SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY WINTER MEETING Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants February 15, 2001 The Colony of Vernon, Route 83, Vernon, Connecticut

Sponsors: Southern New England Chapter  Soil and Water Conservation Society Department of Environmental Protection – Wildlife Division Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service University of Connecticut

Two of the displays from the 2001 Winter Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
Donna Ellis, University of Connecticut Spoke about her research with "Biological Control of Purple Loostrife" through  use of Galerucella beetles	Peter Picone, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection presented "Alternatives to Invasive Exotic Plants for Wildlife Habitat Enhancement"
Judy Doerner, State Conservationist, USDA NRCS Rhode Island, spoke to the attendees about the Soil and Water Conservation Society	MEETING AGENDA Welcome- Carol Blaisdell, President, Southern New England Chapter, SWCS  Keynote Address: Early Detection of Invasive Plants-  Sarah Reichard, University of Washington  Control of Invasive Plant Species: When and How to Take Action- Chris Mattrick, New England Wild Flower Society Mile-a-Minute Vine: A New Invader in Southern New England- Bill Williams, Audubon Society of Greenwich  Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife- Donna Ellis, University of Connecticut  Choosing Alternatives to Invasive Exotic Plants for Wildlife Habitat Enhancement- Peter Picone, CT Dept. of Environmental Protection Interactive Forum for Q&A –Panel & Audience  Wrap-Up and Concluding Statement- Charlotte Pyle, Natural Resources Conservation Service
A Brief Awards Ceremony followed the morning's presentations.  The Southern New England Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society  is pleased to announce the following 2001 Award Winners: Seth Lerman, Chapter Commendation Award  & National SWCS Commendation Award  for his dedicated leadership and numerous contributions to the Southern New England Chapter Ruth Klue, Chapter Honor Award & National SWCS Honor Award for her efforts in protecting natural systems while planning human systems with the South Branch Park River Partnership, Hartford, CT Town of North Kingston, RI - Chapter Merit Award  for its efforts to conserve natural resources and protect farmland and groundwater resources Connecticut Audubon - Chapter Merit Award  for its dedicated efforts to link ecosystems, manage habitat and provide environmental education at the Bafflin Sanctuary Working Lands Alliance -Chapter Merit Award for outstanding leadership and advocacy for farmland protection in Connecticut
For further information on this meeting's topic contact SNEC-SWCS at: SNEC-SWCS P.O. Box 7641 Cumberland, RI 02864 401-822-8829	or visit: The Connecticut Invasive Plants Working Group at:  http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/cipwg/ or Connecticut NRCS for more links at: http://www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/landscp/invasive/websites.htm
Return to Southern New England Chapter of SWCS	Mark your Calendars!!! The 3rd Meeting in the Invasive Plant Series has been set for June 15, 2001 Join us for a Field Identification Session with  Dr. Les Mehrhoff, UCONN For more information and registration: Focus on Field Identification - Invasive Brochure