Invasive Species in New Jersey: Identification, Control, and Stewardship Strategies

Tuesday, September 30
This class will cover the scope of the invasive species problem, factors that lead to invasion including species characters and habitat susceptibility differences, and broad strategies to meet conservation goals through mitigation of invasive species impacts.

Tuesday, October 7
This class will focus on identification of widespread and key emerging species throughout New Jersey. It will also discuss methodologies to collect (focusing on iNaturalist), manage, and interpret distribution data. It will include a brief introduction on the basics of plant identification.

Tuesday, Oct. 14
This class will focus on treatment methodologies to mitigate invasive species impacts. It will include herbicide application types including foliar spray, cut stump, hack-and-squirt, stem injection, and basal bark. Types of herbicides along with non-herbicide options will be discussed. 

Tuesday, October 21
This class will focus on the development of stewardship plans including mapping native plant communities and invasive species abundance & distribution. Discussed plan types will range from detailed and complex plans to concise action plans aimed at volunteer implementation. The formation of “Stewardship Goals” will be emphasized as the organizing principle dictating prioritization of invasive species control efforts. Stewardship goals will include improving ecological health of forests, shrublands, and meadows along with a sample of restoration practices.

Instructor: Mike Van Clef – FoHVOS Invasive Species Strike Team Program Director
Mike Van Clef is the FoHVOS Stewardship Director and also serves as our Invasive Species Strike Team Program Director. He joined FoHVOS in 2007 and co-founded the Strike Team in 2008 with the goal of bringing greater efficiency and effectiveness to invasive species management. Mike has a Ph.D. in ecology from Rutgers University and over 25 years of experience in land stewardship, planning and research, working extensively in the evaluation and management of rare and invasive species and deer management. He has consulted with over 30 organizations in NJ including the NJ Invasive Species Council for which he prepared the New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species.