How To Start A Project

1. Whitehall Project Teachers: Todd Breitenfeldt And Mike Battaiola How To Start A Project

2. Subject of Talk: • Overview of Whitehall Project • Strategies to start • Replicable • Other Similar Programs • Benefits

3. Projects Do Not Appear Out Of No Where!

4. Overview of Whitehall/WHE • Start Small, K.I.S! • knapweed insectary • Bio-agent collection • Bio-agent release/augmentation • Release site location, monitoring & mapping • Land owner relations – are GREAT! • Public collection days – are FUN! • Education: teachers & landowners

5. Pick 2-3 weeds, 5-6 bio-agents of focus • Choose area of focus, plan budget • Locate teachers/groups in it for the long term • One person in charge • Be patient, plan for expansion. Start Small, K.I.S.!

6. Be Patient!

7. -Winter: Talk to students about job next summer, plan of work, MWCA Annual Meeting, present grants -Spring: Hire students, order needed supplies, begin articles -Late Spring: Train students, clean up insectaries, transplant replacement plants, plan release site monitoring schedule -Early Summer: finish insectaries, call all land owners, begin monitoring at correct times for bio-agents, begin field collections -Summer: Maintain insectaries, continue monitoring, collections, hold public collection days, plan for future funding/write grants -Mid/Late Summer: Make sure insectary flashing/netting is secure, begin Cyphocleonus collections, update records -Early Fall: students collect weevils -Fall: winterize equipment and insectaries, turn in grants…..sit back and smile at a job well done! Yearly Cycle

8. Too Many Cooks…

9. Insectary mass rear knapweed insects: • Produce: 1000-3000 Cyphocleonus achatesweevils and ~500-1,600 Agapeta zoegana mothseach year • Insectary gardens on school grounds = great ed. opportunity students collect, help maintain + tours • Quite labor intensive – school, crews • Our problem: we are out of pullable knapweed in So. Jefferson Co.!

10. Whitehall Insectary Views:

11. Other Insectaries:

12. Bio-Agent Collection: • Different method for each bio-agent “know the label!” • Sweep nets, hand pick, vac., accelerator, aspirator or pump • Contact all landowners w/ bio-release sites: educate & monitor • GPS map and monitor bio-release sites • Hold public bio-agent collection (net) days.

13. Pay Attention to the weather and timing of insect populations

14. Collection Views:

15. Plan release sites • Release at proper time and in good habitat • Augment ‘till well established. Bio-Agent Release/Augmentation:

16. Release Site Location, Mapping & Monitoring

17. Land Owners Relations -Are GREAT!!! • Each year call every land owner and ask them what they want us to do: nothing, monitor, redistribute, augment and/or public collection day • Great way to educate about IPM! • Land Owners come to expect this service • Good PR for County, School and all weed fighters • Find and utilize useful bursts of insects!

18. Public Collection Days – Are FUN!! • Land owners have “ownership” • Great education opportunity • PR Value!

19. Education: • Teachers educating students about weeds • Whitehall Project Summer Classes • Noxious Weed Curriculum • Educate local land owners