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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor="#F0F0F0" lang=EN-US link="#337AB7" vlink="#337AB7" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'>We need your help for invasives legislation!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=1284 style='width:963.1pt;background:white;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td style='background:#F9F9F9;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #DDDDDD 1.0pt;padding:3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt'><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><hr size=1 width=6 style='width:4.7pt' align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><a name=6792></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><a href="https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/topic/103312994"><u>Maryam Dadkhah</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#777777'>Dec 21 </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'> <a href="https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/message/6792">#6792 </a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Hi, everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Please prepare the way for upcoming legislation to combat the plague of invasive plants and to support native plants. Contact your state delegate and senator right now to let them know what a huge problem the invasives are. It is critical that we reach as many legislators as possible <b>before the General Assembly meets on January 10! </b>So far we have support from Delegates Bulova, Krizek, Seibold, Helmer, and Tran, and from Senator Salim. We would like to get the other 135 on board as soon as possible. :)</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>The proposed bills have not been finalized but will include a measure to reduce the influx of invasive plants from the trade, another to help VDOT address invasives on their property, and another to improve the rules around volunteers’ use of herbicides. There is also legislation in the works to address the problem of HOA restrictions on the use of native plants. But the timing is such that we can’t delay getting everyone out to educate their delegates and senators so they are primed to support the bills when they see them. Once we have all the details, we’ll let you know so you can forward them to your legislators.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Don’t worry about the holidays - they are busily preparing for the session right now.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Here are some techniques and talking points. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to show them how much this is affecting you and your community.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meet in person or virtually with both your senator and your delegate. </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Better yet, invite them for a photo op with them clipping invasive vines or removing other invasive plants (then talk their ears off). Bring other people with you who can attest to the problem. I know most people are shy about setting up appointments, but if you can tackle a Japanese Barberry, I’m quite sure you can do this!</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank them for the meeting and anything else praiseworthy and ask them how much time you have.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Explain the problem with invasive plants, emphasizing the economic burdens they impose.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul type=disc><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cost of removal – millions spent by state, federal and local governments as well as private landowners. Thousands of dollars per acre in some cases.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Threat to vineyards by Tree-of-Heaven/Spotted Lantern Fly</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Threat to Virginia cattle farmers by <i>Cenchrus purpurascens</i> (formerly <i>Pennisetum alopecuroides, </i>a type of Fountain Grass) that ruins their pastures.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture" target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'> </span></u></a><a href="https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture" target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1155CC'>https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture</span></u></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Its cousin <i>Pennisetum setaceum </i>added fuel to the fire in Maui. Both are sold as ornamental grasses in the trade.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Potential threat to tourism industry as trees die and landscapes are ruined</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Damage to power lines from invasive vines such as Kudzu.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>And of course mention that they also destroy the native plants that are an essential part of our ecosystem, and that invasive vines are killing our trees by the hundreds of thousands.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ask them to please support any bills that come up this session – details to follow.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Try to<b> recruit people from other legislative districts </b>to do the same.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>So we can <b>coordinate</b> what needs to be a massive effort by everyone, please let me, Maryam Dadkhah know who you are visiting and what they had to say. </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><a href="mailto:maryamdad@..." target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1155CC'>maryamdad@...</span></u></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Regards, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Maryam Dadkhah<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #DDDDDD 1.0pt;background:#F9F9F9;padding:3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt'></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #DDDDDD 1.0pt;padding:3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt 3.75pt'><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><hr size=1 width=6 style='width:4.7pt' align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><a name=6794></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><a href="https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/topic/103312994"><u>Jessie Strother</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#777777'>Dec 27 </span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'> <a href="https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/message/6794">#6794 </a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Remember.....industry will complain about this. So, among other arguments, mention that there are loads of alternative non-invasive plants to use! The public will buy these !<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'>fyi Jessie Strother<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>On Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 10:40:23 PM EST, Maryam Dadkhah via groups.io <maryamdad@...> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Hi, everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Please prepare the way for upcoming legislation to combat the plague of invasive plants and to support native plants. Contact your state delegate and senator right now to let them know what a huge problem the invasives are. It is critical that we reach as many legislators as possible <b>before the General Assembly meets on January 10! </b>So far we have support from Delegates Bulova, Krizek, Seibold, Helmer, and Tran, and from Senator Salim. We would like to get the other 135 on board as soon as possible. :)</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>The proposed bills have not been finalized but will include a measure to reduce the influx of invasive plants from the trade, another to help VDOT address invasives on their property, and another to improve the rules around volunteers’ use of herbicides. There is also legislation in the works to address the problem of HOA restrictions on the use of native plants. But the timing is such that we can’t delay getting everyone out to educate their delegates and senators so they are primed to support the bills when they see them. Once we have all the details, we’ll let you know so you can forward them to your legislators.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Don’t worry about the holidays - they are busily preparing for the session right now.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Here are some techniques and talking points. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to show them how much this is affecting you and your community.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meet in person or virtually with both your senator and your delegate. </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Better yet, invite them for a photo op with them clipping invasive vines or removing other invasive plants (then talk their ears off). Bring other people with you who can attest to the problem. I know most people are shy about setting up appointments, but if you can tackle a Japanese Barberry, I’m quite sure you can do this!</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank them for the meeting and anything else praiseworthy and ask them how much time you have.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Explain the problem with invasive plants, emphasizing the economic burdens they impose.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul type=disc><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cost of removal – millions spent by state, federal and local governments as well as private landowners. Thousands of dollars per acre in some cases.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Threat to vineyards by Tree-of-Heaven/Spotted Lantern Fly</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Threat to Virginia cattle farmers by <i>Cenchrus purpurascens</i> (formerly <i>Pennisetum alopecuroides, </i>a type of Fountain Grass) that ruins their pastures.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture" target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'> </span></u></a><a href="https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture" target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1155CC'>https://www.farmprogress.com/pasture/chinese-fountain-grass-invades-pasture</span></u></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Its cousin <i>Pennisetum setaceum </i>added fuel to the fire in Maui. Both are sold as ornamental grasses in the trade.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Potential threat to tourism industry as trees die and landscapes are ruined</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Damage to power lines from invasive vines such as Kudzu.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>And of course mention that they also destroy the native plants that are an essential part of our ecosystem, and that invasive vines are killing our trees by the hundreds of thousands.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#26282A;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo6'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ask them to please support any bills that come up this session – details to follow.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Try to<b> recruit people from other legislative districts </b>to do the same.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>So we can <b>coordinate</b> what needs to be a massive effort by everyone, please let me, Maryam Dadkhah know who you are visiting and what they had to say. </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'><a href="mailto:maryamdad@..." target="_blank"><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1155CC'>maryamdad@...</span></u></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#26282A'>Regards, <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;background:#F0F0F0'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=800 style='width:600.0pt'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:69.75pt'><td valign=top style='background:#2D2D2D;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:69.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='color:white'><img border=0 width=800 height=93 style='width:8.3333in;height:.9687in' id="_x0000_i1042" src="cid:image001.png@01DA3971.3367CFA0" alt="
"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 3.75pt 0in 3.75pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=760 style='width:570.0pt'><tr><td style='border:solid #DEDEDE 1.0pt;background:#F8F8F8;padding:15.75pt 7.5pt 15.75pt 7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=642 style='width:481.5pt'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 14.25pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>This is a daily summary for <a href="https://vnps.groups.io/g/potowmack/topics" target="_blank">VNPS Potowmack Chapter</a>. View all your groups.io groups, and edit your subscriptions, <a href="https://groups.io">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 12.75pt 0in;border-radius: 4px'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='background:#337AB7;padding:8.25pt 15.0pt 8.25pt 15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>Do not reply to this email. 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