Download Strategic Management Plan - Timberland Invasives Partnership

Timberland Invasives Partnership
Strategic Management Plan
2016
Revised April 8th, 2016
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Table of Contents
VISION STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 1
MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1
TIP MANAGEMENT AREA .............................................................................................................................. 2
LOCATION...................................................................................................................................................... 3
LAND USE ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................... 4
Goal 1: Educational Outreach ................................................................................................................... 4
Goal 2: Early Detection and Rapid Response ............................................................................................ 5
Goal 3: Invasive Species Management ..................................................................................................... 6
Goal 4: Restoration .................................................................................................................................. 8
Goal 5: Organizational Collaboration ........................................................................................................ 8
TIP PARTNERS................................................................................................................................................ 9
WORKS CITED .............................................................................................................................................. 10
VISION STATEMENT
To combat invasive species across jurisdictional boundaries.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Timberland Invasives Partnership (TIP) is a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
(CISMA) encompassing Langlade, Menominee, Oconto and Shawano Counties as well as the Menominee
Nation and Stockbridge-Munsee tribes in Northeastern Wisconsin and is devoted to the management of
invasive species through cooperative education, control and native habitat restoration efforts.
INTRODUCTION
The TIP CISMA was established with the assistance of the United States Forest Service in 2012. To
ensure a successful partnership, TIP had/has each of its partners sign our Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) indicating that the partners agree that it is their mutual benefit and interest to work cooperatively
to manage invasive species across jurisdictional boundaries within the TIP CISMA. Together, TIP and its
partners seek to:
1. Help establish, promote, and implement responsible invasive species management strategies.
2. Promote the conservation, preservation, and/or restoration of native plant and animal species.
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3. Develop and enhance relationships with individuals and organizations who seek to contribute
their resources to help us achieve our goals and objectives.
It is critical to TIP’s ability to combat invasive species across jurisdictional boundaries to develop a
strategic management plan. The purpose of this strategic management plan is to establish the goals,
objectives, and planned actions of TIP as an organization. To maximize the applicability across years,
opportunities for partner input, and ability to respond dynamically to the invasive species threat, this plan
has been designed to serve across multiple years without need for editing, but will ideally be edited
annually. In the future, this document will serve as a guideline by which the relevance and importance of
TIP’s projects and actions can be measured.
TIP MANAGEMENT AREA
The TIP CISMA serves a very rural area of Wisconsin with an estimated 103,818 people spread over
3,119.3 square miles or 2,030,927 acres (2010 Census). TIP’s geographic area includes the lands and
water bodies located within the Wisconsin counties of Langlade, Menominee, Oconto and Shawano. The
lands within the TIP management area are owned by federal, state, tribal, and county governments as well
as many different organizations and individuals.
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LOCATION
Figure 1. The TIP management area.
LAND USE
The most common land use in the TIP CISMA is forested with approximately 1,376,822 acres (or 67.8%)
(Table1). The second most common land use is agriculture with 486,845 acres (23.1%). The other major
land uses are: developed (2.7%); surface waters (2.2%); open lands (2.2%), transportation/right-of-way
(1.6%) and recreational (0.5%). These numbers were arrived at using the values listed in the
comprehensive plans adopted and/or revised by the four counties in the years as follows: Langlade, 2009;
Menominee, 2009; Oconto, 2009; Shawano, 2013.
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Table 1. Timberland Invasive Partnership Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Land Use
(Values pulled from each counties comprehensive management plan).
Land Use Area
Land Use Type
Langlade
County
(Acres)
Menominee
County
(Acres)
Oconto
County
(Acres)
Shawano
County
(Acres)
Total
(Acres)
Developed/Disturbed
10,543
2,316
25,587
16,250
54,696
Transportation/Right5,566
3,507
6,343
16,885
32,301
of-Way
Agriculture
86,409
324
173,694
208,418
468,845
Recreational
504
124
2,711
5,986
9,325
Forested
438,867
220,298
396,916
320,741
1,376,822
Surface Waters
10,888
5,125
14,838
14,125
44,976
Open Lands
11,373
1,912
30,677
0*
43,962
Total
564,150
233,606
650,766
582,405
2,030,927
*Open Lands were merged with recreational and forested lands in Shawano County.
Total
(Percent)
2.7
1.6
23.1
0.5
67.8
2.2
2.2
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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Educational Outreach
The most certain way to limit the effects invasive species will have on an ecosystem is to prevent
them from ever reaching it. Prevention is facilitated through educational outreach efforts.
Therefore, TIP will seek to engage and educate the residents and visitors to our area on the
impacts of invasive species. As part of this effort, TIP will also seek to develop educational tools
and relationships with/for partner and non-partner organizations that seek to combat the effects
of invasive species.
Objective 1.1: Develop relationships with partner and non-partner organizations interested in
raising awareness about invasive species, their impacts and ongoing prevention measures.
Strategic Actions
1. Join/incorporate the use of regional prevention campaigns/programs into TIP efforts.
2. Work with local youth groups such as 4-H to provide hands-on learning activities to
children.
3. Conduct targeted invasive species education and training for TIP Partners and citizen
groups across the TIP area.
4. Reach out to public officials and industry workers, to establish connections and develop
best management practices.
5. Develop and co-host cooperative workdays and projects for citizens with partners across
the TIP area.
6. Provide TIP representation at area workshops and meetings hosted by partner and
potential partner organizations.
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7. Maintain open communication with partners especially prior to:
a. Scheduling outreach events.
b. Communicating with outside groups/entities.
c. Developing new resources.
d. Engaging in rapid response efforts.
8. Assist partners with advice and support in invasive species plan/policy development, and
outreach, education, and control efforts.
9. Maintain coordinator office hours and have a schedule visible to the public to allow for
easier communication.
10. Promote sharing of information and resources among partners, members, and other
interested parties.
Objective 1.2: Develop and/or maintain easily accessible and up-to-date invasive species
information and educational tools.
Strategic Actions
1. Obtain existing educational materials from other agencies and partners to distribute at
public functions.
2. Revise the TIP educational brochure annually and provide revised copies to partners for
distribution at public events.
3. Develop and distribute a Coordinator’s Report newsletter detailing TIP activities for each
month.
4. Develop educational materials as able; and distribute in public locations. Examples: pens,
magnets, posters, signs, buttons, pamphlets, calendars, booklets, placemats, and other
printed materials.
5. Provide TIP partners and area citizens access to resources and information on the internet
via:
a. Revise the TIP website (www.timberlandinvasives.org) biannually to ensure
accurate and up-to-date information is distributed.
b. Share/post weekly on the TIP Facebook page.
c. Email the monthly TIP Coordinator’s Report and any important notifications to
the TIP email list.
6. Utilize “traditional” media to inform local residents about new invasive species
developments (press releases, newspapers, radio, and television).
7. Promote the use of signage to reach outdoor recreationalists and tourists at high-traffic
areas.
8. Use variety of internal and external resources to maintain staff and partner knowledge of
invasive species issues.
Goal 2: Early Detection and Rapid Response
Even the best prevention methods can fail, and when they do, it is important to have an early
detection and rapid response plan ready to prevent a large, well-established population of an
invasive species from forming. Early detection and rapid response efforts are beneficial because
they allow for smaller and more targeted control measures, which offer a high return on
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investment and limit damage to the ecosystem. Therefore, TIP will seek to quickly identify and
respond to invasions.
Objective 2.1: Identify early detection targets.
Strategic Actions
1. Work with partners to develop and maintain a TIP Priority Invasive Species List to
categorize invasive species as Early Detection or Known.
2. Update the priority list as needed with any new species of concern.
3. Work with partners to identify locations within the TIP area that should be monitored
periodically for early detections.
Objective 2.2: Develop and enhance the capacity to detect and report priority invasive species.
Strategic Actions
1. Maintain the Contact/Reporting form section of the TIP website
2. Utilize the current Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) protocols for
mapping new invasions.
3. Monitor target areas/species from Objective 2.1 with partner aid.
4. Support TIP cooperator efforts to survey and report invasive species.
Objective 2.3: Quickly respond to newly discovered/localized invasive species populations in
the TIP area.
Strategic Actions
1. Develop cooperative relationships with landowners.
2. Determine and enhance the amount tools and equipment available to TIP partners and
volunteers to control invasive species.
3. Use or adapt the WRISC prioritization tool to rain infestations for follow-up actions.
4. Create a Rapid Response Protocol for invasive species in the TIP area.
Goal 3: Invasive Species Management
TIP acknowledges the negative effects of invasive species on the ecological and economic wellbeing of the environments plagued by these pests. Therefore, TIP will actively seek to plan,
coordinate, and participate in the inventory and control of the invasive species found within its
management area.
Objective 3.1: Collect, manage, and share invasive species location data in the TIP area.
Strategic Actions
1. Collect and adapt partner survey data into the MISIN database.
2. Maintain an internal database of all known invasive locations in the TIP area.
3. Create and distribute a map of known invasive species in the TIP area annually.
4. Train TIP partners on invasive species inventorying techniques.
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Objective 3.2: Prioritize invasive species control efforts.
Strategic Actions
1. Prioritize joining existing partner control projects over new control efforts.
2. Prioritize control efforts based on TIP partner priorities or the WRISC Prioritization
Tool.
3. Work with partners to adapt WRISC’s Prioritization Tool to reflect their values.
Objective 3.3: Advocate for the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to TIP
partners.
Strategic Actions
1. Advocate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, utilizing a combination of control
techniques to effectively manage invasive populations on a case-by-case basis while
limiting the economic and environmental impacts of treatment. A general overview of
methods that may be employed is given below:
a. Manual and Mechanical: Manual and mechanical techniques such as pulling,
cutting, or otherwise stressing or physically removing plants can be used to
control some invasive plants, particularly if the population is relatively small.
b. Chemical: In some instances, herbicide application is the only practical way to
control an invasive species due to the physiology of the plant or the extent of
population.
c. Biocontrol: Biological control (“biocontrol” for short) is the use of animals,
fungi, or other microbes to feed upon, parasitize or otherwise stress a targeted pest
species. Successful biocontrol programs significantly reduce the abundance of the
pest or prevent the damage caused by the pest (e.g. by preventing it from feeding
on valued crops).
d. Cultural: Cultural control involves the use of methods such as flooding,
smothering (covering with light barrier), controlled by wild land fires, or the use
of cover vegetation to reduce the impact of invasive species.
2. When conducting control work with staff and volunteers, TIP will adhere to all legal
requirements regarding property ownership, herbicide application, and equipment use.
Workers will follow all equipment and herbicide label instructions, and document
landowner permission, required certifications, and records of control activities.
3. Provide landowners and land managers information on control and management options
available for their own invasive species management projects.
4. Monitor and document results of control work and conduct follow-up treatments as
needed and able.
a. Maintain photographic archives of invasive species populations as able.
Objective 3.4: Promote and/or guide collaborative invasive species management efforts along
jurisdictional perimeters.
Strategic Actions
1. Monitor jurisdictional perimeters for invasive species in the TIP area as able.
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2. Engage user groups and organizations with invasive species management issues that
cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Goal 4: Restoration
Invasive species tend to spread to habitats that are already disturbed and in some cases the
elimination of the invasive species has further disturbed the habitat. Restoration of these habitats
with native plants can aid in a quicker recovery. Therefore, TIP will seek to restore native
species and habitat in areas to promote a biologically diverse ecosystem.
Objective 4.1: Identify, prioritize, and restore disturbed habitats that would benefit from
restoration efforts.
Strategic Actions
1. Identify habitats that are being disturbed in the TIP area.
2. Develop a prioritization tool for the restoration of disturbed habitats; considerations
should include: likelihood of being invaded or re-invaded, current invasion status,
disturbance interval, access, landowner support, available resources, cost, ease of
treatment, ecologic/economic benefits.
3. Establish conditions necessary for the restoration of the habitat including plantings,
seeding, or the creation of barriers to allow for natural regeneration.
Objective 4.2: Include restoration considerations in invasive species management projects.
Strategic Actions
1. Advocate the benefits of planting native species to partners, outside groups, and
individuals.
2. Include restoration components as part of TIP control efforts when and where
appropriate.
Objective 4.3: Develop native plant restoration demonstration sites.
Strategic Actions
1. Work with partners to identify highly visible and accessible sites to showcase native
habitat restoration benefits when possible.
2. Work with partners to research, develop, and document the effectiveness of various
restoration various efforts and techniques.
Goal 5: Organizational Collaboration
TIP’s success is dependent on our ability to be an asset to our area and our partners. In order to
remain an asset to partners, TIP must continue to be an avenue for collaborative efforts and the
sharing of information and resources. Therefore, TIP will seek to continue to be an avenue for
area partners to work collaboratively.
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Objective 5.1: Seek out or develop opportunities to sustain or expand TIP’s ability to aid
partners.
Strategic Actions
1. Seek funding through competitive grants and donations.
2. Work with partners to develop internal support opportunities for TIP.
Objective 5.2: Maintain TIP’s organizational structure and guiding documents.
Strategic Actions
1. Update as needed, the TIP Bylaws, and Memorandum of Understanding.
2. Review and modify the TIP Strategic Management Plan, annually or as necessary.
3. Create additional documents and policies as necessary.
Objective 5.3: Facilitate work across jurisdictional boundaries to strengthen current and
potential partner efforts.
Strategic Actions
1. Maintain accountability and transparency in the coordinator position with open records of
daily work activities.
2. Hold quarterly Steering Committee Meetings to solicit for partner input and approval of
policies.
3. Hold monthly Executive Committee Meetings to ensure all goals and objectives are being
met.
4. Hold an annual public meeting to highlight TIP’s activities and encourage public
comment.
5. Actively attempt to recruit interested parties as formal TIP partners.
TIP PARTNERS
TIP relies heavily on the cooperation and resources provided by its partners. As such, we allow
partners to join at any time for an up-to-date list of these partners please visit the following web
address: http://timberlandinvasives.org/about-tip.html.
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WORKS CITED
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. 2009. Oconto County 20-Year Comprehensive Plan.
<http://www.co.oconto.wi.us/i_oconto/pu/793dbb0538dc/oconto_county_comp_plan_vol
_i_text_and_maps.pdf>. Accessed 11 Dec 2014.
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. 2009. Town/County of Menominee
Comprehensive Plan 2030. <http://www.ecwrpc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/06/Menominee2030CompPlan.pdf>. Accessed: 11 Dec 2014.
Langlade County Citizen Advisory Committee & North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning
Commmission. 2009. Langlade County Comprehensive Plan 2009.
<http://www.ncwrpc.org/langlade/LangladeCo_CompPlan_Adopted_OnWeb.pdf>.
Accessed: 11 Dec 2014.
Shawano County Planning, Development, and Zoning Committee. 2008. Shawano County
Comprehensive Plan. 2013, Update.
<http://www.co.shawano.wi.us/i_shawano/d/updated_shawano_county_comprehensive_
plan_-_november_2013_(11.25.13_version).pdf>. Accessed 11 Dec 2014
United States Census Bureau. 2014. U.S. Census Bureau: State and County Quick Facts.
<http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55000.html>. Accessed: 11 Dec 2014.