Sage Notes Idaho Native Plant Society Inside this issue - Annual Meeting 2 nd Announcement - Register by June 1 2006 Election - Ballot Enclosed - Vote by June 2 Volume 28 (1) Spring 2006 Contents Conservation Briefs Scientists Decry Attempts to Weaken Endangered Species Act 1 Endangered-plant lovers unite 1 National Conservation Group Calls for Opposition to Kempthorne Appointment 4 Land Sale Program Opposed by Many 5 Features Member Profile: A Tribute to Lois Wythe 6 Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 7 News and Notes Plant Species Named 8 2006 Idaho Rare Plant Conference 8 Ecological Society of America Position Paper on Invasive Species 9 Deer Flat to Host BioBlitz 9 Society News and Activities Idaho Native Plant Society Annual Meeting 10 INPS Board Highlights 12 Kinnikinnick Chapter 13 BALLOT - mail by June 2. Editorial Committee Chair INPS Sage Notes PO Box 9451 Boise, ID 83707 days: (208) 287-2726 evenings: (208) 342-2631 Committee Members/ Contributing Editors Nancy Cole Cyndi Coulter Cleve Davis Tom Jefferson Marlene Fritz Chris Murphy Steve Rust Mark Shumar Sarah Walker Sage Notes is published quarterly by Idaho Native Plant Society, incorporated since 1 977 under the laws of the State of Idaho. Ads: Personal ads: $2; Commercial ads: $5 for 1/8 page, $8 for 1/4 page, $15 for 1/2 page, and $25 for full page. Ads should be sent with payment. Submissions: Members and others are invited to submit material for publication. Articles in any form, even hand-written, are welcome, as is artwork. Please provide a phone number in case there are questions. Material will be returned upon request. Please try to submit items for coming issues by the following dates: Spring, February 1, 2006; Summer, May 1 2006; Fall, September 1 , 2006; Winter, December 1 , 2006. Cover: Lupinus argenteus. Line drawing by Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 348. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. From USDA NRCS PLANTS Database. Editor’s Note: Many thanks to all that have contributed to this issue of Sage Notes - the premier newsletter on conservation of Idaho native plants and their habitats. There is a general consensus within the Society that Sage Notes should be produced by a committee. The job is too much for one person to take on - for any length of time or in a sustainable manner. Rather, we need a team of folks, all contributing small or large pieces to the whole; either in a series of contributions (produced reliably for sequential issues) or as a single installment. Sage Notes is open to all. A vast amount of opportunity is here: little ideas, big dreams, stories, technical papers, white papers on conservation issues, personal reflections, artistic renderings, imagery, book reviews, lists (of plants, people, or places; lists of lists), poetry, field reports, meeting reports, and advertisements. Opportunity abounds! Please consider submitting to Sage Notes. Better yet - please consider serving on the Sage Notes Editorial Committee. Thanks, SKR. Opposite: Lupinus seed. Line drawing courtesy of USDA Forest Service. From USDA NRCS PLANTS Database. Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Conservation Briefs Compiled by Tom Jefferson Scientists Decry Attempts to Weaken Endangered Species Act - Leading Biologists Release Sign-On Letter By Union of Concerned Scientists Leading scientists released a letter signed by 5,738 biologists across the United States urging the Senate to stand by scientific principles that are crucial to species conservation in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The letter (representing scientists from all 50 states and more than 900 institutions) asks Congress to stop efforts to weaken the ESA. "Thanks to a strong scientific foundation, for 30 years the Endangered Species Act has protected wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction," said Dr. Stuart PIM, Doris Duke Chair of Conservation Biology, Duke University. "We should protect biodiversity by strengthening and fully funding the ESA, rather than attacking it." "The Endangered Species Act has been effective because it is based on good science," said Dr. Gordon Orians, Professor Emeritus in the Biology Department at the University of Washington. "Since it was enacted, less than one percent of species listed under the ESA have gone extinct, while 1 0 percent of species waiting to be listed have been lost." The scientists credit the success of the ESA to its reliance on the best available science, and caution that recent congressional proposals-particularly those that seek to narrowly define or limit the science used to enforce the ESA-will result in extinctions. The letter emphasizes that, "The current Endangered Species Act standard of "best available science" has worked well and has been flexible enough overtime to accommodate evolving scientific information and practices." The scientists recommend the Senate can best protect and strengthen the ESA by ensuring sound scientific practices in five areas: species listings, habitat, scientific tools, recovery plans and scientific advances. "The Endangered Species Act has protected many species over the last 30 years. The bald eagle was on the brink of extinction in the 1970s and is now found in all the lower 48 states," said Dr. Jennifer Hughes Martiny, Assistant Professor, Dept, of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Center for Environmental Studies, Brown University. "By limiting the science that can be used to enforce the ESA, the House of Representatives has put endangered species at even greater risk," said Dr. Dennis Murphy, Research Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. "Losing these species means losing the potential to solve some of the world's most intractable problems. Species diversity has provided humankind with food, fiber, medicines, clean water, and numerous other services that many of us take for granted." The list of signers includes 12 MacArthur "genius award" recipients, six National Medal of Science recipients, 39 National Academy of Science members, and 20 Pew Marine Science Fellows. Endangered-plant lovers unite in effort to boost U.S. protection By Eric Hand, St. Louis Post-Dispatch The kodachrome bladderpod and Hoover's spurge; the fleshy owl's clover and the four-petal pawpaw; the sensitive joint-vetch, the showy stickseed, Virginia sneezeweed and Michigan monkey-flower - the total spending for all of these at-risk plants is still less than the money spent on an endangered river clam called the fat pocketbook. It's not that easy being green. Plants make up more than half of the 1 ,290 plant and animal species on the federal endangered or threatened list. But animals get 97% of the money, according to the 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expenditure report, which includes money spent by all federal and state agencies. Philadelphus lewisii. Photograph by S. Rust. 1 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Some call it zoo-chauvinism. Others call it plant blindness. Either way, the disparity irks the staff of the Center for Plant Conservation, a nonprofit organization at the Missouri Botanical Garden that banks rare seeds and reintroduces plants to former ranges. On a gray day earlier this month at an aging airport hotel, the center staff tried to rally a motley crew of horticulturists, botanists and bureaucrats to invigorate a loose confederation known as the Plant Conservation Alliance. The conference seemed low-budget. Some of the attending organizations have low budgets. Only by connecting these disparate plant lovers through collaborative efforts will greater plant awareness arise, said center director Kathryn Kennedy. Animals have plenty of advocates, she said. Plants don't. While the federal endangered list provides some plants protection, many more deserve it, according to NatureServe, a nonprofit organization that tracks conservation data. NatureServe says there are 16,100 native plant species in the United States. Of those, 5,474 - more than one-third - are considered at risk. Plant blindness - In 1998, a botanist named James Wandersee coined the term "plant blindness" to describe the way plants are neglected. He sought reasons for it. Some of the reasons are evolutionary, he has written. The human eye notices color, movement and danger - in short, animals. "Plants tend to be the green backdrop," Kennedy said. Bruce Rittenhouse, the center's conservation program manager, has a simpler explanation: "You can pet an animal." The government has shown animals the money. Fish get the most - $382 million - followed by mammals and birds. A few examples: The least tern, a bird, didn't get the most, but it got a lot - $4 million. The whooping crane got a whopping $5 million. Even the kangaroo rat got nearly half a million bucks. By contrast, the decurrent false aster got $97,561 . It's a 5-foot-tall perennial that grows in only three spots in Missouri near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The entire species was underwater during the Flood of 1993. Not only does the government spend more on animals, but, legally, it can do more for them. In old English law, animals were the property of the king, Kennedy said. She said that attitude is embedded in the Endangered Species Act. The government can force private landowners to maintain habitat for endangered animals. But private landowners can cut down as many endangered plants as they want. Banking seeds - Meredith Gosejohan doesn't suffer from plant blindness. If anything, she's blinded by love for them. A researcher for the center, Gosejohan goes to obscure locations to gather rare seed pods - sometimes wading through waist-deep water and climbing to rock overhangs. She brings seeds back and, on her desk, counts them all with tweezers, even when there are thousands smaller than a pinhead. Some she sends in sealed foil envelopes to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Colorado. Others, she germinates in Petri dishes, sometimes rubbing them with sandpaper to get them to sprout. On a recent morning, she lovingly washed the leaves of an endangered Hawaiian plant to rid it of mites. For Gosejohan, conservation is an ethical obligation. Earth is in the midst of its sixth period of massive extinction - and most of those extinctions are because of humans, she said. Kennedy says plant conservation is not just a "greeny" issue - there are plenty of practical reasons to care about them. Humans use plants for food, fibers, waxes, oils and building materials. Plants are often "keystone" species that hold together entire ecologies. And a rare plant might hold the genetic or chemical key to some future discovery. "I would hate to say that today we could judge what uses we might need them for," she said. Who gets the most money Top 5 animals: Chinook salmon: $122,620,000 Steelhead: $101,449,000 Steller sea lion: $54,81 1 ,000 Coho salmon: $30,242,000 Bull trout: $29,296,000 Top 5 plants: Johnson's seagrass: $3,164,000 Pondberry: $1 ,175,000 Western prairie fringed orchid: $350,000 Seabeach Amaranth: $260,000 Ko'oloa'ula: $257,000 Source: 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expenditure report. 3 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) National Conservation Group Calls for Opposition to Kempthorne Appointment Conservation biologists representing the Center for Biological Diversity made a call for letters and support of opposition to the nomination of Idaho Governor Kempthorne to the post of Secretary of United States Department of the Interior. The call for support of opposition focuses on endangered species and habitat conservation issues related to the Endangered Species Act. Kempthorne’s Dismal Record on Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation 1 -Throughout his career, Dirk Kempthorne has maintained close ties to timber, mining, and development corporations. Before running for public office, Kempthorne worked as public affairs manager for the agricultural chemical company FMC Corp. and vice president of the Idaho Homebuilders Association. In his 2002 gubernatorial reelection campaign, Kempthorne received more money from timber, mining, and energy industries than any other western gubernatorial candidate. Perhaps not coincidentally, his League of Conservation Voters environmental voting record in the U.S. Senate was a low 1% for his six years in the Senate (6% the first year and 0% each following year), and as governor of Idaho he has a poor record on conservation of wildlife and habitat. Opposed recovery of Threatened grizzly bears -As governor, Kempthorne sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an attempt to stop the reintroduction of grizzlies into the remote Bitterroot Wilderness Area. Kempthorne said, “Can you believe the Clinton Administration proposal to re-introduce flesh-eating grizzly bears into the Selway- Bitterroot Wilderness? Folks, this could be the first land management action in history to result in sure death and injury of citizens. We will challenge this blatant confrontation to our state sovereignty in federal court." 2 This exaggeration ignores the fact that the entirety of Idaho is within the threatened bears’ historic range, and ignores the fact that the 1 .3 million-acre Bitterroot Wilderness Area is federal public land. Opposed recovery of Endangered wolves -As governor, Kempthorne signed a memorial asking the U.S. Department of the Interior to remove all wolves from Idaho, and calling for the eradication of wolves in Idaho "by any means necessary ," and claiming that recovery of imperiled wolves and grizzly bears “has no basis in common sense, legitimate science, or free-enterprise economics." 3 Days after signing an agreement to shift federal management of the ' Prepared by Center for Biological Diversity staff. 2 State of the State address to the Idaho legislature Jan 8, 2001 3 Idaho House Joint Memorial No. 5 by Resources and Conservation Committee (2001) endangered wolf to the state of Idaho, Kempthorne released a plan to exterminate 75% of the wolves in some packs. Kempthorne blamed the endangered wolves for a decline in elk populations, but elk had been declining in those areas since before wolves had been reintroduced, and biologists stated that the available habitat couldn’t support increased elk herds. Introduced Senate bill to undermine the Endangered Species Recoverv -Specifically. the 1997 bill S. 1 1 80 — supported by the American Forest and Paper Association, American Petroleum Institute, National Mining Association, and other industry lobbies— would exempt recovery implementation plans for endangered species from judicial review, thereby leaving them entirely at the whim of political manipulation, eliminating scientific scrutiny, and abandoning the recovery standard. The bill would also exempt recovery implementation agreements with federal agencies from Section 7 consultation, thereby eliminating the process by which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists update federal agency management strategies and modify them as necessary to prevent serious harm to endangered species. Fortunately, this bill did not pass. Voted to eliminate the federal ESA listing budqet -As a senator, Kempthorne voted in favor of an amendment to HR 889 (1996) Defense Supplemental Appropriations to eliminate the remaining funding for the ESA listing budget available that year. Fortunately, this amendment did not pass. Voted to eliminate federal funding for endangered red wolf recoverv -As a senator, Kempthorne voted in favor of an amendment to the Fiscal 1996 Interior Appropriations bill HR 1977 (1996) to eliminate the recovery budget for the red wolf, with the justification that the wolf is too dangerous. Fortunately, this amendment did not pass. Voted to open environmental regulations to a new round of takings claims -As a senator, Kempthorne voted in favor of S. 2271 (1998) to overrule Supreme Court decisions that require developers to attempt to resolve land disputes through administrative means before going to the courts with “takings” claims. The bill would allow developers to override federal environmental laws and local zoning. Fortunately, this bill did not pass. Voted repeatedly to open Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drillinq -As a senator, Kempthorne repeatedly voted to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration (1995 and 1996). Wants to open roadless areas to logging and development -As governor, Kempthorne joined forces with Boise-Cascade timber company to sue the USDA Forest Service in 2001 to block implementation of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule that would protect rare roadless areas national forests from road-building and development; he has actively supported the Bush Administration’s efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule. Kempthorne derided the rule as a “federal edict,” ignoring the fact that the rule affects only federal lands. 4 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Miscellaneous : • As governor, Kempthorne once threatened to throw the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency out of Idaho when it proposed to list polluted mines there as a Superfund site. • On the four-member Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners, Kempthorne repeatedly voted to ignore court decisions and withhold grazing leases from conservation groups to award them instead to ranchers at lower prices. • As a senator, Kempthorne repeatedly voted to sell off federal public lands, including lands managed by the Department of Interior (1995, 1996, 1998). Land Sale Program Opposed by Many 4 Critics of a Bush administration proposal to sell tracts of National Forest System land contend that some of those tracts have high conservation values and should not be sold. Organizations such as the Nature Conservancy say the Forest Service should study the planned sales more rigorously. "Absent a careful, science-based analysis of individual tracts proposed for sale, the Forest Service risks harm to its conservation mission," said conservancy President Steve McCormick in an April 28 letter to the Forest Service. Like other program critics, the Conservancy cited specific examples of high-risk lands that might be sold. On Wenatchee National Forest in Washington, for instance, McCormick said the Forest Service includes in its inventory a tract that borders Swauk Creek, an area of important aquatic and fish species. Rep. Rik Keller ®-Fla.) recently opposed the administration for including in the sale inventory 1 ,000 acres of Ocala National Forest in Florida. "They say these lands are not 'crown jewels,"' he said on the House floor. "While our budget shortfall is temporary, ruining pristine national lands is permanent. We cannot sell national forest lands every time there is a budget shortfall. This is a dangerous precedent for Congress to set." Finally, powerful fishing and hunting groups that usually side with the Republican Party wrote Congressional appropriators May 3 objecting to the proposal because of possible habitat loss. "Hunters and anglers simply will not support any proposal that could further exacerbate this overwhelming problem," said the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on behalf of hunting and fishing groups. The Bush administration proposed the land sale program in its fiscal year 2007 budget February 6 to provide $800 million to sustain the Secure Rural Schools Act of 2000 for a few more years. The administration would let the program expire after four years. The Forest Service posted on its website the location of 300,000 acres it was evaluating for sale, with a sale of 200,000 acres contemplated. The agency then took public comment through May 1 . Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, did not submit formal comments to the Forest Service, but he didn't have to, said an aide to Wyden, "He has said in public hearings on several occasions he would block any legislation to authorize land sales." The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 allocates more than $400 million each year to compensate forest communities for lost timber sale revenues. Allocations are based on 25 percent of sale revenues from the past. Because the Secure Rural Schools law expires at the end of fiscal year 2006 in September, Congress is now working on legislation to extend it. (See previous article on legislation to rescue the program.) Acer glabrum. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database /Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Val. 2: 497. 4 Adapted from FS Land Sale Program Takes a Lashing from Many Quarters, Public Lands News 31(9), Resources Publishing Co., Arlington. 5 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Features A Tribute to Lois Wythe By Phil Hough Sandpoint’s native plant arboretum has become a true regional treasure, a place to go for an introduction to native plants and for quiet contemplation. Because the trees, plants and the serene setting take center stage, it’s easy to forget the dedication and hours of toil that have gone on behind the scenes to make this wonderful place possible. Let’s take a moment to recognize Lois Wythe and the original team of “straw bosses” she recruited for all their efforts in creating and maintaining this special place. Lois’s dream for an Arboretum moved toward reality in the mid-1990’s with her impassioned plea for others to join her in "signing away one summer morning per week for the rest LoisWythe . Photograph by p. Hough, of their lives.” This produced 1 2 dedicated volunteers. Through hard work and sheer force of will they endured the trials of selecting and acquiring a site, planning and coordinating all the details, and soliciting both community support as well as sponsorship. With the bureaucracy behind them they set about creating, maintaining and continually improving a place where native plants, and our appreciation of them, can flourish. Their never-ending work continues to this day. Their work quickly grew into creating the Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. Most of these individuals are still giving heart and soul every week to the arboretum, testimony to the loyalty and comm itment that Lois inspires. Many more carry on other chapter work including local landscaping projects and conservation work. We thank all these many volunteers for their dedication and perseverance. The legacy of Lois’s dream, drive, and passion will be the continued growth and strength of the arboretum, the Kinnikinnick Chapter, and the Idaho Native Plant Society. The dedication and ongoing efforts carried out by Lois continue to inspire new volunteers and bring about improvements to the arboretum and the society. We salute Lois and support the fulfillment of her vision! Violoa. Photograph by P. Hough. 6 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Recommending a Scotchman Peaks Wilderness By Phil Hough Since 1987, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and the Kootenai National Forest have managed the Scotchman Peaks area as “Recommended Wilderness.” The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, which formed about a year ago, believes that this unique place deserves permanent protection as part of the national wilderness system. Currently there are no lands in Northern Idaho, and only very limited lands in Western Montana, which have been set aside for wilderness. This region has more unprotected wild country than any other place in the contiguous United States. Lying just north of Clark Fork, Idaho, the Scotchmans, at the west end of cedar, hemlock and white pine to dry southern slopes dotted with ponderosa pines, to inland temperate rainforest to fragile alpine lichens and delicate wildflowers. Found here are giant cedars, hidden glens, clear streams and rocky clefts which shelter small and fragile lichens and sedges. These mountains, rolling north to Canada and east to Montana, are a natural corridor for native species of flora and fauna, forming a vital link in the Yukon to Yellowstone corridor. The Scotchmans are a source of clean water and a place of unparalleled beauty. Grizzlies and wolves whose presence defines “wild” to many people are found here, along with mountain goats, bull trout, wolverine and Canada lynx. So are a wide array of wildflowers and unique native plants. This area is at the convergence of the northern Rockies ecosystem, the southern reaches of the northern boreal forest and at the extreme inland edge influenced by maritime climes. Disjunctive flora The Scothman Peaks. Photograph by P. Hough. the Cabinet Mountains, hold steep and deep valleys with pristine microcosms of wild native plants and animals, clear flowing streams and precious solitude. The Scotchmans cover parts of 3 counties, 2 states and 2 National Forests, plus several watersheds, and numerous habitats and life zones. The Scotchmans form the rugged backbone of the northern Idaho / Montana border. They define the word “diverse.” They also bring new meaning to the words “steep” and “rugged.” Perhaps because they cross over so many borders they have been forgotten. And, perhaps being forgotten has been good until now. Should we continue to forget the Scotchmans we risk losing them to those who will discover new uses for their resources. Or, at least, we risk losing those qualities that make the Scotchmans so special. This part of the West Cabinet Mountains has an abundant variety of native plants and native plant habitat, ranging from deep valleys of old growth species are frequently found here. Many plant and animal species call the Scotchmans home; all are vital links in the chain of life. Leaving this unique place undisturbed protects plants, wildlife, water quality, and wonderful views. It preserves a place for us to go when we need to get away. In a time when we face population growth and rapid change, we want to be certain that this special place remains available for ourselves to grow along with our native flora and fauna. The Scotchmans should continue to be a refuge for that part of this entire web of life that grows wild and yearns for wilderness. For information about Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, go online to: www.scotchmanpeaks.org. 7 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) News and Notes New Plant Species Named after Sacajawea! By Edna Rey-Vizgirdas A species new to science -- Sacajawea’s bitterroot ( Lewisia sacajaweana) is the first plant species to be named in honor of Sacajawea. An Idaho native, this rare and beautiful plant occurs nowhere else in the world but central Idaho. Just over two dozen populations of Sacajawea’s bitterroot are known to exist — roughly 3/4ths of them on the Boise National Forest. Scattered populations also occur on the Payette, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National Forests. Sacajawea’s bitterroot was not always considered a unique species. It was originally known as Kellogg’s bitterroot, also found in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Recent research on the plant’s genetic and physical characteristics confirmed that the Idaho plants are indeed distinct from the Sierra plants. Sacajawea’s bitterroot is smaller than its California relatives, and about half the size of the com mon bitterroot. Idahoans can now celebrate both Sacajawea and this unique rare plant named in her honor — 200 years after the Lewis and Clark Expedition! Results of the 2006 Idaho Rare Plant Conference By Michael Mancuso A high country resident, Sacajawea’s bitterroot can be found in montane and subalpine habitats ranging from 5,000 to 9,500 feet. The plant is dormant most of the year, like its relative, the common bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva (Montana’s state flower). Shortly after snowmelt, a rosette of succulent leaves emerges, followed by showy white flowers that hug the ground. After flowering, all aboveground signs of the plant disappear - with the tuberous carrot-like root hidden just below the surface. The name Lewisia was originally developed in 1813 by botanist Frederick Pursh to honor Meriwether Lewis. Although Lewis collected a handful of bitterroot plants during the historic journey, Sacajawea’s bitterroot was apparently not one of them. Lewisia sacajaweana on Boise National Forest. Photograph by S. Rust. The INPS Rare Plant List contained 324 species (287 vascular and 37 non-vascular/lichens) prior to the 2006 conference, plus an additional 1 1 7 Review category species. A total of 56 (17%) of these species were discussed at the 2006 conference. Based on the group review process, the majority of species discussed at the conference had no change made to their conservation status on the The 22nd Idaho Rare Plant Conference was held February 1 4 and 1 5 at the Idaho Power Headquarters building in downtown Boise. Approximately 75 people interested in rare plant conservation in Idaho attended the annual INPS-sponsored event. The primary purpose of the conference is to present new information about species on the INPS rare plant list. The open forum format of the conference allows information about field surveys, monitoring projects, protection measures, conservation strategies, threats, taxonomy, and other issues to be reviewed and discussed. The conservation status of several species on the list typically change as a result of this review process. The annual review and updating of the INPS rare plant list helps ensure its relevancy and usefulness. The list is dynamic (even after over 20 years) and reflects the ongoing accumulation and synthesis of information concerning Idaho's rare flora. The conference is also an opportunity for the INPS to make recommendations to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for those plant species needing the most conservation attention. 8 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) INPS list. Four species had a change in status. Two species were removed from the INPS list. In addition, the names of 4 species on the INPS list were changed to reflect recent taxonomic treatments. Eight new species were added to the INPS list, including 4 of these to the Review category. The Review category is comprised of species that may be of conservation concern in Idaho, but which lack sufficient information to base a recommendation regarding their placement on the INPS list. A summary of the results from the 2006 conference follows. The full Idaho Rare Plant List and results from the 22nd conference will be posted on the INPS webpage in the near future. Ecological Society of America Position Paper on Invasive Species On March 3, 2006, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) released a new position paper on invasive species. Titled "Biological Invasions: Recommendations for U.S. Policy and Management," 5 the paper outlines six specific actions for the federal government. The ESA paper was released at the end of the seventh annual National Invasive Weed Awareness Week (NIWAW). The week's events brought together invasive species experts and land managers from over 35 states to raise awareness about invasive species and advocate for comprehensive federal action on the issue. ESA President Nancy Grimm noted that "this position paper provides insight into both the ecology of invasions and key, science-based recommendations that will be useful for policy makers grappling with the effects of invasive species." The paper recommends that the federal government, in cooperation with state, and local governments, take the following six actions: - Use new information and practices to better manage commercial and other pathways to reduce the transport and release of potentially harmful species. - Adopt new, more quantitative procedures for risk analysis and apply them to every species proposed for importation in the country. - Use new, more cost-effective diagnostic techniques to increase active surveillance and sharing of information about invasive species, so 5 Available online: http://www.esa.org/pao/esaPositions/ that responses to new invasions can be more rapid and effective. - Create new legal authority and provide emergency funding to support rapid responses to emerging invasions. - Provide funding and incentives for cost-effective programs to slow the spread of existing invasive species, in order to protect still uninvaded ecosystems, social and industrial infrastructure, and human welfare. - Establish a National Center for Invasive Species Management (under the existing National Invasive Species Council) to coordinate and lead improvements in federal, state, and international policies on invasive species. The paper was authored by: David Lodge (University of Notre Dame), Brian Leung (McGill University), Susan L. Williams (University of Windsor), Peter Moyle (University of California-Davis), Keith Hayes (CSIRO Marine Research), Hugh Maclsaac (University of Windsor), Sarah Reichard (University of Washington), Richard N. Mack (Washington State University), Maggie Smith (Ecological Society of America), David Andow (University of Minnesota), James Carlton (Williams College-Mystic Seaport), and Anthony McMichael (Australian National University). Deer Flat to Host BioBlitz Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge will host a BioBlitz June 2 & 3, 2006. Race against time in this 24-hour rapid inventory of biological diversity as scientists, naturalists and community members comb the refuge in search of life! Discover and celebrate biological diversity at the BioBlitz science fair on Saturday at the refuge Visitor Center. The fair will include displays, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and lectures. Watch the species count rise and sign up for a trip into the field with a scientist. Everyone is invited to attend on June 3. Scientists with field experience and taxonomic expertise as well as individuals interested in helping with event logistics are encouraged to join the BioBlitz team now. For more information, please call Lauren Giebler at 208.467.9278 or e-mail Lauren giebler at fws dot gov 9 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Society News and Activities Idaho Native Plant Society Annual Meeting Now is an ideal time to schedule your trip to the INPS Annual Meeting at Farragut State Park located on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. The field trips and meeting will be held June 23-25. A full schedule is below. Larch Campground with a capacity of 50 campers will be our headquarters for this event. The area is for tenting with very limited parking for a few self contained truck campers or camper trailers. This campground is located within a conifer grove a stone’s throw away from Buttonhook Bay. A short walk brings you to Beaver Bay Swim Area. A shallow (by Lake Pend Oreille standards) swim area, hot showers and flush toilets are available. A number of trails--over 32 miles-are located within Farragut Park. A small, but very interesting museum is located in the park headquarters. The variety of habitats within a short walking distance of Larch Campground range from dry slopes, to the sunny lake shore, to cool streams, to high mountain slopes. This diversity of habitat provides for a rich blend of plant communities and species. Lake Pend Oreille is a large, deep, body of crystal clear water. It is Idaho’s largest and most spectacular lake. The Clark Fork River is the main tributary leading into the lake. The Pend Oreille River is the main outlet. It is believed that Lake Pend Oreille contributes much of the water that forms the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer that is the main source of drinking water for the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Spokane, Washington, areas. Farragut was the second largest Naval training center in the world during World War II. It has been a state park since 1965. The Lake Pend Oreille Naval Acoustic Research Facility in Bayview conducts environmentally sound research for Navy ships and submarines, and supports State and University fish and lake research. The small town of Bayview situated on the park’s north side has several restaurants and marinas as well as a post office, laundromat and general store. Farragut State Park is approximately halfway between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. Either of these larger cities is about 30 miles away. Spokane, Washington, is 50 miles away with easy access to Spokane International Airport. Schedule of Events Friday - Arrive, sign in, set up camp and become familiar with the area. Visit the Farragut museum . Campfire get acquainted, get together, s'mores, etc. in the evening. Saturday - 8:00 a.m. Welcome to Farragut State Park by Ranger Dennis Woolford 8:30 a.m. Gather into field trip groups. • Weeds of Farragut Field Trip with Nina Eckberg, Superintendent, Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control. • Loop Field Trip led by a botanist TBA. • Tweete/Scout Trail Field Trip (day long) with Bob Lee. Wear sturdy walking shoes, appropriate clothing, carry a sack lunch and water. 11:45 a.m. Weeds and Loop Field Trips return to camp for lunch. Repeat morning Weeds and Loop Field Trips, switching participants Catered no host meal -$12.50 per person. Menu is chicken, barbecued ribs, 4 types of salad, rolls and huckleberry mousse pie. Vegetarian by request. Short annual meeting. Rocky Mountain Lake Ecology by Dr. Fred Rabe, University of Idaho. 1 :00 p.m . 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sunday - • Committee meetings-a time to hold face-to-face meetings to get acquainted • People can hike some of the trails they missed or prepare to return home. 1:00 p.m. Board telephone conference. 10 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Directions - From Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, go north to Athol, Idaho, on Highway 95. Turn east on Highway 54 at the light on the intersection of Highway 95 and Highway 54. Go 4 miles to the park entrance. Stop at the Kiosk and tell them you are with INPS at Larch Campground. Directions and a vehicle pass will be given to you. INPS will pay the campground fee. Attendees are responsible for the no host dinner on Saturday evening. Invited Speakers: Dr. Fred Rabe is a college professor, retired from the University of Idaho, where he taught general ecology and allied courses. His research dealt in part with the Coeur d'Alene watershed and Research Natural Areas. Dr. Rabe’s passion is aquatic ecosystems. He has published in refereed journals and has written four books on the subject. General location of Farragut State Park in northern Idaho. Since receiving her Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University in Horticultural Science, Nina Eckberg has worked for federal and state laboratories (USDA Seed Lab and Colorado State Soils Lab), landscape management companies, the University of Georgia Extension Service (as a County Agriculture/Horticulture Agent), and now, noxious weed control. Map showing roads to Farragut State Park from Athol, Idaho. Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Idaho Native Plant Society 2006 Annual Meeting June 23 - 25, 2006 REGISTRATION FORM Name: Address: City: State: Zip code: Telephone: E-mail: I (we) will attend □ both Friday and Saturday night □ only Friday night □ only Saturday night □ only during the day on Saturday. The following number of people in my party will attend the no-host meal on Saturday evening regular meals and vegetarian meals. Please mail registration form: Or email information to: Idaho Native Plant Society jebenoit at sisna dot com c/o Janet Benoit P.O. Box 331 Careywood, ID 83809 Registration: Please register by June 1 , 2006: Janet Benoit, P.O. Box 331 , Careywood, ID, 83809 jebenoit at sisna dot com Please send your name, address, phone number, and email address. Please indicate when you plan to attend the annual meeting: Friday night only, Saturday night only, both nights, Saturday daytime only, how many for Saturday night dinner, Saturday night dinner vegetarian. INPS Board Highlights The summer board meeting will occur on Sunday, June 25, 2006; at 1 :00 p.m. PDT/2:00 p.m. MDT. The Board welcomed Lisa Hahn, Membership Committee Chair. Lisa reported that she is beginning to coordinate some membership information from the Rare Plant Conference. The Board reviewed the historic roles of the Membership Committee and Treasurer. The Treasurer will continue to manage INPS mail, collect dues and other income, pay bills, and manage bank accounts. The Membership Committee will maintain and develop member information, recruit new members, and take charge of the membership brochure. Molly O'Reilly, Nominating Committee Chair, reported that a full slate of nominees for offices is prepared. The nominees are Janet Benoit, President; Kent Fothe rg ill, Vice President; Eric Wilson, Secretary; Jody Hull, Treasurer. Al Crockett was appointed as Member-At-Large. Janet Benoit, Program Committee (and Vice President), reported that the Annual Meeting will be held June 23-25, 2005, at Farragut State Park. Beginning Friday p.m. the large campground has been reserved. Some tenting and self-contained spots are available. There's a 50 person maximum. Early reservations encouraged: contact Janet Benoit. The Society will pay the cost of the group campsite: $1 75 minimum to reserve campground for 2 nights; an additional (approximate) $150 ($3/night/person x 50) for campsite use; and $4/car/day entrance fee to Farragut State Park. The Society has budgeted $625 for annual meeting expenses. Steve Rust, President, lead a group discussion of needs for by-laws revisions. The Board discussed the need to differentiate between Society governance established by the by-laws and policy periodically established by the Board. Two separate documents are needed: (1 ) the by- laws and (2) a policy manual. The Society by- laws are relatively stable and change through a vote of the membership. The policy manual should serve as a living document to reflect and record routine, periodic decisions of the Board - which are currently hidden in board meeting minutes. Numerous preliminary issues and recommendations for by-law revisions were suggested: explore restructuring the board, length of term, and method of selecting officers; review Article 3, dues and processing payments; clarify membership categories and definitions; review vice president duties and consider dividing program and planning of annual meeting into separate area; review appointment of newsletter committee; review if bylaws should specify standing committees; and assess overall inconsistencies. 12 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) Kristin Fletcher, Past President, spoke of the need for officers and board members to work together as a team and to express their thanks for a job well done when appropriate. It's easy to forget that all board members volunteer their services and the time they spend furthering the Society’s mission must compete with work, fam ily, and relaxation. It's far easier to criticize another's efforts as being short of the mark; however, INPS will be better served if board members offer to help one another instead. We often get lost in the various personalities and disputes and forget that we are all trying help the Society, in general, and native plants, in particular. We all share a common goal. Phil Hough, Kinnickinnick Chapter President, presented a resolution of support for the establishment of a wilderness area in the Scotchman Peaks area of northern Idaho. USDA Forest Service recommended wilderness designation for about 56,000 acres of the 88,000 acre Inventoried Roadless Area. However when the relevant National Forests revised their master plans no wilderness was recommended. The current proposal is to establish a 60,000 to 65,000 acre wilderness area containing critical habitat for lynx, grizzly bear, wolverine, and bull trout. The Board voted to support the resolution. Rosa woodsii. Photograph by S. Rust. Janet Benoit reported on a USDA Forest Service proposal to sell 26,000 acres of public lands in Idaho to raise money for rural communities. Phil Hough noted that the land is often not contiguous to other federal lands but is, nonetheless, important open space. The Board voted in favor of creating a Statement of Principle against the sale of public lands. Kinnikinnick Chapter The Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society installed a new board of Directors in January. The new board’s first action was to select its officers. New officers are: Phil Hough, President; Rae Charlton, Vice President; Annette Fraser-Runnalls, Secretary; Marilyn George, Treasurer. Board member include Nancy Rodgers, Ann Wimberly, Ken Haag, Molly O'Reilly, and Sylvia Chatburn. In January the Kinnikinnick Chapter adopted a resolution supporting efforts to create a Scotchman Peaks wilderness area. On April 22 nd the Chapter hosted a half day Eurasian Milfoil Forum. The forum addressed the following topics: identification of native milfoil versus the invasive eurasian milfoil; botany, ecology and physiology of milfoil; threats to Lake Pend O’reille; integrated strategies of prevention and control; and current legislative efforts to combat this problem. Recent field trips: March 25 - Denton Slough for waterfowl birding. April 8 - Cloud's Ledge. Field Trips Planned May 6 - Shepherd Lake. Meet at Travel America, 9:00 a.m. Learn wildflowers and help develop a plant species list. Janet Benoit will lead the trip. May 27 - Native Plant Arboretum. Meet at Sandpoint Community Hall, 12:00 noon. Arboretum Gardeners will lead the trip. June 1 0 - Spar Creek, near Troy, MT. Meet at the mall, 7:15 a.m. Enjoy wildflowers and wet habitat. Moderately strenuous hike. Leader: Cabinet Ranger District Botanist, Terry Hightower. July 15 - Ross Creek Cedars, Hwy 56. Meet at the mall, 9:00 a.m. Explore old growth western redcedars. Dave Cobb is leading the trip. August 26 - Schweitzer huckleberry picking and wildflowers. Meet at the mall, 9:00 a.m. 13 Spring 2006 ❖ SAGE NOTES ❖ Quarterly Journal of the Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1) INPS Salutes Honorary Life Members Billie Farley Mary Grunewald McGown Patricia Packard Mike and Carol Prentice Lynda C. Smithman Robert Steele Beth Workman Joseph and Lois Wythe Many Thanks to Our Patron Members Laura and Bill Asbell (Calypso) Charles Baun (Pahove) Joe and Merlyn Belloff (Sah-Wah-Be) Branching Out, LLC (Wood River) Janet Campbell (White Pine) Jeanne and Bill Cassell (Wood River) Ann Christensen (Wood River) Nancy Cole (Pahove) Pam Conley (Pahove) Gillian Crymes (Pahove) Conservation Seeding and Restoration, Inc. (Loasa) Christopher Davidson (Pahove) Kate and Lou Dersch (Loasa) DG Nursery and Turf (Pahove) Barbara Ertter (Pahove) Dan Ray and Valerie Geertson-Ray (Pahove) Barbara J. Gentry (Loasa) Elaine Gill (Pahove) Alma Hanson (Pahove) Janice Hardman (Sah-Wah-Be) Jacie and Wayne Jensen (White Pine) Robert Lee (Calypso) David R. Mead (Loasa) Reid and Nancy Miller (White Pine) Darlene Nemnich (Loasa and Pahove) Charlotte Omoto (White Pine) Kaye and Hugh O'Riordan (Pahove) Julie and Robert Randell (Loasa) Red Willow Research, Inc. (Loasa) Bruce and Alice Ronald (Sah-Wah-Be) Michael Thomas and Alissa Salmore (Sah-Wah-Be) Sawtooth Botanical Garden (Wood River) Michael Thompson (At Large) Eudora Thorpe (Sah-Wah-Be) Marsha VanDeGrift (Pahove) Klara Varga (Sah-Wah-Be) David Varner (Pahove) Wendy Velman (Sah-Wah-Be) James and Eileen Whipple (White Pine) Welcome New Members! January 2006 - March 2006 Members at Large Susan Geer Kinnikinnick Chapter Tom Dillon Richard and Pamela Guttenberger Nancy Guttry Jean Maryburn Gail Swan Ann Wood Loasa Chapter Don Morshita Pahove Chapter Bill Bennett Edward Bracht Janet and Russ Buschert Michele L. Gray Jan Haneke David Henretty Cindy Jordan Julie McFarlane-Platt Philip Peterson Del Wiens Sah-wah-be Chapter Sallee Gasser Kathy Korba and Ray Laible Kay Merriam Shirley Rodgers White Pine Chapter Brenda Guettler Amanda Hendrix Wood River Chapter Louise Parsons 14 IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY 2006 Election of Officers BALLOT Please detach, complete, and mail the self-addressed ballot by June 2, 2006. The term of office is from one annual meeting to the next - 2006 - 2007 Please indicate your membership level and vote for one candidate for each of the four offices listed below. Membership level □ Individual □ Household □ Other President □ □ Janet Benoit □ □ other (write-in) Vice President □ □ Kent Fothergill □ □ other (write-in) Secretary □ □ Eric Wilson □ □ other (write-in) Treasurer □ □ Jody Hull □ □ other (write-in) first fold here first class postage required IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY Ballot Committee P.O. Box 9451 Boise, ID 83707 second fold here Idaho Native Plant Society Directory Officers President, Steve Rust Vice President, Janet Benoit Secretary, Eric Wilson Treasurer, Jody Hull Member-at-large, Alan Crockett Past President, Kristin Fletcher Com mittee Chairs Conservation Committee, Tom Jefferson Program Committee, Janet Benoit Membership Committee, Lisa Hahn Education, Research, and Inventory Grants Committee, Michael Mancuso Nominating Committee, Molly O’Rielly Ballot Committee, Cyndi Coulter Editorial Committee, Steve Rust Website Committee, Paul Shaffer 2006 Annual Rare Plant Conference Planning Committee, Cyndi Coulter By-Laws Revision Committee Native Plant Gardening and Restoration Calypso Chapter PO Box 331 Careywood, ID 83809 President, Bob Lee Vice President, Open Secretary, Phil Hruskocy Treasurer, Janet Benoit Newsletter, Phil Hruskocy Kinnikinnick Chapter 206 N. 4th Ave PMB 162 Sandpoint, ID 83864-1424 President, Phil Hough Vice President, Rae Carlton Secretary, Annette Fraser-Runnalls Treasurer, Marilyn George Conservation, Phil Hough and Joyce Pence Membership, Rae Charlton Newsletter, Mary Jo Haag, Wendy Aeschliman, and Margareta Larson Arboretum, Sylvia Chatburn Education, Jim and Cheryl Stern Landscaping, Eileen Atkisson and Parise Whitley Loasa Chapter 340 E 520 N Shoshone, ID 83352 President, Kelvin Jones Vice President, Lamar Orton Secretary, Lois Rohay Treasurer, Steven Paulsen Newsletter, Kent Fothergill Members at Large: Shane Claborn Julie Randell Pahove Chapter PO Box 9451 Boise, ID 83707 President, Cyndi Coulter Vice President, Secretary, Gillian Crymes Treasurer, Jody Hull Newsletters/reminders, Cyndi Coulter Sah-Wah-Be Chapter 146 South 17th Avenue Pocatello, ID 83201-3301 President, Janet Bala Vice Presidents, Mel and Barbara Nicholls Secretary, Linda Johnson Treasurer, Catalina Steckbauer Newsletter, Ardys Holte White Pine Chapter PO Box 8481 Moscow, ID 83843 President, Al Stage Vice President, Mamie Smith Secretary, Sonja Lewis Treasurer, Nancy Sprague Publicity, Merrill Conitz Newsletter, Rosemary Streatfeild Landscaping and Restoration Plant Lists, Juanita Lichthardt E-mail Contact, Nancy Miller Wood River Chapter PO Box 3093 Hailey, ID 83333 President, Tess O’Sullivan Vice President, Joanne Vassar Secretary-Treasurer; Carol Blackburn IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY (INPS) is dedicated to promoting interest in native plants and plant communities and to collecting and sharing information on all phases of the botany of native plants in Idaho, including educating the public to the values of the native flora and its habitats. In keeping with our mission, it is the intent of the INPS to educate its membership and the public about current conservation issues that affect Idaho's native flora and habitats. Membership is open to anyone interested in native flora of Idaho. Send membership information and other correspondence to INPS Treasurer, Box 9451 , Boise, ID 83707. Website address: www.ldahoNativePlants.org. CATEGORY 2004 ANNUAL DUES Patron $35 Individual $1 5 Household * $20 Student $ 8 Senior Citizen $ 8 Name Address City/State Zip Telephone Is this a renewal or a new membership ? Chapter affiliation preference (check one): Calypso (Coeur d’Alene; please include $6 chapter dues) Kinnikinnick (Sandpoint) Pahove (T reasure Valley) Sah-Wah-Be (SE Idaho) White Pine (Palouse) Loasa (Magic Valley) Wood River (Wood River Valley; please include $7 chapter dues) None. Those who do not live near a chapter are encouraged to join. We can put you in touch with other members in your area, and can coordinate with you on any state level activities you may wish to be involved in. * Household memberships are allocated two votes. Honorary lifetime memberships are granted to individuals by the INPS Board of Directors in recognition of outstanding service to the Society. Idaho Native Plant Society PO Box 9451 Boise, ID 83707 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non Profit Organization U.S . Postage Paid Boise, ID Permit No. 688 Please check the status of your membership dues as indicated on the upper left corner of the mailing label.