Oregon receives A- for invasive species

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon stayed the course in its battle against invasive species in 2012, maintaining an overall grade of A- on its annual report card, similar to 2011. The report card from the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC) is intended to assess how Oregon is doing in the battle against unwanted invasive species. The report card includes assessments on the state's success at:
· keeping the 100 worst invaders from creating a home in Oregon;
· maintaining a reporting system for invasive species;
· outreach and education initiatives;
· the statewide action plan; and
· administering the council's trust account.

In addition, the report card offers recommendations on how grades can be improved in each category. Here are a few highlights from the report card of interest to the nursery industry.

Oregon was very successful at preventing the establishment of invasive species in 2012, improving its grade in this category to an “A” rating. One reason for the high grade is the passage of legislation to prevent the introduction of wood boring pests and plant diseases in imported firewood. Invasive species, including emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and sudden oak death can be vectored by firewood. The legislation requires that firewood imported from outside the Pacific Northwest (Ore., Wash., Idaho) be heat-treated and labeled.

Gypsy moth detections continued to decline in 2012. Only a single gypsy moth was detected last year, in Eugene, Ore. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue monitoring efforts to determine if future action is needed. Thirty-six Japanese beetles were trapped in Portland and Troutdale, indicating several small breeding populations persist. Eradication treatments will continue next year. No Japanese beetles were caught in Cave Junction after eradication treatments there were successful.

No new invasive plants were detected in the state during 2012.

In the category that assesses a reporting system for invasive species, Oregon received a “B+” grade for its website hotline www.oregoninvasiveshotline.org, in which people can report suspected invasive species. The hotline has received a total of 1,038 reports since its inception. Individuals volunteer their time to serve as experts to respond to each report.

For more on the OISC, click here. Check out the full report card here.