Event: Handley Field Trip/Quarterly WVNPS Meeting
Date: Saturday, June 27, Sunday June 28

Time: 8:30 a.m. Sat., meet at the Cranberry Mountain Visitors' Center, located on WV 39/55 between Richwood and Marlinton.

Place: Handley Wildlife Management Area, near Marlinton

Description: WVNPS will host a weekend of botanizing in and around the Handley Wildlife Management Area, located in the headwaters of the Williams River, about eight miles west of Marlinton. The Handley WMA consists of 800 acres of fields and woods-some of which are fairly old growth-surrounded by the Monogahela National Forest. In addition to the renowned Cranberry Glades, Hills Creek Falls, the Highland Scenic Highway, and Watoga State Park are located nearby.
From there, we will go to Cranberry Glades, and hopefully can tackle part of the Cow Pasture Trail which encircles the glades. The trail is 7 miles long. Plan on packing a lunch and eating along the trail. If time and energy permits, we can walk to an area of old growth spruce/hemlock in the Handley WMA. We'll have dinner in a restaurant in Marlinton, or prepare a meal at the cabin. The WVNPS meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at the cabin. During the meeting, we will decide where to go for a Sunday morning outing (stops along Williams River, Highland Scenic Highway, HIlls Creek Falls, or perhaps Watoga State Park).

Directions:

Handley WMA is on county route 17, which intersects US route 219 four miles north of Marlinton.

--From the Highland Scenic Highway, turn south (right) onto Forest Service Road 86.
--Turn left onto Co. Rt. 17/4, then left onto Co. Rt. 17. --There should be DNR signs on both of these routes leading to the WMA. At the end of Co. Rt. 17 (inside the WMA), there is a 4-way intersection. Go straight through to get to the cabin. Turn right to get to the campground.
Accomodations: The cabin at Handley sleeps 10, and there is a nice, but rustic (no hookups, pit toilets, well water) campground. We won’t know until a couple of weeks before the field trip whether the cabin will be available. PLEASE RSVP FOR CABIN RESERVATIONS.

The closest hotels are 15 minutes away: the Marlinton Motor Inn at Edray, 800-354-0821; the Rustic Inn & Café at Marlinton, 304-799-4204; the Four Seasons Lodge at Richwood (45 min. away), 304-846-4605.

--The Tri State Native Plant Society is sponsoring the following field trips:

-Thursday, April 10, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. to look at the Salt Rock indian petroglyphs, toadshade trillium, and other spring wildflowers. Meet at the new Subway restaurant at Salt Rock before crossing the Guyandotte River. Everyone welcome—bring a guest!

-Saturday, July 26, 9:30 am,Yatesville Lake, KY, Arrington Rd.

-August 16, 9 a.m. Department of Highways Mitigation Area near Ft. Gay. Meet at the Pit Stop, Rte. 52, before you get to Ft. Gay. Mike Marks will get directions to the mitigation area.

For more information, contact Romie Hughart, 523-1049 or rch25704@yahoo.com

--For the latest events scheduled by the Eastern Panhandle Native Plant Society, go to www.epnps.org and click on the link for the latest EPNPS bulletin.

Event: Dolly Sods Field Trip

Date: June 14, field trip. Group meet evening of June 13.

Time: Meet 7:00 p.m., June 13 in the lobby of Canaan Valley Resort (recommended for accomodations).

Leader: WVNPS member Martha Oliver

Description: This trip is sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Botanical Society. Information on other accomodations in the area is available from WV state parks, and rates are reasonable. There is also camping nearby.

For more information, contact Martha Oliver at 724-887-6756, or primrose@alusa.net; www.theprimrosepath.com

WVNPS News

--Native Notes submissions are welcome!

The next issue of Native Notes is scheduled for late May production. The deadline for article submissions is May 15-- Please note change in deadline from April bulletin!!!

Do you have an article you’d like to submit? You do not have to be an experienced writer to contribute. Native Notes editor Bill Grafton welcomes your submissions.

Here are examples of what Native Notes is looking for:

• interesting spots where you botanize

• articles on rare plants, invasives, native plants for landscaping, etc.
• field notes - short sentences of "neat" plants you have seen
• book reviews
• biographical sketch of an interesting botanist, naturalist, mountain woman or man,
• miscellaneous

Send to: Bill Grafton
456 West Virginia Ave.
Morgantown, WV 26501
Phone: Ofc- 293-4797 X2493
Home: 292-0229
Email: wgrafton@wvu.edu
Here are the newsletter deadlines for the remainder of the year:

-September newsletter: August 10 deadline

-December newsletter: November 15 deadline

Invasives threaten WV
April 23, 2003 Invasive species harming state economy
Scientists group wants funding for eradication program
By The Associated Press

More than 1,000 nonnative plant and animal species are spreading across West Virginia, many wreaking havoc on the state’s forests, animals and industries at an economic cost that’s significant but hard to calculate.

That’s the conclusion of a report set to be released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists. The environmental nonprofit agency wants to rally support for national and state funding to combat invasive species.

Forests, which cover about four-fifths of the state’s 15.5 million acres, are threatened not only by the well-known gypsy moth but by diseases and weeds such as purple loosestrife and Japanese stilt grass, the report concludes.

Just as chestnut blight between 1900 and 1950 killed millions of trees and wiped out the chestnut trade in West Virginia, fungi and other invasive species now threaten beech, dogwood, hemlock and fir trees and could radically alter the character of the state’s forests, said Phyllis Windle, a senior scientist for the agency.

"Increasingly we’re seeing weeds in parts of the forest that as recently as 10 years ago we thought were pristine areas immune to invaders," Windle said. "Without action, we’re likely to see the look of the forests change drastically again."

Getting a handle on the economic toll rung up by invasive species is almost impossible, said Jim Anderson, a West Virginia University wildlife ecology professor and author of a paper on which the union’s report is based.

Government agencies have spent $18 million in West Virginia over the last 20 years to combat the gypsy moth, which was brought to Massachusetts in the late 19th century to improve the silk trade and has been chewing up U.S. trees ever since.

One study showed the moths wiped out $17 million worth of timber in a 55,000-acre region of West Virginia. But no comprehensive research has been conducted on the moths’ impact on industries from timber to tourism — and that’s just one of dozens of species causing damage in the state.

Elsewhere, weeds are choking wetlands; alien grasses are overtaking shale and limestone barrens; purple loosestrife is wiping out Virginia spiraea and other native plants; and fast-breeding zebra mussels are devastating six mussel species in the Ohio River.

A 1998 federal study put the economic impact of damage to U.S. fisheries, forests and crops caused by invasive plants alone at $13 billion a year.

State laws to combat noxious weeds, plants and pests are so underfunded that they don’t pay for basic research, much less eradication programs, said Charles Coffman, director of plant industries for the state Department of Agriculture.

"There are all kinds of things we could be working on if we had more funding," Coffman said. "But given the state’s financial condition, even the gypsy moth funding could be in jeopardy."

The Union of Concerned Scientists picked West Virginia, along with Texas and Alaska, for one of its three preliminary statewide studies in part because of the interest and influence of its congressional delegation.

This year, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., plans to reintroduce legislation that would create an invasive species detection-and-response program while requiring some organisms to be checked for invasive properties before import.

"I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country – its soil and minerals, its forest, waters and wildlife." Campers at West Virginia State Conservation Camp have recited this pledge for more 60 years. Since 1941, Conservation Camp has introduced thousands of West Virginia’s young adults to natural resources conservation. Once again Conservation Camp will open its doors to campers ages 14 - 18 from around the state. This year’s camp is scheduled for June 9 – 14, 2003 at Camp Caesar in Webster County and the registration deadline in May 30, 2003.

Each year representatives from various natural resources management agencies, including the West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service; WV Division of Forestry; WV Division of Natural Resources - Law Enforcement, Wildlife Resources, Environmental Resources, and Parks and Recreation Sections; USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the National Park Service (New River Gorge), come to Conservation Camp to offer guidance and instruction to campers about the state’s abundant natural resources.

Campers are introduced, in a fun and educational way, to a variety of topics including forest management, law enforcement, recreation, wildlife and fisheries management and water and soil conservation and career opportunities. Several afternoon activities range from outdoor cooking to boating, trap shooting, .22 marksmanship, archery and mountain biking. Field trips to a wood products company and a wetland area round out a week of outdoor fun. A visit from the Three

Rivers Raptor Center highlights some of the assemblies offered during the week.

Sponsoring agencies and donors who provide $125 scholarships to cover the cost of cabin-style lodging, meals and insurance for each camper provide funding for camp.

If this week of activities sounds right for you, contact your local WVU Extension Agent, DNR District Office or conservation officer, or contact Richard Zimmerman, Camp Chairman (304) 876- 6353 or Alan Miller, Camp Secretary/Treasurer, at (304) 358-3298. Written inquiries or applications should be mailed to Allan Miller at HC 32, Box 33, Upper Tract, WV, 26866.

Bob Wise, Governor

Ed Hamrick, Director

News Release

Now available on the Internet at http://www.dnr.state.wv.us

For release: April 28, 2003

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hmurphy@dnr.state.wv.us

Contact: Richard Zimmerman, Conservation Camp Chairman (304) 876-6353

By Ali Anderson

4/23/2003

The attack of invasive plants on the Mid-Atlantic Region is soon to be history – that is, if the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association has anything to say about the matter.

Based in Harrisburg, the association is determined to halt the havoc caused by invasive plants throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. A noticeable upswing in the noxious plants – specifically Mile-a-minute weed and Multiflora rose – has PLNA President Gregg Robertson and crew taking aggressive measures.

"Rather than sticking our heads in sand and trying to ignore it, we’re being very proactive," Robertson described. "We see these plants as a real threat to our members, and we think we have a lot we can contribute in terms of solution."

As part of its solution, the association has adopted an Invasive Plant Code of Conduct. The code was developed by the American Nursery and Landscape Association in conjunction with industry representatives and conservation leaders from across the nation. The following items comprise the code:

Ensure that invasive potential is assessed prior to introducing and marketing plant species new to North America. Invasive potential should be assessed by the introducer or qualified experts using emerging risk assessment methods that consider plant characteristics and prior observations or experience with the plant elsewhere in the world. Additional insights may be gained through extensive monitoring on the nursery site prior to further distribution.

Work with regional experts and stakeholders to determine which species in your region are either currently invasive or will become invasive. Identify plants that could be suitable alternatives in your region.

Develop and promote alternative plant material through plant selection and breeding.

Where agreement has been reached among nursery associations, government, academia and ecology and conservation organizations, phase-out existing stocks of those specific invasive species in regions where they are considered to be a threat.

Follow all laws on importation and quarantine of plant materials across political boundaries.

Encourage customers to use, and garden writers to promote, non-invasive plants.

PLNA has compiled a list of invasive plants, which should be available online within the next month. So far, the list totals 25 – with names and descriptions of each, so contractors can avoid applying the pesky plants to their clients’ properties.

Otherwise, such invasive plants can take over the entire ecosystem of a property, Robertson reminded.

"These plants get into natural areas and, because they are invasive, they tend to leaf out earlier in the spring," he explained. "So they compete with native vegetation and can actually crowd out native vegetation."

The association is also making plans to create an index of plant invasiveness, which would break down the specifics of each listed plant. The index will also include healthy alternatives to the invasive species, allowing contractors to make wise plant selections to protect their customers’ from invasion. Robertson said arrangements for the index are still under way, but he sees the project being a valuable tool for the near future.

The author is Assistant Editor-Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at aanderson@lawnandlandscape.com.

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

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Roads Open Up Paths for Weed Invasions
From Environmental News Service: http://ens-news.com/ens/apr2003/2003-04-18-09.asp
DAVIS, California, April 18, 2003 (ENS) - Two new studies find that roads have a considerable impact on the spread of invasive species. The studies, conducted by researchers at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis), find that improved roads in wilderness areas spread more invasive weeds than primitive roads and that roadless areas act as refuges for
native species against invasions. Invasive weeds such as cheatgrass and knapweeds have settled on some 125 million acres of the American West - the studies document that roads
promote invasion because vehicles can transport non-native seeds into uninfested areas, and disturbed roadsides give weed seeds a place to grow.
"These papers are timely in light of the debate concerning protection for roadless habitats in U.S. national forests," said Jonathan Gelbard, a UC Davis doctoral candidate and coauthor of both studies. "Our findings show that roadless habitats have multiple benefits, not just for the
environment, but also for the economy and our quality of life."
"They are not only refuges for native biodiversity," Gelbard explained, "but also protect against non native weed invasions, which are costly for ranchers and public agencies."
One of the UC Davis studies, published in the April issue of "Conservation Biology," is an examination of 42 roads in and around Utah's Canyonlands National Park. Gelbard and research ecologist Jayne Belnap of the U.S. Geological Survey found that each step of road improvement converted an increasing area of natural habitat to roadside habitat, from which
non-native weeds spread into adjacent natural ecosystems. The second study, published by Gelbard and UC Davis professor of environmental science and policy Susan Harrison in the April issue of the journal Ecological Applications, explores the effects of roads on inland
California foothill grasslands. It found that that in areas with typical grassland soils, non-native
plants were less abundant and native plants more abundant at sites about a
half-mile from roads compared to sites less than 33 feet from roads.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/05/08/botanical.garden.ap/index.html

New Websites

A GREAT site for info on invasive plants. http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/toc.htm

Native Trees for Sale

Woody Warehouse; Contact: Dottie Warner o Phone: (317) 994-5487 o Fax: (317) 994-5494.
Address: Box 259, Lizton, IN 46149-0259
E-mail: dottiewarner@woodywarehouse.com
Web site: www.woodywarehouse.com

The Spotted Knapweed Fact Sheet is now available on the APWG Website at:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/cebi1.htm