
<li>Facilitate reporting of invasive species, </li>
<li>Educate people about related issues, </li>
<li>Develop a statewide plan for addressing invasions, and </li>
<li>Provide grants or loans for eradicating new invasions. </li>
</ul>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Impact</h4>
OISC has made a difference. Oregon’s 1-866-INVADER hotline facilitated reporting right out of the gate and then it’s online counterpart <a href="http://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/">http://oregoninvasiveshotline.org</a> made it even easier to connect people noticing suspicious animals and plants to experts that can identify them and respond if necessary. Public awareness has also improved. In 2005, OISC contracted with Anthill Marketing to do a random telephone survey of Oregonians’ knowledge of invasive species.
<sup><a href="#fn6" id="ref6">6</a></sup>
The conclusion was: “The average Oregonian does not understand what nuisance or invasive species are other than perhaps weeds.” In 2007, Lisa DeBruyckere, was hired as the first OISC Coordinator. She made an instant impact coordinating an educational campaign. Especially effective were a series of articles in the Statesman Journal by Beth Casper, and an hour-long OPB special directed by Ed Jahn called the “Silent Invasion.” Public awareness improved to the point it became rare to encounter someone who didn’t have some knowledge of the issue. That is a big change from early legislative hearings when Mark, Paul, Larry, and I were questioned about zebras and giraffes! <br />
The OISC has produced two action plans, the first in 2003 and an update in 2012. The original is notable for it’s Appendix III that provides a baseline list of 341 invasive species established in Oregon in 2000.
<sup><a href="#fn7" id="ref7">7</a></sup>
A noxious weed strategic plan and an economic assessment of the impact of invasive weeds came out in 2001.
<sup><a href="#fn8" id="ref8">8</a></sup>
<sup><a href="#fn9" id="ref9">9</a></sup>
Look for an updated economic assessment is in the works. Stay tuned for that; the documentable impacts are increasing. Also in 2001, Oregon’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan made its debut.
<sup><a href="#fn10" id="ref10">10</a></sup>
This was followed by a Feral Swine Action Plan for Oregon in 2007.
<sup><a href="#fn11" id="ref11">11</a></sup> The granting function of the Council is mostly a dream because of the inadequate size of the emergency fund and the lack of a mechanism to replenish it. However, OISC has contributed funding toward the effort to eradicate Japanese beetles from the Portland airport and to address invasive tunicates in the Charleston boat basin and Umpqua triangle. More on funding later.<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
EDRR </h4>
Gypsy moth is our poster species for successful early detection and rapid response (EDRR) in Oregon, but there are other examples including: <br />
Insects. In 1989-‘91 ODA detected and eradicated Japanese beetle infestations in Cave Junction, Rivergrove, and Tigard. Several other infestations have been eradicated since then and a current effort to eliminate JB’s at PDX is ongoing. In 2008 an infestation of granulate ambrosia beetle was eradicated from The Dalles.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Weeds </h4>
Kudzu, the weed that ate the South, was detected in Oregon in 2000. Four sites in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties have been eliminated since. We’ve also eradiated several Spartina infestations on the coast and we’re working on purple starthistle, giant hogweed, Patterson’s curse, distaff thistle, African rue, and yellow-tuft alyssum. Weeds are harder to eradicate because there is a seed bank in the soil; it takes a sustained effort.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Plant Diseases</h4>
In 2001 sudden oak death was detected in Curry County. Though the eradication effort ultimately failed, we did greatly limit the spread and impact of this disease and we’ve minimized the importance of nursery stock as a vector. Chrysanthemum white rust, was introduced a couple of times, hasn’t yet established here. <br />
When I look at where we are today, I see a lot of positives -- and one big dark cloud. We’re doing some EDRR in Oregon, we have great people in key positions, our laws and regulations have been updated, and we work together well across agencies and organizations. Our challenge is that globalization continues to accelerate and along with it the rate of introduction of new invaders. At the same time government funding for survey and response programs is static or declining. Even if it were available, I don’t think spending more tax dollars is the answer. What we need is a way to link funding for EDRR to globalization. <br />
<h4>
Funding for Protecting Oregon against Invasive Species</h4>
Earlier this year the OISC proposed a 1% pathways assessment on existing fees related to trade and travel. That type of linkage would make a huge difference; funding would increase with heightened risk or decrease if globalization slowed. I’m convinced that is where we need to go. The people and businesses that are engaging in trade and travel should be supporting efforts to prevent negative side effects. I like the “polluter pays” concept; it just makes sense. Let’s keep working on it. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Introducing Dr. Helmuth Rogg</h4>
Dr. Helmuth Rogg is my replacement as Director of Plant Programs at ODA; he has already taken the baton and sprinted off to a great start. I’ll be cheering from the sidelines as he leads us on the next leg of the rat race, pig race, beetle race, weed race, plant disease race, etc. There is no finish line to the invasive species chase; for us, keeping up is winning.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Good luck Helmuth, good luck ODA, good luck OISC, good luck Oregon, good luck USA, and good luck Earth!</b></i><br />
<br />
--- Dan <br />
________________________________<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> References</span><br />
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<br />
<sup id="fn1">1. Kosesan, W.H. Plant Protectors. 1968. Oregon Agrirecord, State Dept. of Agriculture, Salem, OR. No. 239, pp. 11-12. <a href="oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref1" title="Jump back to footnote 1 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn2">2. Plant Division Annual Report 2005. Gypsy moth. Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Salem, OR. pp.23-24.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref2" title="Jump back to footnote 2 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn3">3. U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States. OTA-F-565 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, September 1993).<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref3" title="Jump back to footnote 3 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
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<br />
<sup id="fn4">4. Westbrooks, R.G. and R.E. Eplee. 1994. Biological Pollution: A Serious New Environmental Challenge, An Exposé on the Ecological Significance of Harmful Non-indigenous Species. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, APHIS, PPQ, Whiteville Plant Methods Center, Whiteville, North Carolina. 5 pgs. <a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref4" title="Jump back to footnote 4 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn5">5. Presidential Documents, Executive Oregon 13112. 1999. Invasive Species. Federal Register, Vol. 64, 6183-6186. <a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref5" title="Jump back to footnote 5 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn6">6.
Oregon Invasive Species Council, Statewide Awareness Campaign Plan. 2005. Ant Hill Marketing. 19 pgs.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref6" title="Jump back to footnote 6 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn7">7. Oregon Invasive Species Action Plan. 2003. Oregon Invasive Species Council, Mark Systma, Chair, Center for Lakes & Reservoirs, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207-0751. 38 pgs.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref7" title="Jump back to footnote 7 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn8">8. Oregon Noxious Weed strategic Plan. 2001. Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, 635 Capitol St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-2532. 66 pgs.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref8" title="Jump back to footnote 8 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn9">9. Economic Analysis of Containment Programs, Damages, and Production Losses From Noxious Weeds in Oregon. 2000. Prepared by The Research Group, Corvallis, Oregon, for the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, Salem, Oregon.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref9" title="Jump back to footnote 9 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn10">10. Oregon Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. 2001. Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, Portland State University. 86 pgs. <a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref10" title="Jump back to footnote 10 in the text.">↩</a></sup><br />
<br />
<br />
<sup id="fn11">11. Rouhe A. and M. Sytsma. 2007. Feral Swine Action Plan for Oregon. Environmental Science and Resources, Portland State University. 28 pgs.<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/#ref11" title="Jump back to footnote 11 in the text.">↩</a></sup>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-23093893626150663402014-08-21T10:20:00.000-07:002014-08-21T11:29:46.288-07:00Invasive Species in Vacationland<i><b>-- by Dan Hilburn</b></i><br />
<br />
My wife and I spent much of our youth in Maine and many of our relatives still live there. When we go back to visit, we fly from Portland, OR to Portland, ME and cross our fingers that the luggage handlers don’t get confused. Maine and Oregon have a lot in common, including some invasive species. When I’m there, I can’t help comparing their issues with ours. Here are some observations from my recent vacation Down East. <br />
<h4>
1. Gypsy moths</h4>
Gypsy moth populations in Maine are low this summer. I didn’t look for them; I don’t have to. The males are attracted to my wife and I. This year we only saw a dozen and never more than one at a time. On other visits we’ve drawn small clouds of sex-crazed male moths. All because I work in an office with people that handle gypsy moth pheromone. The lures in gypsy moth traps Oregon Dept. of Agriculture staff place around the state every summer are amazing. Even though I never handle the pheromone, my cloths smell faintly like a female gypsy moth and after our clothes are washed together, so do my wife’s. If you want to hear a funny story, ask my wife about the time a flutter of gypsy moths followed her and my daughter on a guided tour of MIT. <br />
<h4>
2. Knotweed and Beetle Reunion</h4>
I don’t remember Japanese knotweed in Maine when I was young, but it is common there now. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHGxDCNScHyOXX3GWx8mHw3gk_oYyUfQgJbDiDieTIT0kkHt8QBiUCspAT19v8m3iaIv7YFLNmvy8VIxUoOhfY0NvkezIrshEa6GJagDtuzOpH2cpqTxHC5OvMmi4rG5mLAFLsTrfV_g/s1600/IMG_0563.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHGxDCNScHyOXX3GWx8mHw3gk_oYyUfQgJbDiDieTIT0kkHt8QBiUCspAT19v8m3iaIv7YFLNmvy8VIxUoOhfY0NvkezIrshEa6GJagDtuzOpH2cpqTxHC5OvMmi4rG5mLAFLsTrfV_g/s1600/IMG_0563.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>This year on my drive-by surveys I noticed considerable feeding damage on the new growth. Since nothing seems to feed on Japanese knotweed here in Oregon, I stopped to check it out. I should have guessed, it was Japanese beetle -- another invader. I was witnessing the reunion of old friends: an invasive insect pest from Asia is attacking a non-native noxious weed from the same part of the world! It will be interesting for my counterparts in Maine to see whether Japanese beetles keep the Japanese knotweed from becoming problematic and whether the proliferation of a favorite host plant serves as a trap crop or a nursery for the Japanese beetles. <br />
<h4>
3. Eastern white pine replacement masts</h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9fQ10W3fGIIvlw4YeYLbY8cAqnqYzESA5DxJwjkkuYkuG5_sXduC-Wt8lncw-Fgl3Ek6376-lOT4AxVMQ2aPUPgZNTK80O_ne5GkjKbL83MUXDVu_7J-EA0QSzWQktAtdI_yvi4fZn0/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9fQ10W3fGIIvlw4YeYLbY8cAqnqYzESA5DxJwjkkuYkuG5_sXduC-Wt8lncw-Fgl3Ek6376-lOT4AxVMQ2aPUPgZNTK80O_ne5GkjKbL83MUXDVu_7J-EA0QSzWQktAtdI_yvi4fZn0/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>
I love to sail. This summer we were in Camden on a perfect day and couldn’t resist an afternoon sail on a 100-year old schooner. It was awesome. An added bonus for us was a friendly captain that loved to talk about the local windjammer fleet and the challenges of maintaining those beautiful old sailing ships. According to him, finding authentic replacement masts is difficult. Traditionally they were made from trunks of Eastern white pine, which grew tall and straight. Not anymore. White pine weevil attacks young pines, killing the leaders. White pine is still a common tree in New England, but now almost all of them are crooked or have multiple trunks. Our captain said that replacement masts have to come from the Pacific Northwest! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
________________________________________</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Since introduction of invasive species is tied to global trade and travel, <br />invaders have had less impact in Oregon than in Maine </i></b>________________________________________ </div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Another difference between the two states is the length of time they’ve been settled. Little signs on historic buildings in Maine attest to construction in the 1700’s. Settlement and intercontinental commerce in Oregon is, of course, much more recent. Since introduction of invasive species is tied to global trade and travel, invaders have had less impact on our environment. There are lots of reasons why that is important, the least of which might be that if you want to build a traditional sailing ship with local materials, you can still do it in Oregon!<br />
<br />
If you love both states the way I do, my suggestion would be to build your boat in Oregon, then sail it to Maine. If you do that, keep me in mind for the crew. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-82219728351993151812014-07-09T16:53:00.000-07:002014-07-09T16:57:27.485-07:00Say Goodbye to Our Black Walnut Trees<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1Yka39dpkF4NmZoGB3TXPBl1v9R3YqRdz7IHqja6iiQ_p5EyHwFouaopIRiEwZp40qAiLdfCHtEmWQkKQu3lfHE8rjWc3elyKYS71pnoIGCF0cGqXX9o1UngY35Ejr7GrhR2apsgANo/s1600/Walnut+-+State+Hospital.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1Yka39dpkF4NmZoGB3TXPBl1v9R3YqRdz7IHqja6iiQ_p5EyHwFouaopIRiEwZp40qAiLdfCHtEmWQkKQu3lfHE8rjWc3elyKYS71pnoIGCF0cGqXX9o1UngY35Ejr7GrhR2apsgANo/s1600/Walnut+-+State+Hospital.tiff" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Google Street View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b><i>Post by Dan Hilburn</i></b></li>
</ul>
Next time you drive out Center Street in Salem take a look at the black walnut trees on the State Hospital campus. Those big, beautiful trees are doomed. If you look up, you can see the tops are dying. Within a decade, they’ll all be dead and gone. The same fate awaits other black walnuts in Oregon. The killer is a fungus that causes thousand cankers disease (<i>Geosmithia morbida</i>) and it’s vector, a tiny insect called walnut twig beetle (<i>Pityophthorus juglandis</i>). This is an invasive species story with a twist – both the fungus and the beetle are believed to be native to North America, though not to Oregon. <br />
<br />
Until recently walnut twig beetle was known only from the Southwest where it lived in harmony and obscurity with its host, Arizona walnut.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________________________</div>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Until recently, the walnut twig beetle lived in obscurity with its host, the Arizona walnut. </b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The beetle expanded its diet to include non-native walnuts. <br />
The killer fungus came along too. <br />
___________________________________________________ </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Unexplained die-offs of black walnuts in the mid-West in the early 2000’s were initially blamed on drought and/or the walnut twig beetle. Eventually researchers noticed large numbers of dark cankers under the bark of dead trees. And that led to the 2008 discovery of the associated fungus. The researchers named the fungus thousand cankers disease. <br />
<br />
The walnut twig beetle, a type of bark beetle native to the southwestern
United States and parts of Mexico, is the only confirmed vector of the
pathogen. Apparently, it adjusted to non-native black walnut street trees and expanded its range throughout the West. The fungus hitchhiked with the beetle. <br />
<br />
No one has yet figured out a control or management strategy that works. Severe pruning and burning of infested branches may slow the disease, but eventually, even big, healthy black walnuts succumb. Neighborhoods with black walnut street trees are going to look bare when they are removed. <br />
<br />
It is sad that we’re going to lose some street trees in Oregon, but the real tragedy will be in the East where black walnut is native and treasured for it’s high-value wood. Several states have enacted quarantines to lessen the risk of human-aided introduction. The biggest threat is movement of infested logs and firewood.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________________________</div>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>The biggest threat is people moving infested logs and firewood. </b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If the logs or firewood are put on a truck and moved to a mill, buyer or campsite, the beetles can emerge in a new place and Thousand Cankers Disease jumps ahead like a spot fire started by a
spark. <br />
___________________________________________________ </div>
<br />
When trees die, people naturally want to sell the trunks and cut up the rest for their fireplaces. If the logs or firewood are put on a truck and moved to a mill or a buyer somewhere down the road, the beetles can emerge in a new place and thousand cankers disease jumps ahead like a spot fire started by a spark. Since it takes several years from infection to the first symptoms, by the time trees start dying no one will remember the shipment of infested wood that inoculated the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
For us in the West, its a story of a native beetle/fungus with an expanded range attacking non-native street trees. The take home lesson is that firewood should be bought and burned locally. Don’t take it with you when you go camping out-of-state. The same principle applies to logs. When mills and kilns are local, pests and diseases are less likely to hitchhike to new areas. <br />
<br />
I used to have a black walnut overhanging my driveway. The falling nuts were hard on my car and messy to clean up so I wasn’t sorry when the power company cut it down. Black walnuts are the sort of tree you enjoy if it is across the street and belongs to someone else, like the State Hospital -- I’ll still be sad to see them go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-15559875574640233042014-06-27T17:04:00.003-07:002014-06-27T17:12:57.522-07:00Perception, Reality, and Doing the Right Thing<ul>
<li><h4>
<i>Post written by Dan Hilburn</i></h4>
</li>
</ul>
Why is it so easy to get funding to extinguish fires and so hard to get support for eradicating weeds? That question was asked by one of the speakers at last week’s Oregon Invasive Species Council meeting. It is true -- we’ll spend millions of dollars putting out a wildfire even where they are a natural part of the ecology. The Two Bulls fire near Bend burned through $5 million as well as 7,000 acres. That works out to $714/acre! <br />
<br />
On the other hand, we spend barely $0.02/acre on noxious weed EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) in Oregon. This is true even though damage from noxious weed invasions can be more serious ecologically than fire damage.
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________________________<br />
<blockquote>
<b>Fighting the Two Bulls fire near Bend Oregon cost $714 per acre. </b><i><br />With invasive species, nothing bad happens quickly; <br />the threat can be more ecologically damaging, but it is insidious.</i><b><br />We spend barely 2 ¢ an acre protecting Oregon's ecosystems from invasive weeds.</b><br />
___________________________________________________ </blockquote>
<br /></div>
Native plants grow back after fire, but they don’t compete well with invasive weeds. Weed invasions can be described as ecological wildfires in slow motion. That’s the problem – the slow motion part. Fires are immediate and frightening; weeds are slow and insidious. People perceive one as a threat right now and the other as a lower priority. If you ignore noxious weeds, nothing bad happens – for a quite a while, often years. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkILwfagYvJrnKvb8WeZ1BihRaVriqltewKpnWD7UK2WmMIjFWc8s6LCGPcWceZtG6IkLKgpQl1ZiWz6pcaV3ZBKoE0HxBY_ygr_3Rud8AYd30M6NRMp6BvBdGBbQxwzWLq8dyw7945Z8/s1600/2014-06-19+Metolius.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Metolius River is being invaded by non-native ribbon grass" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkILwfagYvJrnKvb8WeZ1BihRaVriqltewKpnWD7UK2WmMIjFWc8s6LCGPcWceZtG6IkLKgpQl1ZiWz6pcaV3ZBKoE0HxBY_ygr_3Rud8AYd30M6NRMp6BvBdGBbQxwzWLq8dyw7945Z8/s1600/2014-06-19+Metolius.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Metolius River is being invaded by non-native ribbon grass.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was a field trip at the same meeting to see the ribbon grass infestation on the banks of the Metolius River.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrGLWd-g_UGZXHhnzNN_YGc1ScxI0GoAdFCfPhhCMbrKnYwW_NQ8ticrQdfUZWL5IqcAOhysA6kn-aoaAFPYIou9RakJW2vXCdmr7guH7SjVLyJVwAupCXZw105ymDknEQQMQq3wBr58/s1600/2014-06-19+USFS+Public+Notice.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="USFS Public Notice of herbicide treatments" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrGLWd-g_UGZXHhnzNN_YGc1ScxI0GoAdFCfPhhCMbrKnYwW_NQ8ticrQdfUZWL5IqcAOhysA6kn-aoaAFPYIou9RakJW2vXCdmr7guH7SjVLyJVwAupCXZw105ymDknEQQMQq3wBr58/s1600/2014-06-19+USFS+Public+Notice.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USFS Public Notice of Herbicide treatment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The USFS has been working on the NEPA documents to address weeds in the Deschutes National Forest including ribbon grass for a decade. Last fall the pieces fell into place and some herbicide trials were put out using a weed wiper and several different rates of Glyphosate and Imazapyr. The wiper was required because of a perception that the herbicides could most safely applied to the invasive ribbon grass and yellow flag iris by wiping it on the leaves. The reality proved to be a little different. <br />
<br />
The weed wiper looks like a paint roller on the end of a hockey stick-shaped piece of PVC pipe. In order to work, the wiper has to be saturated with concentrated herbicide. That concentrate drips from the wiper as you work and it is impossible to push down sufficiently with wiper on ribbon grass growing out into the water without immersing the fuzzy part of the wiper. Several of the trial sites had good control on the bank with a halo of surviving ribbon grass in the water. A backpack sprayer would be more effective and if used carefully, e.g. spraying from the water toward the bank, at least as safe.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<b>There's a perception that a backpack sprayer is safer than the wiper. </b><i><br />The reality is different. </i><br />
___________________________________________________ </blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4F_B6MCRzn98jxx6zJSAsdPaAtAu0ODEXy2QT-N6G3Dn70COo-pa_aoalgZaaZpVPYxJXt7d_-iwgF0lMCNGDIAP0_lXXvWW3XPj3R3_vO4vzgkhN5QU6xEBANFElZrFMig_DHHyqdc/s1600/2014-06-19+Mike.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Mike Crumine demonstrating the wiper on ribbon grass" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4F_B6MCRzn98jxx6zJSAsdPaAtAu0ODEXy2QT-N6G3Dn70COo-pa_aoalgZaaZpVPYxJXt7d_-iwgF0lMCNGDIAP0_lXXvWW3XPj3R3_vO4vzgkhN5QU6xEBANFElZrFMig_DHHyqdc/s1600/2014-06-19+Mike.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Crumrine, the ODA noxious weed control <br />
expert demonstrated the wiper method on ribbon grass. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mike Crumrine, the ODA noxious weed control expert that put in the plots, calculated that the wiper trials used 19.5 oz of Glyphosate and 9.4 oz of Imazapyr. You could do the same work much faster with a backpack sprayer and only use 8.2 oz of Gyphosate and 4.1 oz. of Imazapyr.<br />
The difference comes from using a dilute solution with the backpack sprayer vs. a concentrate in the wiper. Water monitoring during last fall’s trials showed no detectable levels of either chemical in the river. I’d expect the same result with a carefully applied backpack treatment. <br />
<br />
I’m not so naïve to think we can eradicate invasive weeds on the banks of the Metolius without getting minute quantities of herbicide into the water, but we don’t have a viable alternative. Weed pulling and solarization with plastic have already been tried and discarded as impractical and worse for the river and the native vegetation. Pulling ribbon grass “brings up the whole bottom,” and solarization kills everything under the plastic. If you stand on the Camp Sherman bridge and look downriver, you can see a little island that was covered with plastic to smother the ribbon grass. The little willow that used to grow there died during the solarization. Luckily we have non-persistent formulations of herbicides that are labeled for aquatic use. <br />
<br />
So the perception is that wildfires are worse than weeds and that wipers are safer than backpack sprayers. My point is that the reality is sometimes different. We need to fund our weed EDRR programs like we fund fire suppression and we need to use the best available tools when we attempt to eradicate invasive species from high value habitats. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-32281456517725424752014-05-12T10:33:00.003-07:002014-05-12T10:57:24.223-07:00Proposed Commerce - Dan's Thoughts and Comments<i>-- Posted on behalf of Dan Hilburn</i><br />
<br />
ODA is often asked to comment on permit applications and proposed import/export ideas. Typically I farm the requests out to staff members for analysis. When their reports come back, I combine their research on the risk with my reading of Oregon’s regulations, and submit comments. Occasionally the risk level is obvious and the laws clear; more often that not, there are grey areas. <br />
<br />
This week we were asked to comment on four issues:<br />
<div>
<ol>
<li>Importation of onion leaves for consumption from Hawaii</li>
<li>Commercial sales of a giant African millipede as a pet</li>
<li>Importation of raspberries and blackberries for consumption from Ecuador</li>
<li>Ash logs from the emerald ash borer-infested areas in the central US transiting Oregon for export to Asia. </li>
</ol>
My thoughts and comments follow; the thoughts are in italics.<br />
<h4>
1.) Onion leaves. </h4>
</div>
<div>
<i>Dan thinks, "We’re importing onion leaves? You’ve got to be kidding. Oregon grows tons of onions and we throw the tops away. I see that USDA has done a 39-page pathway risk assessment and concluded that only three potential pests have a medium or high likelihood of introduction via this pathway! </i><i>Of course, none of the three are covered by Oregon quarantines because who would have imagined anyone would want to import onion leaves?"</i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOnion_leaves.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="By মৌচুমী (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Onion leaves" height="320" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Onion_leaves.JPG/256px-Onion_leaves.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Oregon grows many tons of onions and discards the tops.<br />
Oregon may import onion leaves from Hawaii. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Comments: </div>
<div>
None yet. There are no Oregon laws that apply. The pathway risk assessment is thorough and USDA will use it to choose appropriate phytosanitary measures to mitigate the pest risk. We’ll comment on the final proposal if we think they’ve missed something.<br />
<br />
<h4>
2.) African millipede pet. </h4>
</div>
<div>
<i>Dan thinks, "</i>Another<i> giant African millipede? What’s wrong with the five species we’ve already determined to be low risk put on our approved list? According to staff the scientific name given is wrong, though widely used in the pet trade. There is very little known about this species except that it comes from central Africa and it eats lettuce and cucumbers in captivity. Oh, it is also readily available on the Internet."</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Comments:<br />
“Oregon Department of Agriculture staff have reviewed this application and draft permit. The scientific name should be <i>Spiropoeus fischeri</i> [instead of <i>Mardonius parilis</i>]. We have no concerns. [<i>Except the general unease that comes from knowing someone, somewhere will release them and we are just guessing as to the risk. Note to self: add this species to the approved list. Cross fingers.</i>]</div>
<div>
<br />
<h4>
3.) Berries from Ecuador. </h4>
</div>
<div>
<i>Dan thinks, "I know there is demand for fresh fruit year-round. I like fresh berries on my cereal and now that they are available all year at our grocery store, I’ve gotten spoiled. We’re already importing lots of fresh fruit from Chile during our winter (their summer). </i><br />
<br />
Comments: </div>
<div>
None yet, I haven’t heard back from staff. [<i>The fact that Oregon grows blackberries and raspberries increases the risk. On the other hand, off-season introductions of fresh fruit that are eaten soon after importation are relatively low risk.</i>]<br />
<br />
<h4>
4.) Ash logs to Asia. </h4>
</div>
<div>
<i>Dan thinks, "It can’t be economical to ship ash logs half way around the world! Actually it probably is because of all the empty containers and light ships heading back to Asia. The pest risk for the receiving countries is low because emerald ash borer likely came from Eurasia. Of course we don’t have regulations because we’re preempted by the federal emerald ash borer quarantine and no one has ever proposed such an improbable scheme. The staff analysis indicates the risk is high. I’ll have to bluff."</i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra1AY4SFM6I5_0sCXDKOoYmqrsm67nlyljGKYm8NbBnBkJE2Z1X3Harw2sCY0uH-NvdtS6f80kWeH_FpEgooNsXgRjhPr_DCCfPaYxaboFX5en4VZs4Y4j7uxXwrPRrAKIx84ARoJ58E/s1600/5382310-THUMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra1AY4SFM6I5_0sCXDKOoYmqrsm67nlyljGKYm8NbBnBkJE2Z1X3Harw2sCY0uH-NvdtS6f80kWeH_FpEgooNsXgRjhPr_DCCfPaYxaboFX5en4VZs4Y4j7uxXwrPRrAKIx84ARoJ58E/s1600/5382310-THUMB.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Oregon may ship ash logs infected with emerald ash borer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So far, the pest is not found in the state. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Comments:<br />
“Thanks for asking for our thoughts on this proposal. We do have concerns. Here is our feedback:<br />
<div>
<br />
1.) Oregon doesn’t have state regulations that would apply. On the other hand, Oregon does have native ash trees and ash is an important street tree. Keeping EAB out of the state is a priority.<br />
<br />
2.) The risk from the proposed actions as described would be acceptable only during the months of December through February. During the winter we’d expect the logs to arrive cold and the weather would be cool enough here to make EAB emergence unlikely. If the shipments were restricted to the winter months, we’d be comfortable with the proposed protocol.<br />
<br />
3.) For non-winter shipments, we’d like to see additional safeguards. Here are some possibilities that would give us more comfort:<br />
<ul>
<li>Shipping in refrigerated containers.</li>
<li>Fumigation at origin.</li>
<li>Debarking before inspection, and inspections of individual logs rather than piles of logs.</li>
<li>Restricting origin of logs to outside the EAB-quarantined area, and setting a maximum time logs could be in transit through Oregon.</li>
</ul>
Thank you for consulting us. Please keep us informed of any new developments.”<br />
<br />
In this business, we keep our fingers crossed a lot -- and put out lots of insect traps to detect what gets missed at the borders. Living in a global economy makes for grey areas, and grey hairs. I always ask my barber to cut the grey ones, but she misses more and more!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-72514854691100042942014-04-28T12:39:00.000-07:002014-04-28T12:54:17.385-07:001% for Protecting Oregon from Invasion<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">posted by Carolyn Devine on behalf of Dan Hilburn </span></i></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What if we decided we to spend 1% of existing fees related to trade and travel on invasive species?” That is the question Mark Systma, OISC Chair, and I posed to the Governor’s Natural Resources Cabinet last week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oregonians have another opportunity to do something bold in the field of environmental protection. The 1% pathways connection would be as audacious as the bottle bill and just as important in the long run. Here is a summary of the pitch we made to the Cabinet.</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Improving Greater Sage-Grouse Populations Requires Managing Invasive Weeds</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Invasive species are tied into most of the environmental hot topics of the day: clean water, working landscapes, reducing exposure to toxics, and protecting habitat for wildlife. For example, there is an ongoing effort to halt declines in Greater Sage-Grouse populations with the objective of keeping Greater Sage-Grouse off the endangered species list. Weeds such as cheatgrass and medusahead rye are part of the problem. When these invasive grasses move into Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, fires become more frequent than would naturally happen. This is bad for sagebrush and other native vegetation that the Greater Sage-Grouse depend on.
</span><br />
<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">We won't have success protecting Greater Sage-Grouse without dealing with the related invasive species problem.</span></b></blockquote>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Fighting Weeds with Herbicides is a Necessary Evil</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another current topic we highlighted was herbicide drift from conifer release sprays. At first glance these appear to be a straight-forward cases of pesticide misuse, but guess which plants are out-competing the desired forest seedlings: mostly Scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry and other invaders. If it weren’t for these invasive weeds we wouldn’t be using so many herbicides.</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
A Growing Funding Gap for Fighting Invasives as Globalization Increases </span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully, having established for the Cabinet that invasive species matter, we went on to describe the widening funding gap that we face in Oregon. The rate of introduction of invasive species is correlated with trade and travel. Hitchhiking weed seeds and woodborers are a side effect of globalization. Increasing trade and travel means more and more introductions. At the same time funding for survey and eradication programs is declining. We’re falling behind.</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Solution: Link Invasive Species Funding to the Pathways of Invasion</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The ideal solution would be to link the funding for invasive species programs to the trade and travel activities that bring these problems to us. This is the essence of the 1% for invasive species proposal.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To do this we wouldn’t need to invent new taxes. We already collect fuel taxes, lodging taxes, landing fees, docking fees, imported timber fees, aquatic invasive species permit fees, and lots of other fees related to trade and travel. All we would have to do is to decide as a state to spend 1% of the revenue collected from those existing fees, about $5 million annually, on invasive species response and we could close our funding gap not just for next year but for the long run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cabinet members listened and asked good questions. How would the money be used and who would control its distribution? What about federal lands and federal agencies, do they pay their fair share? Do all the pathways have associated fees? What about the constitutional dedication of fuel taxes to roads and rights-of-way? Our agency already spends millions on vegetation control, would that count for something? Would this be like the 1% for art program? The questions indicated to me that they were thinking seriously about the proposal. Afterwards, Richard Whitman, the Governor’s Natural Resource Policy Advisor, indicated he’d talk to the agency heads individually and get back to us.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we wait with our fingers crossed to see if the idea catches hold. </span></b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m optimistic by nature but not naive. I recognize that because we are not proposing a new tax or fee, this idea would represent 1% budget cuts for other programs. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For weeds, we know that for every $1 spent in preventing a new species from invading, the state saves $34 in management later. That's significant. We’ve put the ball in the air and our shot hasn’t been blocked yet. We’ll know if this first shot goes in by whether we get permission to draft a bill for the next legislative session.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If that happens we have a chance to move Oregon into another landmark natural resources decision in 2015. Are you on our team and ready to play? We’re early in the first quarter and it’s a long game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-88932336311597247752014-04-14T16:41:00.002-07:002014-04-15T15:35:02.335-07:00Hotline Highlights<i>Posted by Carolyn Devine on behalf of Dan Hilburn </i><div><br></div><div>Fifteen years ago when the Oregon Invasive Species Council was just an idea, the founders saw a need to create an easy way for people to report sightings of new invasive species. It had to work for all taxa and we needed to connect the person making the report with an expert able to make the identification quickly. Nowdays we’d probably design an app for that, but back then a toll-free hotline was the way to go. An Oregon Dept. of Agriculture employee (Jim LaBonte) suggested we apply for a phone number that would spell INVADER. That is what we did, and the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline was born.<br>
<br>
Our <a href="tel:1-866-INVADER" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">1-866-INVADER</a> number still works today. It rings in two places, my desk and Leslie Shaffer’s desk. She is the office manager here for Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Plant Programs. We screen the calls and make connections with wildlife biologists, entomologists, marine scientists, weed control experts, etc. depending on the report. Over the years we’ve received some important tips and handled some crazy calls besides.<br>
<br>
<i>Here is a random highlight reel from my memory bank:</i><br>
<br>
“Hello, I’d like to buy this number for my home security business. How much would you sell it for?” Me, thinking of the six months it took us to get an easy-to-remember number and the poverty of Oregon’s invasive species programs: “$1 million.” I never heard from him again.<br>
<br>
“I hear you’re interested in invasive yellowjackets.” Me: “Yes, we are; we’re documenting the invasion of German yellowjackets.” Caller: “We have German yellowjackets in Tillamook.” Me, highly skeptical knowing that German yellowjackets look exactly like our most common native species, Vespula pensylvanica: “Really? Could you send us some specimens?” He did and they were indeed V. germanica. It turns out the guy knew more about yellowjackets than I did; he collected them professionally! I learned from him that drug companies use yellowjacket venom to produce anti-venom.<br>
<br>
“Is it legal to release lobsters?” Me, not sure I heard correctly: “Could you repeat that question?” Caller: “Is there a law against releasing lobsters into the ocean? Would it be bad if someone did?” Me: “Why in the world would anyone do that?” Caller: “I don’t know, but someone is releasing them in Puget Sound and I don’t know who to call.” Me: “What makes you think that?” Caller: “Every day there are empty boxes on our dock labeled ‘Live Lobsters’ and people say a woman is buying lobsters in the fish market and releasing them from the dock.” Me, incredulous: “I have no idea what laws apply, I’ll have to get back to you.” I passed the questions on officials in Washington and, now curious about Oregon’s regulations, I called around and learned that our laws allow importation of live shellfish for consumption, but the folks that wrote the regulation didn’t anticipate people wanting to release them. However, the marine biologists were less concerned that I imagined. One told me he was sure the sea lions in the area were enjoying the Maine seafood appetizers.<br>
<br>
“Can I bring in soil from around the world?” Me: “It is possible but you’ll need a USDA permit. Why?” Caller: “I want to bring in soil from all the world’s hot spots, mix it together, and plant a Peace Garden.” Me: “That’s a sweet idea, but I need to warn you that soil is highly regulated. It can harbor all kinds of living things including many invasive weeds, pests, and diseases. You’ll be required to sterilize the soil and ship it in secure containers. Getting a permit can take a few months.” Caller: “Oh, I had no idea.” The permit application never came.<br>
<br>
“I think there is something inside the wooden mask I brought back from Africa.” Me: “Why do you think that?” Caller: “Well, there is sawdust under the mask every time I vacuum.” Me: “Sounds like powderpost beetles. They are common in imported African handicrafts, you can kill them by putting the mask in the freezer overnight.” Caller: “No, I don’t want it any more, can’t you just take it away?”<br>
<br>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME5REs1PRQbregzZuzHU8j6bTY2AhbucwtSiMKHqePH64J9vreJT-7Qh4hdjE6yHIvKB4ePqJuvslxAxkr_kSy0BzF9SXDYiqhlClvXa3-FECqrqfbzmdPE7pPOYPerX20bYZvHDhwJE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME5REs1PRQbregzZuzHU8j6bTY2AhbucwtSiMKHqePH64J9vreJT-7Qh4hdjE6yHIvKB4ePqJuvslxAxkr_kSy0BzF9SXDYiqhlClvXa3-FECqrqfbzmdPE7pPOYPerX20bYZvHDhwJE/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie Shaffer takes a call on the hotline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
“Why don’t we have lightning bugs in Oregon?” Me: “We do actually, but the species here don’t light up.” Caller: “I grew up with them in the East and I want my grandchildren to have the experience of seeing lightning bugs on summer evenings. Where can I get some to release around my house?” Me: “I’m sorry, that isn’t allowed. Release of most non-native insects is prohibited. I’d be happy to send you a copy of the list of approved species.” Caller: “Are you saying I can’t get lightning bugs for my grandchildren? That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of.” Me: “I’m sorry, the reason is. . .” Caller, now upset: “Who is your supervisor?”<br>
<br>
I could go on. There was the ‘rat in the oven’ call, the ‘aren’t humans the worst invasive species’ call, the ‘wolves are invading’ call, and dozens of ‘I think I found a stinkbug, Scotch broom, mud snail, etc.’ calls. Yesterday I took a call about suspected imported fire ants. This morning Leslie fielded one from someone wanting to find a source of giant knotweed for planting! The actual percentage of calls that involve sightings of new invasive species is small. That used to bother me, but though the good tips are few and far between, each is incredibly important. Finding a new invasion early increases our chances of successful eradication if the species is potential harmful.</div>
<div>
As for the others. . . Well, hopefully the callers learn something useful from the experts and sometimes we learn fascinating things from the callers.<br>
<br>
Overall it’s a cheap and effective way to connect people with questions to experts with answers. The success of the system is a result of the Council and the group of exerts who support our effort to protect Oregon from invasive species. And the For Leslie and I, the screeners, it is also a mini-adventure every time the hotline rings.<br>
<br>
See something odd, give us call!</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-62962935040359329252014-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:002014-02-28T12:23:16.452-08:0060 Grants and 3 Odd Weeds<h3>
The most recent Oregon State Weed Board meeting was notable for two reasons. </h3>
<b>1. There were a large number of high-priority grant applications. </b><br />
The Board considered 86 applications and was able to fund 60 for a total of $1,370,000. The funded projects targeted weeds which have small infestations and containment or local eradication is possible. The Board skipped over “hole-in-the doughnut” projects that would treat small areas in a larger sea of weeds and "treadmill" projects that would only suppress weeds temporarily. <br />
<br />
<b>2. The second notable part of the agenda came during consideration of species to add to the State’s official noxious weed list. </b><br />
Typically, the Board considers non-native invaders that are spreading in Oregon or knocking on our door. Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA) staff assess the risk of these invaders and recommend to the Weed Board those weeds that are likely to cause economic or environmental harm. Currently, the Weed Board lists 118 weeds and divides them into “A” “B” and “T” categories. <br />
<h4>
A Weeds</h4>
<ul>
<li>These are the worst threats and are targeted for eradication or containment. There's a good chance you've never seen A weeds, which include: kudzu, Paterson’s curse, and purple starthistle. </li>
<li>All known infestations of these weeds are under intensive control. </li>
<li>If you do see an “A” weed, we’d like to know about it (1-866-INVADER). </li>
</ul>
<h4>
B Weeds </h4>
<ul>
<li>B weeds are “A” weeds that get out-of-hand. There's a good chance you've seen B weeds, which include: blackberries, Scotch broom and yellow starthistle. </li>
<li>Abundant regionally or even statewide, suppressing their grown is the best we can do. </li>
<li>Many “B” weeds are targets for biological control. </li>
</ul>
<h4>
“T” weeds </h4>
<ul>
<li>T weeds are "Targeted" weeds. The Weed board directs ODA Noxious Weed Program staff to pay attention to these. </li>
<li>T weeds include all A weeds and some B’s that haven’t spread throughout their potential range. </li>
</ul>
<h3>
What to do with 3 odd balls? </h3>
<i>Ribbon grass, cheat grass, and Western juniper didn’t fit the usual pattern when they came before the Board. </i><br />
<h4>
Ribbon Grass </h4>
Ribbon grass is a pretty horticultural variety of reed canary grass, <i>Phalaris arundinacea</i>. There is an infestation along the Metolius River starting at Camp Sherman and spreading downstream along the banks for a couple of miles. I’ve written about it before (<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">post Aug. 24, 2011</a>).<br />
Reed canary grass itself is both a wetland weed and a valuable forage species. The challenge for the Weed Board was how to handle a unique local weed issue in an otherwise pristine habitat involving a horticultural variety of a widespread, sometimes-weedy, forage grass! <br />
After an interesting discussion, the Board voted to list ribbon grass as both “B” and “T.”<br />
The management plan for ribbon grass will focus on the banks of the Metolius. Treatments will start this fall. Hopefully, we can clean up the infestation and preserve one of Oregon’s most scenic spots for future generations of fly-fisherman, photographers, and visitors. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Cheat Grass </h4>
Cheat grass isn’t pretty and it has annoying seeds that stick to your socks. It is well-adapted to dry habitats and it has been spreading in the West for over a century. Cheat grass is important ecologically because it shortens fire cycles. When cheat grass moves in, rangeland burns more frequently, and that is bad for sagebrush. Sage-grouse and other native species hat depend on sagebrush decline. Next year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will consider whether or not to list sage-grouse as a threatened species. Thus there is renewed attention on cheat grass. <br />
It would seem to be a no-brainer to list cheat grass as a noxious weed, but, as was pointed out at the Board meeting, it is also an important forage species where little else will grow.<br />
In the end, the Board decided not to list it but instructed staff to come up with an official policy recognizing that cheat grass can be a problem and keeping it out of important sage grouse habitat should be a priority. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Western Juniper</h4>
The Board took a similar path with Western juniper, a native tree that is spreading like a weed (<a href="http://oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2013_06_01_archive.html" target="_blank">post June 1, 2013</a>). Juniper encroachment is another reason sage grouse are declining and ironically, fire suppression favors juniper. Soon Oregon will have an official policy recognizing juniper encroachment as a problem. Hopefully that will encourage juniper removal from invaded habitats. It is unlikely that the Board would ever approve a grant for juniper removal by itself, but I expect we’ll see projects that include survey and treatment for cheat grass and other weeds that can move in after disturbances including juniper removal.<br />
<br />
It is all related – nature is complicated! <br />
<br />
<br />
-- post written by Dan Hilburn<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-66506201233782452272014-01-31T15:36:00.001-08:002014-01-31T15:37:20.416-08:00On Lizards and Toads<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.4pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">Every January we’re inundated by top 10 lists, score
cards, and annual reports reflecting on the past year. Here is one little invasive species story
that didn’t make the news and won’t appear on anyone’s top 10 list for
2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to tell it to you before I
forget because it illustrates the importance of communication, interagency
cooperation, and digital photography -- all increasingly important in our world
and in the fight against invasive species.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.4pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">It
all started with a phone call to the invasive species hotline (1-866-INVADER).
Employees at a Beaverton distribution center had opened a shipping container
full of ground-up tennis shoes from Indonesia. Don’t ask me why we’re importing shredded sneakers from the other side
of the world, but we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.4pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;"> Inside
were live lizards. Not just one, but
several and they were ready to get out. Thankfully the employees were aware that live critters from overseas can
be problems, so they called the hotline and asked, “What should we do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was, "Who's in charge
of that? US Fish & Wildlife, ODF&W, Customs and Border Protection?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.4pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">I
was having flashbacks from five years when a toad hopped out of a shipping
container carrying granite from China. One agency after another said, "not
our problem," and the container languished on the dock for weeks until it
was finally fumigated. The cost to the importer and agencies: many hundreds of
dollars, countless headaches, and more gray hair for all involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.4pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">So
instead of passing the buck, I asked if they could photograph the lizards and
send pictures. They had a cell phone camera and did just that. I forwarded the
photos to taxonomists here at ODA, to wildlife biologists at Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife, and to the US Dept. of Agriculture. One of those people
consulted with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Within hours the lizards were
identified and the appropriate regulations reviewed. Thankfully they turned out
to be a common species of gecko that is sold legally in the pet trade. A USFWS employee even offered to catch them and find them good homes. The cost to the
importer and agencies: a few hours of staff time and some chuckles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">The
lesson? Next time you’re confronted with a
head-scratcher of an invasive species problem, think of the lizards that lived
and not the toad that croaked! Take a picture, get on the phone, and let people know what you've found.</span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;">-- Dan Hilburn </span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-no-proof: no;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-42243370270762070162013-07-10T23:02:00.000-07:002013-07-10T23:17:52.340-07:00Lessons Learned from the Wilsonville Bee Kill<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before I saw it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed
that 50,000 bumble bees forage in the trees of a suburban big box store parking
lot. They do. We know that now, because at least that many died in the
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/workers-continue-the-struggle-to-save-bees-at-target-near-portland-oregon" target="_blank">Wilsonville, Oregon Target</a> parking lot in a single week in late June.</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture was taken on June 17<sup>th</sup>, two
days after the trees were sprayed for aphids with a product called <a href="http://www.valent.com/professional/products/safari/label-msds.cfm" target="_blank">Safari</a>. Each
black dot on the pavement is a dead bumble bee, almost all of them <i>Bombus vosnesenkii</i>. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8uo44qCr8z0dinv3FyCzqpaW88z6wtv-04clF40Mybas67bxh8611wGYLdkkaa1gBqLAJYaO6nW73BLQIcFylIEOB58fV1d4rLOMOl4gScexjS3ZYM0jQSx3CQaBQy0RyWuwfonrHhj-/s1600/pickingupbees.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8uo44qCr8z0dinv3FyCzqpaW88z6wtv-04clF40Mybas67bxh8611wGYLdkkaa1gBqLAJYaO6nW73BLQIcFylIEOB58fV1d4rLOMOl4gScexjS3ZYM0jQSx3CQaBQy0RyWuwfonrHhj-/s320/pickingupbees.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up dead bumble bees.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The pattern was the
same under each of 55 European <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia_cordata" target="_blank">linden trees</a> (<i>Tilia cordata</i>), and the bees kept dying <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for a week until the City of
Wilsonville led a heroic effort to cover each tree with shade cloth. Though this isn’t a traditional
invasive species story, it contains lessons for invasive species warriors.<b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Lesson
1: Oregon’s wild bee populations are healthy.</b> There are a couple of known
exceptions, but in general, we can be thankful that our native bees are thriving.
This is important because wild bees pollinate many of our native plants and
agricultural crops. Honeybees get all the credit, but native bees do much of
the work. On a larger scale, healthy pollinators indicate healthy habitats;
we’re lucky in Oregon to have an environment that is in pretty good shape – and
worth protecting.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> Lesson
2: Pesticides are powerful tools.</b> Used correctly, they are often our most
effective tools for <a href="http://www.emswcd.org/weeds/weeds-we-want-you-to-tell-us-about-edrr" target="_blank">early detection and rapid response programs (EDRR)</a>
programs. Most eradication programs
depend on them. However, they can occasionally cause problems. We need to learn
from these instances to prevent them from happening again<b>.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Lesson
3: Pesticide experts commonly refer to, “The label is the law.”</b> That is
true, but labels and laws are sometimes flawed and often open to interpretation.
It could be months before the official investigation of this incident is
complete and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) determines whether
there was a violation. Given this parking lot site, how would you interpret the
Safari label language? “Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to
blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.” A
supplemental label adds: “For trees in forests that are pollinated by bees or
other invertebrates, make applications post-bloom.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Lesson 4: Linden
nectar by itself can be toxic to bees!*</b> Dead bumble bees are not uncommon
under unsprayed linden trees. The publicity generated by the Wilsonville bee
kill resulted in many more reports of dead bees. Most of them turned out to be
relatively small numbers probably not related to pesticides. So far, we’ve only
found one other tree in Hillsboro that was associated with dead bee numbers
similar to those in Wilsonville. That tree had been sprayed with the same
pesticide last March. Other linden trees along the same street receiving the
same treatment didn’t have any dead bees. That will be a puzzle for the
investigators!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interestingly, honey bees weren’t affected to the same
extent as bumble bees. The honey bees
were foraging on the linden flowers, but few were dying. One reason might be
that honey bees are from Europe; they evolved with European linden nectar. We’ll have to wait for the investigators and
scientists to sort out whether toxic nectar played a part in this incident.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJaguozABdbvLpKx9Dsdx76VmG-4jxHw4jdea-i6loPuzSDEXDklYEV9yjNPXZws8fwx_lvftZHiq9FwLlrFF9Ar_SAWIDkCwsNxmFkYBUMBM3T2mtXuc_XfyXXyxaixt9pjONGFsR7Ca/s1600/nettingtrees.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJaguozABdbvLpKx9Dsdx76VmG-4jxHw4jdea-i6loPuzSDEXDklYEV9yjNPXZws8fwx_lvftZHiq9FwLlrFF9Ar_SAWIDkCwsNxmFkYBUMBM3T2mtXuc_XfyXXyxaixt9pjONGFsR7Ca/s320/nettingtrees.png" width="235" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Placing netting over blooming linden trees.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Lesson 5: When
people work together, they can do amazing things. </b>On Thursday, June 20, ODA
hosted a conference call bringing together officials from the <a href="http://www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/" target="_blank">City of Wilsonville</a>, entomologists from ODA, <a href="http://www.xerces.org/" target="_blank">Xerces Society</a>, and Oregon State University,
and other interested parties. We discussed how to stop the bee kill as well as
a long list of less palatable options, from cutting the trees down to spraying
the trees with garlic-based insect repellent. The only option that seemed to
have promise was to cover the trees with bee-proof netting, and it wasn’t at
all clear how to do that. City of Wilsonville staff figured it out by the end
of the day. The very next day, 60 people and six bucket trucks representing eight
agencies/organizations went to work. Crews stapled panels of shade cloth
together, passed 40’ X 40’ sheets to bucket truck crews, and with much tugging
and adjusting, the netting was draped over the 25’ tall trees. At 5:10 PM, the
last net was tied off at the trunk, and the Wilsonville bee kill was over.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a day I’ll never forget, and none of us should ever
forget the lessons we learned.<i> </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Dan Hilburn</i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*Pawlikowski,T.
2010. Pollination activity of bees
(Apoidea: Apiformes) visiting flowers of <i>Tilia
cordata</i> Mill. And <i>Tilia tomentosa</i>
Moench in an urban environment. J. Apicultural Sci. 54(2): 73-79.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-23314693784267101862013-06-01T08:46:00.003-07:002014-04-28T12:47:22.714-07:00What to do with Western Juniper?<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWL29krweF2XA2K_juOibknuA7VH59orgaFZZ-H10gyIYz-GobLa-PQTPBuFRr7ei8crR9Hb9XeawAQDAefh-nux2t3PdNfBsPp0rb5VB2pooNGcfwtRcTGRhk1_6Rwe__nKF0RvFtfKB/s1600/juniper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWL29krweF2XA2K_juOibknuA7VH59orgaFZZ-H10gyIYz-GobLa-PQTPBuFRr7ei8crR9Hb9XeawAQDAefh-nux2t3PdNfBsPp0rb5VB2pooNGcfwtRcTGRhk1_6Rwe__nKF0RvFtfKB/s320/juniper.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper encroaching on sage brush habitat in Oregon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not all invaders are aliens. Western juniper, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juniperus occidentalis</i>, is invading
grassland habitats in central and eastern Oregon. This native species doesn’t
fit our official definition of an invasive species—“nonnative organisms that
cause economic or environmental harm” (ORS 570.755) —but it is sure acting like
one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Between 1936 and 1988, the area of juniper forest in eastern
Oregon increased 5.3 times from 420,000 to 2,200,000 acres.* The reason for
this slow but steady invasion is that we’ve changed the way grasslands are
managed. Native Americans used to set fire to the grasslands to keep them open.
Not any more. We do our best to suppress fires because they threaten houses,
livestock, and other things we care about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately, we’ve created a juniper invasion. Encroaching
juniper is degrading sage grouse and other wildlife habitat, shading out native
grasses, sucking up ground water, and creating opportunities for invasions of
weeds and other undesirable species. The state has convened a large task force
to look for solutions. It’s called the Western Juniper Working Group (WJUG), and
I’m the representative from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m learning fast that it is complex issue. Some people on
the WJUG would like ODA to declare Western juniper a noxious weed. We’re not
going to do that. It is a native species, and thus has a place in Oregon
ecosystems. However, the expansion of juniper is a problem, and if some sort of
official recognition would help focus attention on it, we should consider our
options. I’m looking forward to the discussion at the next State Weed Board
meeting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reintroducing fire as a management tool would seem to be a
no-brainer, but there are serious liability questions. Currently, if your
controlled burn gets out of control, you’re liable for fire suppression costs
and damages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most juniper suppression projects today are cut, pile, and
burn. It is laborious, costly, and not popular with some members of the public.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ideal solution would be to find economic uses for
juniper so there would be an incentive to log the trees. There are two
challenges to that idea. One is that junipers occur in areas where there aren’t
many mills and markets. Thus, costs to transport harvested wood to places where
it can be processed are generally prohibitive. Secondly, compared to other
trees in Oregon, junipers are short and gnarly. Juniper just doesn’t compete
with Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and other conifers in terms of producing a
suite of desirable wood products.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juniper does make interesting rustic furniture, but it’s a
niche market. You’ll find it at a gallery in Sisters, Oregon, but not at J.C.
Penny. I have a coffee table with twisted juniper legs that I like, but it’s
not for everyone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juniper is superior to all other woods in one way. It makes
great fence posts that don’t rot. OSU has fence post trials that go back to the
20s and 30s. The juniper heartwood fence posts from way back then are still
standing! I’ve never seen juniper posts for sale in the building supply stores
I frequent, but that is probably because no one asks for it, and it would be
more expensive. Maybe we can start a movement to encourage people to ask for local
juniper instead of using treated wood posts and landscape timbers. I’d pay more
if I knew it was good for the environment and would last longer, wouldn’t you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We need a good slogan. How about:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Got juniper? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Juniper, the <i>other</i> fence post. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fence the invader!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Help me out here. What would
you recommend? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Dan Hilburn</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">*Gedney, D.R., D.L. Azuma,
C.L. Bolsinger, and N. McKay. 1999. Western Juniper in Eastern Oregon. USDA, Forest Service, Gen. Tech. Report
PNW-GTR-464. 53pp.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-84509636197730296632013-05-04T07:56:00.000-07:002013-05-04T07:56:11.726-07:00Where do You Buy Plants?
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3s1iLHGEqTUq9QptZlGOrkGrlAlhwSrlNDSWlSAxZoGVBIutdhUKF6RwHynmsr0j8iumOMW-UtQMYsoYDmGlm6rL4N9Ph23Svan4r_gKvy9GEkcss89gWKP7nD-cWzjyezwL98I734_x/s1600/globe.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3s1iLHGEqTUq9QptZlGOrkGrlAlhwSrlNDSWlSAxZoGVBIutdhUKF6RwHynmsr0j8iumOMW-UtQMYsoYDmGlm6rL4N9Ph23Svan4r_gKvy9GEkcss89gWKP7nD-cWzjyezwL98I734_x/s1600/globe.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m a recreational vegetable gardener and semi-successful
practitioner of low maintenance landscaping. My wife likes flowers. Every
spring when the weather warms up, we drive to our favorite nurseries and stock
up on seeds, plants, bushes, and trees. We’re lucky to live in western Oregon. Most
of Oregon’s 3,000-plus nurseries are within 50 miles of our home. If you’re
like us, you probably feel good about buying local plants. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But are those plants in the garden center really local? You’d
be surprised at the amount of plant material Oregon imports, some of it from
overseas. Below is a summary of the nursery stock imported into Oregon from foreign
sources last month (April, 2013).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 5.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 459px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">12</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Drosera</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Origanum s</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">227</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sarracenia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Pelargonium</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4,650</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Dioneae </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Rosmarinus officinalis</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6,900</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Cotinus </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Netherlands</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">600</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Salvia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">700</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Cordyline </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Singapore</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Satureja</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">8,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Dracaena</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Singapore</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Stevia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3,210</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Paeonia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Canada</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Thymus</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">10,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Brunnera </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">New Zealand</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Zaluzianskya</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.15pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,500</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">26</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Iris</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.15pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">360</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Impatiens </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">77</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Iris</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Thailand</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">120</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Nemesa </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">31,500</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ranunculus</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">France</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">920</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">10</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Plumeria</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Thailand</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">38</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Iris</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Artemisa </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,800</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Lippia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3,500</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Menta </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ocimum </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">800</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sedum</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">600</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3,600</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Impatiens</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Nemesia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 12.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Nasturtium</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">500</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ajuga</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4,100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Erodium</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">900</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Begonia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,300</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,000</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Verbena</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3,900</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Lantana</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">700</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Lantana</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3,400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">600</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Verbena</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">400</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,600</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Lantana</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">800</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Lantana</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">800</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Verbena</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1,200</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Calibrachoa</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">100</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Petunia</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 29; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.2pt;" valign="top" width="41">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">300</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 75.65pt;" valign="top" width="76">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Verbena</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 92.1pt;" valign="top" width="92">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Israel</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.15in;" valign="top" width="83">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">105 g</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.75pt;" valign="top" width="82">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Abies seed</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 13.6pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="86">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Denmark</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Readers with a botany background will notice many common
flowers and herbs on the list. Note that this is just the plant material
imported from outside the country. Much more comes in from other states. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some of what is imported is new varieties developed elsewhere
and not yet available here, but looking at the numbers above it seems some
nurseries are outsourcing their propagation. It boggles my mind to think that
Petunias grown in Israel can be shipped to Oregon more cheaply than they can be
produced here!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Leaving behind the incomprehensible economics, let’s turn to
the plant pest risks. All the countries above have plant pests and diseases not
present in Oregon. Commercial shipments like these are certified in their
country of origin and screened when they enter this country. At the plant
inspection stations (the closest one to Oregon is Seattle), a percentage of the
boxes are opened and the plants are inspected for pests and disease. If there
is a heavy infestation of a blight or pest of concern, the shipment is
rejected.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More likely though, a plant here and there will have a few
whitefly eggs or a root rot, and the inspector doesn’t have a chance of
spotting all the potential problems. Some will get through, and a percentage of
those will find Oregon’s climate to their liking.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When looking at invasive species pathways, global trade and
travel in plant material is riskier than trade in manufactured goods. A live
plant is the perfect vehicle for a hitchhiking mealybug or fungal blight, only
it’s more than a ride. It’s a hop, skip, and a jump - from one continent to
another.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is an example of how we’re our own worse enemy when it
comes to invasive species. It is a people-created problem. We bring them to
Oregon. On the positive side, that means that people are also the solution. I
don’t blame nurseries for shopping around for the best prices from potential
suppliers, but I do think the price of flower starts from overseas should
include the cost of dealing with the invasive species problems they inevitably
bring.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>Dan Hilburn</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-33219007052573891952013-03-21T07:40:00.003-07:002013-03-21T07:42:04.614-07:00You Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhks0eTpzLMIyfod4mt1YmiGBjby6RYWIj6Ud_o68lOo8ER9TC_aQUFOtOOV9p8IKD-oAZ4LharTBNwGZCuE5O5UNS8o9wn_7W0O0cK9l4aF7KSPzvafR3Uu1o9_moQySmZBba9PQH9wxRt/s1600/youdontknow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhks0eTpzLMIyfod4mt1YmiGBjby6RYWIj6Ud_o68lOo8ER9TC_aQUFOtOOV9p8IKD-oAZ4LharTBNwGZCuE5O5UNS8o9wn_7W0O0cK9l4aF7KSPzvafR3Uu1o9_moQySmZBba9PQH9wxRt/s400/youdontknow.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Every year, I travel thousands of miles along U.S. highways and byways. The best way to get a strong pulse on America is to travel through it, stopping at local coffee shops, and immersing yourself in the local politics, events, and other happenings. No matter where I've been or how long I've stayed, I've always found something I like in just about every place.<br />
<br />
I recently vacationed in southern Arizona, and to get there, I traveled through the entire state of California, entering in southern Oregon, and departing in southeastern California. There's a lot I like about California - its beaches, wine country, national parks, and desert, to name a few. But the drive from Redding, California to Bakersfield, California on Interstate 5 would make anyone with a passion for eradicating invasive species cringe.<br />
<br />
Why? Three reasons.<br />
<br />
1. From the Sacramento River in northern California to Bakersfield, just about every Interstate-5 crossing is choked with <a href="http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/ipcw/pages/detailreport.cfm@usernumber=8&surveynumber=182.php" target="_blank"><i>Arundo donax</i></a>. According to the county of San Diego, "<i>Arundo donax</i> was introduced to California in the early 1800s to be used
as a roofing material and for erosion control in the canals. It is a
reed that can grow to 20 feet or more. However, it grows in very dense
stands, chokes off and kills other plant life and is unsuitable as a
food source or nesting habitat for animals. Besides severely damaging
the natural ecosystem, it can also clog stream flows; and is a
tremendous fire hazard." It is amazing to see how this plant has transformed entire riparian corridors and river systems, just south of Oregon's border. <br />
<br />
2. You have to travel through a town called Weed to get to Bakersfield on I-5. The good news is that the town is actually named after the founder of the local lumber mill and pioneer Abner Weed, a Maine transplant that came to California with his
wife in 1869, settling in the Truckee area near Lake Tahoe. He moved to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Shasta" target="_blank">Mount Shasta</a> area and discovered that local strong winds
were helpful in drying lumber. In 1897, he bought the Siskiyou
Lumber and Mercantile Mill and 280 acres of land in what is now
the City of Weed, for the sum of $400.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed,_California#cite_note-3"></a></sup> By the 1940s Weed boasted the world's largest sawmill. Until I learned how the town of Weed got its name, I just assumed it was named for the abundance of invasive species present in and around the community, particularly along the I-5 corridor that splits the town. Anyway, I'm just glad there are no Oregon towns named after anything invasive (at least none that I know of). I just wouldn't want to give presentations about Oregon and have to reference the town of "Feral Pig, Oregon" or "Hydrilla, Oregon."<br />
<br />
3. When you leave the town of Bakersfield heading east toward Tucson, Arizona, you traverse a highway called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_184" target="_blank">Weedpatch Highway</a>, and once again, there does seem to be an abundance of weeds in this area. Weedpatch was featured in the <i>Grapes of Wrath</i> - it was the location of a government rescue center for distressed migrant workers fleeing the <a href="http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/ok/es_ok_dustbowl_1.html" target="_blank">Oklahoma Dust Bowl </a>agricultural disaster, during the Great Depression. I settled back in the drivers seat, reflecting on the fact that I'm glad Oregon doesn't have an "<a href="http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/orange-hawkweed.aspx" target="_blank">Orange Hawkweed</a> Highway" or "<a href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/alpe1.htm" target="_blank">Garlic Mustard </a>Boulevard."<br />
<br />
I also reflected on how adaptable people are - people are capable of no longer see invasive species as invasive because they have become part of the landscape. It reminded me of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM" target="_blank">Keep America Beautiful litter campaign</a> in the United States in 1971 - few recognized that litter was changing the landscape of our country until a public outreach campaign, featuring a tearful native American in a television commercial, captured the hearts and motivation of many. The resulting call for action changed the culture of how people view litter in our country.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, scientists in Oregon compared the number of invasive species in Oregon rivers and streams to those of neighboring states, and the results were impressive - they indicated that Oregon has a lot to protect. We haven't lost the fight against invasive species in Oregon, and there remains places in our state where native species thrive. Our mental picture of what Oregon should look like retains many of the qualities of natural functioning ecosystems.<br />
<br />
My recent trip to Arizona did a lot to instill in me the need to keep fighting the fight. Because those that have lost what once was no longer see what they have lost. And I never want our state song to be, "<i>You don't know what you've got' til its gone</i>." <br />
<br />
Lisa DeBruyckere<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-65080048461971308142013-03-11T13:39:00.000-07:002013-03-11T13:39:11.506-07:00Invasive Species-related Bills in the Oregon Legislature<div class="s2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06RYbyCHu8pE3RXUnzitDRU_geZf_Ycbx8XeAxDFDUVlI_IHkdRP2pStZx2nf2O9BBEBaBVPNTyd5zGribROcACWwNP6JnC0PqdcFIVjkJZgUwoUATj0Kgj_VeKrKF_zHcvgQWcMOhFki/s1600/StopInv-Red.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06RYbyCHu8pE3RXUnzitDRU_geZf_Ycbx8XeAxDFDUVlI_IHkdRP2pStZx2nf2O9BBEBaBVPNTyd5zGribROcACWwNP6JnC0PqdcFIVjkJZgUwoUATj0Kgj_VeKrKF_zHcvgQWcMOhFki/s320/StopInv-Red.gif" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">Our elected representatives have returned to Salem. Every session they co</span><span class="s5">nsider thousands of bills designed to </span><span class="s5">modify or delete existing laws or create new ones to address current and emerging issues. This year there are a handful</span><span class="s5"> of bills</span><span class="s5"> relate</span><span class="s5">d</span><span class="s5"> to invasive species.</span><span class="s5"> If you care about any of them, or if you care about protecting Oregon's economy and natural resources, now is the time to let your legislators know how you feel.</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">Bills come from a variety of sources, including citizens, lobbyists, business groups, etc. State agencies also propose legislation, usually to fix perceived problems with existing laws. </span><span class="s5">Our</span><span class="s5"> ideas are vetted by the Department of Administrative Ser</span><span class="s5">vices and the Governor</span><span class="s5">’s Office</span><span class="s5">. If they survive, they become agency bills. State employees, like me, are officially neutral on all proposed legislation with the exception of “agency bills.” </span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">A good example is HB 2247.</span><span class="s5"> This is an agency bill proposed by the Department of Agriculture.</span><span class="s5"> </span><span class="s5">HB 2247</span><span class="s5"> would delete obsolete statutes </span><span class="s5">related to gorse</span><span class="s5">, </span><span class="s5">aquatic weeds</span><span class="s5">, and experiment stations</span><span class="s5">. </span><span class="s5">A</span><span class="s5">nother </span><span class="s5">section would </span><span class="s5">get rid of</span><span class="s5"> a</span><span class="s5"> </span><span class="s5">widely ignor</span><span class="s5">ed law requiring</span><span class="s5"> farmers </span><span class="s5">to</span><span class="s5"> post </span><span class="s5">copies of the state weed law</span><span class="s5"> on </span><span class="s5">all </span><span class="s5">their</span><span class="s5"> farm machinery. </span><span class="s5">All of </span><span class="s5">these oldies</span><span class="s5"> predate the first edition of the Oregon Revised Statutes</span><span class="s5"> (ORS) </span><span class="s5"></span><span class="s5">published a whopping 60 </span><span class="s5">year</span><span class="s5">s ago</span><span class="s5">!</span><span class="s5"> </span><span class="s5">It is time they were retired.</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">The final section </span><span class="s5">of HB 2247 </span><span class="s5">would correct an error from two sessions ago when Oregon's weed statutes were cons</span><span class="s5">olidated into ORS chapter 569. Previous to that, our weed laws were scattere</span><span class="s5">d</span><span class="s5"> across three different chapters related to agriculture. When the consolidation occurred, the existing civil penalty provisions didn’t migrate to the new chapter. HB 2247 would fix that.</span><span class="s5"> I drafted the legislative concept that </span><span class="s5">became</span><span class="s5"> HB 2247, and I’m allowed to </span><span class="s5">tell you I think it would be a good idea if it passes</span><span class="s5">.</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">SB 571 would add the Marine Board to the Oregon Invasive Species Council as well as another </span><span class="s5">at large</span><span class="s5"> seat.</span><span class="s5"> This is not an agency bill, but it has the blessing of the Governor’s office, the Marine Board, and the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC). </span><span class="s5">ODA is neutral on this bill, but a</span><span class="s5">s the current chair of the OISC, I testified in favor of </span><span class="s5">it on behalf of the Council</span><span class="s5">.</span><span class="s5"> The Marine Board has been a valuable member of the Council and has had </span><span class="s5">an at-large</span><span class="s5"> seat in recent years</span><span class="s5">. It is especially important they be at the table now</span><span class="s5"> as we attempt to keep zebra and quagga mussels</span><span class="s5"> and other boat hitchhikers out</span><span class="s5"> of Oregon.</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">Other bills related to invasive species include:</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="margin-left: 72px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">SB 116 – reinstates the Shipping Transport of Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, an important group that focuses on potential invasives associated with shipping pathways.</span><span class="s5"></span></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="margin-left: 72px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">HB 2813 – ban</span><span class="s5">s</span><span class="s5"> </span><span class="s7" style="font-style: italic;">Arundo donax</span><span class="s5"> (giant cane), a species currently being cultivated for biomass production to replace coal at the Boardman PGE plant. This species has been known to be invasive in warmer climates in the United States.</span></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="margin-left: 72px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">HB 2188 & HB 3364 </span><span class="s5">–</span><span class="s5"> create mechanisms to enhance cooperation, coordination, and communication amng agencies that implement integrated pest management.</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s5">ODA is neutral on these bills, and I have to keep my opinions to myself, but </span><span class="s5">if you’re not a state employee, </span><span class="s5">you </span><span class="s5">can speak up, join the legislative process, and let your voice be heard.</span><span class="s5"> One thing I’ve learned about the legislative process is that </span><span class="s5">our representatives</span><span class="s5"> like to know what their constituents are thinking and relatively few people take the time to </span><span class="s5">tell them</span><span class="s5">.</span><span class="s5"></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5">Dan Hilburn</span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="s5" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-21452554755542079632013-02-13T09:36:00.001-08:002013-02-13T09:38:13.305-08:00Paying for Invasive Species Programs<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11pt;">I used to buy 50 Christmas
cards to cover everyone on my staff, and it was never quite enough. This year I
bought 44 and had several left over. Like most parts of state government, the
Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Plant Program is shrinking. Downsizing is
hard. It is especially difficult when there is plenty of work, but money to pay
people to do it is not there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Seventeen years ago when I
took this job, the Plant Division, as it was called then, received over 50
percent of its funding from state general funds (your taxes and mine). That
proportion has shrunk to just 3.5 percent. You've probably noticed that state
(and federal) funds are increasingly being diverted to other priorities, like
schools, prisons, and health care. For us it has meant a series of budget cuts
to our base funding. I don't see an end to that trend. The current Governor’s
Recommended Budget includes another $500,000 cut to ODA’s Noxious Weed Control
Program. </span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Candara;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Thankfully, some cuts have
been offset by additional federal and lottery funds, but these are typically
tied to on-the-ground projects or national priorities. If a noxious weed or
invasive pest is causing a problem, grant funding becomes available for that
species. This sort of targeted funding makes for good accountability, but it
fosters a reactive approach. When something bad happens, money appears; when
nothing bad happens, the money disappears. The problem with invasive weeds and
pests is that nothing bad happens for the many years after an introduction
until the infestation has spread and starts to impact desirable crops or
habitats. By then, it is very costly or impossible to eradicate the problem. </span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Candara;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">We'd be better off with a
proactive strategy. Exclusion-based on early detection and rapid response
(EDRR) is the most cost effective way of dealing with invasive species, but the
money that used to fund our early detection surveys has largely disappeared. No
one wants to pay for a prevention program, especially when there are so many
other demands on public funds. </span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Candara;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">So where do we go from
here? We can accept shrinking budgets and convert to reactive programs
knowing they will be less successful, or we can figure out a better way to fund
EDRR programs. The options I see fall into three categories: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">1. public base funding, i.e., the old system<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">2. a dedicated fee (a surcharge on something) or
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">3. tax the pathways approach (small surcharges
on trade and travel activities that bring us invasive weeds and pests) </span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Candara;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Personally, I think our
public invasive species programs are crucial. Because there is no profit in
EDRR, I can't imagine them being done by the private sector. Who else but
public agencies are going to survey for gypsy moths, zebra mussels, or
kudzu? Who else has the authority to eradicate an infestation of Japanese
beetle or distaff thistle no matter the land ownership? </span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Candara;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">In the next couple of
years, I expect to spend considerable time trying to find stable funding for
Oregon's invasive species programs. I
think it is time for a fresh, comprehensive look at the needs and possible
revenue sources. The first steps were discussed yesterday at the Oregon Invasive
Species Council meeting. If you have ideas or passion about protecting Oregon
from invasive species, we’d love to hear from you. Our chances of success are
better if we work together.</span><span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Candara; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"><i>Dan Hilburn</i></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-71470919707790826012013-01-03T15:46:00.000-08:002013-01-03T17:15:30.200-08:00Seeing the Forest Through the Trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTFiwWSom5bikFqNdlAs3Y_mE4KKlxRkZsKlXqzNNo98GBwmaYDJpgFYvzZstf5yBejW5RlcMJlY0RclDy_Mi2fKU0hW0XvHdH_osx71kO5Lq5FozvVuz9ZOuFkbL2LWHAzDGTclu0hCS/s1600/trees.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTFiwWSom5bikFqNdlAs3Y_mE4KKlxRkZsKlXqzNNo98GBwmaYDJpgFYvzZstf5yBejW5RlcMJlY0RclDy_Mi2fKU0hW0XvHdH_osx71kO5Lq5FozvVuz9ZOuFkbL2LWHAzDGTclu0hCS/s1600/trees.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another new year is upon us, complete with a significant percentage of the population vowing to implement new years' resolutions, from lifestyle changes that take off the extra pounds gained from holiday festivities and age, to those pledging more time to volunteer and help those in need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've always been somewhat ambivalent about the new year - it seems like if something needs to be done, we have the capacity within each of us to do it "now," not wait until a certain date on the calendar. Why even talk about falling off a fiscal cliff when we can make a decision months in advance that prevents the cliff from ever forming? Do we need the threat of a catastrophe to act? In some arenas, apparently so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We see the need for a crisis in order to act play out time and again in the invasive species arena. We don't realize we've got a <a href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/alpe1.htm" target="_blank">garlic mustard</a> problem in one part of the state until several hundred acres of garlic mustard "suddenly" appear on the landscape. <a href="http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/" target="_blank">Quagga and zebra mussels</a>, first introduced in the Great Lakes region of the country, suddenly jump several states, appear in a different region of the country, and remain a threat to places like the Pacific Northwest, despite what we know about how this species moves. <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/jb/index.shtml" target="_blank">Japanese beetles</a> invade our state on an annual basis, threatening our nursery and agricultural industries (not to mention my back yard gardening), yet in 2012, the <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/OISC" target="_blank">Oregon Invasive Species Council</a> had to declare an "emergency" to find funds to fill the gap and allow treatment programs to occur. And feral swine, a species on the <a href="http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?st=100ss" target="_blank">global 100 Worst List of invasive species</a>, continue to spread across North America, while we give birth to television shows that celebrate their presence, such as "<a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/other-shows-hogs-gone-wild-videos.htm" target="_blank">Hogs Gone Wild</a>." G</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">iven our understanding of invasive species pathways and vectors, we should not have these recurring episodes. It's like Groundhog Day playing itself out over and over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're missing the forest for the trees. W</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e often forget the most important part of the invasive species equation is people. Of all the issues associated with natural resource management, the human dimensions aspect is the most challenging and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">unpredictable, yet offers the most hope and our greatest chance for success. In other words, we're the problem -- and we're the solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We make investments in one stretch of a watershed, while ignoring the fact that new invaders from upstream areas will inevitably set back those initial investments. We point fingers at other regions of the country, saying "They're the problem". We don't acknowledge the tradeoffs that must occur with global commerce -- and set aside adequate funds to pay for treatment programs to eradicate species that are introduced on a regular basis. We try to make good of a bad situation and create short-term economic benefits by selling wild hog hunts (illegal in Oregon), spawning a recreational "opportunity" from what is, quite literally, an ecological disaster. Or we put all of our eggs in one basket, claiming one particular invasive species is and will be the greatest threat ever to our state and region, lessening our ability to communicate the need to deal with high risk species in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What we haven't done is take a step back, remove ourselves from the emotional struggles and hard work that comes along with dealing with invasive species, analyze the human dimensions aspects of each of these issues, and then take strategic steps to prevent them from recurring. Sure, we need more funding and more resources for invasive species prevention -- no argument here. But we especially need to focus on effective positive behavioral changes in people -- and do so by modeling good behavior.</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An "A" listed noxious weed in Oregon wouldn't suddenly appear in a patch spanning hundreds of acres if Oregon had a healthy statewide early detection rapid response program that engages people in rural and urban areas alike to watch for and then report suspected sightings of these high risk species. We can do a better job of informing the public about high risk species, and creating the infrastructure for them to report and for experts to respond.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can prevent the introduction of quagga and zebra mussels from invading the Pacific Northwest if we work collaboratively with our neighbors already under siege, developing a multi-pronged approach that focuses on pathways and vectors -- and that could serve as a model for how we deal regionally with invasive species issues. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we accept the fact that global commerce is important to Oregon's economy (and few would doubt that, despite a healthy "buy local" perspective), then we need to convene the industries that unwillingly transport these hitchhikers into Oregon and develop new, cost-effective ways to treat cargo and shipments at the source as well as obtain a long-term commitment to adequately fund treatment programs for any invaders that slip through the cracks. It has to become the "cost of doing business." We can convene industry representatives, assist with providing the science on invasive pests, and help industry problem-solve this issue.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We can stem the spread of feral swine in Oregon. The recently launched "<i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SquealOnPigs" target="_blank">Squeal on Pigs</a></i>" outreach campaign is a good start at raising awareness about and reporting suspected sightings of feral swine. Everyone in Oregon must understand the human health, natural resource, and economic threats this species has to our quality of life. We've developed a Facebook page, <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SquealOnPigs" target="_blank">Squeal on Pigs</a></i>, and are about to launch a smartphone application for use by every state in the nation. Our ability to eradicate this species relies heavily on public sightings and reporting.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We must begin to approach each and every invasive species issue with an understanding of the human dimension elements that foster continued reintroductions, barriers to engaging in healthy and productive discussions about prevention, and creative ways to engage the public in this important long-term fight. It's worth looking past the trees to save Oregon's forests.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lisa DeBruyckere</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-15206052139450354542012-12-05T21:25:00.000-08:002012-12-05T21:25:42.494-08:00The 2012 Grinch is a Slug
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly7HOykseyM0tkJYJzup0QfktZI02G2izW0SkjgRDh4aWi_3Ij1QySSP3o9SyzD6h8HqC-s2w62Plu2nN-QJIbHP-p008g2o-IZ5ZQKt15_go6uxS4sNuC_Lqn-xbxNhUaUNxE2CdV0Uz/s1600/christmastree.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly7HOykseyM0tkJYJzup0QfktZI02G2izW0SkjgRDh4aWi_3Ij1QySSP3o9SyzD6h8HqC-s2w62Plu2nN-QJIbHP-p008g2o-IZ5ZQKt15_go6uxS4sNuC_Lqn-xbxNhUaUNxE2CdV0Uz/s320/christmastree.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I love the
holiday season, but I’m not a big fan of the Christmas tree shipping season. There
is a shipping Grinch every year. This year, it is slugs on Oregon trees
arriving in Hawaii.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oregon has
over 700 licensed <a href="http://www.christmastrees-or.com/" target="_blank">Christmas tree growers</a>. Together they produce 8 million trees
a year. Ninety percent of the trees are sold out-of-state, including 900,000 to
customers in foreign countries. Every country and some states have import
requirements, and Oregon Department of Agriculture Nursery/Christmas tree
program staff spend October through early December inspecting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trees and certifying crop for export. There
are no better Christmas tree inspectors in the world, but every year the Grinch
slips through the system and ruins someone’s Christmas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This year, it’s
the <a href="http://hawaii.gov/hdoa" target="_blank">Hawaii Department of Agriculture</a> inspectors that are working overtime and
dreaming of a vacation from Christmas. On first arrival in Honolulu, 40 percent
of the Oregon Christmas tree containers were found to have hitchhiking slugs. A
smaller number had yellow jacket queens, root weevils, and other live critters.
As the season progressed, the percentage of quarantined containers declined
until only 12 percent of the last shipment of 54 containers were quarantined.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
happened? Biology and reality. Christmas trees are living organisims grown in a
verdant environment. Spiders, ants, slugs, tree frogs, and lots of other animals
live in Christmas tree plantations – tree are, after all, homes for many kinds
of wildlife. Inspectors can spot <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/odf/privateforests/docs/fh/dftwigweevil.pdf" target="_blank">twig weevil</a> or <a href="http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1373-e.pdf" target="_blank">needle midge infestations</a> in
fields, but a slug on a Christmas tree, especially an immature tree like the
ones uses in Hawaii to celebrate the holiday season, is virtually impossible to
discover. Oregon Christmas trees, though of high quality, are not sterile. In
fact, they are far from it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The reality
is that the inspection and certification process only screens out trees from
unhealthy fields; it doesn’t guard against hitchhikers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hawaii’s
inspectors are commited to their mission of protecting their islands from
invasive species. They are doing the right thing by stopping infested
containers. Unfortunately for them, the demand for Christmas trees is so great
that they are working overtime and weekends to hot water-wash our trees before
releasing them. I feel bad about that. This kind of invasive species issue
should be taken care of at origin rather than at destination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve had it
with the Shipping Grinch. We need to kick this Grinch out of our holiday. We
invest a great deal of time and resources protecting Oregon from invasive
species because it is important. We also need to make sure we aren’t exporting
potential invaders to our customers. After all, we would expect the same from
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We’re going
to have to figure out a better system of preventing hitchhikers from leaving
Oregon on Christmas trees. There is hope. Some growers haven’t had any
rejections. They are using a combination of mechanical shaking, slug baits,
stacking trees on pallets, or power-washing to discourage hitchhikers. We need
to figure out what’s working and turn what we learn into best management
practices that all growers can follow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Best of
luck to you for a Grinch-free Christmas! And don’t forget to thump your
Christmas tree in the driveway before bringing it indoors. All the little
hitchhikers that fall out with the dead needles will thank you – and so will
your spouse, your neighborhood, your county, your state . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<i>Dan Hilburn</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-80754864707487540672012-11-06T05:41:00.002-08:002012-11-06T05:41:36.196-08:00Neighbor Problems<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAD1ystlKeYWqbMWtdmDNZjrsSUZk4T40zJThx7EpaSSM0ClNgVPgoyirSUGU2oIK1BvRpQlx-d0BRSicSV3fAb8vmUwc8-gxD7pXs5RMmZLe8_3wq8Yg8nODWjtVw1EEVNMtMMh5nu_g/s1600/flatworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAD1ystlKeYWqbMWtdmDNZjrsSUZk4T40zJThx7EpaSSM0ClNgVPgoyirSUGU2oIK1BvRpQlx-d0BRSicSV3fAb8vmUwc8-gxD7pXs5RMmZLe8_3wq8Yg8nODWjtVw1EEVNMtMMh5nu_g/s320/flatworld.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Years
ago, my wife and I moved from a starter house in a friendly neighborhood to our
dream house on the hill. We love our new
house, but we miss the friendly neighbors. Our relationship with the new
neighbors is best described as strained. Neighboring states and countries don’t always get along either. Invasive species are a common source of
friction. Here are some examples from
Oregon’s neighborhood.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
pet food cricket industry has struggled recently with a viral disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until recently, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_cricket" target="_blank">Acheta domesticus</a></i> was the standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The industry turned to Europe to find a ready replacement, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_cricket" target="_blank">Gryllus assimilis</a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scientists that study crickets advised us
that bringing in another exotic species was a bad idea, especially one in the
genus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gryllus</i> that could establish in
the wild and compete with our native species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily there was a better replacement candidate already in culture. Oregon refused to sign permits for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">G. assimilis</i> and instead recommended <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/crickets/gsigilla.html" target="_blank">Gryllodes sigillatus</a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The industry and other states have come
around to our way of thinking -- Canada has not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Brand
new draft regulations for importing insects into Canada list <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">G. assimilis</i> as “No Import Permit
Required.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, you can
import <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">G. assimilis</i> into Canada
without restriction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sooner or later
everything imported to Canada ends up in the United States - in other words, our back door is wide open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the first time we’ve encountered
this north-south pathway. <a href="http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/displaySpecies.php?pn=620" target="_blank">Apple ermine moth</a>, <a href="http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/pest/e_formosana.htm" target="_blank">cherry bark tortrix</a>, and <a href="http://www.anla.org/knowledgecenter/premium/index.cfm?view=player&colid=112&cid=324&mfid=5311&StartNum=1" target="_blank">boxwood blight </a>all were introduced first to Canada,
then spread south or were shipped south to Oregon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Canada’s
regulations are different than ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are designed to protect Canada from invasive species that might
impact their agriculture or environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, they care about species adapted to their climate and
environment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">G. assimilis</i> is a low
risk for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protecting their
neighbors to the south is not their highest priority.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
have similar issues with our neighbors to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have pests that we don’t want, and sometimes
they aren’t concerned because the risk is low – for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/lba_moth/index.shtml" target="_blank">Light brown apple moth</a> is a good
example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was introduced to California
a few years back from Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To California, this species is a minor pest, and they dropped their eradication program after a public
outcry over proposed aerial spraying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were big supporters of their spray program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting rid of the pest in California would have been an excellent way
to protect the apple industry of the Pacific Northwest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes
we face multiple problem neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/183" target="_blank">Hydrilla</a>, an aquatic weed on our 100 Worst List, has been found in
California, Washington, and Idaho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
surrounded!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zebra and quagga mussels
also threaten to invade from both the east and the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/spartina.html" target="_blank">Saltmarsh cord grass</a> is established on the West Coast
both north and south of Oregon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is easy to blame our neighbors, but least we get too smug, it is worth
remembering that other states and countries look at Oregon as a source of
headaches for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have species that
they don’t want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few examples: <a href="http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug" target="_blank">brownmarmorated stink bug</a> is spreading out from its western beachhead in Portland;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>German yellowjackets and <a href="http://sncc.forestry.oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank">Swiss needle cast</a> in
Oregon Christmas trees are a worry for Hawaii and Mexico; and sudden oak death
pops up from time to time in Oregon nurseries causing alarm among regulatory
officials in states that buy our nursery stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a 2-way street, or more accurately it’s a flat world (sorry Magellan).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the <span style="mso-no-proof: no;">realm</span> of plant protection, the
<a href="http://nationalplantboard.org/" target="_blank">National Plant Board</a> is our “neighborhood association” where these issues get
thrashed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meetings are always
interesting and occasionally tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You’re
part of Oregon’s invasive species neighborhood too – we all are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all stuck with the neighbors around us, and
what they do impacts us – and they’re stuck with us and what we do impacts
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no wonder our
neighbor-to-neighbor relations are sometimes strained – just like at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 27.0pt;">
<i>Dan Hilburn</i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-21529149987726627572012-10-06T12:28:00.003-07:002012-10-06T12:38:54.947-07:00Arundo – Your Turn to Comment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you see giant reed (<i>Arundo</i>) as a promising source of green energy or a
threat to Oregon’s environment? It is your turn to weigh in. Public comments
are now being accepted on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) proposed regulation for <i>Arundo</i>. We need your
input to get this right because what happens in Oregon over the next few years
could impact the state for decades, even centuries to come. In fact, it could
have worldwide ramifications. This is a big deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Portland General Electric (PGE) is
proposing to use giant reed as a replacement fuel for their Boardman power plant
after 2020 when coal is no longer an option. It is an interesting idea. From a
green, sustainable energy point of view, it’s a winner. <i>Arundo</i> grows fast and
produces as much as twenty tons of biomass/acre/year. That’s attractive if
you’re in the biofuel business, but there is a potential down side. <i>Arundo</i> is also
a serious noxious weed. In fact, it is considered one of the worst invasive
species worldwide. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ODA is
walking a tightrope. We’d love to see a source of homegrown, carbon-neutral
energy, but we’d hate to be complicit in the introduction of a new noxious weed.
So we’re proposing a regulation to allow biofuel production while minimizing the
risk of escape. Here is a summary of what the regulation would do:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Allow <i>Arundo </i>for biofuel
under permit.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Prohibit <i>Arundo</i> in floodplains.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Growers/companies would pay
a $2.00/acre/year assessment to cover the cost of monitoring.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">A $100/acre bond, up to $1
million, would be required to cover eradication, if needed.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Wild-type <i>Arundo</i> would be phased out
of the nursery industry. Variegated varieties would be allowed unless the State
Weed Board declares <i>Arundo </i>a noxious weed.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWAG0hYqgA1tAHWUkPbfiUa8PcaWYlRkY7LhQQlO22IoGA0cZyzskKPOlJCacenhBqnGPbC2KNGgjgVDxb9Yr1zcdvJXKasBBss5IHqqE3usFPlr9W06Vut5iAiOUKfZLQRO7fXBxXAeY/s1600/arundo1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWAG0hYqgA1tAHWUkPbfiUa8PcaWYlRkY7LhQQlO22IoGA0cZyzskKPOlJCacenhBqnGPbC2KNGgjgVDxb9Yr1zcdvJXKasBBss5IHqqE3usFPlr9W06Vut5iAiOUKfZLQRO7fXBxXAeY/s1600/arundo1" /></a></div>
I toured several
of the <i>Arundo</i> trials near Boardman in late September. Compared to last year,
the plants have grown a lot. They look like very tall corn. In the better
fields, the <i>Arundo</i> is 15 feet tall and the stems are getting dense enough that
that it isn’t easy to walk through the fields. Other plots are still sparse and
choked with weeds. There is no evidence of plants spreading outside the
irrigated fields, and there were no flowers or seeds.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Th</span>eoretically
there should be a zone outside <i>Arundo</i>’s potential range where you can grow it with
irrigation, fertilizer, and suppression of competition, but it won’t thrive and
spread on it’s own. The evidence available today suggests Boardman is in that
zone. Much of the rest of Oregon might be also. Riparian areas would be the
exception.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP0Fm19Hq5v84IR19c_0EcGHqUUl6ocPlOK8akDtNPcgt8WvrOf25hlq6wUbtLx93CkqSt8u2sCWl1GsQg05KelxAGaKNLCl_JD6PjNfdBqwvt4bATElwleBiTHxyYnB_Bf8bmA28JR_p/s1600/arundo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP0Fm19Hq5v84IR19c_0EcGHqUUl6ocPlOK8akDtNPcgt8WvrOf25hlq6wUbtLx93CkqSt8u2sCWl1GsQg05KelxAGaKNLCl_JD6PjNfdBqwvt4bATElwleBiTHxyYnB_Bf8bmA28JR_p/s320/arundo2.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The success
or failure of this project for PGE is likely to hinge on economics and the
availability of irrigated land. We wish them well and hope that our proposed
regulations are not a significant impediment. ODA’s bottom line is to keep <i>Arundo</i>
from becoming a noxious weed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this experiment works, <i>Arundo</i> would be an excellent complement to wind energy, and Oregon would
be taking a huge step toward the use of clean, renewable energy. If <i>Arundo</i> doesn’t
pan out and hasn’t become a weed -- oh well, it was worth a try. The only scenario
we need to avoid is that it escapes and invades our riparian areas. Working
together, we should be able to prevent that from happening. Help us get this
right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
Check out
the proposed rules at: <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/Pages/index.aspx">http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/Pages/index.aspx</a>. Let us know if you think they would do what we need to protect Oregon. Comments can be submitted via
email to: <a href="mailto:sgooch@oda.state.or.us">sgooch@oda.state.or.us</a>
until November 9, or you can come to one of the hearings and present your testimony
in person (Oct. 30, 11:00 AM in Salem or Oct. 31, 4:00 PM in Hermiston). Or just post
your comments below. We’re listening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dan Hilburn</i></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
</ul>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-72279625636356653932012-09-27T14:54:00.000-07:002012-09-27T14:54:02.559-07:00Invasives at Our Doors: “All Tricks, No Treats” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Links Social Media, Halloween Themes To Highlight a Conservation Challenge<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FkGRgDQili6sc8sZmp_I8BkIIZghbEogUJxKqMyJ4pKT0sdX2FeqjBrCrmCql89I0SQh_XhUQpcGueZqO2XpnyuMqjGtyONm6SiVMoNs2sASZrIrsHZRp6rkvkH4vCmpnTq1jsUE64lJ/s1600/invasion.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FkGRgDQili6sc8sZmp_I8BkIIZghbEogUJxKqMyJ4pKT0sdX2FeqjBrCrmCql89I0SQh_XhUQpcGueZqO2XpnyuMqjGtyONm6SiVMoNs2sASZrIrsHZRp6rkvkH4vCmpnTq1jsUE64lJ/s1600/invasion.tif" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hings that go bump in the
night aren’t any scarier than things that bump native fish, wildlife, and plant
species out of Northwest forests, fields, and streams. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" font-family:="font-family:" ms="ms" rebuchet="rebuchet" sans-serif="sans-serif">That’s the premise of a new
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-sponsored social media campaign launching
Monday, October 1, 2012. The agency’s Pacific Region will use its Facebook,
Twitter, and YouTube sites during the month of October to demonstrate how
creeping, crawling invasive animals and plants can make local habitats resemble
haunted ecological houses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" font-family:="font-family:" ms="ms" rebuchet="rebuchet" sans-serif="sans-serif">“Invasive
plants and animals are one of the biggest challenges we face while protecting,
enhancing, or restoring native fish, wildlife, and plant populations and their
habitats” said Robyn Thorson, Director of the Service’s Pacific Region. “Preventing
the introduction of new invasive species is the preferred method of avoiding
these challenges but we need extensive outreach and education to be successful.
We hope this campaign, which will be educational and entertaining, will do that.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dubbed “All Tricks, No
Treats,” the campaign will highlight four invasive species challenges—one a
week-- that have plagued conservation efforts like a zombie invasion. For
instance, one will address the species and habitat impacts of releasing popular
aquarium or ornamental species like <a href="http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=217" target="_blank">red swamp crayfish</a>, <a href="http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1261" target="_blank">red-eared sliders</a> (a
turtle), and <a href="http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/hydrilla.shtml" target="_blank">hydrilla</a> (an invasive aquatic weed). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Release of non-native
aquarium species often occurs by educators and students at the conclusion of
science projects or when classes end for the summer. Most people have no idea
they are creating a potential nightmare scenario in local waterways for native
species and habitats; one-third of the world’s worst aquatic invasive animals
and plants are aquarium or ornamental species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The campaign intends to raise
awareness of such ‘pathways for introduction’ and offer audiences easy
prevention measures they can take at home and in the classroom. It will use
humor and horror-themed punch lines like “Invasion of the Waterbody Snatchers,”
video clips, cartoons, even recipes in which invasive species are the main
ingredient to make youth and adult audiences aware of existing initiatives and
educational campaigns such as “<a href="http://www.nps.gov/ever/forteachers/dlil.htm" target="_blank">Don’t Let it Loose</a>,” “<a href="http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/07/fear_of_feral_swine_leads_to_a.php" target="_blank">Squeal on Pigs</a>,” and
“<a href="http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/Clean/Pages/ANS.aspx" target="_blank">Clean, Drain, Dry</a>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and its partners anticipate that by connecting popular scary Halloween themes
with information about a serious ecological challenge, the social media
campaign will parlay an invasive species fear factor into action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the Pacific Northwest and Hawaiian Islands at least 5,000 introduced
species have been documented outside their native range. While many assimilate
into ecological communities with little to no environmental or socio-economic
impacts, other introduced species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, can cause
millions of dollars in damage to local infrastructure, require expensive annual
maintenance, alter habitats, and imperil native species.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Follow “All Tricks, No Treats” on </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">USFWS website: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://goog.gl/J0zOh">http://goog.gl/J0zOh</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/USFWSPacific">http://www.facebook.com/USFWSPacific</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/USFWSPacific">http://twitter.com/USFWSPacific</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span acific="acific" class="Apple-style-span" http:="http:" style="twitter: </span> <a href=;" twitter.com="twitter.com"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-18271762324597824832012-09-25T10:53:00.002-07:002012-09-25T10:53:46.768-07:00Fantasy Platform on Invasive Species<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll never
be President. That’s OK. I would be a terrible campaigner, and my views are not
exactly mainstream. However, during this campaign season, that reality hasn’t kept me from thinking about what I’d do if
I was President-for-a-Day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my 10-point
Platform on invasive species. The first thing I would do is have my staff prepare executive orders on each of these issues, and then I’d sign ‘em all with
a big smile on my face!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.)
<b>Education</b>. Most people can’t identify the plants in their yard, so it’s no
wonder they can’t distinguish <a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=gash" target="_blank">salal</a> from <i><a href="http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/coast/plants/spartina.html" target="_blank">Spartina</a></i>, <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/rsu5.org/invasive/maine-invasive-species/dead-man-s-fingers-alcyonium-digitatum" target="_blank">dead man’s finger</a> from
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmaria_palmata" target="_blank">dulse</a>, or a <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/morgantown/4557/gmoth/" target="_blank">gypsy moth</a> from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometer_moth" target="_blank">geometrid</a>. Therefore, from now on, environmental
literacy will be a priority in our schools. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is also instructed to create a
mascot similar to <a href="http://www.smokeybear.com/" target="_blank">Smoky Bear</a> to promote invasive species awareness among all
citizens. One tenth of 1% of their budget will be dedicated to this
program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.)
<b>Innovation</b>. We’re faced with some difficult invasive species problems without
obvious solutions, such as <a href="http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06310.html" target="_blank">cheat grass</a> taking over our grasslands. We also have
amazingly creative and innovative people. If we turn them loose on these
challenging problems, there is a good chance they’ll come up with new ideas and
workable solutions. Therefore, I’m creating the Invasive Species Innovation
Prize. Every year a new invasive species challenge will be presented, and $1 million will be
awarded to the person with the best solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.)
<b>Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)</b>. Invasive species are a serious
threat to our economy and natural resources, and we need to be ready when an introduction is discovered. Too often, new infestations aren’t discovered until it is too late, and/or no money has
been set aside for a response program in case an infestation is discovered. Therefore,
from now on, all federal, state, and local agencies that have land management
or safeguarding responsibilites must spend 1% of their budget on <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/pages/edrr.aspx" target="_blank">EDRR</a> and one
tenth of that must be held in reserve for eradication programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.)<b>
Raw Logs/Green Firewood</b>. Raw logs, green wood pallets, and untreated firewood
harbor wood-boring pests like <a href="http://www.emeraldashborer.info/" target="_blank">emerald ash borer</a> and <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/asian_lhb/index.shtml" target="_blank">Asian longhorned beetle</a>. These
products continue to be shipped across the country and around the world in
spite of numerous examples of tree-killing pests hitchhiking in these products.
Our trees and forests are precious and worth saving. Therefore, from now on, all
wood products must be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_drying" target="_blank">kiln dried</a> before crossing state or national boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.)
<b>Nursery Stock</b>. Nursery stock can be a vector of plant pests and diseases, such
as <a href="http://www.suddenoakdeath.org/" target="_blank">sudden oak death</a> and <a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337795/title/Boxwood_blight_invades_North_America" target="_blank">boxwood blight</a>. The longer nursery stock has been
exposed to the environment, the more likely it is to have hitchhikers. Therefore,
from now on, nursery stock shipped across state or national boundaries must be grown
in greenhouses, or it must be less than one year old, grown in soil-less media,
and it must meet the <a href="http://nationalplantboard.org/policy/appendix_l.html" target="_blank">National Plant Board National Nursery Stock Cleanliness Standard</a>
(currently under development, at zero quarantine pest or pests of concern and all
non-quarantine pests under effective control).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.)
<b>Boats/Ballast Water</b>. Boats and ships are vectors of aquatic nuisance species
like <a href="http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/mollusks_zebra_mussel.php" target="_blank">zebra mussels</a>, <a href="http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/mittencrab.shtml" target="_blank">mitten crabs,</a> and <a href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/183" target="_blank">hydrilla</a>. Therefore, beginning in 2020
(this would take some innovation), all boats and ships must have non-toxic
anti-fouling bottoms. Ships built after that date must have automatic <a href="http://www.imo.org/ourwork/environment/ballastwatermanagement/Pages/Default.aspx" target="_blank">ballast water exchange systems</a>, or the equivalent, so that ballast water is never transported
from harbor to harbor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.)
<b>Seeds</b>. Seed lots are vectors of weed seeds and pests and diseases, such as the weed-infested
soybeans that arrived in Portland recently. Therefore, from now on, seeds of
all sorts, whether for planting or processing, must come from weed-free fields
or be cleaned before crossing state or national boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8.)
<b>Fruits, Vegetables, & Raw Meats</b>. Non-commercial fruits, vegetables, and raw
meats carried by passengers in planes, cars, trains, and boats carry an amazing
number of hitchhikers. Therefore, from now on, international/interstate passengers
are not allowed to carry any fruits, vegetables, or raw meats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.)
<b>Pets</b>. Exotic pets, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_pythons_in_Florida" target="_blank">Burmese pythons</a> in Florida and <a href="http://blogs.opb.org/fieldjournal/tag/rusty-crayfish/" target="_blank">rusty crayfish</a> in the John Day River of Oregon, can cause problems when released into the environment. Therefore,
from now on, only animals on an approved list are allowed in commercial trade. Other
animals are not allowed to be transported across state or national boundaries. [Note
that Oregon is out in front on this issue. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Integrity Rules
and the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Terrestrial Invertebrate Rules are models for how this should be done
on a grander scale.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10.)
<b>Simplify Laws</b>. Our laws are too complicated and too numerous. Therefore, from
now on, anybody that proposes a new law has to find two existing laws to
eliminate or simplify. This executive order will stay in effect until average
citizens can understand the laws of the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my
fantasy world, these things are doable. We know how to solve our problems, we
just don’t do it because it would cost a little more, or it would be inconvenient
for some people and they would complain. So we bump along in reactive mode and
wonder why new invaders keep showing up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can hope for change, or we can move forward
to a proactive approach like the platform above. In the long run, it would cost less
money and help us balance the budget. What’s your platform? I’m looking for a Proactive Progressive
Conservative with a strong environmental ethic to vote for.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dan Hilburn</i></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-35592929697260668392012-08-28T05:27:00.002-07:002012-08-28T05:42:07.181-07:00Freshwater Jellyfish, Tropical Crickets, and Belding’s Ground Squirrels<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf5VDONLI75B_cfw4Y7V_WqhMprIg8Cop5dBQhOvrBjJLqlxbQBGFP_xD09J7PJ7sALBsVDl3e1tfRAvXdMTWDwQuigoT0t5Sr9YjYTVZ6-3fYbrNFGYQfa2b7K07UprEkdVdAFMhHmV6/s1600/jellyfish.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf5VDONLI75B_cfw4Y7V_WqhMprIg8Cop5dBQhOvrBjJLqlxbQBGFP_xD09J7PJ7sALBsVDl3e1tfRAvXdMTWDwQuigoT0t5Sr9YjYTVZ6-3fYbrNFGYQfa2b7K07UprEkdVdAFMhHmV6/s1600/jellyfish.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshwater jellyfish advertised for sale in a pet catalog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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Most of the
time we spend on invasive species issues involves legacy programs like <a href="http://www.hungrypests.com/" target="_blank">gypsy moth</a>, sudden oak death, and giant hogweed. Excluding them from Oregon is a high
priority for the <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODA" target="_blank">Oregon Department of Agriculture</a> (ODA). These are big programs
that occur year after year. Smaller issues pop up from time to time, and we
deal with them as they arise. Here are three small invasive species stories
from my week, each with an odd twist.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I took a hotline
call this week from a woman with “jellyfish” in her pond. In my mind, I was
thinking it was probably a bryozoan. There was a call about those last week—but
that’s another story. I told her I doubted it was really jellyfish, but if
she’d send a picture, I’d find someone to identify it. Within an hour, there
were jellyfish pictures in my email box. Dr. Mark Systma at Portland State
University confirmed it. It turnes out a species of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craspedacusta_sowerbii" target="_blank">freshwater jellyfish</a> is
spreading rapidly around the world.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you’re
wondering how freshwater jellyfish could spread rapidly anywhere, Google
“freshwater jellyfish” like I did. Note the sponsored ad for: “Floating
jellyfish small (2-pack) $8.99, free shipping on orders over $49!”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My second
story has a “Mouse That Roared” theme. This week, I received three permit
requests for <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/crickets/gsigilla.html" target="_blank">tropical house cricket</a>, <i>Gryllodes
sigillatus</i>. A year ago, the pet food cricket industry was in crisis due to
a virus disease wiping out their breeding colonies. See my earlier blog
(<a href="http://www.oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011/05/cricket-crisis.html">www.oregoninvasivespecies.blogspot.com/2011/05/cricket-crisis.html</a>).<i> </i>The industry wanted to bring in another
species of cricket from Europe. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
other states said okay. ODA did not. Our entomologists had concerns about their
ability to survive outdoors and compete with native species. So we refused to
sign off on USDA permit appications for the new species. Instead, we suggested
the tropical house cricket, which is easy to rear, disease resistant, and can’t
live outdoors. It took a while, but USDA and the industry have come around to
our way of thinking. This mouse that roared is going to have tropical crickets
for supper!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, a
colleague and I visited with some farmers in Malheur County and looked at
damage to alfalfa fields caused by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxagYVokKfc" target="_blank">Belding’s ground squirrels</a>. The squirrels
estivate in the summer, so we didn’t see any of them, but there there were
plenty of burrows. Every 10 feet or so there was another one. Two different
farmers told us you could use up a whole brick of 22 caliber ammunition (500
bullets) shooting ground squirrels from a single spot in a field, then come
back the next day and do it again from the same spot! Either they are really
poor shots, or there are beaucoup ground squirrels. I think its the latter.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
interesting thing about this to me is that these are not an invasive species. The
ground squirrels are acting like an introduced pest without natural natural
enemies, but they’re not. Ground squirrels were there before the farms. Their
population has just exploded because we’ve planted thousands of acres of succulent
ground squirrel food. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a good
reminder that though most of our problem pests and weeds are foreigners that
have hitchhiked here or were spread by people buying $8.99 two-packs, some are
home grown, and there is nobody out there to blame. Stuff happens, and it all
makes for one very interesting work week!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dan Hilburn</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-64364677620047122122012-07-08T23:22:00.000-07:002012-07-08T23:22:59.580-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJIpI9fXrNfQWytwgsHoNA8O5FoNVcrwyt3mwqA_hCyo70k6OdyMgwWYF3h8QZVFzpjlC4tH0PxKW9aEdd3K0tgxh2yCWFUsNT8pDF0gMX7RoxcuCkbsqt8LsC4vJ4Eswpks9JseSf4u4/s1600/10years.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJIpI9fXrNfQWytwgsHoNA8O5FoNVcrwyt3mwqA_hCyo70k6OdyMgwWYF3h8QZVFzpjlC4tH0PxKW9aEdd3K0tgxh2yCWFUsNT8pDF0gMX7RoxcuCkbsqt8LsC4vJ4Eswpks9JseSf4u4/s200/10years.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Oregon Invasive
Species Council—10 Years Old and Going Strong<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The June 2012 meeting of the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) in Madras brought back memories of the Council’s June 2002 meeting in Prineville.
I dusted off the folder from that earlier meeting, the Council’s second after
its creation, and compared the two agendas. It is amazing how similar they were.
The Council has come a long way, but many of the thorny invasive species issues
are still the same. Take a look:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">June 2002 OISC Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">June 2012 OISC Agenda</span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Day
1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8:30 Welcome & Introductions, Review of
Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Day
1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10:00 Introductions and Review Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9:00 General Business, finances/bylaws
committee <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10:15 Committee Reports<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10:00 Members’ Time, updates, concerns, reports<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Finance, Legislative, Science,
Tunicate, Outreach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12:00 Lunch/Informal Discussion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12:00 Working Lunch – Hot Topics (Tsunami
Debris, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1:00 Invasive Spp Calendar, should we do it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Alyssum, Giant Hogweed, Sudden Oak
Death,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2:00 Video Time (Alien Invaders, etc, bring
your favorite)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Gypsy Moth, Firewood Regulation)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4:00 Book/References, show & tell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4:30 Misc Business, pencils, aliens-l, logo,
etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Day
2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8:30 Hot Topics<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Noxious Weeds in Central OR <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Aquatic Nusiance Spp. Mgmt Plan <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Wildlife Integrity Rules <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Monk Parakeets at PDX <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Raising Funds for Inv. Spp. Emergency
Fund<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Sudden Oak Death <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">11:00 Public Input<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">11:30 Final Business<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12:00 Tour/Box Lunches<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Feral Swine Damage (Crooked River NGL)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Biological Control of Canada Thistle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5:00 Return and Adjourn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.85pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1:00-5:00
Feral Swine Tour (New Life Ranch)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Day
2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8:00 Council Housekeeping<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8:15 Invasive Spp & Seaplanes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9:00 Biofouling Threats from Coastal Vessels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9:30 Ongoing Aquatic Inv. Spp. Projects<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10:15
GMOs – Bentgrass in OR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Noon Working Lunch – Hot Topics<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1:00 Invasive Spp. Control Account – Request
for Japanese <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Beetle Eradication<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1:30 Other Council Business <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2:00 Adjourn <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lots of topics that were discussed in 2002 are still current:
e.g., feral swine, sudden oak death, and funding for emergency programs. In
fact, only two major topics from that earlier meeting are truly out-of-date:
the monk parakeet colonies at Portland International Airport have gone extinct
and so haveVHS videos! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are several new issues on the table in 2012, including
biofouled tsnami debris, alyssum in Jackson County, seaplanes and firewood as invasive
species vectors, and genetically modified organisms (GMO) bentgrass. All of
these issues require interagency cooperation, so the four-part mission of the
Council remains as relevant today as it was at the Council’s creation: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) facilitate reporting of invasive species</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) educate the public</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) develop a coordinated statewide approach, and </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4) raise funds and make grants for invasive species response
programs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people involved have turned over quicker than the topics.
Only three of us at the first meeting were also present at the second: Mark
Systma (Portland State University), Kev Alexanian (Crook County Weed Department),
and myself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The enduring nature of the Council can provide continuity to
long-term projects. Feral swine is a good example: Mark Systma raised the alarm
on feral pigs 10 years ago. The Council then contracted with Dr. Bruce Coblenz
(Oregon State University) to do a risk assessment. Justin Stevenson (US Department
of Agriculture) took the warnings in the risk assessment to heart and started
trapping and shooting. When Justin left, Jim Gores (Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife), picked up the baton, and kept the control program going. Rick
Boatner took over from Jim, and with a fundraising assist from Lisa DeBruyckere
(OISC), we’re about to turn up the pressure on these porcine invaders.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big projects like this require more than one person or one agency
acting alone. The difficulty of the feral swine eradication project was
highlighted for me by the rugged and remote terrain we saw on the field trip
and the information that there have been four recent sightings of feral swine
in the Willamette Valley (pig paradise). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True, we still have a feral swine problem a decade after the
OISC first took up the topic, but there is reason for hope. We didn’t see feral
swine on either the 2002 or 2012 field trip, just their damage. On the first
tour, the drive was short and the damage was fresh. This year we drove a long
way to see damage that was months old. That is a good sign. Pigs reproduce
quickly, and Oregon provides excellent habitat, yet the populations are still
small and isolated. Until recently, control efforts were local, but sufficient
to keep the statewide population from getting out-of-hand. The upcoming
tri-state <i>Squeal on Pigs</i> outreach campaign,
facilitated by the OISC in Oregon, should provide the coordinated push needed
to see this project over the finish line. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy 10<sup>th</sup> Birthday, OISC, you’re lookin’ good
and going strong! Keep up the good work,
and let’s hope feral swine aren’t on the agenda for the 2022 OISC meeting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dan Hilburn</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-7836523756675860852012-06-19T14:44:00.000-07:002012-06-19T14:44:08.156-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3Cx72oR6PYpfuSkwzUiOM6LTCcJwj626iaynXwDLIP5S1in7t_5ohN2YfSbh45VliqzVo8qA4IhE3Mr0_aaX-xuPs1wzWlR9_wmN42DBx0MSi13q01F0FeMK3DOj6bLy9Z6h-5ZjNOT/s1600/dodder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3Cx72oR6PYpfuSkwzUiOM6LTCcJwj626iaynXwDLIP5S1in7t_5ohN2YfSbh45VliqzVo8qA4IhE3Mr0_aaX-xuPs1wzWlR9_wmN42DBx0MSi13q01F0FeMK3DOj6bLy9Z6h-5ZjNOT/s1600/dodder.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up view of the parasitic dodder (<i>Cuscuta</i>) vine-bearing an insect induced gall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese Soybeans, Weed Seeds, and Probability<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have a two-part story to share. The
first part began here in Oregon about two weeks ago. The second part takes
place in the future—I created it to illustrate a point. The story starts with
the arrival of a shipment of organic soybeans from China at the Port of
Portland. The soybeans were destined for a processing plant in Rickreall where they
would have been turned into organic chicken feed. They didn’t get there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors
took samples at the dock and found two species of noxious weed seeds
contaminating the soybeans—dodder (<i>Cuscuta</i>
sp.) and Benghal dayflower (<i>Commelina
benghalensis</i>)—both are on the federal noxious weed list. CBP issued an
emergency action notice stopping the soybeans from entering the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The importers had a lot of money tied
up in the shipment and customers waiting; they pleaded for leniency or some
special process to allow the soybeans to enter the United States. Officials at the
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)
discussed options for a rescue treatment and other forms of mitigation. Fumigation
is sometimes an option in situations like this, but not with weed seeds—seeds
are not on the available herbicide labels, and there is no data indicating they
would effectively kill the seed without greatly reducing the organic nature of
the soybeans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sealing the containers and allowing
them to proceed to destination was considered. Making chicken feed out of
soybeans involves several steps including grinding and exposure to high heat. The
processed chicken feed itself would probably be low risk, so why not seal the
containers and let the soybeans proceed to the manufacturing plant? An
inspector could be present to make sure everything was processed accordingly. The
importer was willing to pay for the inspector’s time. Would you have allowed
that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ODA said “No.” Our reason for not
allowing the contaminated soybeans into Oregon is illustrated by the following
fictional account of what could have happened. Numbers have been rounded for
ease of calculation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Assume 20 containers each with 50,000
lbs of soybeans for a total of 1 million lbs. CBP took several samples of about
two gallons each and found 10 dodder and 10 Benghal dayflower seeds per sample.
Let’s estimate that two gallons of soybeans weighs 10 lbs so that we’re dealing
with 2 weed seeds per lb, one of each species. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dodder seeds are hard and small, somewhere
between a speck of dust and a grain of sand in size. Benghal dayflower seeds
are also hard, but larger, about the size of a grain of rice. Thus our
fictional account begins with 2 million weed seeds mixed in to 500 tons of
soybeans on the dock in Portland. In this scenario, ODA says “Yes” to allowing
the shipment to enter the state and proceed to Rickreall. Being cautious, they
require the containers be sealed first so that the chance of weed seeds dribbling
out along the highway is minimized. The system works and all the soybeans and
the weed seeds arrive at their destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Next the containers are dumped into a
hopper in a covered breezeway. Everyone is careful and 99.99% of the weed seeds
make it directly into the hopper. In spite of the care taken, two hundred weed
seeds remain in the bottoms of the containers and on the unloading dock. A conscientious
inspector vacuums out the containers and verifies that everything went
according to plan. She sweeps the small quantity of soybeans from the edge of
the concrete slab into the hopper. She is good—in fact, she is 99% effective. Now
only two weed seeds remain, plus several more in the vacuum bag. Months later,
the vacuum bag becomes full and is thrown in the trash. On garbage day, it is
picked up and hauled to the landfill where it is buried. After a couple of decades,
all those seeds are dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Meanwhile there are still two viable
weed seeds in play. One of them is lodged in the hinge of a container; the
other was on the concrete slab surrounding the grain hopper before it stuck
briefly to a trailer tire and got moved to the processing plant driveway. It remains
for a month until it is washed into the ditch during a rain shower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The other seed is lodged in the
container door hinge. It travels the world but remains stuck under some rust. Sometime
later the container is sandblasted and the seed dies. Now there is only one
seed left. After being washed downstream, it settles out where the water
collects when the ditch dries up. Weeds grow up in the ditch, and the dodder
seed germinates. It is a parasitic plant that latches on to other plants and
gets its nutrients from them. It looks like a stand of spaghetti. Nobody
notices it twined around its host. That year the dodder plant flowers and
produces 200 seeds. Some of them are washed further downstream the next winter.
Earthworms and other little critters eat some and poop them out where they
wander. After a few years, there is a small patch of dodder plus a couple of
satellite patches some distance away. The total dodder seed bank is now up to 10,000
seeds each capable of remaining viable for a decade or more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A road maintenance employee sees the
weeds and sprays over the patch. Almost all (99%) of the dodder plants are killed.
But because of the seed bank, dodder returns next year and the year after that,
and each year there is more, and it spreads. Some years later, a farmer notices
the unfamiliar weed in his field and calls in an expert from Oregon State University.
They identify it immediately as <i>Cuscuta</i>
sp., and take a sample for further analysis. Everyone is baffled when it is
identified as a species from China never before seen in the United States. ODA
is notified, and conducts an investigation and a weed risk assessment. Agency staff
debates attempting to eradicate this new threat to Oregon’s agriculture and
natural resources. The long lived-seed is a problem, and chances of successful
eradication are low. No one involved makes the connection to the contaminated
soybean shipment that arrived 15 years ago. A new weed has established in
Oregon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This scenario is not going to play out this
time, at least not in Oregon. We don’t think it is possible to contain 2
million specks of dust in 500 tons of soybeans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As I write this, the containers are
still sitting on the dock in Portland, and the importer is trying to find
another state that will accept them and a transportation/processing procedure
USDA will approve. Fifty-two more containers of organic soybeans are en route
from China. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you’re wondering why the United
States, the largest producer and a major exporter of soybeans, is importing
soybeans, you’re not alone. Ships containing soybeans must pass each other on
the oceans going opposite directions. Globalization makes for crazy trade
patterns—and efficient transport of invasive species. This story is getting
depressing, I think I’ll go eat something—maybe I’ll BBQ those organic chicken
breasts.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dan Hilburn</i></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186919275501221728.post-22231837906427095052012-06-12T17:47:00.000-07:002012-06-12T17:48:35.069-07:00Asian Docks and Philosophy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIRzvn_bK8suHvFDVL6dAHKxo6lmDCxIx_nsDjxIkc_qONVRSSw_glQYyciv6OaY-pfbjvVoEfk8iBI6eXqM_Y0YHjy4e5RyuM35PDstYuhpK1DAKwwbaXw3m1Er1sE3MaGIqM0EXBCME/s1600/tsunamidock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIRzvn_bK8suHvFDVL6dAHKxo6lmDCxIx_nsDjxIkc_qONVRSSw_glQYyciv6OaY-pfbjvVoEfk8iBI6eXqM_Y0YHjy4e5RyuM35PDstYuhpK1DAKwwbaXw3m1Er1sE3MaGIqM0EXBCME/s320/tsunamidock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">Photograph courtesy of Oregon Parks and Recreation (OPRD) shows a team of about a dozen staff and volunteers organized by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to remove marine organisms from the dock which landed on Agate Beach, Oregon.</span></span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have
been two big invasive species stories this week. One of them was flashy and received
national news coverage; the other was just as important but under the radar. Both
connected Oregon to Asia. I’ll concentrate on the flashy one this week and tell
you about the organic Chinese soybean saga in my next article.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big splash
was a dock that washed ashore at Agate Beach. It was traced back to Japan where
it was dislodged by the March 2011 tsunami. Since then it has been drifting
east. Similar to the types of living creatures found on most docks, this particular dock was host to various seaweeds, barnacles, and other sea creatures.
Many of these hitchhikers were not native to Oregon, and some probably could
have established here. There was a real possibility of introducing one or more invasive
species.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully, the
right people were notified, and they recognized the risk immediately. Personnel
from Oregon State University, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Oregon Marine Board worked
cooperatively to collect samples, scrape off all the living material, and
scorch the dock with torches. Two tons of living material were removed and
buried without delay. Good work, team, you did the right thing! Your quick action helped preserve the health
of Oregon’s marine environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several of the
people involved have pointed out that the work is really just beginning; there
will be a lot more tsunami debris arriving in the months ahead. Much of it is
likely to be heavily fouled. Oregon needs to be ready to locate and deal with tsunami
debris, including cases where less noticeable debris washes up in less convenient
places. It is going to be a challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is an interesting
philosophical question related to this challenge. What if the drifting debris at
Agate Beach had been a tree that was uprooted and washed out to sea by the
tsunami? By the time it washed ashore in
North America, it could have been well colonized by a variety of seaweeds and
sea critters. Because of where it started and the extended period on the water,
some of these would likely be species not native to our corner of the world. Should
we treat a drifting tree and it’s associated flora and fauna the same as a
drifting dock?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The battle
against invasive species is all about slowing down human-aided, non-natural
spread. One could make the argument that the tsunami is a natural event and so
are the winds and currents that move driftwood around the ocean. Trees
dislodged by tsunamis were presumably drifting around the oceans with their
hitchhiking marine organisms long before humans appeared on the earth. It’s Mother
Nature’s plan. I agree non-native seaweed arriving on a dock is worth cleaning
up, but what about non-native seaweed on driftwood? If a chunk of lumber washes up, should we treat
it differently than a tree trunk? What
do you think?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<i>Dan Hilburn</i></div>
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