Projects

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MIA is currently involved in the following projects:

Montana Curriculum

In conjunction with the Missoula County Weed Department, we have developed an integrative curriculum that incorporates place-based lessons and activities into existing educational material at the high school level. Our curriculum also introduces the topic of invasive species and integrates this issue within other science and non-science educational material. Our emphasis on place-based principles encourages learning and the full grasping of topics by giving students real-life examples directly applicable to their own lives. All material developed as part of our curricula comply with state and national educational standards.

ANS Outreach

Our company is currently working with the Idaho Invasive Species Council to promote outreach and education for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) that threaten the integrity of Idaho waters. This project entails surveying past and present outreach efforts both statewide and on a national level, establishing a communication network and personal relationships between all agencies tasked with management of ANS, determining the best avenues for reaching each sector of the public, and developing a website to house all data and material collected and created as part of the Idaho ANS effort.

Environmental monitoring and ecological studies
In corroboration with the University of Idaho, we are conducting a multiple year study on the efficacy of seed-feeding biocontrol insects against the invasive yellow starthistle in Hell’s Canyon, Idaho. This study also entails studying the effects of yellow starthistle on threatened, native plant species. In addition, we will be expanding the study to determine the effects of fire on the above-mentioned plant-insect and plant-plant interactions. We manage and analyze the data collected, and we will play an active role in the publication and presentation of all collected data.

Outreach material
We are writing and designing a book on the biology and biological control of exotic thistles in the western U.S. for the University of Idaho and the Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. In addition to gathering basic plant, insect, and biocontrol information, the project also entails the development of a key to distinguish the exotic thistles, detailed line drawings to aid in plant identification, and high-quality photography of plant parts and infestations.

Website design
A new website is under construction for the EPIC (Exotic Plant Invasion Bio-Control) Program at the University of Idaho.

Outreach material
We are writing and designing a series of field card sets on the biology and biological control of multiple exotic plants in the western U.S. for the University of Idaho and the Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. This project entails gathering plant, insect, and biocontrol information as well as high-quality photography of plant parts and infestations.

Invasive plant mapping
We are working with local, county, and state agencies to develop and manage a usable system for identifying and mapping noxious weed infestations. All data collected are imported into a GIS and used for not only maintaining accurate, spatially-oriented records over time, but to also identify and target key management areas, in line with the early detection and rapid response approach. Our responsibility at MIA is to oversee the mapping projects, manage the resulting data, and implement our GIS/GPS curricula which are currently targeting high school students and more experienced county and state employees.

Cooperating partners:
Bingham County Weed Department
American Falls Weed Department
Idaho County Weed Department
University of Idaho
Aberdeen, Blackfoot, Rigby, and Shelley High Schools
GIS Alliance

Projects Completed

Upper Snake CWMA Mapping
Existing data from the past 15 years was compiled and recreated into a geodatabase. Members of the USCWMA were then trained on the use of GPS for data collection. This provides a seamless approach to integrating past data with new data. All data was then used to run statistics for ground truth and to target key areas.

Website design
Our most recent website completed is at www.drymountainoriginals.com.

Data conversion
In corroboration with Boise State University, we converted multiple years of hard copy invasive plant management records from the South Florida Water Management District into GIS format to be used in analyses and data modeling.

Technical paper
In corroboration with BiscuitGIS and the South Florida Water Management District, we have written a chapter on the status of nonindigenous species in South Florida for the 2008 South Florida Environmental Report.

Plant identification
We have identified plant species present at various sites for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and have trained Department employees in plant identification. In addition, we maintain a cumulative list of all species identified, as well as a low-key identification guide.

Database creation, management, and training
Existing data from biocontrol releases over the past 15 years were compiled and re-created into a geodatabase. Members of the Upper Snake Cooperative Weed Management Area were then trained on the use of GPS for data collection as well as GIS for data management. This provided a seamless approach to integrating past data with new and future data. All past data was used to run statistics for ground truthing and to target key management areas.