Session four of a forum exploring how invasive species impact the environment, what policy solutions are needed to prevent new invaders, and how science-based stewardship can be used for targeted management. Presenter: Brendan Quirion, Program Coordinator, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program

1. 1APIPP
Brendan Quirion
Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP)
Coordinator
bquirion@tnc.org
518-576-2082
Utilizing a Terrestrial Invasive Species Rapid Response Team
in the Adirondacks;
Results and Lessons Learned after 3 consecutive years of Implementation

2. Mission:
To protect the Adirondack region
from the negative impacts of
non-native, invasive species.
Goals:
1. Prevent new introductions.
2. Rapidly detect and eradicate new
infestations.
3. Manage existing priority infestations to
mitigate impacts.
Activities:
Coordination, Prevention, Education
& Outreach, Survey & Mapping,
Control & Management, Monitoring,
Research, Planning, Policies, Funding
Partnerships:
3 coordinating staff, 1 seasonal
4 principal partners (+4 new ones)
30+ cooperating organizations
100s of volunteers

3. 3
Lakes/Ponds
The Core Area
Roads
State Land
APIPP PRISM
ADK Park

4. 4
Lakes/Ponds
The Core Area
Roads
State Land
APIPP PRISM
ADK Park

5. 5
Lakes/Ponds
The Core Area
Roads
State Land
APIPP PRISM
ADK Park

6. 6
Lakes/Ponds
The Core Area
Roads
State Land
APIPP PRISM
ADK Park

7. 7
Lakes/Ponds
The Core Area
Roads
State Land
APIPP PRISM
ADK Park

8. 8
Associated
Stressors?

9. 9
White-tailed Deer
Population Density by
County - QDMA

10. 10
History of Response Team Concept
in the Adirondacks
• Known need for increased sustained seasonal
capacity since APIPP’s beginning
• 2004 – email correspondence with SCA about special
invasive plant management teams
• Tried to piece-meal teams together each season
• 2005 – Response team concept born and gets state
wide attention through IS task force
• 2008 – Response teams were identified as potential
strategy for the Adirondacks
- PRISM funding achieved
- Funding to pilot response team in
the Adirondacks available
- Economy nose dives

11. 2003

12. 12
2010

13. 13
XW Phragmites australis
Infestation's Extent

14. 14
XW Phragmites australis
Infestation's Extent
Wetland - High Invasion Risk
Wetland - Moderate Invasion Risk
6.6 ac.
14.4 ac.

15. 15
XW Phragmites australis
APIPP PRISM Boundary
ADK Park Boundary
Lakes/Ponds
Wetland - High Invasion Risk
~4740.4 ac.
Wetland - Moderate Invasion Risk
~8403.3 ac.

16. Terrestrial
Invasive
Plant Distribution
(2010)
APIPP PRISM Boundary
ADK Park Boundary
NYSDOT State Routes
Lakes/Ponds
Forest Preserve
XW Common Reed
¥ Japanese Knotweed
kj Garlic Mustard
Purple Loosestrife
!? Giant Hogweed
! Oriental Bittersweet
^_ Black Swallow-wort
^_ Pale Swallow-wort
^_ Yellow Iris
The Core Area

17. 2011- Grant Funding Received!
17
• Private foundation approaches APIPP about
potential grant funding for IS projects
• $170,000 dollar/yr for 3 years
- Response team
- Paul Smith’s boat launch steward
program
- Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program
- Asian clam response in Lake George
- AuSable River Steward

18. 18
The Response Team Arrives

19. 19
Management:
Treat wetland and terrestrial invasive plant
infestations using best management practices
Mapping:
Use GPS to identify and report locations of
infestations and assess site conditions.
Survey:
Conduct extensive backcountry and road surveys
for invasive plant species
Education and Outreach:
Communicate with landowners and/or the general
public about invasive plant identification and
management , as needed.
Reporting:
Prepare interim and final reports summarizing
project work .
Scope of Work

20. 20
Early Detection!

21. 21
Rapid Response!

22. 22
Black Swallow-wort 2011Black Swallow-wort 2013

23. 23
Giant Hogweed 2011Giant Hogweed 2013

24. 2011
24
2011201220122013

25. 25
Percent Cover
0
0.5
5
7
10
15
18
20
25
30
35
37
38
40
45
48
50
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
Percent Cover
0
0.5
5
7
10
15
18
20
25
30
35
37
38
40
45
48
50
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
Percent Cover
0
0.5
5
7
10
15
18
20
25
30
35
37
38
40
45
48
50
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95

26. 26
2010201120122013

27. 27

28. 28
No Plants Observed for 3 Consecutive Years…
Of all the Phrag. sites treated by APIPP in
the “Core Area” since 2010, at least 35%
have No Plants Observed as of 2014.

30. 30
When is eradication of an infestation a
realistic goal?

31. 31

32. 32
Patch Size Comparison
1 Acre
1/9 Acre

33. 33
Largest
known
infestation
1.06 ac.

34. 34
Japanese knotweed 2011Japanese knotweed 2013

35. 35
20132014

38. 38
No Plants Observed... Finally!

40. “We have not yet
eliminated any patch over
300 stems through the use
of glyphosate even after six
to eight treatments”
“Our hope is that the
introduction of imazapyr
into our treatment regime in
2006 will deliver better,
longer lasting results in the
long-term.”

41. 41
Largest
known
infestation .
67 ac.

43. 43
APIPP PRISM Boundary
ADK Park Boundary
The Core Area
NYSDOT State Routes
Lakes/Ponds
Forest Preserve
XW Common Reed
¥ Japanese Knotweed
kj Garlic Mustard
!? Giant Hogweed
! Oriental Bittersweet
^_ Black Swallow-wort
^_ Pale Swallow-wort
^_ Yellow Iris

44. 44
In 3 years, APIPP coordinated
management of ~70% of all
infestations mapped within the
“Core Area”
APIPP PRISM Boundary
ADK Park Boundary
The Core Area
NYSDOT State Routes
Lakes/Ponds
Forest Preserve
XW Common Reed
¥ Japanese Knotweed
kj Garlic Mustard
!? Giant Hogweed
! Oriental Bittersweet
^_ Black Swallow-wort
^_ Pale Swallow-wort
^_ Yellow Iris

46. They’re Coming Back!

47. 47