Fri Jan 19 2007 - 16:31:45 PST

Contents
1. Two exciting new books (Global, Planet Earth)
2. Do you work on rats or Polygonum cuspidatum? (Global, Planet Earth)
3. Weedy calendars (Global, Planet Earth)
4. Wildland Weeds Field Courses (California, USA)
5. Conservation by Design Gateway (Global, Planet Earth)
6. Ventenata dubia (Oregon, USA)

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1. Two exciting new books (Global, Planet Earth)  
From: Barry Rice (bamrice(at)ucdavis.edu)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden has released a new book called "Native Alternatives
to Invasive Plants" (ISBN 1-889538-74-4). This fine book goes beyond
pointing out the problems that horticulture has caused by introducing many
invasives---it offers solutions for the horticulturist who is seeking a
suitable native replacement plant to use instead of an invasive villain.
This is extremely useful, because those concerned with invasive species are
at risk of being dismissed as mere gadflies. Here are solutions, and since
it was produced by a botanical garden it comes from people with
horticultural expertise so they know what gardeners and landscapers are
looking for. Very nice. Available from www.bbg.org for US$8.95.
Sample entries:
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/plants/handbooks/nativealternatives/index.html
 
Eat your way to an invasives-free environment! Joe Franke has written "The
Invasive Species Cookbook." Now, we all know that utilizing invasive species
is usually not an effective way to manage them, since it tends to create a
market interest in maintaining the presence of such species. However, this
is such an interesting cookbook, I'm willing to overlook such a triviality.
After all, where else are you going to be able to find out how to gorge
yourself on nutria, garlic mustard, kudzu, and Japanese knotweed. Lamprey
anyone? Or are you still working on that monitor lizard? Joe Franke (a
member of this listserve) tells me that his book is currently a fundraiser
for conservation work in Nepal, too.
Available from www.bradfordstreetpress.com, for US$24.95.
Sample recipes for ragoudain (you know, nutria!):
http://www.bradfordstreetpress.com/Nutria.pdf

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2. Do you work on rats or Polygonum cuspidatum? (Global, Planet Earth)  
From: Dan Salzer (dsalzer(at)ucdavis.edu )

TNC is working with a number of other organizations interested in improving
evidence-based conservation.Two globally widespread conservation issues that
were selected as case studies were rats and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum
cuspidatum).
 
I am seeking the names of individuals who are working on Polygonum
cuspidatum anywhere within TNC. We are putting together case studies to
submit to <http://www.ConservationEvidence.com>
www.ConservationEvidence.com and would like to encourage others engaged in
knotweed control efforts to also submit case studies.
 
I have a similar (and related) request for TNC individuals who are working
on rats on islands.

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3. Weedy calendars (Global, Planet Earth) 
From: Barry Rice (bamrice(at)ucdavis.edu)

Are there not enough weeds in your life? The Alien Plant Working Group has
created a downloadable pdf calendar for 2007. Each month profiles a
different weed. Very nice.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/calendar.htm#print
 
Meanwhile, rumor has it that the 2007 TNC Calendar has, displayed for
February, a beautiful photograph of a freshwater spring at Cuatro Cienegas
(Mexico). But what is that in the photograph? Could it be.....no! Arundo
donax!

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4. Wildland Weeds Field Courses (California, USA)  
From: Melissa Dozier (mdozier(at)cal-ipc.org)

This year, the California Invasive Plant Council is offering a great
selection of field courses. Topics include:
Wildland Weeds Control Techniques: Southern California (March 21)
Wildland Weeds Control Techniques: Northern California (April 12)
Wildland Weeds Control Techniques: San Francisco Bay Area (May 17)
Mapping Course (September 19)
 
Find out more about the field courses at: http://www.cal-ipc.org/

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5. Conservation by Design Gateway (Global, Planet Earth)  
From: Barry Rice (bamrice(at)ucdavis.edu)

A new web site has been opened to help TNC staff in their decision-making
tasks. Are you having trouble determining what strategies to use, what to
focus on, and where to work? The Conservation by Design Gateway has all the
obscure jargon and tools explained. Downloadable brochures, assessments, and
planning tools await you: www.conservationgateway.org

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6. Ventenata dubia (Oregon, USA)  
From: Susan Geer (sgeer(at)fs.fed.us)

  If anyone on this listserve has information about the distribution of
Ventenata dubia (or have this grass in your area), please send the
information!