Accomplishments

Six Years of Accomplishments - May 2002 to May 2008

The Coalition:

1. Gained legal status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
2. Increased contacts from 125 to 2,500.
3. Expanded representation from western Colorado to include all 17 western states, Tribal governments, two Canadian provinces, and Mexico.
4. Established as the most credible organization addressing the tamarisk problem and its related impacts on riparian health.
5. Executive Director, Tim Carlson, appointed to the Invasive Species Advisory Committee of the National Invasives Species Council through 2010.

Education:

Publications/Communications

1. Testified on the importance of tamarisk control to U.S. Senate and House committees and to Colorado and New Mexico legislative committees.
2. Continuously provide tamarisk and tamarisk biological control presentations to various organizations, universities, conferences, legislators and staff, agencies, civic groups, counties, and conservation districts.
3. Continuously provide interviews for newspaper and journal articles, TV news, and radio programs.
4. Developed the Tamarisk Coalition brochure and numerous comprehensive tamarisk summary fact sheets.
5. Published a tamarisk biological control brochure, now in second printing and being used by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
6. Continuously improve our website with help from Colorado State University. Working to create a more useful, interactive web-based educational resource – Currently a High Priority.
7. Published tamarisk postcard, now in second printing.

Conferences

1. Participated in national conferences (Team Tamarisk in 2004 and the White House sponsored Conference on Cooperative Conservation in 2006).
2. Assisted in organizing and co-hosting the 2006 Tamarisk Research Conference and the 2003, 2005, and 2007 Tamarisk Symposiums. Currently organizing the February 2009 Tamarisk and Russian Olive Research Conference.
3. Co-sponsored the 2004 Team Tamarisk Conference with the Secretaries of US Department of Agriculture and Interior.

Volunteer Initiatives

1. Partnered with the BLM to create a tamarisk and Russian olive removal volunteer project in the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area near Frutia, Colorado – Fall 2005 to Present.
2. Co-sponsored the Island Acres Volunteer Project with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) to remove and chip large areas of tamarisk and to plant 550 native trees and shrubs for wildlife benefit – April 5th & 6th 2008.

Research

1. Developed an assessment of alternative technologies including costs and impacts for control, biomass reduction, revegetation, and monitoring – February 2008.
2. Began developing an ongoing internship program with several universities.

Technical Assistance:

State Strategic Plans for Tamarisk Control

1. Developed Colorado’s 10-Year Strategic Plan for tamarisk control and provided assistance to implement the plan – 2004.
2. Facilitated development and implementation of New Mexico’s Strategic Plan and management structure for non-native phreatophyte control – 2006.
3. Provided technical assistance to Kansas for development of its 10-Year Strategic Plan – 2006.

Watershed Management Plans for Tamarisk Control

1. Completed the Colorado Headwaters Invasives Partnership (CHIP) comprehensive watershed plan for tamarisk control and riparian restoration on the Colorado, Gunnison, Uncompahgre, and Dolores rivers – July 2007. Currently completing similar plans for the Purgatoire, Arkansas, South Platte, Republican, White, and Yampa Watersheds – Fall of 2008 to Present.
2. Completed the Southeastern Utah Tamarisk Partnership (SEUTP) comprehensive plan for tamarisk and Russian olive control and riparian restoration – July 2007.
3. Supported development of the San Juan River Woody Invasives watershed plan – 2007.

Restoration Projects

1. Provided technical assistance to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration effort for the 50 mile reach of the Colorado River in the Grand Junction area – 2007 to present.

Mapping Projects

1. Developed and implemented mapping protocol for tamarisk infestations for the entire state of Colorado – 2006 to present.
2. Completed the mapping and inventory of tamarisk and Russian olive infestations in southeastern Utah – Spring 2007.

Biological Control Projects

1. Helped develop the protocol for tamarisk leaf beetle biological control releases in Colorado and served as a mediator with the USF&WS & USDA – 2005.
2. Initiated a biological control monitoring project on over 300 river miles of the Green (August 2007) and Colorado rivers in Utah (June and September 2007). Currently working to continue and expand this effort during the field season of 2008.
3. Currently providing monitoring of revegetation and bio-control on Colorado Department of Agriculture site in western Colorado.

Coordinating Support:

Community Initiatives

1. Helped facilitate and coordinate watershed management groups to develop the aforementioned comprehensive watershed plans for tamarisk control for the Colorado, Gunnison, Dolores, and San Juan Rivers in CO, UT, AZ, and NM.
2. Initiated the aforementioned volunteer tamarisk control program in western CO.

Regional Initiatives

1. Currently assessing tamarisk impacts on the entire Colorado River watershed.

National Initiatives

1. Initiated a national review of the NRCS Plant Materials Centers as a possible resource for restoration materials.
2. Currently developing a national cooperative conservation program.

Funding

1. Compiled an assessment of available funding opportunities and distributed spreadsheet analysis to over 2,000 Coalition contacts.
2. Assisted cities and counties in western Colorado and eastern Utah secure National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grants for tamarisk control (2003, 2004, and 2006) and from the National Forest Foundation grant for equipment (Timber-Ax).

Policy:

State Legislation

1. Helped develop and gain passage of the AB 1466 (California Tamarisk Control Act) – September 2006.
2. Worked with Western Governors Association to develop rationale for using Farm Bill funding through under-utilized Continuous CRP practices (CP22, CP29, and CP-30) for woody invasives control and riparian restoration – 2007.
3. Worked with Colorado Legislature to initiate a $1,000,000 matching grant program for riparian restoration through the Colorado Water Conservation Board – Passed May 2008.

Federal Legislation

1. Helped develop and gain passage of federal legislation PL 109-320 – Saltcedar & Russian olive Control Act, which was signed by the President on October 11, 2006.