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Greetings!
Many river groups have been addressing invasive species in their watersheds for many years. Groups have held garlic mustard removal events, raised and distributed beetles to eat purple loosetrife and educated their members about cleaning their boats and gear to reduce the chances of spreading invasive species from one water body to another.
Unfortunately, new invasive species are using our rivers to move into Wisconsin. The article below tells the tale of Japanese hops and how the Friends of the Platte River and the DNR are working to knock down this new invader.
Your group should be on the look out for invasive species in your watershed. You should also consider taking invasive species on as a project. The DNR has an Aquatic Invasive Species grant program that can support your group's AIS projects. You can read about the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association's recent grant award below.
Take a look at the side bar or contact Laura MacFarland, our Invasive Species Project Coordinator, for more information. 
Than Allison Werner Local Groups Program Manager |
| Japanese Hops Spreading in Leaps and Bounds
Japanese hops, an invasive annual, shallow-rooted vine, is wide spread in the Grant and Platte River watersheds in Grant County where it is evident that flowing water is the primary dispersing agent as it spreads rapidly down riparian corridors. As it spreads down rivers and streams
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Japanese hops invasion
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it also migrates laterally up banks encroaching into pastures, croplands, and barnyards.
Recently several new populations have been discovered in smaller
agrarian watersheds of tributaries of the Mississippi River and in the Lower Wisconsin River Watershed in northern Grant County and Crawford County. The most recent discovery is a large infestation on Pleasant Valley Creek, tributary of the Fennimore Branch of the Blue River. Evidence suggests that the hops were introduced to the watershed in hay bales transported for feed. From the bales that sit at the watershed divide, Japanese hops have spread the entire length of the valley, 4 miles, to the confluence of Pleasant Valley and Fennimore Branch and beyond to the Blue River. If it continues to spread downstream with spring flows, it will eventually present itself in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Take a look at the map and photographs of the infestation.
Currently, the Friends of the Platte River with funding and technical support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are conducting field studies along the Little Plate River to determine the most effective treatment for hops in riparian corridors. Treatments being tested include herbicide applications (Garlon 3A, Escort, and Rodeo), hand-pulling, and tarping. This research began in 2011 and will continue through 2013. For more information on this research contact Becky Trewartha, Research and Programs Coordinator for the Friends of the Platte River.
In 2012 the Wisconsin DNR and partners will continue to raise awareness and seek management alternatives as it is suspected that Japanese hops may be more widespread than we are aware. These new findings and others in adjacent states, warrant a more in depth regional discussion regarding management options and the prevention of spread. If you find additional populations of Japanese hops, please contact Kelly Kearns.
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Upper Sugar River Watershed Association Receives a DNR AIS Grant
| The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (USRWA) was awarded funds from the DNR to complete a comprehensive aquatic invasive species education and prevention project within their watershed.
With multiple aquatic species infestations already identified along the Sugar River (including Purple loosestrife, Curlyleaf pondweed, and Japanese knotweed), the Association plans to execute various activities to raise awareness and prevent these species from spreading.
These activities will include paddler and angler education at local recreational hot spots, aquatic invasive species identification training, the creation of an interactive online map which will include river access points, water quality data, known AIS infestations, and obstacles to paddlers, and a service work day to seed destabilized stream banks with native grasses. The activities in the project were designed specifically to engage the local community and inspire them to promote environmental stewardship and responsible recreation amongst their friends and families.
Volunteers will be needed for various efforts including conducting surveys on the river, distribution of information packets, and participation in a "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" landing blitz in Belleville over the Fourth of July weekend. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Megan Phillips at 437-7707.
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| Have Questions or Need Assistance? | |
Call us:
608-257-2424 X 113
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| | | Apply for an AIS Grant for your River | |
The next application deadline is February 1, 2012.
Review the guidelines and application for more details.
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