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Updated 1/28/10 -------------------------------------------------------- National park battling infestation of hogs The Associated Press KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- National park biologists are trying to come to grips with a hog infestation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 2009, the park's hog team removed 620 wild hogs, the third highest since the hog control program started in the late 1950s. Biologists say the hog population spiked last year because of a bountiful mast crop that enabled the sows to produce more than one litter. Park biologist Bill Stiver told the Knoxville News-Sentinel the introduction of wild, semi-domesticated hogs into the park has made hog control even more difficult. "The speculation is that hunters are illegally releasing feral pigs that eventually make their way inside the park," Stiver said. "It's a major problem not just here, but all over North America." He said numerous hogs killed this year had spotted markings and curl...

Updated 1/15. New articles are at the bottom of this week's blog. --------------------------------------------------------- New Hampshire Lakes launches a new exotic weed control grant program Thanks to Senator Judd Gregg, NH LAKES has secured federal funding to help lake associations and municipalities manage their exotic infestations in 2010. Matching grant awards of up to $5,000 will be available to assist local groups in their efforts to purchase or construct Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting systems, hire Certified Weed Control divers to harvest infestations, and implement other forms of non-chemical control. For more information and to download a grant application, visit our website, email info@nhlakes.org, or call (603) 226-0299. Grant applications will be due in mid-February. --------------------------------------------------------- Reptile restrictions to be voted on by Senate by Laura Mandanas Reporter Online “All those snakes except for a boa constrictor can get huge. ...

The following article refers to a lake in Indiana, but I thought it was informative for us folks in the east. Invasive plant battle appears won at one lake The invasive Brazilian elodea, a plant commonly used in home aquariums, appears to have been eradicated from Griffy Lake, a 109-acre impoundment near Bloomington, Indiana after a multi-year battle waged by the Department of Natural Resources, pointing to chance for success elsewhere in the state. "The last Brazilian elodea observed at the lake was at the beginning of the 2007 treatment season," said Doug Keller, aquatic invasive species coordinator with DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife. "We've performed extensive searches on numerous occasions each year since the plant was last seen, and we have not been able to locate any sign of it again. "With all the work and money put into this project to eradicate an invasive plant species new to Indiana, it is exciting to be able to claim a victory." The su...

Updated September 6 -------------------------------------------------------- Schumer says he’ll seek more money to fight invasives By NATHAN BROWN, Adirondack Daily Enterprise Staff Writer TUPPER LAKE - Although many of the more harmful invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle, haven't been found in the Adirondacks, they are believed to be spreading through the state. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said on Thursday afternoon he will push for funding for his four-point plan to limit the spread of invasives and stop them before they get here. "A stitch in time saves nine," Schumer said at The Wild Center. Schumer said he will push to raise funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service by $35 million to combat the Asian longhorned beetle and $39.7 million for the ash borer. Schumer said federal help is needed to combat these pests, due to the limited resources of local governments and private groups to deal with them. Schumer al...