Phragmites survey Information

Hello,  

As some of you know WSDA received a grant from Department of Ecology to undertake a statewide Phragmites project. As far as we know, there are 2 types of Phragmites australis in Washington, one that is native and one that is non-native. The non-native haplotype was placed on the Washington State Noxious Weed List in 2003.

The goals of the project are to map all known locations of Phragmites using GPS technology and develop a GIS layer for the state; submit samples from each site to Dr. Bernd Blossey at Cornell University for genotyping and input into his national database; refine field diagnostics to enable us to distinguish natives from non-natives without (hopefully) having to resort to genotyping; prepare a statewide management plan for the non-native Phragmites.

Graham Simon was hired for the summer to conduct the activities associated with the project. To date we have mapped sites and collected samples in Yakima and King counties. What I need from all of you are known or suspected locations of Phragmites and assistance in finding the sites. If you already have GPS data or maps that would be great, if not then the best information you have will be appreciated. Thanks to those of you who have already responded to earlier inquiries from me.

Please pass this request on to anyone who may be able to provide information to us or that might be interested in the project. You can contact Graham directly at mailto:gsimon@agr.wa.gov, or by phone at (509) 225-2603 or cell phone (509) 952-0639, or feel free to contact me. For more information on Phragmites, check out the link at the bottom of this mail that will take you to Dr. Blossey's web site. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Greg Haubrich

State Noxious Weed Coordinator

Washington State Department of Agriculture

21 N. 1st Ave., Suite 103

Yakima, WA 98902

(509) 225-2604