Cogongrass Detection & Eradication in Georgia

1. Cogongrass Detection & Eradication in Georgia James Johnson, Forest Health Athens, GA Office (706) 542-9608 jjohnson@gfc.state.ga.us

2. GFC Foresters Top 5 – Invasive Plants • Cogongrass • Chinese Privet • Autumn Olive • Chinese Tallowtree • Multiflora Rose http://www.gatrees.org/

3. Cogongrass becomes the top priority invasive plant for our agency… Chip Bates,GFC Mark McClure, GFC

4. Search and Destroy

5. In the Beginning… • Cogongrass Task Force formed to organize efforts - 2004 • Georgia Forestry Commission • University of Georgia • USDA APHIS-PPQ • USDA Forest Service • GA Department of Natural Resources • GA Department of Agriculture • GA Department of Transportation • GA Exotic Pest Plant Council • Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center • Tall Timbers Research Station • The Nature Conservancy • Greg Findley, GFC District Forester, Chair

6. Aerial Surveying for Cogongrass isn’t practical…

7. Summary of Georgia Cogongrass Sites: • 76 Locations • 18 Counties • 150 acres total • All sites are being treated!

8. Cogongrass Eradication Efforts Treatments Sites by: • Georgia Forestry Commission 18 • USDA APHIS - PPQ 32 • Landowner 12 • Contractor/Consultant 14 76 “Agreement for Cogongrass Eradication” contract finalized to allow GFC to begin site treatments Spots range in size from ¼ - 11+ acres Average size is 1/3 acre Most infestations originated from root material and are clonal – little if any viable seed is being produced

9. What’s lurking beneath the surface???

10. How did it get in Georgia? • Tree Planters (machine) • Logging equipment • Contaminated fill dirt • Contaminated mulch • Hunters (food plots) • Mowing or construction equipment? • Nurseries growing cultivars • Utility (powerline) contractor • Homeowner (dug fruit trees with soil and root ball)

11. Cogongrass Eradication Efforts

12. Cogongrass Eradication Efforts

13. Detecting small problems can prevent larger ones…

14. Cogongrass Education Outreach • Publications – UGA Bugwood • Memorandum of Understanding to establish Georgia as a Cooperative Weed Management area for cogongrass nearing final version.AL, FL, and SC also???? • GFC personnel have conducted over 100 presentations that mention cogongrass – 7,000+ attendees • UGA has made many presentations also…

15. Presentations made to: • “Traditional” Groups: • Professional foresters & other resource managers • Timber Companies • UGA County Extension Agents • GFC Firefighting personnel • Logger Workshops & Landowner groups • “Non-Traditional” Groups: • GA Power & local EMC power companies • GA Dept of Transportation (Right of Way section) • GA Public Works Association and County PW Dept’s. • Environmental Groups • Legislative Tour (August 2006) • Hunters and Outdoor enthusiasts • Buckarama • Fisharama

16. Publications: • University of Georgia – Bugwood Group • Professor Dave Moorhead, Chuck Bargeron & Chris Evans • Displays • Technical bulletins • Magazine articles Small brochure with basic information

17. Publications Georgia Forestry Commission • Hunting peridical articles • Georgia Outdoor News • Georgia Wildlife Federation • National Wild Turkey Federation • Georgia Hunting Rules & Regulations Book – circulation 550,000

18. Plum Creek Training Session

19. Most unlikely place to find Cogongrass? Philip Bailey, USDA – APHIS PPQ

20. Flower Bed in Metro Atlanta…(contaminated pine straw?)

21. Legislature Tour – August, 2006

22. USDA Forest Service Support…

23. An ounce of prevention is worth…

24. For Additional Support: • Contact either Dr. Moorhead in Tifton (229) 386-3298 • or the Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health Staff: • James Johnson Athens (706) 542-9608 • Mark McClure SW Georgia (229) 759-3011 • Chip Bates SE Georgia (912) 681-0490 • Mark Raines Central GA (706) 437-6896 • Scott Griffin North GA (770) 538-2666