Beaver Island Archipelago's Terrestrial Invasive Species Program

02/20/2025

ATTENTION
For those unaware and possibly contacting this page or myself, the Beaver Island Archipelago’s Terrestrial Invasive Species Program has dissolved and myself as Administrator resigned in October of 2024.

There are many, many details around this topic with several viewpoints and I would suggest that for any interested, reach out to any and all involved for their take and evidence on the several issues and massive turbulence this failed joint program has gone through since its establishment in 2020.

There is still high tension and turbulence within this topic but many organizations and government entities are all trying our best to move forward and establish whatever responses we can to the needed management of invasive species, threatened & endangered species and more here within the Archipelago.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Thank you for your time & support,
Shelby Harris
Previous TIS Administrator

09/02/2024

Watching dreams come true at Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary

08/31/2024

Adam Duke will be speaking this Saturday, August 31 on an introduction to Natural Farming and low maintenance native plant gardens. Having studied soil science, soil microscopy and natural farming, the approach we will be discussing pertains to the "do nothing" method of gardening and soil building so that spaces can be created and enjoyed instead of needing constant weeding and maintenance. We will be discussing native plant guilds and other pollinators that are important for biodiversity both on the mainland and here on the island. There will also be a "Hands-on" portion of the discussion where we will prep the space around the flagpole for a new, native plant, natural garden so please bring shovels, rakes and other tools as we get the area ready for planting.

08/26/2024

It’s been a crazy, up-in-the-air season for the TIS Program this year but we’ve still been able to accomplish some good work despite all the set backs!!

Management of invasive species such as Garlic Mustard, Japanese Knotweed, European Swamp Thistle, Tree-of-Heaven, Spotted Knapweed, Wild Parsnip, Bittersweet Nightshade, Bouncing Betty, Japanese Barberry, Autumn Olive and many more has occurred! Along with several educational outreach events, although we had to cancel our Boat Washing event with MSU Extension this year unfortunately. And if you havnt gotten a copy of the Beaver Island Landowner’s Guide there are FREE copies available throughout the island’s businesses and stores.

And despite not having interns this season we still had plenty of volunteer help from our partners and community! We’d like to thank Fremont Middle School, Port St. James Association, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Beaver Island District Library, Beaver Island Historical Society, Tara’s Meadow, Beaver Island Rural Health Center, Island Roots Gardening Club, Beaver Island Community Center, Beaver Island Wildlife Club, BIATA, the Beaver Island Association, CAKE CISMA, MiCorps, MNFI, the Michigan DNR, USFWS, Little Traverse Conservancy, and the Beaver Island Community!! This important work couldn’t be accomplished without your aid and support!!

The direction of the TIS Program is still undetermined and is still in need of your support and involvement with the Township Boards, but the TIS Program, in partnership with CAKE CISMA and Little Traverse Bay Bands, is determined to try to get a Fall Treatment to the Archipelago of invasive Phragmites and Narrowleaf Cattail. We’ve done extensive surveys for stands in the past two years but unfortunately again, we will only be able to treat priority stands due to the late hour and turbulence around the TIS Program.

Thank you for your continued and unwavering support of this community program- it wouldn’t be possible without you! And please any questions, concerns or suggested treatment areas are always welcome!

Best,
Shelby Harris
Beaver Island TIS Administrator

08/20/2024

08/15/2024

TIS Program Update
*August 12, 2024

08/15/2024

A great chance to check out the many trails on Beaver Island and see what wonderful natural communities we hold here!
Remember to brush your boots and tires, especially if your gear is coming from the mainland, to help stop the spread of any potential invasive species!
And to go out and have fun!
🥾🗺️🌿🎁

08/14/2024

Check out the BIA’s 2024 Summer Newsletter for updates on the TIS Program and more!!
🌱🗞️

08/12/2024

Please join the the Beaver Island Community at the Annual Meeting of the BIA - the TIS Program’s founding father!!

Hear about updates for the TIS Program and many more initiatives such as the Dark Sky, Blight removal, Trails and more!!

Your 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 invites you to attend our 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 on 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟯 at the Beaver Island Community Center. Join us at 2:30 PM to meet and greet island friends and enjoy light snacks. Our meeting will begin at 3:00 PM and end by 4:00 PM.

You can help things run more smoothly by registering your attendance in advance. Just visit tickets.biccenter.org. You can pay your membership dues online either when you register or at beaverislandassociation.org.

08/05/2024

Team work makes the dream work!!
🌳🌿🥾🗺️🐢🦆📋📍🐍🦋🪶

08/01/2024

Welp the news is out 💔🗞️🌲
Northwest ISN CISMA to the south recently found HWA (Hemlock Wooly Adelgid) in Leelanau County.
Given the geographic proximity of Leelanau to Charlevoix County and Beaver Island we're urging folks in Charlevoix County to please go look at their hemlock trees (pretty please) and reach out to your TIS Admin ([email protected]) or CAKE Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area with any questions, concerns or pictures

Thank you all

Does it help ease the news if we put it in a new meme format? 😭
Unfortunately, earlier in July our HWA crew was called out to a property in Northport where a concerned landowner mentioned that many of his hemlocks appeared to be dying and there were white fluffy circles on the needles. This was later confirmed by USDA APHIS to be positive for HWA. This is our first detection in Leelanau County, and adds a third county on to ISN for our two-member HWA crew. We'll be working to discover the extent of HWA in Leelanau County while also treating all of our prepped sites in both Antrim and Benzie Counties. We promise - we're trying our best to get to as many people as we can!
If you suspect you may have HWA, you can email our HWA crew ([email protected]) with a picture. Our crew is experienced at identifying lookalikes, and can often answer landowner concerns! If you want to read more about the discovery and the subsequent quarantine addition, check out the State of Michigan's press release here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDARD/bulletins/3ac285c