2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 67

Marianne Krasny and Bernd Blossey, Department of Natural Resources, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, mek2@cornell.edu; Sun-Kyung Lee, Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation, Seoul, Korea; and Karen Poiani, The Nature Conservancy, c/o Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

Non-indigenous, invasive species (NIS) represent an important threat to natural areas and entire ecosystems because of their ability to displace native species and, in some cases, radically alter ecosystem processes. Furthermore, NIS have significant economic impacts on both agricultural and preserved lands. As concerns about NIS escalate, a need exists to educate Extension and other professionals about management of these species.

With funding from the USDA Natural Resources and Environmental Management program and Cornell University, we trained 50 educators and volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and a local land trust in identification and management of NIS. These individuals are now conducting education and management programs in 16 counties across New York State.

An example education program comes from Tompkins County, where an Extension Educator conducted a 1-day workshop for approximately 25 teachers, horticulturists, Master Gardeners, 4-H youth, and others. A high school teacher who attended the workshop is now working with 180 biology students, each of whom is implementing a year-long NIS research project. A nurseryman who attended the program intends to reconsider what species he sells to the public.

An example management program comes from Chautauqua County, where a group of 4-H teens and their volunteer leader worked with a TNC staff member to raise and release beetles used in the control of purple loosestrife. The 4-Hers also cooperated with the local volunteer fire department to conduct a controlled burn of a Phragmites patch. Because the patch was in a downtown area, the event generated significant local awareness about the NIS issue. The Chautauqua County program offered an opportunity for 4-H youth to become involved in meaningful natural resources management activities and for CCE to expand its partnership with TNC.

The level of NIS programming in the counties has been impressive relative to past Natural Resources programs we have conducted. We used written surveys to determine what motivated the participants to conduct local programs. The overwhelming majority indicated that their belief that information about NIS was important for their audiences was the most important motivating factor.