Photo: Oriental Bittersweet Takes Over Hill
Seasons The Greening of Maplewood
A New Era For Invasive Species
By Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resource Coordinator The stories of invasive species are the stuff of legend – 20 foot long Burmese pythons in the everglades, four pound cane toads in Australia, kudzu “the vine that ate the south” in southeastern United States. In Minnesota, we have our own regional cast of invasive species – buckthorn, Asian carp, zebra mussels, garlic mustard, and new arrivals like emerald ash borer. Invasive species are plants, animals, or pathogens that are not native to an area, spread rapidly, and cause significant economic or ecological damage. Arriving here without predators and competitors from their homeland, invasives can reproduce rapidly and outcompete native species. It is hard to ignore the impacts of invasive species in our region: financial, recreation, ecological, agricultural, and health. On lakes, boaters, swimmers, and anglers encounter colonies of Eurasian water milfoil or curly leaf pondweed. In woodlands, species like
buckthorn and non-native earthworms alter shade or soil conditions in ways that lead to decline in native shrubs, wildflowers, and ground cover. In grasslands, spotted knapweed and leafy spurge crowd out native prairie species. When natural systems lose diversity, they are typically less resilient. Actively managing invasive species can help stop the downward ecological spiral and loss of diversity. Aldo Leopold advised, “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” Maplewood is dedicated to protecting and enhancing its lakes and natural areas. One of the first invasive species that was actively managed in our region was the non-native fungus that causes Dutch elm disease (DED). DED was first noticed in the Twin Cities in 1961. Elm fatalities exploded in the 1970’s with St. Paul loosing over 50,000 elm trees in a single year (1977). Emerald ash borer, first found in the metro in 2009, may be even more devastating to ash trees than DED had been to elm (see article on page 2).
Summer 2013 the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area adopted a new approach – Early Detection and Rapid Response. The goal is to find invasives as they begin to establish in our community and to control them before they spread to multiple sites. The Invasive Plant Patrol, a citizen monitoring program, is the heart of this project and has been very successful in its first two years (see article on page 3). While the Plant Patrol rings in a new era for how we approach invasive plants, the City will continue to support programs addressing widespread invasives like buckthorn. What can you do? Learn about our local invasive species (visit the City’s invasives webpage at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/invasives). Help prevent the spread of invasive species (see articles on page 2 and 3). And if you have the time and interest, volunteer to help monitor and manage invasives (see article on page 3).
In 2011, frustrated with the cost and difficulty of managing invasive plants after they are widespread, Maplewood and partners from
Maplewood Tackles Invasives
Early Detection Carole monitors invasive species
Prevent A boot brush removes seeds
Control – Loosestrife Biocontrol
Educate – Jr Volunteers Remove Dame’s Rocket
Ash Borer Moving Closer To Maplewood
Split Bark
EAB Adult
S-Shaped Tunnel
EAB Larva
Playing a little summer baseball? The next time you go up to bat, think of the tree from which that Louisville Slugger came Ash. There are about a billion white, green and black ash trees in Minnesota, and all of them are susceptible to emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB was first found in North America in 2002 near Detroit, probably coming on wooden packing material from Asia. It was discovered in Minnesota in 2009, likely entering the state in firewood transported from an infested area. At this time, the counties of Ramsey, Hennepin, Winona and Houston have firewood quarantines - no hardwood is allowed to be transported out of these counties.
By Chris Soutter, Naturalist The infestation sites closest to Maplewood are in the areas of Pig’s Eye and Como Lakes in St. Paul, and near Snelling Avenue and County Road C in Roseville. With ash comprising about one-fifth of the tree cover on public land in Maplewood, the economic consequences of EAB infestation will be significant. Signs of EAB infestation: • Bark splitting vertically, exposing meandering, S-shaped tunnels just under the bark where EAB larvae have been feeding • Woodpeckers active in tree— woodpeckers love to eat EAB larva • Shoots sprouting from tree trunk • Die-back canopy Branch and Bough Tree Service is inspecting Maplewood for EAB this year. But we need your help too. If you find an ash that you suspect has EAB, please call the Public Works Department at 651.249.2400. For more information visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/en/plants/pestmanagement/eab.aspx.
Play, Clean, Go - Stop Invasives In Your Tracks! By Chris Swanson, Sustainability Intern The future of Minnesota is in your hands! There are many things that you can do to protect our great state character and quality of life. Preventing new invasions and the spread of existing invasions are top priorities.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has created the Play, Clean, Go campaign with the goal of educating the public on what you can do to stop the spread of invasions. Seeds from invasive plants can hitch a ride on your bike or vehicle tires, lawn mowers, clothing, your pet’s fur, or even on the bottom of your shoes! Here is how you can help prevent the accidental spread of invasive plants and animals: Campers and Trail Users • Arrive with clean gear • Burn local or certified firewood • Use local or weed-free hay • Stay on designated trails • Before leaving, remove mud and seeds • Leave clean
Field Workers • Arrive clean • Use weed-free materials • Burn or utilize wood waste • Stay in designated areas • Start at the cleanest site • Leave clean
DNR
Prevent The Spread Don’t Move Firewood! DNR
Stay on Designated Trails
Homeowners • Utilize plants known to be a good neighbor • Use certified or weed free material The DNR is looking for volunteers to participate in their first ever Play, Clean, Go day on Saturday, June 8. Choose a recreation site or trail head to set-up your volunteer base. For more information on the Play, Clean, Go campaign and volunteer opportunities visit www.playcleango.org. Seasons 2
DNR
Remove Mud and Seeds
On its own, emerald ash borer will generally move less than four miles a year, but with help from people, it can cover 55 miles per hour in firewood, nursery stock, or personal belongings. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine on moving ANY hardwood (not just ash) in both Hennepin and Ramsey County. This means it’s against the law to move any hardwood firewood out of these counties.
By Carole Gernes, Naturalist
This summer, keep your eyes open for GPS-toting citizen scientists patrolling Maplewood’s preserves and parks. These hardy volunteers, looking for new species of invasive plants, are members of the Maplewood Invasive Plant Patrol. Volunteers mark the GPS coordinates of plants Applewood Invasive Plant Volunteers found; then report them to ensure quick management by City staff. Data is shared via a national invasive species database. The program is coordinated through the Maplewood Nature Center by naturalist Carole Gernes, who doubles as the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) coordinator. Other metro cities are looking to Maplewood as a model for the adoption of citizen science programs. City staff and volunteers are looking for nine target species of invasive plants: garlic mustard, narrow-leaf bittercress, wild parsnip, Japanese hedge parsley, Grecian foxglove, cut-leaved teasel, common tansy, Oriental bittersweet, and Japanese knotweed. The Nature Center has trained 30 volunteers to date; who have turned in 62 reports! Garlic mustard, wild parsnip, and common tansy make up the majority of our findings. To volunteer for the Invasive Plant Patrol or report suspected sightings, contact the Nature Center at 651.249.2170 or e-mail info@maplewoodnaturecenter.com. For sightings, GPS coordinates or a good description of the location and digital photos are helpful. Educational materials and additional information can be found on Ramsey County’s CWMA website at www.co.ramsey.mn.us/cd/cwma.htm. Or, stop by the Nature Center to see where new populations have been found, and browse through a notebook of the “not-wanted” plants.
Into the Wild – Why Releasing Exotic Species Can Cause Havoc in the Environment
By Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Legends of alligators living in sewers or snakes lurking in the plumbing are not that far-fetched. Exotic species returned to the wild can survive, at least for a while. Just this winter an immature Rusty Crayfish alligator was found frozen on Lake Marion in Lakeville. The owners probably became disenchanted with the creature, and released it into the lake. Some exotic species can become established and take over an ecosystem, diminishing native populations. The release of exotic species from aquariums and bait buckets can also pose environmental problems. Aquarium fish and animals such as goldfish, snails, rusty crayfish and frogs can carry diseases that can kill native fish. Aquarium plants such as water lettuce can clog waterways and snag boat propellers. And bait such as earth worms cause erosion and leaching of nutrients in forests. Not only is it irresponsible to release exotic species, it is illegal. State law prohibits the release of exotic species into the wild and City code prohibits keeping exotic animals as pets. If you have an exotic species that you no longer want: • Contact a retailer for proper handling advice or for possible returns • Give/trade with another aquarist, pond owner, or water gardener • Donate to a local aquarium society, school, or aquatic business • Seal aquatic plants in plastic bags and dispose in the trash • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash • Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of exotic animals
Wild Parsnip and Japanese Knotweed: How Do They Affect You?
By Carole Gernes, Naturalist Touching wild parsnip, a Minnesota Noxious Weed, may cause severe skin burns. An escaped garden plant, its seeds are spread by sticking to feet, tires, and mowers. Parsnip grows close to the ground the first year and four feet tall when flowering. Umbrella shaped flower heads are two to ten inches wide and contain many tiny yellow flowers. Parsnip usually starts blooming in mid- to late June.
K. Chayka, minnesotawildflowers.info
Invasive Plant Patrol Monitoring Program
Wild Parsnip Flower Head
For more information visit the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area website at www.co.ramsey.mn.us/cd/cwma.htm.
MDA
Japanese knotweed’s spring shoots look similar to asparagus, growing quickly to eight feet tall. It spreads by shallow rhizomes, which extend 65 feet outward from the bamboo-like stems. New sprouts are able to break through concrete and asphalt. Japanese knotweed is spread by digging and water movement. Thick infestations can cause flooding and block water access. Successful removal may take several years.
Japanese Knotweed
Seasons 3
Nature Center Invasions
By Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist Overpopulation of the human species (currently at 7.1 billion) is a root cause of many of our environmental problems. We are everywhere! And wherever we go, inadvertently or not, we seem to bring plants and animals with us, some of which can wreak havoc in the environment. For instance, while inspecting the Brand and Ferndale neighborhood rainwater garden, naturalists discovered a large bag full of somebody’s garden weeds tossed over the fence, inside the Nature Center. The next year in that same spot there was a new growth of the invasive garlic mustard (Alliara petiolata). The City pulled the invasive immediately and alerted the neighbors. Garlic mustard originated in Europe and Asia, it was probably brought over by European settlers as an herb for cooking. It produces a slender 1-2 ½ inch seedpod containing a row of seeds ripening in late May and early June. Seeds can spread on the feet of animals, tires on our vehicles, and by rain and floodwaters. Unfortunately, garlic mustard will invade high quality woodlands, not just disturbed areas. Native wildflowers decline, affecting both insects and birds. It is listed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) as a prohibited noxious weed. Once the seeds are spread, these plants can be difficult to eradicate, so prevention and early detection are critical.
K. Chayka, minnesotawildflower.info
Garlic Mustard
RCCWMA
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is another plant on MDA’s list of not wanteds. For years we thought the bittersweet at the Nature Center was the native American bittersweet - a very similar plant. Naturalist Carole Gernes was suspicious, and unfortunately her fears were confirmed. Here’s the difference: Oriental bittersweet berries are encased by yellow capsules, and grow in the leaf axils. The American bittersweet berries are encased by orange capsules, and grow at the end of the twigs.
American Bittersweet - The Good Guy
You can help! Take your garden weeds to a designated compost site where the compost gets hot enough to destroy the seeds. Above all, refrain from using that nearby natural area as a compost site - that bag of weeds might contain a pandora’s box of trouble. For more details visit www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/badplants.
MDA
Oriental Bittersweet
Help Save the Trees!
Image Source: Wikipedia
Emerald Ash Borers have killed millions of ash trees since their dis‐ covery in 2002. These insects are smaller than Invasive bugs can travel in firewood: a penny and their eggs and Tell your family, scout group, or friends larvae hide under the bark to “burn it where you buy it.” of ash trees.
Craft: Pipe cleaners, paper, a clothespin, and glitter make an Emerald Ash Borer Beetle.
Funny Costume: Emerald Ash Borer beetle hanging on a sticky purple trap.
Photo: Costume-works.com
Don’t Move Firewood!
Get Creative! Photo: MN Department of Agriculture
Learn about this bad bug guy:
By Oakley Biesanz, Naturalist
For craft instructions go to: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/pestsurvey/pestinfo/ALB/volunteer_materials/buildabeetle.html For fun ash borer computer games, activity sheets, videos, and teaching ideas, visit www.StopTheBeetle.info and click on Kids Corner. Printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper
Seasons 4