Invasive Species Ireland Forum Registration now open
Registration for the 2010 Invasive Species Ireland Forum is now open. This year, the Environmental Protection Agency and Invasive Species Ireland are collaborating in a joint two day event on the 13th and 14th May, hosted by the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
Day 1
The first day of the meeting will act as a dissemination workshop for the results of the EPA Strive funded project 'Alien invasive species in Irish Water bodies'. This is a two year project aimed to address the knowledge gaps identified under the Water Framework Directive for alien invasive species in Ireland's River Basin Districts. This was achieved through a combination of research and policy development comprising of analysis of the impacts of selected invasive species on structure and function of natural ecosystems (primarily by innovative studies of impacted and non-impacted foodwebs using stable isotopes in exemplar waterbodies); preparation of an archived GIS-based database of aquatic aliens in Ireland; and development of a monitoring and reporting strategy and guidance on preventing and containing aquatic introductions. More information can be found on the Strive projects webpage.
Day 2
The second day of the Forum will bring together stakeholders and invasive species experts to discuss and shape Invasive Species Ireland – Phase 2. The review of ISI Phase 1 and the recommendations of stakeholders have been taken on board in the development of ISI Phase 2. Over the next 3 years the project will continue to develop Ireland's risk assessment protocols; IAS exclusion and management plans; sectoral Codes of Practice and an extensive stakeholder engagement and partnership process. New actions include the development of an IAS strategy, setting up local catchment invasive species action groups, development of an industry standards award scheme and an assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of IAS in Ireland. There will be five Technical Working Groups (terrestrial, freshwater, marine, education and awareness, and strategy and legislation) and this is the first opportunity for the groups to meet and discuss the Invasive Species Ireland work programme and help guide outputs and priorities. More information on the technical working groups will be made available throughout April.
As with previous years, this is a free event but attendees must register with the project team before hand.
Click here to download the programme for this joint EPA and Invasive Species Ireland event.
Click here to access the online registration form.
or email john@invasivespeciesireland.com with your registration details.
Dr Dick Shaw, CABI, to give Invasive Species Ireland Forum Keynote Address
Invasive Species Ireland is pleased to announce that this year's keynote address will be given by Dr Dick Shaw from CABI. Dick is a leading expert in the field of biological control and has extensively researched the potential for biological control of Japanese knotweed.
Earlier this year, The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and The Welsh Assembly Government approved the release of the psyllid, Aphalara itadori to stop the spread of Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed is a devastating plant which costs the UK economy over £150 million a year to control and clear. As part of his keynote address, Dick will present an overview of the research programme that was undertaken prior to the release, information on the relevant policy context and the preliminary results from the release sites around England and Wales.
For more information on the biological control of Japanese knotweed and other species, please see the Japanese knotweed Alliance website.
John Kelly
Senior Researcher
Tel: +44 (0) 2890 27 8330
Direct: +44 (0) 2890 31 6987
Mobile: +44 (0) 7859 06 8460
For and on behalf of EnviroCentre Limited, 10 Upper Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NT
