GREATER BLUE EARTH COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREA GRANT (GBE CWMA)
Cooperative Weed Management by Rich Perrine (2010 January Conservation Update, Fairmont Photo Press)
The Greater Blue Earth Cooperative Weed Management Area (GBE CWMA) was established in 2009 under a grant provided by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. The purpose of the CWMA is to work across jurisdictional boundaries to address invasive species issues.
On September 11, 2009, the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) Policy Committee officially established the CWMA with the approval of the GBE CWMA Agreement. Under the agreement, the GBERBA Joint Powers Board, by proclamation, declared all counties in their entirety, which have land within the Greater Blue Earth River Watershed to be within the boundaries of the GBE CWMA, and that all land and water, public or private within the boundaries of these counties is considered to be included in and shall be a part of the CWMA.
The Agreement specifies that the GBERBA Joint Powers Board shall serve as the governing body for the CWMA. The Joint Powers Board is made up of a County Commissioner and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor representing each of the counties located within the Greater Blue Earth River Watershed. The primary focus of the GBERBA is to guide the implementation of natural resource projects and initiatives within the watershed and to assist with securing funding to implement those activities.
The Agreement also outlines the establishment of a Technical Committee to make recommendations to the governing body regarding an Annual Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Priorities, Programs, Purchase of Equipment and all aspects of the operation of the CWMA. The Technical Committee operates as a subcommittee of the GBERBA Technical Committee which is made up of County and SWCD Staff and advisory agency staff.
Under the Agreement, the CWMA Technical Committee is also to include members to represent organizations, business, industry, agriculture, local governmental units and the general public. All natural resource agencies and organizations are encouraged to provide a representative to serve on the Technical Committee and provide guidance and support to the CWMA.
On September 11th, the GBE CWMA Strategic Plan and Annual Plan were also approved. These plans outline the priorities, strategies and tasks of the cooperating partners being pulled together and organized through the CWMA initiative. Integrated pest control and replacing invasive species with local ecotype native species provide a major project focus.
Strategic Plan goals feature Education and Awareness, Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response, Control, Prioritization, Partnership Development, and provide the tools to get the job done.
Holding information/educational meetings, identifying projects, prioritizing needs, providing the tools and holding hands-on demonstration/control projects are a few of the tasks completed under the Annual Operating Plan.
An Invasive Species Workshop was held at Cedar Park in Fairmont on October 15th. Cooperating sponsors included Martin County Planning & Zoning, City of Fairmont, MN DNR, Martin SWCD, University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage. Joe Eisterhold, Invasive Species Specialist with the MN DNR gave an invasive species presentation, highlighting species of local concern and species that we need to watch for before they are introduced or become established. Rich Perrine, with Martin SWCD provided live specimens of several invasive species for hands on identification. Following a just-for-fun weed identification quiz, prizes were awarded for participation. The hands-on weed control exercise (Buckthorn) was not held because of rain.
A similar workshop was held in Mountain Lake on November 17th. Randy Schindle with MN DNR provided the invasive species presentation. With good weather, the afternoon in-the-field Invasive Species (Buckthorn primarily) project tour/demonstration was held along the southeast shore of Mountain Lake.
Workshops planned for Blue Earth and Waseca were put on hold. These and others are expected to be scheduled for 2010 and additional workshops and educational events throughout the GBE CWMA are priorities for 2010.
Caches of hand tools, sprayers and chemical are being set up in several locations for future workshops, demonstrations and small projects.
Besides County departments, SWCDS, and those already mentioned, the Farm Service Agency, U S Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fox Lake Conservation League, Martin County Conservation Club and the City of Mountain Lake are among those who have contributed cash and/or in-kind toward the project during the startup grant period.
At the October, 2008 Invasive Species Conference in Duluth, Bonnie Harper-Lore with the Federal Highway Administration stated, “invasive species cost us $123 billion per year and that cost continues to grow.” Invasive species take over 4,600 acres per day.”
With the ominous task of controlling the spread of invasive species and their devastating impacts, the GBE CWMA can use all of the help it can get. Take an active role in the Invasive Species battle. Contact Martin SWCD to find out how you can participate.
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) – Workshop Announcement
Greater Blue Earth Cooperative Weed Management Area - Invasive Species Workshop
Funded by a CWMA grant through MN BWSR, administered by Martin SWCD
Location: Cedar Park, located at the north end of Cedar Park Road, Fairmont, MN
Date: Thursday - October 15, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Co-sponsors: City of Fairmont Martin County & Weed Inspector
` Martin County Conservation Club Fox Lake Conservation League
MN DNR Area Wildlife USDA Farm Service Agency & NRCS
US Fish & Wildlife Service Martin SWCD
Rural Advantage University of Minnesota Extension
Agenda:
9:00 Introductions - Jill Sackett, University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage
9:05 Cooperative Weed Management Area Grant Overview – Rich Perrine, Martin SWCD
9:20 Invasive Species Presentation – Joe Eisterhold, Invasive Species Specialist, MN DNR
10:00 Break
10:15 Invasive Species Presentation continued.
11:15 Hands on Weed Identification
11:45 Invasive Species Quiz – just for fun – prizes awarded for participation
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Hands on Weed Control Exercise within the Park – Buckthorn primarily
3:00 Wrap up and Adjourn
If you plan to attend: Please RSVP to Cathy Thiesse at Martin SWCD before Oct. 17th.
Phone: (507) 235-6680
Email: cathy.thiesse@mn.nacdnet.net
The Greater Blue Earth Cooperative Weed Management Area is a GBERBA Project. This Cooperative Weed Management Area includes the following counties in their entirety: Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Waseca, and Watonwan. Anyone from these counties and adjacent areas is encouraged to attend this and other workshops to be announced.
Cooperative Weed Management Area Workshops to be Held
FAIRMONT, Minn. (09/01/2009) – Through a Cooperative Weed Management Area grant, the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, along with partnering county and city staff, will be hosting Weed Management Workshops in south-central Minnesota. The first workshop will be held at Cedar Creek Park in Fairmont, Minnesota, from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Thursday, October 15, 2009. These workshops are intended for weed inspectors, government agency personnel, nonprofit organizations, public utilities, transportation departments, landowners, school districts, and community members.
The goals of the Greater Blue Earth Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) include: provide education to community members regarding weed management; prevention of, early detection of, and rapid response to invasive weed species; utilize Integrated Pest Control methods and identify effective control measures for each weed specie of concern; prioritization of species of concern; develop partnerships with those impacted by invasive plants; and assist in providing the tools necessary for efficient weed management. Primary invasive plant species to be addressed by this project include: Common Buckthorn, Leafy Spurge, Queen Anne’s Lace, Wild Parsnip, Hoary Alyssum, Canada Thistle, Garlic Mustard, all species listed as invasive that are approaching the CWMA, and all invasive species identified by participating partners as a priority for their site.
The first Weed Management Workshop will be held at Cedar Creek Park in Fairmont, MN. The workshop will start at 9:00am with a classroom session devoted to Weed Identification, Replacement Species, and Weed Management Methods. Educators include Rich Perrine, Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Joe Eiesterhold, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The morning session will be followed by a break for lunch which will be provided. The afternoon session is devoted to hands-on weed management efforts and will be kick-off with demonstrations of weed control methods. Then attendees and workshop personnel will finish the invasive weed specie removal at Cedar Creek Park..
There is no cost to attend the workshop, but pre-registration is necessary for a lunch count. RSVP by Monday, October 12. Contact: Cathy Thiesse at Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District – 507-235-6680 or cathy.thiesse@mn.nacdnet.net
Directions to Cedar Creek Park:
From I-90: Exit on CR-39 (exit 99) and drive south. Continue traveling south after the 4-way-stop for about 5.5 miles. Take a left on 80th Street (also called Lake Aires Rd, or CR-20). Take a left on Cedar Creek Road.
From Hwy-15: South of Fairmont, go West on 80th Street (also called Lake Aires Rd, or CR-20). Take a right on Cedar Creek Road, at the Cedar Creek Park sign.
Source: Jill Sackett - Extension Educator, Conservation Agronomist with University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage, Fairmont, Minn.
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