The buds on my redbuds are starting to swell, the maples have blossomed and celandine poppies and wild geranium are starting to unfurl their leaves - all welcome signs of spring in Missouri. But there are other, less welcome signs of spring, signs on the MKT trail, in city parks, in overgrown lots, and even in parts of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - invasive plants.

Invasive plants are exotic or alien species introduced into North America, either on purpose or accidentally, that have escaped cultivation and are replacing the native vegetation in wild or unmanaged areas. Of course we rely on lots of introduced plants for food, and for their aesthetic qualities in our gardens, soybeans originated in China, and Forsythia is from Asia. However, exotic plants where you intend them is one thing, exotic plants outside of yards, gardens and farm fields are something else altogether.

Species that are deliberately introduced, especially ones selected for gardens or erosion control, are chosen based on their ability to grow fast, tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, resist pests and diseases, and reproduce prolifically through fruiting or asexual means . These are exactly the qualities that make it so easy for them to take over native habitats if they escape cultivation. Plus, they have the added advantage of having left behind any of the competitors or herbivores that might have kept them in check in their home countries.

In the United States approximately 4000 exotic plant species have established populations outside of cultivation. Of these, 1000 have been identified as a threat to native ecosystems, habitats and species. When an exotic species invades native plant communities, it reduces plant diversity, eliminates food plants that native animal species may rely on, and can dramatically change fire regimes and nutrient and water cycles in ways that have effects far removed from its immediate environment. For example, salt cedar (Tamarix sp.) along watercourses in the southwest, increases salinity of the soil and pulls more water out of the soil than native plants. This increases the chances of wildfire and soil erosion, which creates habitat better suited to salt cedar than to the native plants. In time, all you have left is a monoculture of salt cedar. Purple loosestrife in northeastern and north central wetlands is replacing native aquatic plants, plants which are a critical food source and which provide a safe nesting environment for waterfowl. These impacts mean that invasive plant species are right up there with pollution, habitat loss and poaching as a major cause of species extinction.

In Missouri the species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities statewide are tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). In Boone county the problem species are garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), thatch bromegrass (Bromus tectorum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), air-potato (Diosorea oppositifolia), Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), sweet clover (Melilotus albus and Melilotus officianalis), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceae) and Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense).

Invasive species management is one of those environmental problems where individual action is not only effective, but essential. While long term control does require significant government action to wipe out large populations and to limit introduction of new invasive species, gardeners, land managers, hunters, fisherman, hikers and campers are critical to keeping new populations of invasive species from being established. If you garden - don't buy species (in some cases genera) of plants on national and state invasive species lists (yes, many garden stores do still sell invasive species). If you are outdoors frequently, learn to recognize invasive species and check for them. Educate yourself about the best way to manage a species you find in your yard and take care of it. If you find a problem species in a public area, you can contact local government (which may or may not have the resources to address the problem) or connect with a local environmental group or native plant society to see if they can help.

For pictures, natural history and management information on the species listed above, go to:
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/mepp/categoryA.shtml

BIO REGIONAL QUIZ: What is the name of the major bird migration route which passes through Missouri?

JOB OF THE MONTH: Field Organizer - Northern Plains Resource Council; Billings MT. Responsibilities: The Field Organizer will be responsible for various duties including: coordinating issue campaigns, conducting research, working on fundraising, recruiting and training members. Status: Full-time, year round position. Qualifications: Commitment to Northern Plains' issues, strong speaking and writing skills, ability to work well with a diverse array of people willingness to travel and stay overnight 2-3 times per month, willingness to work long hours, experience with non-profit organization and/or political campaigns helpful, knowledge of legislative and/or media processes also helpful. Salary: $20,000 to $35,000 commensurate with experience, health insurance, 4-week vacation, pension program. Application Procedure: Please send a cover letter, writing sample, and 3 professional references to: Aaron Browning, Director of Organizing and Campaigns; Northern Plains Resource Council; 2401 Montana Ave Ste 200; Billings, MT 59101-2353; -OR-Electronic mail: aaron@northernplains.org. Closing Date is April 15.

Special Events/Classes/Programs/Talks
WILDFLOWER WALKS: Wednesdays thru May 25, 5:30 pm Devil's Icebox Parking Lot, Rock Bridge MSP
FISHERIES & WILDLIFE DUNMIRE LECTURE - FISH FOOD AND FEED: Thursday April 7, 7:00 pm Monsanto Auditorium, Life Sciences Ctr, MU. Christopher Kohler, SIU Carbondale
LECTURE: DESIGNING A FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL CELEBRATE: Friday April 8, 1:00 pm 112 Lefevre Hall, MU Campus. Bob Berkebile, BNIM Architects - AIA National Committee on Environment.
CLEAN UP COLUMBIA DAY: Saturday April 9, http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/
RAIN GARDEN CONSTRUCTION: Saturday April 9, 10:00 am, Rock Bridge Elementary School (Providence & 163). Slide show, then hands on dig/planting of a rain garden. More info-- http://wildones.missouri.org/calendar.html
EVENING BIKE RIDE: Wednesday April 13, MKT Trail - Stadium Blvd - 573/443-8263 for details.
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK CLEAN UP: Saturday April 16, 8:00 am, park office
EARTH DAY: Sunday April 24 (Rain Date May 1), noon to 7 pm, MU's Peace Park. Family and kid's activities, Peace Park and 8th St stage shows street fair booths, and the Sustainable Home
SOILS, ENVIRONMENT & ATMOS. SCIENCE ALBRECTH EARTH DAY LECTURE: Monday April 25, 3:30 pm, Conservation Hall, Anheuser Bush Natural Resources Building
MAYOR'S CHALLENGE BIKE/WALK/WHEEL WEEK: Saturday May 7 - Saturday May 14. Kickoff Kary Trail Ride Flat Branch Park (5/7) http://www.pednet.org/

MU Organization Meetings and Contact Information
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY Seminar/Reading Group: Thursdays 4 pm, papers- http://www.conservbio.missouri.edu/events.html, seminars - http://www.conservbio.missouri.edu/seminar.html
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: http://www.missouri.edu/~jesse105/committees/pages/environmental.htm
FISHERIES & WILDLIFE Seminar: Fridays, 3:30 pm 2-6 Agriculture
FORESTRY Seminar: Fridays, 3:00 pm 123 Natural Resources
RECYCLING COMMITTEE: 882-3091
SOIL, ENV & ATMOS SCI Seminar: Mondays, 4:00 pm, 123 Natural Resources
STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONS ASSOC.: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays - 5::00 pm 115 Natural Resources
SUSTAIN MIZZOU: 882-7116 2nd & 4th Wednesdays - 7:00 pm, 200 A&S. http://students.missouri.edu/~sustainmizzou/

Organization Meetings and Contact Information
AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, USGS, 4200 New Haven
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Wednesdays 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or http://peaceworks.missouri.org/
CHOUTEAU GROTTO: http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW
COMMUNITY STORMWATER PROJECT: 884-8333 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/StormWater/cswp.html
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
GREENBELT COALITION: 442-4789 or http://greenbelt.missouri.org Meet 1st Tuesdays, 7 pm, Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: www.meea.org
MISSOURI NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: npshawth@hotmail.com 2nd Mondays in Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov at 7:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd, Columbia, MO.
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 443-0292 or http://mrcn.missouri.org/
PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
RIVER RELIEF: http://www.riverrelief.org/
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB: 443-4401 or http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation,1107 University Ave
WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.

Answer to BioRegional Quiz: The Mississippi Flyway. Large numbers of birds use this low elevation route to migrate between Central and South America and Alaska and Arctic Coast. The flyway hosts several species of songbirds, including warblers, thrushes and sparrows, as well as many waterfowl and shorebirds. For more information about the Mississippi Flyway and other United States Migratory Routes visit: http://www.birdnature.com/flyways.html

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

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