Text only navigation and tutorial guidance questions

Information on the development and usage of the tutorial

Why was the tutorial created?

Pennsylvania's natural resource managers have invested significant resources in addressing invasive insects such as gypsy moth and hemlock woolly adelgid in an effort to protect our state's signature forest resources. Efforts focusing on the management and control of invasive exotic plant species to date, however, has been limited. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released the Invasive Species Management Plan (DCNR, 2005) in 2005 in an effort to define issues related to invasive species in Pennsylvania, and to guide control efforts on DCNR lands and through DCNR programs. The agency sees this plan as a strategy to begin addressing, through a coherent agency-wide approach, the invasive species problems faced by land managers, the landowners to whom they provide assistance and the general public. This plan clearly identifies the problem that invasive plants have created on PA's natural landscapes (both public and privately owned) and makes the case for much needed action. In addition to this plan, the PA DCNR - Bureau of Forestry addressed the threat of invasive plant species on native plant communities on Bureau of Forestry holdings, specifically, in their 2003 PA State Forest Resource Management Plan (DCNR - Bureau of Forestry, 2003). In particular, the plan identifies goals and objectives that include inventory, planning, managing/controlling and developing guidelines for preventing further infestations of IEP's. The need for training resource managers in the identification and control of invasive plants is also made clear.

In an effort to assist the DCNR land management staff and assist in meeting the needs that are laid out in the above mentioned plans, the development of this tutorial was an obvious step. While DCNR staff are the focus for the development of this education tool, other Pennsylvania resource agencies that have legislated responsibility for biodiversity on public lands, can benefit from the tutorial as well.

In addition to the 2.5 million acres owned and managed by DCNR, approximately 1.8 million additional acres are owned by other public agencies (PA Game Commission, USDA- Forest Service and the National Park Service). While one or two of these agencies may have IEP programs in place, most do not. Successful use of the tutorial and implementation of IEP management and control program on publicly owned land will serve as a model for implementation by private landowners and other professional resource managers. Ultimately, public-private land stewardship partnerships around the issue of IEP management and control could develop. It goes without saying that, private landowners, including land trusts, should view this tutorial as tool for their land management efforts, as well.

What it isn't

As with any tool that attempts to pull a large amount of information into one place for education purposes, this tool has its shortcomings. While a significant amount of available information has been included in this tutorial, there is much that has not been included. Furthermore, new and updated information is being made available every day. Linking to the websites and joining listserves are two ways in which we encourage users to stay up-to-date on information that is coming out of practitioners each field season. Given the large amount of information contained in this tutorial, it becomes difficult to process all of it in a way that might better meet the immediate needs of land managers. In many cases, the user will see that information has been downloaded from the internet and presented as is. This is especially true in the section dealing with specific species management and control options where the information from various sources is presented, much of which is repetitive. As a result, there will need to be some degree of processing that will need to be done by the user.

How it works

There are two ways to use this tutorial:

• A Table of Contents (TOC) has been provided on the left side of the site. This should provide you a means of getting right to the information that you seek. In some cases, depending on how specific the information is, it may not be obvious where you will find it. This may require that you visit one or more topics under the TOC until you find what you are looking for. Through links provided, you will be able to move within the tutorial, as well as access the noted information on the world-wide web. In some cases, we have identified prerequisite reading material. An example is under specific species management and control options. We encourage users of this information to become familiar with the general management and control section which clearly identifies the pro/cons of each management tool, as well as human and environmental safety requirements under the use of each tool.
• The information in this tutorial is organized using a series of Guidance Questions on the home page which mirror the Adaptive Management Approach (AMA) to managing IEP's. This approach provides a systematic framework for learning. To that end, there are a series of questions that, when utilized, will provide answers that take you to the information that you seek. Use these questions to "walk" you through the step-by-step process of managing invasive plants. This educational process is intended to provide a level of understanding and reason that exceeds simply using the TOC to get to information. Begin with the introduction to the problem, which you may be familiar with and, in which case chose to skip, and then proceed to the explanation of the AMA under Introduction to Management.

Because this tutorial is, essentially, a means of pulling together existing information from various sources, largely those on the world-wide web or internet, we have provided numerous links to information on websites. Updating the links to websites is something that will be lacking for this tutorial and so we have found a way to avoid the situation where a website link changes and the user is unable to access the information. You will see this convention as: www.invasivespecies.gov > Managers Tool Kit > Early Detection and Rapid Response where you would click on the website and then click on the various topics in order to get to the final information which, in this case, is Early Detection and Rapid Response. In the case that you are able to get to the website, but the progression of clicks is not the same as is presented in the tutorial, you should have enough information to search around on the website and get to the information. In the majority of cases where a website changes, the information is usually not removed, only reorganized. In the case where the URL has changes, then the website name is provided so that you can simply search for the new website under that name.

What is it providing for you, the land manager?

If you are new to the issues surrounding invasive exotic plants, their impacts and what you should do to control or manage their spread or if you are a first time user of this tutorial, then we recommend that you use the Guidance Questions to lead you through the Adaptive Management Process and ultimately, all of the information that is contained in the tutorial. This approach will not only give you an overview of what types and what levels of information are provided, but it will give you a framework for which you can begin to address your IEP problems.

You should come away from this having gained the following:

• familiarity with problem, the terminology, the characteristics and impacts that invasive plants have, the laws regulating the introductions and use of IEP's, as well as an idea of the 70 or so species that are invasive in Pennsylvania.
• knowledge of resources for identification and information on the invasive plants in Pennsylvania.
• an understanding of the various philosophies on management that are presented, especially the Adaptive Management Approach,
• an understanding of the need to identify clear management goals and objectives,
• an understanding of the need to inventory, map and assess IEP populations,
• an understanding of various control options, the advantages and disadvantages of each and the need to approach IEP's using Integrated Pest Management - a review of this is a prerequisite for chosing specific management and control options for your land,
• an understanding of the importance of prevention and early detection,
• knowledge of resources for specific management and control options for IEP's identified, mapped and ranked on your land,
• clarity on the necessity of management planning,
• familiarity with monitoring and evaluating management actions and the importance of adapting your management to address actions that have failed to meet management goals and objectives,
• knowledge of available resources that include information on listserves, funding and partnerships.
• Recognition of the need to remain up-to-date in your knowledge by proactively seeking information via the internet, listserves, conferences, symposia, workshops, etc..

In regards to this last point, the tutorial is a tool that will become out-dated in terms of some of the information provided. As was mentioned, the science of IEP management is ever-changing. We approached the development of the tutorial knowing this and emphasize throughout the need to visit the website resources regularly to be aware of when ideas, concepts, recommended actions change. Furthermore, while a significant amount of available information has been included in this tutorial, there is still much that has not been included.

We highly recommend that you sign on to one or more IEP listserves. Listserves provide a means for joining a network of professionals who can provide up-to-date information on virtually any question that you have regarding the topic. One that is particularly easy to use and effective for getting information for PA and the region is the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Inc. listserve. See Resources - Listserves for information on getting signed on.

Can you Provide us Feedback?

Please take a moment and give us feedback on this tool. We strive to better meet the needs of land managers and your feedback will provide us the much need information to do that.

Please direct your feedback to Chris Firestone and Lisa Smith

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