- Author: Leigh Taylor Johnson
Getting the word out about especies invasoras acuáticas (aquatic invasive species) en Español is not just about translating English flyers and posters. For example the slogan, “Don’t Move a Mussel,” is catchy in English because it’s a play on words. The pun doesn’t work in Spanish. Myriam Grajales-Hall, News & Outreach in Spanish Program Manager for UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, explains that English needs to be adapted, instead of translated, to Spanish. Adapting takes into account cultural differences and how each language is put together.
To address this challenge, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Ted Grosholz and Advisors Jodi Cassell, Sabrina Drill, Leigh Johnson and Greg Giusti and California Sea Grant Extension Aquatic Resources Specialist Carolynn Culver teamed up with Grajales-Hall.
They held focus groups in northern and southern California during May and June 2013 to ask for advice from English- and Spanish-speaking boaters, anglers, kayakers, and staff of community organizations and the California Departments of Parks, Boating and Waterways, and Fish and Wildlife. The groups took a look at existing print materials and PSAs, gave their opinions on what else is needed, and suggested good ways to reach Spanish speakers who enjoy aquatic recreation.
The results are still being analyzed, but Grajales-Hall and her staff are already reaching out en Español. Click on these links to see their website article and YouTube video on especies invasoras acuáticas and their Facebook and Twitter pages en Español.
Renewable Resources Extension Act funding from US Department of Agriculture supported the focus group project.
- Author: Leigh Taylor Johnson
The new Quagga and Zebra Mussel Eradication and Control Tactics Technical Report is now available from http://ucanr.edu/sites/coast/Quagga_Mussel_Invasion/ and from California Sea Grant (see below).
This practical and well-researched 36-page report explains how to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and specific tactics for eradicating and/or controlling invasive dreissenid (quagga and zebra) mussels in lakes and reservoirs. It covers how to develop and get started on a management strategy, manual & mechanical removal, oxygen deprivation, chemical application, emerging technologies, and an overview of permitting and regulatory processes. The report includes photos and diagrams, successful examples of eradication and control efforts that have used each of the tactics, and extensive weblinks to resources for more information. It is based in part on presentations by experts at a joint workshop presented by California Sea Grant Extension and University of California Cooperative Extension in San Diego on February 1-2, 2012. The authors are Carolynn Culver, Heather Lahr, Leigh Johnson and Jodi Cassell.
Speakers’ abstracts, other information from the workshop presentations and field trips, and individual information sheets on the topics noted above are available from:
http://ca-sgep.ucsd.edu/quaggazebra_mussel_control
