2011 YCIASP Symposium - Building Invasive Plant Patrol Teams

The 2011 York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP) Symposium - Building Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) Teams - has been scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 4, from 6-9 PM. It will be held at the Heritage Room (lower level) at Anderson Learning Center, 21 Bradeen St., in Springvale, ME. Here is the Google link to that location - http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wl
The symposium will be a combination of presentations & discussions related to already-existing active IPP teams, "currently-being-constructed" IPP teams and displays of equipment, tools, reference materials and live plant samples. The event is being held to help bolster the efforts of groups in York County that are working hard to develop IPP teams on their waterbodies, watersheds or in their local regions. You do not need to register for this symposium event.
So, please join us at the symposium and share your hopes for building a team, your tales of trials and tribulations or your stories of success in building a team. We hope to gather ideas that will help folks be more successful at building a team and sustaining it over the years ahead.
Attached is a late July updated YCIASP flyer - updated as of today - with a list of upcoming planned events and other information. The August flyer, with some more specific dates for some events, will be available by week.
Again, thanks for your continuing interest in this project and we hope you can make it to the symposium next Thurs. evening.
This symposium is supported by a grant from the Davis Conservation Foundation & York County Soil &Water.

York County designated Soils of Local Importance List

Last month, a list of Locally Important Soils compiled by NRCS Soil Resource Specialist Dave Wilkinson was approved & submitted to NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez by the York County Soil & Water Conservation District (YCSWCD) Board.
Today we are happy to announce that we received word that the list has been accepted!

What does this mean?
Locally Important Soil (LIS) types are those soils that are significant for production of crops including vegetables, hay, grains, etc. Having soil types on this list also help leverage funds for conservation groups to obtain easements as well.


The list is a compilation of additional soils not found on the prime & statewide significance list. In York County it is important to note that the soil on the LIS list are
ONLY areas that are currently NON-FORESTED OPEN FARMED LANDS.


Here is the list in it's entirety.

YORK COUNTY, MAINE – IMPORTANT FARMLANDS

PRIME FARMLAND SOILS

Alb      Allagash very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

BcB     Becket fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

MaB    Madawaska fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes

MrB    Marlow fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

On       Ondawa fine sandy loam

PeB     Peru fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes

SkB      Skerry fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes

ADDITIONAL FARMLAND SOILS OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCE

AdB    Adams loamy sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes

AlC     Allagash very fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

BcC     Becket fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

BuB     Buxton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

BuC    Buxton silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

CoB     Colton gravelly loamy coarse sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes

CrB     Croghan loamy sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes

EmB    Elmwood fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes

EmC   Elmwood fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

HeB    Hermon fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

HeC    Hermon fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

LnB     Lyman fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

Po       Podunk and Winooski soils

SeB      Scio silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

SeC     Scio silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

SkC     Skerry fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

ADDITIONAL FARMLAND SOILS OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE

“ONLY areas that are currently NON-FORESTED OPEN FARMED LANDS”

AdC    Adams loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes

AdD    Adams loamy sand, 15 to 40 percent slopes 1/

BcD     Becket fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

BeB     Becket very stony fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slope s

BeC     Becket very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

BeD     Becket very stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

BuD    Buxton silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

CoC    Colton gravelly loamy coarse sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes

CoD    Colton gravelly loamy coarse sand, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

HeD    Hermon fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes          1/

HmB   Hermon very stony fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

HmC   Hermon very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

HmD  Hermon very stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

HnC    Hermon extremely stony fine sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes

LnC     Lyman fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

MrC2 Marlow fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded

MrD2 Marlow fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded 1/

MvB    Marlow very stony fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes

MvC   Marlow very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

MvD   Marlow very stony fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

Sc        Scantic silt loam

SeD     Scio silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 1/

SrB      Skerry very stony fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes

SrC      Skerry very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes

1/    ONLY areas that are currently non-forested open farmed land IN PERMANENT VEGETATION

Are you harboring an Alien?

Aliens come in all shapes & sizes. They can be ugly, pretty, destructive, enjoyable & a nuisance. Now, I am not talking about those green faced, large eyed Martians from the movies. I am talking about something more sinister, creeping into your backyard during daylight hours, floating on a warm summer breeze, hitching a ride among unsuspecting travelers. They are Invasive plants & they are in your neighborhood right now!

One of the largest invaders into our yards is the Norway Maple. This large tree is similar to our own native Sugar Maple, but is actually a European invader. First introduced to the US in 1756, this tree can grow upwards of 100 feet tall. The gray bark has regular shallow grooves, almost like netting. The Norway Maple generally has green leaves that turn yellow in the fall although there is a variety that has dark red leaves. This tree has historically been a favorite for parks, yards & cities. The biggest problem that this tree creates is aggressive growth resulting in native trees & plants being out competed for nutrients & sunlight. This eventually leads to decreased plant diversity & a change in the native forest habitat. There are solutions. Obviously removing the tree is the first option that comes to mind, however in many situations that is not practical. If a tree cannot be removed or a home owner would prefer to keep the tree then regular checks & removal of seedlings by hand or saw is recommended.

Alien #2 is the dreaded Burning Bush. This ornamental shrub is a popular invader. It is easy to grow, likes full sun to shade as well as any type of soil. But it’s the fall colors that attract us like bees to honey. In the fall this Asian invaders’ leaves turn a crimson red, but don’t let that beautiful color fool you. This shrub can live almost anywhere, crowding out native species & dispersing far distances by birds that eat the fruit & deposit the seeds.

Another bad alien is the Barberry. This plant  is commonly dispersed by birds. Introduced to the US in the 1700’s from Europe, the Barberry was grown for hedges, jam made from the fruit & a yellow dye from the plant. In addition this plant has nasty long spines just waiting to grab you! Ouch! Banned from sale in many states, Barberry can still be found in Maine.

Both the Burning Bush & Barberry can be controlled by hand pulling. Herbicides can be used on all three of these invaders but must be applied properly by a licensed applicator.

Although none of these aliens will steal your first born, or perform experiments on you (at least I don’t think so…) they are ones to watch out for. Many terrestrial invaders can still be found for sale in Maine since these plants still bring in a profit. Many nurseries are aware of these invaders & can suggest other alternatives.

There are several common ways that these invasives arrive in our backyards such as dispersal by the wind or birds, and planting by unsuspecting homeowners. But the most common way is through the construction of new homes and roads when large amounts of gravel & soil are trucked in. Tiny seeds & plant fragments are often hidden in the soil. Once delivered to a new site & spread the seeds begin to grow into plants that will out compete native species.

There are many more terrestrial & aquatic invaders threatening our New England landscape. Our website has a list of these invaders & many links to management information at www.yorkswcd.org.

Happy Gardening!

2011 York County Lake Survey

HELP WANTED!!!!
We are in need of local stewards who are interested in joining a great team of folks monitoring our lakes, ponds & rivers for Invasive Aquatic Plants. You can join an existing team or start your own! Training is available. All that's required is access to a watercraft (snorkels & floaties work nice!) & an insterest in floating in the water!
In order to prevent the devastating effects that infestations of non-native invasive plants we need eyes in the water! Please contact our office at 324-0888 x 214 FMI!

IPP Survey Field Methods Workshop

Mousam Lake is the host site for the IPP Survey Field Methods workshop on July 23 starting at 8:30am. FMI visit http://www.mainevlmp.org/ .