Cornell Cooperative Extension Announces Three-Day Invasive Species Workshop

Cornell Cooperative Extensive is happy to announce the schedule for this year’s three-day invasive species in-service workshop for CCE educators, PRISM members, and other invasive species partners: Tuesday, November 15 – Thursday, November 17. This year’s sessions will be held in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations conference center on the Cornell University campus.

Tuesday, November 15 – Thursday, November 17, 2011

Cornell University, ILR Conference Center, Ithaca, NY

Invasive Species Education:

Our Strongest Tool for Invasive Species Prevention and Management

Over the past three years, the November invasive species inservice workshops have focused on: the species themselves, their impacts and on-going research (2008); applying research results and basic education tools to “fight” invasive species (2009); and, moving beyond the basics into the larger issues of being more proactive in prevention, early-detection, rapid response, and long-term management and control (2010).  This year’s workshop is going to move to the next level of using research and education in the fight against existing and new invasions. Based upon input solicited from Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), CCE County Association educators, and other partners, this workshop will address in detail how to develop and apply various outreach education techniques to effectively prevent, identify, and manage invasive species at statewide, regional and local levels. Presentations will include a mixture of invasive species science, education process skills, educational program planning, invasive species control and management, and restoration techniques. Ample time will be provided within the structure of the workshop for interaction between attendees and presenters and among attendees.

Conference hotel packages have been arranged at the Ithaca Best Western University Inn (1020 Ellis Hollow Road, 607-272-6100 x 4714) and the Ithaca Courtyard by Marriot (29 Thornwood Drive, 607-330-1000 or 866-541-3600).

Tuesday Sessions

Part 1 (8:00 am – 10:00 a.m.)

Part 2 (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)

Part 3 (1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Part 4 (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm)

Wednesday Sessions

Part 1 (8:00 am – 10:00 a.m.)

Part 2 (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)

Part 3 (1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Part 4 (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm)

Thursday Sessions

Part 1 (8:00 am – 9:00 am)

Part 2 (11:00 am – 12:30 pm)

Part 3 (1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Part 4 (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm)

2011 Invasive Species In-service Thematic Outline – Working Draft

Tuesday Morning

            Update on invasive species in NY (new invasions, spread of existing species, research updates,  mitigation/management updates)

Tuesday Afternoon

            Current state of invasive species knowledge (DEC pathways study; underlying causes of invasion; economic impact of Long Island legislation; effects of climate change on invasives; top agricultural pests; top forestry pests; top horticultural pests)

Wednesday Morning

            Early detection/rapid response and how to make the best use of resources (the effort to standardize the process of early detection of plants statewide; use of the TNC decision tree to prioritize efforts; novel detection projects; impact specifics {economic, human health, etc.} that can be used to “sell” public on reality of the invasive species issue; update on invasive species mapping)

Wednesday Afternoon

            Context Appropriate Invasive Species Management (evaluating new herbicide applications; restoration efforts to suppress invasives; use of native alternatives; plant/seed mixes to discourage invasive species; BMPs for control of select species; Strategic Management and Monitoring – are we reaching conservation goals?)

Thursday Morning

Working with stakeholders – Part 1 (Citizen Science and volunteer recruitment techniques; engaging communities to prepare for invasive species; existing programs/projects that utilize volunteers, not-for-profits, partner agencies, etc. for citizen science data collection; age appropriate invasive species activities for youth)

Thursday Afternoon

            Working with stakeholders – Part 2 (the role of outreach education; organize stakeholder groups to get involved in volunteer removal projects; EAB community preparedness planning – what’s working, what could be improved, can it be applied to other approaching threats; group take home assignment: develop action plans for enhancing our regional networks and partnership projects)

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For more information, contact:

Charles R. O’Neill, Jr.
Coordinator, Invasive Species Programs
Cornell Cooperative Extension
365 Roberts Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853
Voice: 585-831-6165
E-mail: chuck.oneill@cornell.edu
Web site: http://nyis.info