U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Future Challenges The Initial Workshop on USGS/FWS Future Challenges Summary of Invasive Species Breakout Session

2 Science Needed to Address Challenge Framework – Prevention – Early Detection – Control – Eradication – Restoration – Coordination

3 Science Needed to Address Challenge Applied Research for Control and Eradication – Chemical – Biological – Physical – Secondary effects

4 Science Needed to Address Challenge Integrated Science Approach Focus on Methods and Tools for Prevention, Early Detection, Monitoring, Risk Assessment, and Control

5 Science Needed to Address Challenge Pathways – Assessment of priority pathways and vectors (ornamental plant trade and pet trade) – Prediction of harm from alien species – Influence of pathways on introduction and spread of invasives in ecosystem and communities

6 Science Needed to Address Challenge Basic Ecological Research – Basic species biology on invasives – Ecology and impacts of invasives – Science of below ground effects Database Interoperability and Integration

7 Science Needed to Address Challenge Mapping/Modeling – Smart monitoring protocols – Ecological modeling Spatial Niche – Economic analysis and studies – Improved forecasting and assessment – Invasive species risk maps Where to spend early detection money

8 Science Needed to Address Challenge Mapping/Modeling ( continued ) – Systematic methods of assessment Document effects of conservation lands and native species – National mapping, monitoring and assessment tied to technical assistance

9 Science Needed to Address Challenge Control/Restoration Applied Research – Systemic methods of control – Innovative control techniques – Biotechnology tools to understand invasives – Aquatic invasives Chemicals – Methodology for farm fish – EPA chemical registration

10 Science Needed to Address Challenge Control/Restoration Applied Research ( continued ) – Research on restoration scenarios What to plant after invasives are removed – Leverage Homeland Security tools Economic Modeling of Costs and Benefits

11 Resource Management Strategies Needed Planning – HCPs, CCPs, FMPs, Recovery Plans need to contain concrete invasives management strategies including re-directing resources (human, $$) – Management plan for native species and native ecosystems – Goals and plans for partnerships needed in management plans – Include monitoring strategies in management plans

12 Resource Management Strategies Needed Legislation and National Policy – Close the door on invasives coming in Regulatory control for species coming in and going out Coordinate existing authorities; develop new authorities Develop new authority to prevent importation of suspect species – Policies and guidelines for use of innovative (biotech) tools

13 Research Management Strategies Needed Legislation and National Policy ( continued ) – Redirect resources for invasives (e.g., grants, national map for monitoring and assessment) Outreach and Education – Communication strategy to educate on control methodologies – Outreach strategies needed in management plans

14 Research Management Strategies Needed Field Operations – SOPs for not spreading invasives/pathogens ourselves in refuges and hatcheries – National coordination of Strike Teams – Reporting control costs – Develop and share restoration strategies – Dedicated personnel to invasives on refuges – Use assessments to prevent and control

15 Partnerships USGS/FWS Leadership – Engaged at the national level International – Regulatory agencies to close the door (e.g., State Department, USDA, USTR)

16 Partnerships Regional – Canada – Mexico – Trilateral, NAFTA-CEC, NAPPO

17 Partnerships Federal – NISC – FICMNEW – ANSTF – ITAP (in development) USDA, Forest Service, DOD, EPA, NOAA- Fisheries, NASA

18 Partnerships DOI Land Management Agencies – Invasive Species Group USGS/FWS – Science Support Program – Training programs – Youth Conservation Corps

19 Partnerships State and Local – IAFWA – Friends groups – State invasive species councils – Other labor pools Others – NGOs – University colleagues – Institute of Invasive Species Science

20 Pearls of Wisdom 4600 acres of Federal land are infested with invasive species every day 100 million acres of Federal land are infested with invasive species Invasives is a primary factor in species endangerment “Those who know HOW will always follow those who know WHY”

21 Pearls of Wisdom Look outside your fishbowl! “You can’t solve problems at the level they are created.” ( Einstein ) “You can always count on America to do the right thing…after all other possibilities have been exhausted.” ( Winston Churchill ) “Million Watchful Eyes”

22 Top Priorities/Next Steps Action Areas – Management – Education – Policy and Regulation – Information Management

23 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term Identify champions at all levels Obtain leadership decision to direct resources to invasives Include invasive species in all management plans Identify incipient infestations (even outside boundaries)

24 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term Describe current status of managing non- natives including outcomes Establish monitoring priorities re: invasives Develop Citizen Outreach Plan – Involvement plan – Management of citizen science to determine involvement and early detection – “Million Watchful Eyes”

25 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term Identify effective chemicals registered with EPA Initiate dialogues about closing the door Develop synthesis and catalog of science underway – Directory of resources – Working group to review existing plans and synthesize

26 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term Initiate passback conversation with BLM Assemble work group by October to identify Top 10 Studies – Direct resources – Influence budget

27 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Long-term Build the WILL to take action Improve local to global consultation and coordination Review authorities and recommend to Directors legislation needed to fill gaps ( e.g., Invasive Species Act ) Move toward greater emphasis on prevention and early detection

28 Top Priorities/Next Steps: Long-term Develop national ecological forecasting Create similar emphasis for combating invasive species as exists for protecting endangered species Measure effectiveness against long-term specific goal(s) Monitor adaptive management strategies Build or buy taxonomists