A medicinal plant that can be an alternative crop
Newindpress, India - 16 hours ago
BHUBANESWAR: AN AQUATIC plant with high export potential and medicinal values can now play a role as a perfect saviour to waterlogged woes in the coastal areas where paddy — the principal crop — is often threatened due to various natural calamities

ISDA OKs watermilfoil projects
Capital Press (subscription), OR - Apr 11, 2008
Idaho's Eurasian Watermilfoil Panel approved 12 projects for just over $2.7 million in its ongoing battle to eradicate the noxious weed from the state's waters.

Lake Wylie to provide feeding place for 500 weed-eating carp
Rock Hill Herald, SC - Apr 19, 2008

City to hire contractor to keep canal clean
Indianapolis Star, United States - Mar 18, 2008
Kathy Davidson, a senior project manager who oversees the canal for the city, said she's confident the weed-prone canal can be kept relatively clean

9th Annual
National Invasive Weed Awareness Week
Awards presented at the Reception
United States Botanic Garden, Washington DC
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Chairperson: Dr. David Shaw, President-Elect,
Weed Science Society of America

Citations
The Pulling Together Initiative Community Spirit Award:
Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force
In 2003, a group of dedicated individuals recognized the threat of beach vitex to the beach and dune communities in South Carolina and took up the charge to eradicate beach vitex from these natural areas. At a workshop they brought together private citizens, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations, and created the South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force. In 2005, their work expanded into North Carolina and they reformed into the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force. Since 2004, the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force has received four Pulling Together Initiative grants focused on the goal of eradicating beach vitex from the Carolinas.
For their dedication to invasive weed eradication, community partnership building and exemplifying the mission of the Pulling Together Initiative, on behalf of NIWAW, we are happy to give the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force the 2007 PTI Community Spirit Award.

FICMNEW Special Pioneer Award to Gary Johnston


The IWAC Special Achievement Award – Organization
The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (AERF) is a leading organization that has made contributions and implemented events which raised awareness and educated communities and congress on issues related to invasive plants, with emphasis on aquatic systems. AERF’s most successful achievements have been (a) the production of the Best Management Practices Handbook for Aquatic Plant Management in Support of Fish and Wildlife Habitat and (b) educational seminars on invasive weed management across the US. This handbook is an introductory resource for invasive plant control technologies for landowners, extension agents, applicators as well as land and water resource managers throughout the country. Over 9000 copies of the handbook have been distributed free-of-charge to private and public land managers. AERF was originally created to help sustain the Army Corp of Engineers aquatic research program through a CRADA. With only 98 members, including 11 students, they have contributed over $3M to the research and education of aquatic invasive plants, supporting graduate students in programs such as invasive tamarisk impacts in the Southwest, improving control of hydrilla in Florida, and phragmites control in the Great Lakes. AERF has given financial support annually to NIWAW and its members have consistently attended and participated in NIWAW activities.

The IWAC Special Achievement Award - Individual
Jeffrey D. Schardt is the Environmental Administrator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management. Jeff Schardt has been responsible for administering the Florida aquatic plant control permitting and compliance programs, and developing a detailed Web site with e University of Florida that contains information on aquatic plant control in the state, and prioritized system for plant management on Florida waters. He also spearheaded the creation of the grade and middle school booklet entitled “Understanding Invasive Aquatic Weeds”, of which more than 80,000 copies have been distributed nationwide. Jeff has also developed a course for grade and middle school science teaching professionals to learn and teach to their students. Jeff has served as President of the Aquatic Plant Management Society and has served our country as a member of ISAC - the Invasive Species Advisory Committee. He is strong supporter of IWAC/NIWAW and taken part in ACOE and congressional briefings.

The FICMNEW Special Achievement Award
Rita Beard has had a stellar career in Weed Management, first with the US Forest Service and then with the National Park Service. She has been instrumental within the Greater Yellowstone Weed Management Area in maintaining that model CWMA. Rita is a bridge builder - with NAWMA especially on getting the "Mapping Standards' adopted, with the Western Society of Weed Science as Session Chair and a tireless contributor to discussion sections, within the Society for Range Management, (Co-Chair of the joint SRM/WSSA Technical committee for the Joint Meeting in 2010), as a supporter of ISAC (Invasive Species Advisory Committee), and on IPINAMS and WWCC. Rita has been an ardent supporter and promoter of NIWAW giving superb help in both planning and execution. We heard that she is the Incoming FICMNEW Co-Chair.

Joint IWAC-FICMNEW Achievement Award
Jennifer Vollmer is an Environmental Resource Specialist with BASF Corporation who has toiled in the area of management of invasive weeds. Jen currently serves on ISAC (the Invasive Species Advisory Committee). She has served on the Board of Directors of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, Aquatic Plant Management Society, and Center for Invasive Plant Management. In her work, she is associated with the development of Arsenal, Habitat and Plateau in aquatics, riparian areas, rangeland and forestry. Dr. Vollmer is an active member of the Weed science Society of America and the Western Society of Weed Science. Jennifer is being honored for her tireless and important contributions to the success of IWAC and NIWAW over many years in the planning, execution and financial support of the annual forays into Washington DC.

NIWAW Cooperator of the Year Award
The North American Weed Management Association takes great pleasure in presenting this year’s NIWAW Cooperator of the Year Award to Nelroy Jackson.
Nelroy has been a champion for NIWAW since its conception. He has worked endless hours schedule to ensure that things are well organized in Washington so that individuals coming in from the other states are able to be more effective in achieving their objectives. He has also been a great liaison between local government agencies, Federal Agencies and Congressional interactions. Nelroy has earned the respect of NAWMA for his dedication to make a difference with invasive species issues across the United States.
It is for these reasons that the North American Weed Management Association is honored to present this year’s NIWAW Cooperator of the Year Award to Nelroy Jackson.