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Contractor Info Session: Feb 2 & 8

Contractor Certification Training: March 5 & 8

Overview
Invasive species such as Japanese Barberry threaten the long term health of Rhode Island’s forests and their control represents a growing industry for professionals. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS) have been awarded a grant to provide job opportunities and job training in invasive plant control.

The RIDEM/RINHS Forest Health Works Project (FHWP) will be soliciting bids from contractors in the landscaping, arborist, land clearing, forestry, nursery, and related industries on invasive plant management projects throughout the state beginning in March 2010 and continuing through 2011. Over $300,000 is available for contracted projects. Projects will involve the control of invasive species on public and private land that threaten forest health (e.g. Japanese Barberry, Mile a Minute Vine, mutliflora rose, oriental bittersweet, Japanese stiltgrass, garlic mustard, and others).

Who Can Bid?
30 minute informational sessions about the FHWP projects, bidding process, and certification will be held Feb 2nd & Feb 8th at 4:30pm at Weaver Auditorium in the Coastal Institute building on URI’s Kingston campus. MAP/DIRECTIONS

Bidding is open to contractors in the landscaping, arborist, land clearing, forestry, nursery, and related industries.  Rhode Island companies are encouraged to bid. In order to bid, at least one person per crew (usually the onsite supervisor/foreman) must:

1. -Attend a 1.5 day pre-bid Forest Invasive Plant Management Certification March 5th & 8th

OR

-Be Certified as a Coastal Invasives Manager, through the CRMC Coastal Invasives Plant Management Certification Program, and either attended one qualifying re-certification program offered by the CRMC or demonstrate equivalent experience (please contact jbarnes@rinhs.org to verify)

OR

-Demonstrate equivalent training/experience through an invasive species management certification or professional experience (please contact jbarnes@rinhs.org to verify)

AND

2.  Possess a RI Pesticide Applicator license or equivalent license for projects requiring herbicides

Bidding Process
Project bidding will begin in mid-March throughout the state.  More information to come soon.  Please contact James Barnes for more information (jbarnes@rinhs.org 401 874 5807)

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