Invasive Plant Symposium, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 9:00 AM-4:45 PM, UConn Student Union, Storrs, CT

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2024 symposium will be a full day in-person program on October 29, with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts. This year's theme is Real Talk: Making an Impact in Invasive Plant Management. 

The morning session will include a keynote presentation by Peter Picone, CT DEEP: “For the Love of Plants...To Plant or Not to Plant? A Wildlife Biologist's Perspective” plus “CIPWG’s Role in Combatting Invasive Plants” by Victoria Wallace and Lauren Kurtz, UConn, and Bryan Connolly, ECSU. 

The afternoon breakout sessions are:

Group A (Concurrent):

1) Case Studies in Managing Tree of Heaven and Mugwort: Speakers: Art Gover, Penn State; Jatinder Aulakh, CAES. Moderator: Todd Mervosh, TM Agricultural & Ecological Services

2) Leveraging Community Engagement: Speakers: Bill Marshall, South Windsor Invasive Plants Working Group; Greg Foran, Town of Glastonbury; Sarah Hutchison and Lisa Brodlie, Pulling Together. Moderator: Vickie Wallace, UConn, CIPWG Co-chair

3) Pollinator Meadows at Robbins Swamp Wildlife Management Area Help Support Native Wild Bees and Monarchs: Speakers: Kelsey Fisher and Tracy Zarrillo, CAES. Moderator: Joshua Tracy, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority

Group B (Concurrent):

4) Aquatic Invasive Plant Management and Prevention: Speakers: Jeremiah Foley and Greg Bugbee, CAES. Moderator: Lauren Kurtz, UConn

5) Common Questions about Invasive Plant Management (Panel): Speakers: Todd Mervosh, TM Agricultural & Ecological Services; Christian Allyn, Invasive Plant Solutions; Kathy Connolly, Speaking of Landscapes, Inc. Moderator: Emmett Varricchio, CIPWG Co-chair

6) Native Plant Availability: Speakers: David Lee, Saratoga Bareroot Nursery; Alyssa Siegel-Miles and Sara Tomis, UConn Extension; Darryl Newman, Planters’ Choice Nursery. Moderator: Peter Picone, CT DEEP

CEU's for organizations and Pesticide Recertification Credits are available. Early Registration $75 (by Sept. 20); Regular Registration $85; Students - $35.

More info: cipwg.uconn.edu/2024-symposium