Invasive Species Workshop Pacific Science Center 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

Introduce sponsoring and other organizations: PEI- Margaret and Karen, LASER- Amber, WA Invasive Species Council- Wendy “bucket organizations” ESD Regional Science Coordinators, LASER Alliances, LASER Nuts and Bolts Group Individual Introduction for all others: Participants, Presenters, Guests, Hosts

To work to solve the problem of invasive species To work to solve the problem of invasive species. Schools have been identified to be a source of invasive species

Invasive crayfish from the east have been spotted for the 1st time west of the Rockies, in a river in Eastern Oregon and a stream in Corvallis. They were shipped to elementary schools for biology classes and then released where they don’t belong by well meaning children or their teachers. The shipments of live classroom specimens violates state wildlife laws but state authorities have chosen not to aggressively enforce the ban. Note from Julian D. Olden I do believe that release of red swamp crayfish via the school pathway remains very much active. I was notified last week by a lakeshore resident (confirmed with photos) that another lake contains a population of red swamp crayfish. This is depressing because I surveyed the lake in 2007  and recorded no crayfish. Either it was rare (and the sampling effort was not sufficient to detect it) or RSC was introduced sometime over the past 5 years. RSC is still relatively rare in the state and prevention continues to be critical. Crayfish Invaders

More than just crayfish are problems.

Identify connections between schools and invasive species issues Understand how live animals and plants used in science instructional materials may have negative impact on native species Identify connections between schools and invasive species issues Clarify what teachers need to understand and believe to modify their behaviors Plan opportunities collaboratively to modify behaviors to minimize negative impacts Establish support for the leadership role of the resource materials manager Outcomes

www.washingtoninvasivespecies.weebly.com

Science Kits WA State LASER Washington State Science Kit Center Survey: Living Materials Distribution and Communication Survey Responses 9 new Science Kit Centers 2013, 15 Science Kit Centers 2011 2013: Total of 24 science Kit Centers (63%) provided details

Your Help Needed to Identify Species !!! Most Centers Provide: Crayfish - Sp Goldfish - Sp Guppies - Sp Milkweed Bugs - MH Night Crawlers - MH Crickets - Sp Darkling Beetles Gammarus Isopods Land Snails - Local Sp Mealworms Pill Bugs - Sp Red Worms - Sp Sow bugs - MH Duckweed - Genus Elodea – Species - Sp Butterfly Larvae – Species - Sp < 50% Centers also provide: Bess Beetles Cloudfish Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches Millipedes Silkworm Eggs Tadpoles - Species Zophobas Beetle Wax Worms Cabomba Some centers also provide: Ants, walking stick bugs, paramecia, euglena and amoeba Sp – species named MH – Mountain Home Biological Sourced

Thank You for Your Help to Identify Species !!! Most Centers Provide: Unlisted species – which must not be released into the environment Check website for listed aquatic species: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=220-12-090 WAC 220-12-090: Classification – Nonnative aquatic animal species Species disposal and prevention guidelines available in: http://www.habitattitude.net/ < 50% Centers also provide: Cabomba Quarantine Listed by WA Department of Agriculture Cabomba is an ornamental freshwater aquatic plant used to oxygenate fish tanks. AquaScientific name: Cabomba Rank: Genus Higher classification: Cabombaceae Lower classifications: Cabomba furcata, Cabomba caroliniana

Kit Center Propagation Goldfish (1 center) Guppies (1 center) Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (3 centers) Night Crawlers (1 center Platys (1 center) Darkling Beetle (1 center) Land Snails (2 centers) Mealworms (2 centers) Pill Bugs (2 centers) Pond Snails (1 center) Red Worms (2 centers) Sow Bugs (1 center) Elodea (1 center) Millipedes: 1 center unsuccessful

Science Kits WA State LASER Kit Center Survey Sept 2013: Handling & Proper Disposal Info: Instructions enclosed on proper care and disposal Information provided through professional development & kit training Information posted on website Information provided to district science leaders & each teacher using materials

Science Kits WA State LASER Kit Center Survey Sept 2013: Your needs: Up-to-date proper disposal techniques Specific details on each critter Tips on propagation Searchable data base that provided care, disposal, alternative local/native critters Contracts for students & parents to sign upon adopting materials.

Problem: Invasive Species released from schools Inputs Problem: Invasive Species released from schools Releases School Science Kit Staff Teacher Science Suppliers Environment Individual Teacher Student Supplier issues: Inconsistent compliance Lack of specific information Ordering issues: Lack of knowledge Habit Requirement of materials (authentic or assumed) Disposal Issues: Lack of knowledge Emotional Convenience

Inputs

lunch

Changing Behaviors

Resources

Washington Invasive Species Council WISE: WA Invasive Species Education http://www.wise.wa.gov

Bureau of Land Management Invasives: Plants on the Move http://www

PBLU & Pacific Education Institute Schoolyard Habitat Project http://www.pblu.org/projects/schoolyard-habitat-project Schoolyard Biodiversity Investigation Educator Guide http://www.fishwildlife.org/files/ConEd-Schoolyard-Biodiversity-Guide.pdf

Other Invasive Species Resources http://www.westsoundgreenstem.net/invasive-species.html

OSPI Resources for Crayfish Crayfish Permit (PDF) | Notices for posting 5.5 x 8.5 Crayfish Care and Handling 3.2 x 8 (PDF) Observing and Collecting Crayfish (PDF) Crayfish Invasion Invasive crayfish from the east have been spotted for the 1st time west of the Rockies, in a river in Eastern Oregon and a stream in Corvallis. They were shipped to elementary schools for biology classes and then released where they don’t belong by well meaning children or their teachers. Additional Crayfish Resources http://www.westsoundgreenstem.net/crayfish.html

Part 2

Share plans

Reflections on day