Eurasian Watermilfoil Fall 2024 Scientific Symposium
Bear Lake UT/ID Virtual Eurasian Watermilfoil Fall 2024 Scientific Symposium
October 18, 2024
10:00 am – 2:00 pm MT
An up-to-date comprehensive symposium with top aquatic plant scientists and organizations. The symposium is open to the public, scientists, administrative agencies and press to discuss challenges and opportunities for protecting Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho.
Bear Lake Watch, together with the Utah State University Janet Quinney Lawson Institute of Land, Water, and Air; the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, and the Aquatic Plant Management Society are sponsoring a virtual scientific symposium to inform stakeholders of Bear Lake (UT/ID) on up-to-date Eurasian Watermilfoil science and best practices for management of invasive species.
Stakeholders include governmental agencies, research scientists, Bear Lake Watch, consultants, applicators/contractors, and the general public.
The symposium will take place on Zoom and talks will be recorded and posted for viewing afterwards on the Bear Lake Watch website. Top scientists and groups will be participating in the symposium, covering a variety of important and timely topics, including recent updates on Bear Lake’s science.
“Bear Lake Watch is excited to convene this outstanding group of top scientists and organizations whose work and experience protects lakes from threats such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and other invasive species. This symposium will inform plans to monitor, treat, prevent invasive species and provide long-term protection against threats to Bear Lake for generations to come,” said Brady T. Long, Executive Director of Bear Lake Watch.
Bear Lake UT/ID Virtual Eurasian Watermilfoil Fall 2024
Scientific Symposium Preliminary Agenda
October 18, 2024
10:00 am – 2:00 pm MT
- Welcome and Purpose of the Symposium, Brief overview of Bear Lake (10 min) – Greg Critchfield, Co-Chair, Bear Lake Watch Science Committee
- Invasive plant projects underway at Bear Lake (20 min) – Jessie Danninger, Lands Program Manager, Forestry, Fire and State Lands – State of Utah; Austin Prestwich, Agriculture Program Specialist, Noxious Weeds Section – Idaho State Department of Agriculture;
- Overview of Eurasian Watermilfoil: challenges and opportunities (20 min) – John D. Madsen, Consulting Scientist, former research biologist with USDA ARS Exotic and Invasive Weed Research Unit, Davis CA
- Molecular biology of watermilfoil (20 min): Eurasian, North American and hybrid varieties – Ryan Thum, Professor, Ecological genetics and genomics of aquatic and invasive plants, Montana State University; Mirella Ortiz, Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Plants, Soils and Climate Department (PSC), Utah State University
- Extent of EWM problem in western U.S. (20 min) – Damian Walter, Biologist, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District
- Prevention programs (20 min) – Tom Woolf, Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau Chief State of Montana
- Monitoring of Eurasian Watermilfoil (20 min) – Rob Richardson, Aquatic and Non-Cropland Weed Scientist, Department of Crop Science, North Carolina State University
- Management of Eurasian Watermilfoil (20 min) – Ryan Wersal, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Minnesota State University at Mankato
- Plant Management Program Development (20 min)– Ben Sperry, Research Biologist – US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center | CAIP Faculty
- Fireside chat with experts (30 min)– Panel of Speakers/Attendees
- Both prepared & extemporaneous questions from attendees
- End with Panelists General Recommendations and next steps for Bear Lake
- Next steps/Adjournment (5 min)
- Post symposium talks online
- Develop a site-specific management plan by engaging experts who visit Bear Lake and work with local scientists and stakeholders – spring 2025
- Solicit specific research grant proposals as warranted
- Schedule follow-up symposium to take place in 2026/2027
Symposium Sponsors
Bear Lake Watch
Bear Lake Watch is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve Bear Lake by advocating for the responsible management and use of its resources. Our Vision is Simple, “Keep Bear Lake Clean, Deep and Blue.” Bear Lake Watch works with university researchers, institutes, water quality agencies and other respected organizations to fund scientific research designed to inform better decisions based on solid science. There are eight active projects currently underway.
Utah State University Janet Quinney Lawson Institute of Land, Water & Air
The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute of Land, Water & Air is a major interdisciplinary initiative which focuses on convening the right stakeholders to research, study, and better understand the daunting challenges facing Utah. The Institute welcomes the input and partnership of state agencies, local government, private sector partners, nonprofits, elected officials, and our colleagues at other institutions of higher education. Learn more at: https://www.usu.edu/ilwa
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation
The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation is committed to sustainable water resources through the science of aquatic ecosystem management in collaboration with industry, academia, government and other stakeholders. A technical advisory committee comprised of nationally recognized experts in the field of aquatic plant management from academia, federal and state agencies guides the scientific projects of the AERF. For more information, please visit https://aquatics.org/.
Aquatic Plant Management Society
The Aquatic Plant Management Society, Inc. (APMS) is an international organization of scientists, educators, students, commercial pesticide applicators, administrators, and concerned individuals interested in the management and study of aquatic plants. The membership reflects a diversity of federal, state, and local agencies; universities and colleges around the world; corporations; and small businesses. To learn more, visit apms.org.
Resources
Symposium PDF
Press Release
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