Species news & information

The Maine Forest Service will begin a hemlock woolly adelgid survey on Mount Desert Island. Today's press release encourages people on MDI and throughout Maine to check hemlock trees for the adelgid, and to use Vital Signs to report what they find. Check it out....

On my way to work the other day, I got off the bridge, turned the corner towards Commercial Street, and did a double take. Were they really digging out that street-long stand of Japanese knotweed? Superstar and his team published a "Japanese knotweed FOUND" observation there just a year ago.

Flip to the Letters to the Editor in today's Portland Press Herald and you'll find a Massabesic student wishing us all an invasive-free holiday season! Here's the direct link: http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/letters/invasive-wreaths-need-careful....

Here's Elizabeth's letter (thanks for the plug, Elizabeth!!):
Invasive wreaths need careful disposal....

Like bugs? If you're interested in the Field Missions about the emerald ash borer or biomonitoring with the Cerceris wasp, here's a great article for you to read (nice photos too!):
The 007 Wasp: Vermont's Cerceris wasp is on the front lines against the emerald ash borer

Special blog entry from go science and dfriant!

Our fish need you! If you enjoy “fishin” for bass and want to continue, consider being a citizen scientist for your favorite lake. Get hooked on the Vital Signs citizen scientist program and learn about invasive aquatic species that may be inhabiting your lake.

Here's a neat blog post from the Nature News Blog about peoples' preference for gardens/ yards with higher diversity. Really cool study. Wish I had thought of this!

http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/08/lets_go_crazyin_the_garden.html

If this post gets you thinking about and thirsting for more on biodiversity, you're in luck! We just put a sparkly new biodiversity Mission: Analysis up to accompany the biodiversity Field Mission. Let's you play with the biodiversity counts in the database. Can't think of much that's more fun than that.

More local news highlighting invasive species, Vital Signs species expert reviewers and the importance of citizen scientists.

Check it out!
http://www.pressherald.com/news/battle-of-the-bugs_2011-07-28.html

See the power of citizen scientists! One of our Vital Signs expert reviewers has been learning from local citizens about the presence of giant hogweed.

Read all about it
http://www.pressherald.com/news/state-confirms-poisonous-plant-sightings...

Deciding whether and how to manage or eradicate a species can be tough. Check out this opinion piece in today's NY Times by Mark Derr about his decision to remove a cane toad from his backyard ecosystem in Florida.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24derr.html

Asian clams have not (yet?) been found in Maine, but are on Maine's watch list of invasive aquatic species. There was a news release yesterday regarding a second infestation of Asian clams in NY. This rapid response effort going on in Lake George underscores how important it is for citizens and scientists to team up. Here's a great quote: