Join Laurie Callahan (aquatic biologist) at the Town Hall in Alfred, Maine, for the first of a series of three free public presentations/workshops focusing on invasive aquatic species in York County. At the first workshop, on June 17, information will be presented about the three invasive aquatic plant species that are currently present in York County waterbodies, about invasive aquatic species that are present in other areas of Maine and about others that are close by, just over the border in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Callahan will provide information on invasive plant management projects currently underway in York County and other areas of Maine, and will also have information about native and invasive aquatic plant training opportunities that will be happening this summer in York County and Maine. Included in the Saturday program will be an invasive aquatic plant identification exercise utilizing fresh and pressed samples of the eleven invasive aquatic plant species of concern in Maine. A discussion session will be held at the end of the program to gather attendees’ suggestions and concerns to determine the content for the second two workshops to be scheduled in July and August. An additional half hour (11-11:30) will be available if needed.
In addition to the three presentation/workshops this summer, Callahan will also lead several “on-the-water” outings to check waterbodies for invasive aquatic plants. The “outings” will be a good opportunity to get “hands-on” training in plant identification and aquatic plant survey experience. June 17 workshop attendees will also be asked to help determine where the “on-the-water” outings will be held.
This 2006 “York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project” (YCIASP) is sponsored by the York County Soil & Water Conservation District (YCSWCD) and has received funding from the Davis Conservation Foundation (Falmouth, ME). Laurie Callahan is an aquatic biologist that has been working on invasive and native aquatic plant projects in VT, NH and ME since 2001. The Alfred Town Hall is located on Saco Road, in the village of Alfred. To RSVP (preferred, but not required) or for more information email Callahan at yciasp@hotmail.com or contact Debbie Mayo (YCSWCD) at 207-324-7015 or by email at Debbie.Mayo@me.nacdnet.net.
5 March 2006
Please read the message below and then complete the attached questionnaire. Forward this message with attached questionnaire to others that may be interested. Thank you. (Please excuse if you receive this more than once.)
INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT SPECIES IN YORK COUNTY:
Do you have questions and concerns about these plants?
Do you want to learn more about them and how to identify them?
Would you like to get together with others to learn more and discuss related issues?
Would you like to start inspecting your waterbody for these invasive plants?
Over the past few years it has been discovered that York County has 4 waterbodies
where aquatic invasive plant populations have been detected. York County has 3 different species of aquatic invasive plants.
Curly-leaf pondweed in West Pond in Parsonsfield,
Hydrilla in Pickerel Pond in Limerick,
and Variable leaf water-milfoil in Lake Arrowhead, Limerick/Waterboro and Balch Lake (Pd.), Acton/Newfield
There are other infested waterbodies close by in Oxford and Cumberland counties (ME) and in several NH waterbodies. Most of those infestations are Variable leaf water-milfoil, but Eurasian water-milfoil has also been found in a private, un-named gravel pit pond in Scarborough and also in a small pond in Brookfield, NH.
Some waterbodies are more susceptible than others to the introduction of an invasive species. The sooner an infestation is detected the less troublesome and costly the management will be.
Laurie Callahan (aquatic biologist) and the York County Soil & Water Conservation District are applying for grant funding to support a 2006 project to bring technical assistance and outreach activities to groups and individuals in York County to assist them in various aspects related to invasive aquatic plants. This will include: learning about invasive aquatic plants, how to recognize and identify them and common native species of aquatic plants, how to survey a part or all of a waterbody for invasive species and what to do if you think you have found an invasive aquatic species. One of the major goals of the project will be to check a number of York County waterbodies, particularly ones with public boat launches that have not yet been checked for invasive aquatic plants. These “on-the-water” outings will be led/coordinated by Laurie Callahan. Participation will be open to any one interested in participating and will be a good opportunity to get “hands-on” training in plant identification and aquatic plant survey experience.
Accompanying this announcement is a questionnaire. The information will be used to determine the level of interest in the subject/concern of invasive aquatic plants in York County and also to design outreach sessions. Once completed questionnaires are received and we are successful at obtaining funding for the project one or two discussion sessions will be held to “fine-tune” the project session topics and schedule.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE ATTACHED QUESTIONNAIRE – THE INFORMATION FROM IT WILL BE A KEY ELEMENT IN THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT
For more information contact:
Deb Mayo at the York County Soil & Water Conservation District, Tel.: 207-324-7015, email: Debbie.Mayo@me.nacdnet.net
OR
Laurie Callahan, Aquatic Biologist, Tel.: 802-258-1877 , email: yciasp@hotmail.com