Invasive species conference to commence in Anchorage
October 11, 2011
907-474-5406
10/11/11
The Alaska Invasive Species Conference Oct. 19–21 in Anchorage will highlight concerns about plant and animal intruders to the state.
The annual conference will feature the Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plants Management Workshop Oct. 19-20 at the Millennium Hotel and the Alaska Invasive Species Working Group Workshop Oct. 21 at the Coast International Inn.
Conference coordinator Michael Rasy of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service said the conference will focus on invasive species research and prevention efforts. Rasy said other states spend millions of dollars trying to control the spread of invasive species and that prevention efforts are key to avoiding these same challenges in Alaska.
Not all nonnative species are considered invasive — just those that pose a threat to natural resources, ecosystems and agriculture. A focus session on Oct. 21 will highlight Elodea cadensis, an invasive plant that is popularly used in aquariums but has turned up in Fairbanks and in Southcentral waterways. Rasy said the dense vegetation can change water quality, degrade salmon habitat and act as a barrier to float plane and boat travel.
A free public lecture with Richard Lee will begin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Gorsuch Commons. Lee, an integrated pest management specialist with the Bureau of Land Management in Denver, will talk about the role of herbicides in integrated pest management. The Invasive Plants of Alaska Educators Workshop also will take place prior to the conference, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 18, also at the Gorsuch Commons.
Conference sponsors include Extension, the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Preregistration is requested. A registration form and agenda may be downloaded from www.uaf.edu/ces.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Michael Rasy at 907-786-6309.
DC/10-11-11/086-12