2024 Updated Nursery & Landscape Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Reduce Spread of Jumping Worms

There are no native earthworms in the glaciated regions of North America, including Minnesota, and the earthworms present in these areas are non-native species that have subsequently been introduced from Europe and Asia via human activities beginning with the arrival of European immigrants about 400 years ago.  The most recent period of significant glaciation occurred during the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) ending with the Wisconsin Glacial Stage and the massive Laurentide ice sheet in North America which covered most of present-day Canada and the northern third of the United States.

Although the European earthworms most people are familiar with (Family: Lumbricidae), including the well-known nightcrawler ( Lumbricus terrestis), have been in Minnesota for many years, jumping worms (Family: Megascoleicidae), which are native east-central Asia (eastern China, the Korean peninsula, and Japan), have only recently been documented in Minnesota and are believed to pose a much greater threat to the environment than the European species.  In part, this is because jumping worms grow much faster, spread more quickly on their own, and reproduce more quickly and efficiently than European earthworms (a single worm is all it takes) and populations can reach extremely high and damaging densities very quickly.  Also known as Asian jumping worms, crazy worms, snake worms, crazy snake worms, Alabama jumpers, and, most recently, disco worms based on their wild and distinctive, snakelike movements when disturbed, jumping worms are also more voracious feeders than European earthworms and can consume up to 95% of the critical litter (duff) layer in forest ecosystems where it is currently believed the potential for damage is the greatest.  Ecosystems of the northern latitudes, and especially forest ecosystems, are particularly susceptible to damage caused by earthworms because these ecologies (soils and microbial, plant, and animal communities) have evolved in the absence of earthworms following the last ice age.

Like European earthworms, and earthworms in general, Asian jumping worms are hermaphroditic (possess both male and female reproductive organs), but unlike European earthworms, Asian jumping worms are also parthenogenic and reproduce via a process called parthenogenesis – a form of asexual reproduction wherein a mate is not required to reproduce, and unfertilized eggs develop into new individuals; once again, a single worm, and potentially a single cocoon, is all it takes to start a new infestation.  Thus far 16 species of jumping worms have been documented in North America and all but two of these species are members of two closely-related genera – Amynthas & Metaphire spp. – and are most commonly represented by three species – Amynthas agrestis, Amynthas tokioensis, and Metaphire hilgendorfi.

Jumping worms live in the litter layer and the top few inches of the soil (the epi-endogeic functional group of earthworms; they do not create burrows and do not move deep into the soil like nightcrawlers) where they rapidly devour surface and soil organic matter and change soil structure and chemistry (including nutrient content and cycling), making soils more subject to erosion, inhibiting seedling establishment and the regeneration of native plants, damaging the relationships between soil fungi and plants, possibly reducing the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water, and even damaging the roots of plants in nurseries, gardens, and native ecosystems.  They can also displace soil fauna and other wildlife like salamanders and ground-nesting birds and thereby disrupt forest food chains.  In combination, research suggests these effects could result in impacts on Minnesota ecosystems that are greater than the impact of any of these factors alone resulting in wide-ranging, cascade effects with significant environmental and socio-economic consequences.

In an attempt to protect Minnesota’s native ecosystems from the damaging effect of jumping worms, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) made the decision to list jumping worms as prohibited invasive species beginning on July 1, 2024 ( Minnesota invasive species laws | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us), making it illegal to possess, import, purchase, transport, or introduce these non-native earthworms in Minnesota except under a permit for disposal, control, research, or education.  Needless to say, these restrictions are a concern for the nursery and landscape industry (growers, garden centers, landscapers, and landscape managers) and allied industries such as mulch and compost suppliers, as well as other industries like construction that involve the movement of soil, municipalities that offer woodchip mulch or compost to their residents as a service and a way to recycle these organic materials, property managers, and other groups and individuals involved in activities that have the potential to spread of jumping worms.

As is the case for all invasive species, prevention is key and the best approach is to avoid the introduction of jumping worms into non-infested areas including nursery production and retail facilities, designed landscapes, and natural areas; once present, they are difficult if not impossible to manage effectively with the tools that are currently available.  And because the activities of people, including nursery and landscape practices, are primary pathways for the spread of jumping worms to new areas, and because there are currently no effective controls for getting rid of them once they have become established, it is important to be proactive in taking precautions to avoid bringing jumping worms onto your property – including production, holding, shipping, and sales areas – and to avoid the introduction of jumping worms to the properties of others.

In response to the public’s concerns about jumping worms and the negative impacts they can have on native ecosystems and managed landscapes, and the unfortunate reality that nursery and landscape practices are known to be an important pathway for the spread of jumping worms, it is important that green industry professionals are aware of and take the jumping worm threat seriously.  Educate yourself about jumping worms and be proactive in taking steps to keep them out of production and retail facilities and otherwise prevent their spread so you will be prepared to answer any questions that your customers may have about jumping worms and your response to the challenges they pose.   Unfortunately, jumping worms are in Minnesota and in the news; and from a public relations perspective, ignorance or indifference about the jumping worm threat is not advised.

The following best management practices are recommended to help prevent the introduction and spread of jumping worms to new areas:

• Be aware.  Educate yourself, your employees, your customers, and others about jumping worms, including their impacts on natural environments and managed landscapes and their means of spread, and to identify jumping worms and recognize the telltale signs of their presence including granular soil that resembles used coffee grounds (see Figure 1).  The University of Minnesota Jumping Worms Project website and the associated Worm Rangers Citizen Science Project provide a wealth of information on jumping worm identification and how to look for them and is a good place to start; updated regularly, the website includes self-guided jumping worm training and weekly Zoom-based training sessions.  The Invasive Species for Homeowners: Asian Jumping Worm brochure produced by the Jumping Worm Outreach, Research, & Management Working Group at Cornell University is a good resource to share with customers.
• Be vigilant.  Always be on the lookout for jumping worms and signs of their presence.  Including in Minnesota, jumping worms have been found in compost, organic landscape mulches (including woodchips), container grown and balled and burlapped (B&B) nursery stock, yard waste, and landscape soils.  Inspect all horticultural commodities and scout production facilities for jumping worms on a regular basis and be on the lookout for jumping worms when installing and managing designed landscapes, paying special attention to moist and shady areas.  Jumping worms have an annual life cycle (see Figure 2; adults die when exposed to freezing temperatures in the fall but leave behind eggs enclosed in protective cocoons that overwinter and typically begin to hatch in late April or early May when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) to start a new generation the following year.  As a result, adult jumping worms will not be found until late June or July and any large earthworms found in the spring will likely be European species that can live for several years.  Although jumping worms are typically found at or near the soil surface in the litter layer or in organic landscape mulches in managed landscapes, they can be found several inches deep in the soil or within the root ball of container stock where they are less visible.  In such cases, drenching the soil with a mustard solution prepared by mixing one-third cup of powdered yellow mustard with one gallon of water and pouring the solution slowly into the soil can be an effective tool for finding jumping worms.  One gallon of mustard solution is sufficient to treat an area that is about 14 inches square and container stock should be drenched with enough of the mustard solution to wet the entire root ball.  If earthworms are present, they will be irritated, but not killed, by the mustard solution and they will come to the surface.  The root balls of container stock can also be removed from the container and examined for the presence of jumping worms and can also be submerged in a bucket of mustard solution to saturate them and expel earthworms.
• Only buy horticultural commodities from reputable suppliers that are knowledgeable about the jumping worm threat and the potential pathways for their introduction and spread and have procedures in place to help ensure their products are not infested with jumping worms.
• Only use, sell, purchase, and trade landscape plants and landscape and garden materials that are believed to be free of jumping worms.  In the case of jumping worms, appearances can be deceiving so err on the side of caution as newly hatched jumping worms (hatchlings) can be difficult to see in early spring and jumping worm cocoons are very small and difficult to detect.
• Only use, sell, purchase, and trade compost, woodchips, and woodchip mulch that has been exposed to a temperature of at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) for a minimum of three days (this recommendation is based on initial research specific to jumping worms conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison or even better to at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) for a minimum of three days following the recommended processes to further reduce pathogens (PFRPs) included in US Environmental Protection Agency regulations to kill jumping worms and their eggs and other horticultural pests.  Although the effective temperature and timing may vary somewhat based on soil moisture conditions and other factors, jumping worms and their eggs and developing embryos are killed when exposed to a minimum temperature of 104° Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) for three days; while immature and adult jumping worms are killed at a lower temperature (85 degrees Fahrenheit, 29 degrees Celsius), effective control requires that both jumping worms and their eggs be killed.
  
  Commercially processed compost, mulch, and manufactured growing media are typically exposed to temperatures and other processes that should kill jumping worms during production and these commodities should be free of jumping worms when they leave the manufacturer.  To be safe, always ask the manufacturer about jumping worms and how their products are processed relative to jumping worms and whether they might be subject to becoming infested with jumping worms during the curing/finishing stage of composting when temperatures have cooled down.  Although it is understood that exposure to elevated temperatures can be difficult for larger volumes, similar precautions are also recommended for soil, growing media, and growing media components that might harbor jumping worms as feasible and appropriate. When possible, exposure to higher temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) for a shorter duration (at least 30 minutes is typical) may also be an option depending on the material being treated, the facilities available, and the pests of concern.
  
  Horticultural commodities that are produced and managed with jumping worms in mind (exposure to sufficient heat to kill jumping worms and their eggs, proper storage, etc.) are the safer choice, and nursery and landscape professionals should choose the best course of action relative to jumping worms based on their individual circumstances.
• Compost that is United States Composting Council (USCC) certified through the USCC Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified Compost Program and compost that is state regulated has been exposed to temperatures that will kill jumping worms and their eggs (as well as most pathogens) and commercially processed growing media and organic mulches (Mulch & Soil Council) are typically exposed to temperatures that exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) during production and should be much less likely to contain jumping worms so long as they are handled and stored properly to avoid subsequent infestation (Mulch & Soil Council).  Individual green industry firms can also independently certify the quality of their products relative to jumping worms based on the implementation of production practices designed to reduce the likelihood that they will be a source of jumping worms including exposure to temperatures that are lethal to jumping worms and their eggs during processing.
  
• In general, municipal sources of wood chips and compost should be avoided unless they are implementing practices that are likely to kill jumping worms and their cocoons.  Although the intensions of municipalities that offer wood chip mulch and/or compost to their residents as a service and a way to recycle these organic materials are laudable, it is important that municipal sources of wood chip mulch and compost are managed in a way that results in temperatures that will kill jumping worms and their cocoons with regular mixing to help ensure exposure of all the material in the pile to such temperatures which is not always the case.  While unfortunate, given the source of the materials and the likelihood that these sites are infested with jumping worms, caution is advised.  As for commercial suppliers, ask the municipality if they are aware of jumping worms and whether the procedures they follow are designed to reduce the possibility that the materials they offer are contaminated with jumping worms.
• Solarization (using the energy of the sun to heat materials covered with or enclosed in clear plastic to help control diseases and other pests) can be an effective means for exposing relatively small volumes or layers of soil, compost, mulch, and other materials (including bagged materials) to temperatures that are sufficient to kill jumping worms and their eggs (again, a least 104 degrees Fahrenheit, 40 degrees Celsius, for a minimum of three days).  The material being solarized should be moist to enhance the process.
• Steam is a tool that has long been used as a standard practice for managing diseases, insects, weeds, and other pests in greenhouse and nursery settings by using low pressure, aerated steam to pasteurize growing media, nursery pots and trays, and used growing media and plant wastes and can be used to produce temperatures that will kill jumping worms and their eggs.  Depending on the pest or pests of concern, temperatures of 140-180 degrees Fahrenheit (60-82 degrees Celsius) for a minimum of 30 minutes are typically used.
• On behalf of your customers and for your own due diligence, ask your suppliers if they are aware of jumping worms and what doing to help prevent the spread of jumping worms when sourcing horticultural commodities and be prepared to answer questions about jumping worms from your customers. 
• Jumping worms do not live in trees and woodchips that come directly from chipped trees and have not come in contact with the ground or other materials that may be infested with jumping worms, or been transported in contaminated equipment (trucks, trailers, etc.), and should be safe to use as landscape mulch.  Nursery and landscape professionals and homeowners looking for woodchips might think about making arrangements with a local arborist to obtain fresh woodchips.  Another option to consider is ChipDrop, a national, online service that matches people who are looking for free wood chip mulch with arborists and tree companies who are looking for a place to dispose of wood chips. Note that drops cannot be scheduled for a particular day or time, it may be several weeks before wood chips are delivered, and woodchip loads can be large.  Check the ChipDrop website for more information and details.
• When possible and when in doubt about the presence of jumping worms, selling and purchasing bare root plants (plants without soil or another growing medium on their roots) may reduce the risk of spreading jumping worms by helping to ensure jumping worm cocoons are not present.  It is important that the soil or other growing medium is judiciously removed from the roots such that no soil or growing medium remains.  This can be accomplished by first removing the bulk of the growing medium from the roots mechanically followed by washing the roots to remove any remaining material.  Remember that the wash water may contain cocoons and should not be disposed of in a different location or allowed to drain offsite.  Wash water can also be collected and strained to remove any solids which should then be sealed in a polyethylene bag and disposed of in the trash.  Once again, solarization by placing the sealed polyethylene bag in the sun until the material reaches a temperature of at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) for a minimum of three days will help ensure that any cocoons that are present will be killed.  Bare-rooting plants is best done when plants are dormant but can be done for some plants that are more tolerant of the stress involved when they are in leaf, being careful to keep the roots cool and moist and the plants well-watered until established following planting.
• Inspect shipments of horticultural commodities, including delivery trucks and containers, for jumping worms (and other pests) before and during unloading, notify the supplier if jumping worms are found, and do not accept infested shipments.  Jumping worms have been found in trucks delivering nursery stock to Minnesota garden centers from out of state.
• Whenever possible, store bagged compost, bagged organic soil conditioners, bagged mulch, and landscape plants in a manner that avoids contact with the ground to help prevent infestation with jumping worms.  Raised benches and elevated storge platforms for bagged horticultural commodities (compost, mulch, soil, etc.) and plants are a good idea.
• Arrive clean, leave clean; always clean soil and debris from vehicles, equipment, tools, and personal gear (footwear, gloves, clothing) before moving from one location or property to another and do not transport infested soil or landscape debris to new areas unless it has been sufficiently heat treated.  The handling of soil from sites that may be infested with jumping worms is a concern, and the MNLA is working with the state agencies that are reviewing disposal options for such soils to help manage this potential pathway for the spread of jumping worms.  These types of precautions should be standard practice for preventing the spread of jumping worms and other invasive species and pests.
• Do not sell, buy, or use jumping worms, or other species of earthworms from sources that may be contaminated with jumping worms, for composting (vermiculture/vermicomposting), soil improvement, or fishing bait.  And since it is difficult to know if earthworms purchased for vermicomposting (typically red wigglers) are contaminated with other types of earthworms including jumping worms, earthworms used for composting should not be released into the outdoor environment.  The addition of earthworms to residential compost piles is not required for backyard compost piles to function properly.
• Report suspected jumping worm infestations using EDDMapS Midwest or the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Report a Pest webpage. A map of the current distribution of jumping worms in the United States (including Minnesota) is available on the EDDMapS website.  If there is concern about the presence of jumping worms being tied to a specific property, suspected infestations can also be reported such that the exact location is not public via the University of Minnesota Jumping Worm Project website or by contacting Laura Van Riper at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Jim Calkins at the MNLA.  Good quality pictures of the suspected jumping worms (be sure to rinse off soil and other debris) that provide a clear view of the clitellum (if present; the collar- or saddle-like band located toward the head end of adult earthworms that is part of the reproductive system and is only present on sexually mature, adult worms) in relation to the head end of the worm should be submitted along with reports of suspected jumping worm infestations and a short video showing the movements of suspected jumping worms can also be helpful.  It is also a good idea to preserve specimens in alcohol (ethyl alcohol is best) and refrigerate them in case an expert would like to see the sample.
  
  Given the regulatory concerns associated with the listing of jumping worms as prohibited invasive species by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources beginning on July 1, 2024, we understand that nursery and landscape professionals and property owners may be hesitant when it comes to reporting jumping worm finds.  It is, however, important to understand the distribution of jumping worms in the state from a research and regulatory perspective and reporting is encouraged.
• Remove and destroy any jumping worms that are found by placing them in a sealed polyethylene bag and placing them in the trash.  Adult and immature jumping worms may also be killed by placing them in a container of rubbing alcohol or vinegar or solarizing or freezing them in a polyethylene bag before disposing of them in the trash.
• Whenever possible, retaining organic materials and landscape soils that are infested with jumping worms (or other pests including noxious weeds as defined on the Minnesota Noxious Weed List or are suspected of being infested with jumping worms (or other pests), on the property where they originated, rather than moving them offsite, is generally considered the safest and, therefore, the preferred option for preventing the spread of these pests at this time.  Unless such materials can be isolated and heat treated on site, it is very risky to allow yard waste and landscape soil that is infested with jumping worms to be deposited at a nursery and landscape business facility and caution is advised.  In fact, given that jumping worms are now regulated as prohibited invasive species in Minnesota, it is illegal to transport jumping worms in Minnesota without a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MNDNR.  And while it is understood that client preferences and site conditions may make it difficult to leave infested materials at some residential and commercial properties from a landscape management perspective in more urbanized areas, it is important to have a plan for handling such materials.  And once again, the transportation of jumping worms in Minnesota is prohibited without a permit from the MNDNR.

Although composting is not the ideal solution, composting sites that meet the minimum temperature and other requirements specified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA; 131 degrees Fahrenheit, 55 degrees Celsius, for a minimum of 15 days and a process that helps ensure all of the material being composted is exposed to such temperatures) are currently the best option for the offsite disposal of organic wastes that are or may be infested with jumping worms (and noxious weeds) with the exception of retaining such materials on the site where they originated.  Information about composting sites registered with the MPCA, including a compost site locator tool, is available on the MPCA website. Contact information for these facilities is also provided.  Only the composting facilities that have the apple core icons (sites that take food waste) and not the tree icons are required to follow the minimum temperature (131° Fahrenheit, 55 degrees Celsius) and pile turning requirements under their MPCA permits.  Other facilities that are not permitted for food waste by the MPCA may follow similar procedures, but exposure to 131° Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) and regular turning of the piles are not permit requirements so you should explain your concerns about jumping worms and ask them about their process.  Remember, too, that 131° Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) is a higher temperature than what is required to kill jumping worms and their eggs (104 degrees Fahrenheit, 40 degrees Celsius, for at least three days and attempting to ensure that the entire pile is exposed to such conditions over time through regular turning of the pile) and the process followed by other facilities may meet this requirement.  In all cases, it is recommended to call ahead to let the facility know you are bringing in yard waste material that is infested with jumping worms, or suspected of being infested with jumping worms, to make sure they will accept the material.

None of the MPCA composting sites are appropriate for the disposal of landscape soils which is a concern that does not have a good solution at this time and existing facilities that accept soil from landscapers and landscape managers (not a wise practice if the site is not already infested with jumping worms) and permitted landfills are currently the only offsite options for disposal at this time.  Permitted landfills are believed to be the best option and especially if the landfill site is already infested.  As for yard waste, if soil is known or believed to be infested with jumping worms, it is recommended to call ahead to let the facility know this to make sure they will accept the material.  A list of MPCA permitted landfills that accept mixed municipal solid waste is available on the MPCA website.

Once again, whenever feasible, retaining organic materials and landscape soils that are known or suspected as being infested with jumping worms or other pests on the property where they originated, rather than moving them offsite, is the safest option for preventing the spread of these pests at this time.  The MNLA and others continue to work with the MPCA with the goal of develop a plan for disposing of nursery and landscape materials that are infested with jumping worms.  In situations where keeping infested materials on site is not possible, nursery and landscape professionals may contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 to be directed to an MPCA representative who can work with you on a case-by-case basis to safely dispose of soil, container stock, and other materials that are infested with jumping worms until a more detailed disposal strategy is developed.

As the available disposal options for materials that are contaminated with jumping worms indicates, the current waste management system has not been designed with the goal of preventing the spread of jumping worms and other invasive species as a primary focus.  As a consequence, the disposal options that are currently available are not perfect and discussions about the best options for handling yard waste, nursery stock, and soil that is infested with jumping worms and other pests continue.  

Although the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) understands that these BMPs are not perfect, they have been developed based on the most current information available on how to help prevent the spread of jumping worms at this time.  Jumping worms are a serious concern and a threat the nursery and landscape industry cannot afford to ignore; instead, wisdom suggests the green industry should be an educated and proactive leader in helping to prevent the spread of jumping worms.  To this end, nursery and landscape professionals are encouraged to determine how they will respond to the challenges posed by jumping worms and how to share this information with their customers and clients.

The MNLA is committed to supporting research on the management of jumping worms and these BMPs will be regularly updated based on the findings of jumping worm research.  This includes the ongoing jumping worm research at the University of Minnesota that is being funded by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC), the Horticultural Research Institute, and the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources which include the development of improved jumping worm BMPs and control options as primary objectives.

Figure 1.  Mature jumping worms and the telltale, granular soil texture they produce when present in large numbers (below); note the clitella (singular = clitellum), the light-colored, reproductive structures that encircle the body near the head end of these adult worms; compared to European earthworms, the clitellum of a jumping worm is milky white to gray in color, flush with the body, encircles the body completely like a ring, and is located 14-16 segments from the head-end, while the clitellum of a European earthworm is pinkish to reddish in color, raised and saddle-like on the upper surface of the body, and located further (23-32 segments) from the head-end of the worm; the bodies of jumping worms are also iridescent and not slimy, while the bodies of European earthworms are slimy; and, of course, jumping worms become very active with serpentine, snake-like, and thrashing movements when disturbed while European earthworms tend to wriggle slowly and move by stretching and contracting their bodies (Photo Credit: James Calkins, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association).

Figure 2: Jumping worm hatchlings (left); jumping worm eggs are enclosed in protective cocoons and can survive exposure to temperature of at least -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius); eggs begin to hatch when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) in the spring (Photo Credit: James Calkins, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association).

Figure 3: Jumping worm cocoons (left) are spherical in shape, light to dark brown in color, and only 2-3 mm in diameter; their small size makes them difficult to see and differentiate from small particles of soil or organic material and easy to move unknowingly with soil, mulch, compost, container grown stock, balled & burlapped stock, and bare root plants with soil attached to their roots (Photo Credit: Marie Johnston, UW-Madison Arboretum).

Figure 4: The annual life cycle of jumping worms (Amynthas agrestis, Amynthas tokioensis, Metaphire hilgendorfi, and others) (Image Credit: McCay, T.S. et al.  2020.  Tools for Monitoring and Study of Peregrine Pheretimoid Earthworms (Megascolecidae). Tools for monitoring and study of peregrine pheretimoid earthworms (Megascolecidae) - ScienceDirect.

The UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program (Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, University of Massachusetts Amherst) has developed a excellent factsheet entitled Invasive Jumping Worm Frequently Asked Questions that provides additional information about the identification, distribution and spread, biology, impacts, and management of jumping worms based on discussion at a Jumping Worm Conference hosted by UMass Extension in January 2022.

Additional information about the identification, life cycle, and management of jumping worms, along with links to additional resources pertaining to jumping worms, are available in a companion factsheet entitled Jumping/Crazy/Snake Worms – Amynthas spp. Produced by the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program.

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June 28, 2021; revised June 23, 2022, and July 12, 2024.  Originally adapted from jumping worm best management practices developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a committee of Wisconsin green industry professionals.  If you have questions, contact James Calkins at 952-935-0682 or 612-258-7744 (cell).