WESTERN PENINSULA INVASIVE COALITION. (WePIC) IT IS ALL ABOUT PARTNERSHIP!

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1 WESTERN PENINSULA INVASIVE COALITION (WePIC) IT IS ALL ABOUT PARTNERSHIP!

2 History.. The Western Peninsula Invasives Coalition formerly known as the Western Upper Peninsula Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area. WePIC was formed in 2006 when fourteen organizations that were interested in controlling non-native invasive species, came together to cover the Iron County, Gogebic County and the Ottawa National Forest. Gaining partners as we worked, in 2010 we added Ontonagon County and changed the name. Hidden Picture: Can you find the Sue in the Giant Knotweed?

3 SERVING THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE UPPER PENINSULA

4 Our goal is to control what is already here, and to prevent further spread into our area. By cooperating together, we can share resources and expertise across ownership and political boundaries to more efficiently manage invasive species. WePIC Partners cover over 2.6 million acres, including over 700 lakes, and 150 public boat launches.

5 WePIC s Federal & State Partners Iron Baraga Conservation District

6 WePIC s Regional, County, & Local Partners

7 More WePIC Partners Bass Lake Association, Beaton Lake Riparian Association, Bergland Township, Bewabic State Park, Chicagon Lake Association, Cisco Chain Riparian Owners Association, Duck Lake Nuisance Aquatics, Fortune Lake Landowners, Friends of Ice Lake (FOIL), Friends of Sylvania, Gogebic Conservation District, Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission, Golden Lake Association, Hagerman Lake Property Owners Association, Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet (ISCCW Lake Guards), Iron Conservation District, Iron County Watershed Coalition, Iron Lake Property Owners Association, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association, Lake Gogebic Improvement Association, Lake Gogebic State Park, Lake Mary Association, Langford Lake Riparian Owners Association, Long Lake Property Owners Association, Many Waters LLC, Maplewood Timberland Assn., Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (Mi-TRALE), Ottawa National Forest, Perch Lake Owners Association, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Runkle Lake Association, Sunset Lake Association, Swan Lake Owners Association, Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council (UPRC&D), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service USFS United States Forest Service, White Water Associates Inc., Wintergreen Farm

8 WePIC Worker of the 2016 Lynn Fleming of Lake Ellen, Michigan and Illinois took her interest with invasive species to a whole new level. Lynn went underground in her backyard in Illinois, and found a new invader! Jumping Worms. Now she works hard to keep them away from the UP. Go WePIC!!! HOW CLOSE ARE THEY TO US IN the UP? AMYNTHAS AGRESTIS

9 Office: Lower Level Iron County Courthouse Crystal Falls, Michigan WePIC is coordinated by the Iron Baraga Conservation District. Our CISMA covers a three county area, but in whole we cover a four county area. Iron Baraga Conservation District and WePIC works with counties, local government and private landowners to address any issues they may have on land and in water.

10 FUNDING FOR WePIC WORK IS PROVIDED BY: Grants Agreements Contracts

11 Funding from a GLRI Agreement with the USFS has led to not just one but two portable boat washing units to serve Iron County, and the formation of a WePIC Weed Crew to serve Iron, Gogebic and Octagon Counties. Funding from the WE Energies Mitigation and Enhancement Fund has led to Watershed Invasive Mapping Control Work, and Training Events in Iron County. MISGP Grant funding has now allowed a multifaceted approach to invasive species identification, control and prevention. This project involves three key partners, and over 50 collaborators. From lakes to land, ATV trails to pet stores, we are working together to make an impact.

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13 On August 18 th, Beth Clawson of MSU brought the Clean Boats Clean Waters Train the Trainer Program to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. While many CISMA s WePIC included have been involved in CBCW for at least five years, there has never been Official Training available in the UP before. WePIC holds around five trainings a season for CBCW from training Lake Associations to Park Staff, to our own staff, we have done it by the book. And I did mean by the book We loved having Beth Clawson here in the UP of MI. and we hope she comes back this way soon! CISCO CHAIN RIPARIAN OWNERS ASSOCIATION

14 Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz July 1 st to July 10 th 2016 Don t Miss It!

15 Clean Boats Clean Waters Our Clean Boats Clean Waters Program is five years strong, and we have CBCW staff that have been with us for more than three seasons. This year we received a second boat washer. People love to see a friendly face at the launch; and compliance is up to over 75%, and Iron Baraga Conservation District Boat Wash Staff washed 421 boats and passed the message to 7822 people at the launch and other places. Iron Baraga Conservation District held a record CBCW Training Classes in 2016, Eight so Far!

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17 Did you know that every summer WePIC s Partner UPRC&D sends Hank Lotoszinski of MISIN fame to hold a MISIN approved training across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. While we can not promise to always have Hank, we can promise that there are multiple MISIN mapping Workshops held by WePIC and other CISMA s each year. Don t have a GPS? Try the App!

18 Take a Class! Summer brings field seasons and training time. This Aquatic Plant ID Workshop was held at Cowboy Lake; offered by our friends from Dickinson Conservation District and Wild River Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC) So many opportunity's to train volunteers and staff, build those partnerships!

19 With the help of Rosie the Milfoiler, On June 21 st, The Women of Iron County Lakes and Streams Partnership, taught Aspiring Women at Bewabic State Park, about the many threats that Aquatic Invasives pose to our lakes and streams. Prevention was key, as we flexed our zebra mussels, and shot our bleach solution bottles. As the shifts changed and more women wandered past out station. The screams grew louder as we chanted: WE CAN DO IT! WE CAN DO IT!

20 From our friends at Lake Ellen CLMP EXOTIC AQUATIC PLANT WATCH at Lake Ellen Angela DePalma and Erick Elgin from the Clean Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) trained Lake Ellen volunteers for the Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch (EAPW) on a rainy August morning. The Iron Baraga Conservation District was on site with their new boat washer and we picnicked on the shore so the usually quiet public landing was hopping with activity..

21 Lake Ellen Eurasian Watermilfoil ID & Hand Pulling Training The camp kids got into the act, and Soon a competition was born! Thank you! Barb & Bill of Many Waters LLC!

22 The UPRC&D has been instrumental in controlling the Phragmities that has taken over many miles of lakefront in both inland and great lakes. This multiyear, multicounty project would not have happened, if not for Darcy Rutkowski of the UPRC&D. Darcy has coordinated many partners in her EPA and MISGP Project, and has helped Iron County along the way. Thank you! Ann Hurska of Dickinson Conservation District, Controlling Phragmities on Lake Ellen 2016

23 The Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (MSLA) presented Perch Lake the Michigan Inland Lakes Riparian of the Year Award for 2016 Here is the containment field in place on Perch Lake

24 For the past two years there has been a lot of activity out at Perch Lake in Iron County, Michigan. Jim Novitski has designed a new prevention device for Eurasian Watermilfoil. His system utilized a man made harbor of micro mesh to contain milfoil within the launch area. Time will tell if it will become a mainstream prevention, but it is looking good so far. Perch Lake, Iron County, Michigan

25 Western Peninsula Invasive Coalition Multifaceted Invasive Management Project

26 Western Peninsula Invasive Coalition Multifaceted Invasive Management Project Across Iron, Gogebic, and Ontonagon Counties staff and volunteers are in the middle of a two year MISGP Funded Project. Utilizing a multifaceted approach to prevent and mitigate the damaging effects of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. This approach includes increasing volunteer participation in mapping and treating invasive species and expanding outreach through educational programs and activities to prevent the introduction and spread of invasives. We are using old ways with a new approach, and trying new things with old knowledge. Our goals are many, but we can accomplish many things, if we put our minds and bodies to work.

27 WePIC MISGP Core Project Members Specializations & Experience Iron Baraga Conservation District 2 South 6 th Street, Suite 15 Crystal Falls, Michigan (906) or (906) ironconservationdistrict@macd.org Contact: Jennifer Ricker Iron Baraga Conservation District Manager WePIC CISMA Coordinator Grant Administrator, Pesticide Applicator, Four+ years experience with many terrestrial invasive species. Some experience with aquatics. Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet PO BOX 725 Watersmeet, Michigan (906) kwendt@windway.com Contact: Ken Wendt Friends of Sylvania PO BOX 6353 Madison, Wisconsin wabrinkm@wisc.edu Contact: Waltraud Brinkman Chief Financial Officer for ISCCW Retired President of ISCCW Twenty-five+ years experience with aquatic issues, Fifteen + years experience with aquatic invasives, established a well rounded program of prevention and control work with Eurasian Watermilfoil utilizing mechanical, chemical and natural weapons. Senior Scientist Emeritus: Center for Climatic Research, established a successful program of Invasive species control on Garlic Mustard, Swamp Thistle, and Japanese Barberry completely pesticide free.

28 Iron Baraga Conservation District

29 The Iron Baraga Conservation District has four Certified Pesticide Applicators on staff, and is also a commercially licensed business. Our Weed Crew Staff includes a retired DNR Forester. This assists us with WePIC Weed Crew efforts and control work on over 300 acres this year, across four counties. Our primary targets this year were Japanese and Giant Knotweed, Garlic Mustard, Japanese Barberry, Glossy and Common Buckthorn and Purple Loosestrife

30 SAFETY CLASS WE ADHERE TO ALL MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PESTICIDE USE AND APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS DURING INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL WORK. OUR PORTABLE CBCW BOAT WASHER UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH DISCHARGE MATS AND RECLAMATION PUMPS. ALL USED WATER IS OFFLOADED AT A DEQ APPROVED DISPOSAL SITE. PEOPLE, CLOTHING, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT ARE DISINFECTED TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF INVASIVE SPECIES FROM SITE TO SITE. WE STRIVE TO DO OUR BEST! SAFETY IS OUR GOAL!

31 Daniel James and Tim Bendick JR help out with our informational Bass Fest Booth at Runkle Lake Due to the colocation of WePIC with the Iron Baraga Conservation District, invasive species issues creep into everything we do. One moment you are talking about an apple tree, the next Giant Knotweed

32 Our FAP Forestry Program, Soil & Sedimentation Permit Program, and many other small projects or outreach efforts have assisted in finding new sites to control or protect.

33 The FAP Program and WePIC joined up with local timber professionals to teach about forests and the damage invasive species bring to forests. Log A Load was held for over 900 students of all ages, from 6 area MI and WI schools.

34 This annual October event draws 30 to 40 students each year from the Science Departments. Many return year after year In addition we also offer in class presentations on a wide variety of topics. West Iron High School Students, combine litter clean up, with Invasive Species Identification along the banks of the Iron River.

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36 ISCCW has a large base of committed volunteers that go the extra mile. Almost every weekend in the summer there is a hands on activity for membership. From hand pulling Eurasian Watermilfoil pull at Duck Lake to staffing the launches they keep their members involved and engaged.

37 Barb & Bill with the Many Waters LLC Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting Dive Boat ISCCW has a long history of trying something different. Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting was a path they took. DASH works very well for many populations of EWM and can be a wonderful alternative to pesticides.

38 Success of Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting on Eurasian Watermilfoil ranges from 86%-94% after 1 year. Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting has limited impacts on native plant vegetation. Skilled divers can minimize fragmentation concerns and the suction effect of the dive boat lowers the risk of small fragments escaping the treatment zone. This hands on method allows for a chemical free alternative to treating many patches of milfoil.

39 The 18,327 acre Sylvania Wilderness is a rare natural treasure because of its pristine lakes, old-growth forest, and sylvan tranquility. A committed group of highly skilled volunteers have been treating the invasives species that have crept into this pristine wilderness without the use of pesticides.

40 Sylvania's forest contains one of two large remnants of virgin northern hardwoods remaining in the Great Lakes region. It owes its undisturbed character to the fact that it was a private hunting and fishing club for more than half a century. The Forest Service purchased the property in 1966 when it became part of Michigan's 'Ottawa National Forest'. It was designated a Wilderness in 1987.

41 Mission: Promote the protection and careful management of the Sylvania Wilderness so that its unique wilderness character and quality natural resources are preserved for future generations. Provide active stewardship of the Sylvania Wilderness to minimize the degradation of water quality, the impact of invasive species, and the overuse and misuse of the natural resources. Function as an educational resource regarding all potential threats to the Sylvania Wilderness.

42 A Few Simple Goals..on Land & Water Things we needed to do What we have done so far 450 total acres treated and controlled & treated by IBCD Approx acres controlled & treated by IBCD 4 Public Invasive Species Workdays by IBCD 6 Public Invasive Species Workdays by IBCD 1200 acres managed and mapped by Friends of Sylvania each year Approx acres managed and mapped by Friends of Sylvania this year 4 Public Invasive Species Workdays with Friends of Sylvania In Progress 150 miles of highway mapped by IBCD 257 miles of highway mapped & 9 towns residential areas by IBCD 500 miles of ATV Trails mapped by IBCD Approx miles of ATV Trails mapped by IBCD 4 ATV Themed MISIN Mapping & ID Presentations by IBCD 1 ATV Themed MISIN Mapping & ID Presentation completed by IBCD 4 Play Clean Go ATV Trailhead Prevention signs installed by IBCD In Progress Mowing Schedule Adviser Report to Prevent & Suppress by IBCD In Progress 2 presentations on invasive species for gardening clubs and nurseries by IBCD 1 completed 4 Education Outreach Booths on Invasive Species 8 IBCD outreach booths & many more by ISCCW 10 Press Releases on Invasive Species 10 released Extra UMISC Invasive Species Booth, and Presentation More on the next page

43 A Few Simple Goals..Continued Things we needed to do What we have done so far 5 School Presentations of Terrestrial & Aquatic Invaders by IBCD & ISCCW 4 School Presentations of Terrestrial & Aquatic Invaders by IBCD & ISCCW 10 Lake Shoreline Assessments by IBCD 6 completed by IBCD and we are still going Wash 2000 watercraft a year by IBCD & ISCCW Monitor 25 lakes for invasive species by ISCCW Vegetation assessments for continued control work on 3 lakes ISCCW Utilize DASH, hand pulling and lake treatment for up to 30 acres of Eurasian Watermilfoil removal by ISCCW Train 200 people on CBCW by IBCD & ISCCW Conduct 6 CWCW trainings IBCD & ISCCW Install a reusable 2,500 Sq Ft benthic barrier in Iron Lake Extras Extras Extras 421 washed by IBCD & 1500 and still going by ISCCW Monitored 25 lakes for invasive species by ISCCW Vegetation assessments for continued control work on 3 lakes ISCCW Total acres are being computed, estimated 15 acres by ISCCW IBCD has trained 102 people, and ISCCW has trained many more IBCD has held 8 trainings this year, and ISCCW has held many more In Progress had some hiccups but it is going in. Preformed EDNA testing on 10 lakes 1 DNR Invasive Species BMP Training MSU CBCW Training in the UP Extras Invader Impact TV Coverage 3 times $152,857 dollars can go a long way when you have partnership!

44 Thank you! And it s good to be back at UMISC! Jennifer Ann Ricker WePIC Coordinator Iron Baraga Conservation District Manager 2 South 6 th Street, Suite 15 Crystal Falls, Michigan Ironconservationdistrict@gmail.com WePIC and Wild Rivers Joint Booth, UMISC 2014

45 Photos and images have been provided by: Iron Baraga Conservation District Jennifer Ricker Mike Zukowski Debbie Bendick Sue James Linda Lindberg MISIN Play Clean Go CBCW MSU Garmin USDA-NRCs Cisco Chain Riparian Owners Association Duck Lake Nuisance Aquatics Fortune Lake Landowners Friends of Sylvania Gogebic Conservation District Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet (ISCCW Lake Guards) Iron Lake Property Owners Association Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association Langford Lake Riparian Owners Association Many Waters LLC Michigan Department of Natural Resources Perch Lake Owners Association Sunset Lake Association Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council (UPRC&D) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service USFS United States Forest Service Dickinson Conservation District Wild Rivers Google Images Creative Commons Microsoft Office US Fish & Wildlife