aquatic ecosystem restoration foundation

The AERF funds, supports and participates in various research and educational activies. We also provide financial support to qualifying individuals and organizations for travel, events and education outreach programs. To request support, please see our support page.

Activity	Progress	Description

Midwest Regulatory Tour	July 2019	During the week of July 8th, 2019, AERF conducted a Midwest Tour with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA); Invasive Species Centre-Ontario, CA; and Ministry of Forests, British Columbia. You can view a report of the tour here

BMP Handbook - Biology and Control of Aquatic Plants	3rd Edition completed 2014	This revised and expanded 238 page manual, compiled by experts in aquatic plant management and related water resource disciplines, provides invaluable information to stakeholders and practitioners planning or implementing control programs. This publication, has been financially supported over the past 10 years by AERF donors and the generosity of time and efforts of its authors and editors. For info on obtaining a PDF version or hard copy visit this page.

Alberta Aquatic Invasive Species Summit	January 2015	The AERF was called upon by the Alberta Environmental and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) agency to provide guidance and expertise on prevention, control and regulation related to AIS management. A panel of experts were assembled through the AERF who in turn presented information to approximately 150 attendees from Western Canada and the northwestern U.S. All funding was provided by the provimce of Alberta. Kate Wilson, Provincial AIS Specialis, stated: "A great big thanks to AERF and the panel members for making the trek to Alberta in January and providing the guidance and wisdom to ensure the system we put in place is sound and well-rounded." See the AERF May 2015 Newsletter for more info:

Midwest APMS - AERF Seminar	February 2015	The AERF provided financial and organization assistance in bringing together experts in aquatic plant biology, control, herbicide technology and fisheries to provide a well-rounded, science-based seminar. Those attending the MAPMS's 35th annual meeting in Indianapolis included professional applicators, lake managers, state regulators, consultants and other water management professionals. Similar seminars have been conducted and are available to qualifying lake groups, state agencies and interested organizations seeking related information.

EPA tour of aquatic weed and mosquito control activities in FL	June 2015	The AERF provided travel, food and lodging expenses for several U.S. EPA officials from the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) out of Washington D.C. The tour of various aquatic pesticide application sites, arranged through the assistance and cooperation of the UFL , FL FWCC, U. S. COE plus county and regional water management & mosquito control districts, provided onsite application demonstrations and examination of areas impacted by invasive aquatic plants. The successful outcome is, perhaps. best summarized by a follow-up response from Daniel Kenny, Chief, Herbicdes Branch, Registration Division who stated "I wanted to reach out and express my appreciation for the outstanding field trip that was arranged and offered by the AERF. It was a tremendous opportunity for my staff and other staff at the Office of Pesticide Programs to further develop a very important understanding of the aquatic pest management issues and needs that are fundamental to protecting water quality in the state of Florida." View the complete report here:

University FL Plant Camp	June 2015	The AERF annually provides funding to support the FL Plant Camp, a workshop opportunity for school teachers to learn about invasive aquatic plants and the need to manage them. This year, 24 top educators participated and will be passing this valuable knowledge onto their students. The program is conducted by the UFL IFAS Extension - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants with additional support and assistance from the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. More information on this worthwhile program can be found at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/plant-camp

Literature review of AINS impact on endangered species	2014-2016	In view of concerns over the Endangered Species Act (ESA) potentially restricting or banning use of aquatic pesticides to control nuisance aquatic vegetation in criitical areas, the AERF has funded a preliminary literature search and approved a meta-analysis of relevant papers to further evaluate published accounts of aquatic plant management control actvities with herbicides and algaecides with respect to endangered species' habitat improvements. This research grant was awarded to Dr. Lauren Pintor, School of Environment & Natural Resources at Ohio State University.

Pesticide General Permits	2011-present	As a service and convenience to Aquatic Pesticide Applicators, AERF compiled a state listing of lead agencies responsible for implementing the NPDES Permit requiements mandated by Federal Court decisions in 2011 interpretation of the Clean Water Act. Detailed information on Notice of Intent (NOI) reporting rquirements, based upon treatment areas, is also provided as well as a generic template for reporting.

Bass Angelers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) alliance & support	1998-present	The AERF established a working relationship with B.A.S.S. providing them a scientific resource on aquatic invasive plants and their impact on fisheries. This continues annually through our support of their Conservation Award, luncheon at their State Conservation, providing BMP Manuals plus offering our APM symposia to this group. Furthermore, we co-sponsor Jeff Holland, a B.A.S.S. tournament participant who proudly displays the AERF Logo. Educating members of this important group of stakeholders has has been mutually beneficial.

UFL/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants graduate assistantships	2000-present	The AERF gifts $20,000 annually to the University of FL/IFAS to be utilized for Graduate Student Assistantships at the CAIP. Qualifying students must be engaged in aquatic plant biology and control of invasive species research. Their studies are under the direction of Dr. Bill Haller and/or Dr. Mike Netherland. Many of these students have successfully secured careers within the APM disipline with postions in industry, regulatory and education.

Research Partnerships	1996-present	Since its very beginning, AERF recognized the value of partnering with various state and federal agencies involved in aquatic plant management research and aquatic ecosystem restoration. While our initial objective was to establish a joint relationship between industry and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Plant Control Research Program, these cooperative efforts have since been expanded to include leading scientists at universities throughout the country. AERF utilizes these resources for "Generic" Projects of benefit and interest to all AERF sponsors, plus Gold Sponsors have access to them through the AERF to fund "Special" Projects (proprietary studies) relevant to their needs.

Regulatory Engagement	1996-present	The AERF provides a strong backbone of knowledge and resources to support and/or challenge regulatory decisions or debates. In addition to drawing upon the knowledge and expertise of Carlton Layne, our Executive Director and former EPA Pesticide Enforcement Officer, we retain the consultancy services of Donald Stubbs, former EPA Chief of the Herbicides Branch and Jim Skillen, a former R.I.S.E employee. Most recently, the AERF has provided comments and opinions along with other organizations such as Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (R.I.S.E) challenging the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule /definition being imposed by the U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers.

AINS Seminars	1998-present	2012 Minnesota AIS Symposium 2009 St. Joseph River Basin Commission 2007 Western Aquatic Plant Management Society 2006 Colorado State Parks 2005 Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society 2004 US Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Pesticide Programs 2003 Paul Smith College 2003 Michigan Lake and Stream Association 2002 Michigan Lake and Stream Association 2001 Wisconsin Lake Convention 2000 Illinois Lake Management Association 2000 Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society 1999 Washington Lake Protection Association 1998 Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society

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