Invasive Species Conferences

2014 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference

I had such a great time at the 2014 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC) conference that was held last month at the UT Austin Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. I gave my invasive species presentation in the institute’s auditorium, talked with lots of scientists, and received such a great surprise!

My presentation at this year’s conference was entitled, “Adventures with Invasive Species and the Invasive Hunter Academy”. I talked about how I use social media and my many science videos to educate kids about invasive species. With each of my Battles with Invasive Species videos, I created a character and focused on a specific invasive species that kids could learn from and remember.

I fielded many great questions from the audience, including how my videos can be used in school science classrooms. (Please feel free to use them to help kids learn more about invasive species!)

It was also great seeing many of the scientists that I have had the honor of getting to know over the past few years. Their presentations are always interesting and it’s also just great to have a chance to catch-up together. I always especially enjoy seeing my mentor, Dr. Damon Waitt, Senior Director and Botanist, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Oh!  And that surprise, I mentioned…

I received such a wonderful surprise at Thursday night’s conference dinner! In addition to receiving a presentation award, the Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council presented me with the 2014 Outstanding Citizen Scientist of the Year award!

• Get more information about the citizen scientist award in the February 2014 newsletter edition of iWire

Wow! I was so honored to receive this award and for all the kind words. It was so heartwarming to hear from a scientist that I was “one of the team!”

Read more about the 2014 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference

***

2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference

The 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, was fantastic!  I enjoyed learning about many new invasive species, and I had a great time giving my presentation to an enthusiastic group of scientists and citizen scientists.

I’m excited to talk about and lead the fight against invasives anytime!

Here’s a summary of my posts and videos before and during the conference.

Pre-conference

• Commander Ben to speak at the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference
  Commander Ben’s talk was entitled, Origin of an invasive hunter: Educating kids of all ages about invasives.
• Commander Ben uses Siri to invite his nemesis to lunch
  Commander Ben uses Siri on the iPhone 4S to invite his invasive loving nemesis, Baron Neb, to lunch at the conference.
• Invasive species hunter: Secrets revealed
  Commander Ben invites you to join him to learn the secrets about invasive species and how to make fun science videos at the conference.

Conference presentation

• Commander Ben rallies scientists at the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference
  Thank you so much to the many scientists and citizen scientists in my audience who attended!

Conference video interviews

• Advances in the fight against invasive species in Texas
  Dr. Damon Waitt, Senior Director and Botanist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and conference host
• Austin Volunteers Marshal Against Invasive Species
  Ms. Louise Liller, volunteer coordinator for the Austin Water Utility’s Wildland Conservation Division
• Giant Reed’s Fighting Retreat on Lady Bird Lake
  Ms. Mary Gilroy, environmental scientist in Austin, Texas
• How to stop an invasive plant counterattack
  Mr. Scott Walker, senior wildlife ecologist for ARCADIS-US and conference co-chair
• Hydrilla and King Ranch Bluestem Create Devastating Monocultures on Water and Land
  Ms. Mary Gilroy, environmental scientist in Austin, Texas
• Invasive species watch: Nile Monitor lizards and feral hogs
  Mr. Chuck Bargeron, technology director for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia
• iPhone apps and Google maps team up to battle invasive species
  Mr. Chuck Bargeron, technology director for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia
• New Institute for the Study of Invasive Species: Early Detection, Rapid Response
  Dr. Jerry Cook, Associate Vice President of Sam Houston State University
• Pests, animals, and pathogens invade the Texas Invasives Database
  Mr. Travis Gallo, coordinator of the Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Program and conference communications
• Rare Texas Plants Struggle Against Invasive Species
  Dr. Karen Clary, biologist with the Wildlife Habitat Assessment Program for the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Reeling in the Top Aquatic Invasive Species in Texas
  Dr. Earl W. Chilton II, Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Program Director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Strategy and Tactics for Combatting Invasive Plant Species
  Mr. Matt McCaw, biologist in Austin, Texas
• Taking a Stand Against the Emerald Ash Borer in Texas
  Dr. Stephen Clarke, Forest Entomologist, U.S. Forest Service
• The Relentless March of the Soapberry Borer in Texas
  Dr. Ronald F. Billings, Forest Health Manager, Texas Forest Service
• TIPPC Assemble! The Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council explained
  Mr. Alexander Mathes, Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council treasurer
• Turn the Tide Against Zebra Mussels with Texas Parks and Wildlife
  Ms. Darcy Bontempo, Marketing Director for the Communications Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve fends off invasive species
  Mr. Mitch Robinson, Land Management and Education Coordinator of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

Commander Ben signing off…