Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge Department Grant for Early Detection and Control of Japanese Stiltgrass in the Connecticut River Watershed

Japanese stiltgrass is one of the worst invasive plants in CT & the Mid-Atlantic. It is relatively new to Connecticut River watershed and there is an immediate need to stop these infestations before they become uncontrollable in the Massachusetts watershed region and spread into New Hampshire and Vermont. If it continues to spread unchecked, it will invade many floodplain forests, wetlands and riparian habitats, including extensive acreages belonging to the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge (SOCNFWR). The Refuge and partners have been actively involved in controlling the spread, but this outreach and control project requires oversight, coordination and dedicated hours for control in 2012. This funding enables a non-profit organization to oversee this existing program to train additional volunteers and work with partners, landowners and volunteers to scout for stiltgrass in the Connecticut River watershed in Massachusetts (including susceptible refuge lands), control it in priority areas, and plan monitoring.

Cooperator will:
• train citizen volunteers to inventory and document Japanese stiltgrass infestations on Service lands and other lands close to known infestations.
• prioritize infestations for control based on size, severity of threat to rare species and/or outstanding habitats. Refuge lands are a high priority, if found.
• provide staff and in-house volunteers for control using specialized equipment and coordinate community volunteers and collaborators to treat infestations by hand-pulling, cutting, chemically treating, or other effective method approved by SOCNFWR.
• work with SOCNFWR staff/ other collaborators to plan for long-term monitoring, control & early detection and rapid response