Agronomy’s Mark Renz launches the Wisconsin First Detector Network to track invasive species across the state. The following text is Mark Renz’s press release:

For those interested in invasive species (all taxa) see below for an opportunity to join Wisconsin’s First Detector Network.

Invasive species are considered to be the number two threat to biodiversity and the effects are increasingly evident on Wisconsin’s landscape. While many of these pests are here to stay, others have not yet been found or are at low enough levels that eradication may be possible. Unfortunately many of these populations go undetected until eradication become difficult, if not impossible.

To address this issue we have developed Wisconsin’s First Detector Network (WIFDN). The goal of this network is to educate citizen scientists about invasive species biology, ecology, and identification and develop networks that increase awareness and knowledge of invasive species locations across the landscape. This network will work closely with agency staff, and others at the federal, state and local level.

Participants will receive training through a combination of prerecorded videos, interactive online sessions, and in-field volunteering projects. Trainings will be available to Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists only in 2014, but will be available to the general public in 2015. The cost of registration is $30, which grants access to interactive online training sessions and access to hands on training opportunities.

If interested please view a preview video by visiting the website (http://fyi.uwex.edu/wifdn; scroll down to see video). We are accepting registration for this training on the website. Training (online) will begin on March 21st, and occur approximately every two weeks (see: http://fyi.uwex.edu/wifdn/trainings/ for details). Trainings will be recorded, and available if participants miss a training session.

For questions please contact the WIFDN project coordinator, Tony Summers (asummers2@wisc.edu;608-262-9570) or myself.

This article was posted in WCWS and tagged citizen science, Department of Agronomy, invasive, invasive plant, invasive species, training, University of Wisconsin, UWEX.