The program I have chosen is one that is run through the
Invasive Plans Association of Wisconsin or IPAW. First off it is important to
know a little bit about this association. IPAW was founded in Eau Claire in
2001. It was started with a few citizens concerned with the problem of invasive
plant species in and entering Wisconsin and quickly gained popularity. It is
now a very big program that works in the fight against invasive species. People
from all over Wisconsin associate themselves with this group.
The group has it’s
own bylaws listed on their site for it’s members. The group essentially looks
for people who are interested in helping protect our state from the negative consequences
of invasive plant species. This group does have board members and presidents in
charge of them that help promote and keep the program running smoothly. Their
members are there to promote and find funding for their fight against invasive.
You can find the bylaws in the “About Us” tab in the “Governance” option at
ipaw.org. IPAW relies on donations and fundraisers to keep their program
running. IPAW is currently working with the herbarium at UW-Madison and the DNR
on the Wisconsin Invasive Plant Reporting and Prevention Project. This project
is made in hopes of eradicating certain species in Wisconsin and is funded by a
grant from the EPA.
IPAW
looks to educate citizens on the dangers of invasive plants in Wisconsin and
they work in close connection with the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources.. They provide information on invasive plant species so that people
can identify and recognize them. But IPAW is not just looking to help people
understand invasive plant species, they are looking to find solutions.
Solutions from IPAW include ways in which to treat these invasive species. They
offer manuals and educational resources to help teach people how to best manage
invasive plant species. Including
removal and use of herbicides. They encourage people to come together and even
offer funding and grants for groups interested in the removal of invasive that
need help in doing so.
Garlic Mustard
But
what is even more interesting is they offer bounties for the reporting of
prohibited invasive plant species in Wisconsin. A bounty is a reward/incentive
for people who help in the cause. The bounty system works in correlation with
the Early Detection Rapid Response to halt or even eradicate invasive plant
species in Wisconsin with the plants listed as “prohibited” by the DNR. The prohibited
plants are listed and covered by the WI DNR NR 40 rule. These plants are the
kind that are not yet established in the area and can cause great harm to our
land. The bounty program with IPAW encourages people to look for and report
such invasive species in return for a reward. For even having a photograph of
these prohibited species a person can ear $25 and if you can obtain the
specimen you will earn $50. Sort of like how in the wild-west you could get
money for turning in a bad guy “dead or alive” but in this case, the bad guys
are the invasive plant species!
Sources:
ipaw.org
http://ipaw.org/TheSolution/Prevention/EDRR/InvasivePlantBounty.aspx
http://ipaw.org/TheSolution/Planning/FundingOpportunities.aspx
http://ipaw.org/TheSolution/Prevention/EDRR.aspx
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