In 2011 Governor Quinn signed a proclamation making May “Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month” (http://niipp.net/?page_id=1016), highlighting the importance of outreach and education and control efforts in decreasing the impacts that invasive species have had, and will continue to have, on the economy and ecology of Illinois. The Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month (ISAM) Planning Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 ISAM awards. These awards are given to volunteers, professionals, and organizations for their impressive contributions to the prevention, control, and management of invasive species in the state of Illinois.
Greg White is the “volunteer of the year” who worked with the Southern Illinois Weed Watch Project (http://shawneegroup.blogspot.com/2010/04/southern-illinois-weedwatch.html) and mapped invasive species at several natural areas, often requiring him to endure heat, tough climbs, mosquitos, and chiggers to finish his work. Greg also assisted with the hand pulling of Japanese stiltgrass (http://niipp.net/?page_id=530&id=MIVI) along the Rocky Bluff Trail at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/craborchard/) and helped River to River CWMA (http://www.rtrcwma.org/index.html) in its survey of bush honeysuckle at Trail of Tears State Forest (http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/trltears.htm). He has donated countless hours towards these efforts over the last two years.
“Greg can always be counted on to lend a helping hand when work is needed. His dedication and hard work have been a great help to invasive species efforts in Illinois.” Chris Evans, Coordinator, River to River CWMA
Karen Tharp (The Nature Conservancy) has received the “professional of the year” award for her work as Volunteer Steward Network Coordinator (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/united
states/illinois/volunteer/index.htm) and Supervisor of the Southern Illinois Invasive Plant Strike Team (http://www.rtrcwma.org/project/striketeam.html). Karen has greatly influenced invasive species efforts across the state of Illinois by organizing herbicide trainings for volunteers in the Chicago region, helping to start the New Invaders Watch Program (http://www.newinvaders.org), and working closely with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to develop the new amendment to the Illinois Pesticide Act, making it easier for volunteers to treat invasive plants (http://niipp.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/VSN-FAQs-Herbicides.pdf).
“Karen’s dedication to natural areas preservation through support of Volunteer Stewardship and increasing awareness of invasive species has helped improved our ability to manage and restore our most valuable, biologically important natural areas; Karen is an inspiring person, both professionally and personally, and her work will have enduring benefit for natural areas conservation in Illinois.” Debbie Maurer, Assistant Manager and Restoration Ecologist, Lake County Forest Preserve District
Illinois Department of Transportation Region 1, District 1 has received the “organization of the year” award for revolutionizing the working relationship between natural areas managers and transportation professionals. IDOT played a pivotal role in supporting the development and establishment of the Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership (http://niipp.net/). In summer 2010 IDOT began a multi-year invasive plant mapping, control, and monitoring project along its highways. In spring of 2011 IDOT began to coordinate invasive plant control efforts along its rights of way with the efforts of regional natural areas managers and soon after joined the New Invaders Watch Program Rapid Responder Network, allowing monitors to report new invasive plant populations along its roads.
“IDOT Region 1, District 1 is very committed to preventing, controlling, and managing invasive plant infestations and protecting native biodiversity. The combination of their progressive view of invasive plant management and cooperative spirit has blazed a trail for other transportation agencies to follow.” Cathy McGlynn, Coordinator, Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership
The awards will be presented in May 2012. The ISAM Planning Committee, and no doubt many of the volunteers and professionals who work with invasive species, would like to extend congratulations to the recipients of this year’s awards. Thank you for all your efforts to protect and preserve the native biodiversity of Illinois!
Additional information about ISAM can be found at http://www.invasive.org/illinois/. Please contact the ISAM Planning Committee via Chris Evans, Coordinator, River to River CWMA, rivertoriver@gmail.com, 618-998-5920 or Cathy McGlynn, Coordinator, Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership, cathy.mcglynn@niipp.net, 847-242-6423
