From Judas Fish to Fires: Hundreds Gather to Discuss Techniques for Managing Invasive Species

Starting on Monday, Oct. 20, over 650 people will be in Duluth, Minn., talking about tools for controlling invasive species at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference. The tools are as basic as leather gloves and fire and as high-tech as bubble fences and Judas fish that betray the location of their invasive kin via GPS implants.

Private landowners, county staff, academics and federal resource managers, alike, are attending the three-day conference to exchange information about ways to stop the spread of plagues such as emerald ash borers, buckthorn and zebra mussels. Minn. Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon and a representative from U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan's office are planning to be at part of the conference to comment on the political will to manage terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. New research about integrated pest management, invasion rates in a changing climate and public education campaigns are also among the topics being covered.

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network, the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council, the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council are hosting the conference with leadership from Minnesota Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Extension. For further information, visit www.umisc2014.org.

Posted on October 16, 2014