IPP Handbook

2013 IPP Packet CoverThe Invasive Plant Patroller’s Handbook Online is an downloadable copy of the handbook that participants receive at the Lake Stewards of Maine’s Introductory Invasive Plant Patrol training workshops. The Invasive Plant Patroller’s Handbook Online is filled with useful resources for Plant Patrollers interested in keeping their notebooks up-to-date and accurate. It has all the latest information, new resources, and the year’s updated forms for submitting plant or organism specimens, conducting a survey, or becoming a certified monitor.

Handbook Contents

Section 1: Background                                                                                      Page

Overview (PowerPoint slides)                                                                                1.0

Terms and Definitions                                                                                              1.1

Demystifying Milfoil                                                                                                 1.2

Invasive Aquatic Plants: Q&A                                                                                1.3

Invasive Lake Plants – What are the Costs?                                                         1.4

Frightening Factoids                                                                                                 1.5

Invasive Species and the Environmental Ethic                                                    1.6

2014 CBI Fact Sheet                                                                                                   1.7

What Can We Do to Prevent Invasive Plants?                                                      1.8

Can Volunteers Make a Difference                                                                          1.9

Maine Invasive Aquatic Plant Laws                                                                        1.10

Annabessacook Lake Early Detection                                                                    1.11

Battling the Invaders                                                                                                 1.12

The Use of Herbicides                                                                                                1.13

Section 2: Aquatic Plants

Aquatic Plants (PowerPoint slides)                                                                          2.0

Aquatic Plant Seasonal Cycles                                                                                   2.1

Aquatic Plant Communities                                                                                       2.2

LSM Virtual Guide to Invasive Aquatics                                                                 2.3

A Key to Common Maine Aquatic Plant Species                                                    2.4

Plant ID References                                                                                                     2.5

Tips for Underwater Photography                                                                            2.6

How to Mount and Press Aquatic Plants & Make Your Own Plant Press         2.7

Section 3: Screening Surveys

Conducting a Screening Survey (PowerPoint slides)                                             3.1

IAP Screening Survey Procedures                                                                           3.2

Make Your Own Bucket Scope                                                                                  3.3

Buffy’s Bucket Scope Cover                                                                                       3.4

How to Make a Weed Weasel                                                                                    3.5

Anchor and Buoy Assembly Instructions                                                                3.6

Trunk Scope Directions                                                                                              3.7

Building a View Canoe                                                                                                3.8

Section 4: Forms

IAP Screening Survey Documentation Form and Instructions

IAP Mapping Survey Documentation Form and Instructions

Reporting Suspicious Plants

Suspicious Plant Documentation Form and Instructions

Suspicious Organism Documentation Form and Instructions

Our Mission

The Mission of the Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) is to help protect Maine lakes through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health. The LSM trains, certifies and provides technical support to hundreds of volunteers who monitor a wide range of indicators of water quality, assess watershed health and function, and screen lakes for invasive aquatic plants and animals. In addition to being the primary source of lake data in the State of Maine, LSM volunteers benefit their local lakes by playing key stewardship and leadership roles in their communities.

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The LSM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the collection of information pertaining to lake water quality. For 40 years, trained volunteers throughout Maine have donated their time so that we may all learn more about one of Maine’s most beautiful and important resources — our lakes.