Exotic invasive species are non-native plants, animals or microbes that spread aggressively, replacing native organisms and posing serious threats to human health and well-being, the environment, or our economy.





Mission

The Indiana Invasive Species Council (IISC) was established by the state legislature to enhance the ability of government agencies to detect, prevent, monitor, and manage new and long established invasions, as well as increase public awareness about invasive species.








IISC Council Members

(as of 17-May-2022)

 

Megan Abraham


Representing Department of Natural Resources Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
Appointed By:
Statutory appointment
 

Phyllis Boyd


Director, Indianapolis Parks & Recreation, representing land trusts, conservation and/or parks and recreation organizations.
Appointed By:
Governor
 

Eric Fischer


Representing Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Appointed By:
Statutory appointment
 

Rick Haggard


Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association, representing the nursery industry.
Appointed By:
Governor
 

Matthew Kraushar


Representing Indiana Department of Transportation.
Appointed By:
Statutory appointment
 

Heather Reynolds


Professor of Biology at Indiana University, representing research.
Appointed By:
Governor
 

Kate Sanders


Representing the Indiana Department of Agriculture.
Appointed By:
Statutory appointment
 

Joe Schmees


IN Freshwater Strategy Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Representing land trusts, conservation, and/or parks & recreation
 

Michael Warner


Certified Forester at ArborTerra, representing the forest industry.
Appointed By:
Governor
Council Chairperson

Kelli Werling


Representing the State Board of Animal Health.
Appointed By:
Statutory appointment
Council Secretariat

Alicia Kelley


IN CAPS State Survey Coordinator
representing the Dean, College of Agriculture, Purdue University




Report It!

Report invasive plants, animals, or microbes to:

Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System Logo

Report IN is a fast and easy way for you to report invasive species in Indiana. There are two ways to report – by computer and by smartphone. All reports will go to the appropriate organization for verification. To report by computer, go to www.EDDMapS.org/indiana and create a profile, then click Report Sightings and fill out the form.

To report by smartphone, download the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) app by CLICKING HERE. This app is created and maintained by EDDMapS.org and the same EDDMapS profile can be used for both computer and smartphone reports.
How to ReportIN on the Website
How to ReportIN on your smartphone
Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Powerpoint
Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Powerpoint
Thousand Canker Disease of Black Walnut (TCD) Powerpoint
Hemlock Wooley Adelgid (HWA) Powerpoint


Other ways to report:



Events

Events, meetings, and minutes

 

Indiana Invasive Species Council

IISC Quarterly Meeting - Wednesday, February 14, 2024
10:30 AM Eastern

1202 E 38th Street, Discovery Hall, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Find on Google Maps

This public meeting will also be held virtually on the Zoom meeting platform.
Join the Meeting




 





Past Meeting Minutes

Date File Type Status Download
November 8, 2023 PDF Official Download
August 16, 2023 PDF Official Download
May 17, 2023 PDF Official Download
Feb 15, 2023 PDF Official Download
Nov 2, 2022 PDF Official Download
May 18, 2022 PDF Official Download
Feb 16, 2022 PDF Official Download
Nov 9, 2021 PDF Official Download
Aug 10, 2021 PDF Official Download
May 18, 2021 PDF Official Download
Feb 16, 2021 PDF Official Download
Nov 10, 2020 PDF Official Download
July 21, 2020 PDF Official Download
May 19, 2020 PDF Official Download
Feb 18, 2020 PDF Official Download
Dec 17, 2019 PDF Official Download
Jul 23, 2019 PDF Official Download
May 21, 2019 PDF Official Download
Feb 28, 2019 PDF Official Download
Nov 28, 2018 PDF Official Download
Jul 25, 2018 PDF Official Download
May 9, 2018 PDF Official Download
Jul 25, 2017 PDF Official Download
May 5, 2017 PDF Official Download
Feb 1, 2017 PDF Official Download
Nov 10, 2016 PDF Official Download
Sep 14, 2015 PDF Official Download
Mar 6, 2015 PDF Official Download
Sep 23, 2014 PDF Official Download
Jun 5, 2014 PDF Official Download
Feb 14, 2014 PDF Official Download
Oct 11, 2013 PDF Official Download
May 22, 2013 PDF Official Download
Sep 26, 2012 PDF Official Download
Apr 25, 2012 PDF Official Download
Apr 5, 2011 PDF Official Download
Mar 4, 2010 PDF Official Download




Invasive Plant Advisory Committee

The Invasive Plant Advisory Committee (IPAC) was created in August 2010 to work on invasive plant projects that support the mission of the IISC.

If you have questions or comments about IPAC or invasive terrestrial plants please contact, Dawn Slack at dawn@sicim.info


Invasive Plant Management Cost Hoosiers over $5 million in 2012
A recent survey conducted by the Invasive Plant Advisory Committee found that land owners and managers in Indiana spent $5.85 million in 2012 to manage invasive plants on their land.



Alternative Plant Choices
Callery Pear Nursery trade letter
Callery Pear Survivor Tree letter






Management Resources


Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) and Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs)


CISMAs / CWMAs are local organizations that bring together landowners and land managers, local, state and federal agencies, tribes, individuals and various interested groups to coordinate action and share expertise and resources to manage invasive species in a defined area. This collaborative effort at the local level enables CISMAs to pool resources and knowledge to address mutual invasive species issues.
CISMAs and CWMAs:

  • Operate within a defined geographic area, distinguished by a common geography, invasive species problem, community, climate, political boundary, or land use;
  • Involve a broad cross-section of landowners and natural resource managers within its defined boundaries;
  • Are governed by a Steering Committee;
  • Make a long-term commitment to cooperation, usually through a formal agreement among partners;
  • Have a comprehensive plan that addresses the management or prevention of invasive species within its boundaries; and
  • Facilitate cooperation and coordination across jurisdictional boundaries.

CISMAs and CWMAs bring together local citizens, landowners, non-profit organizations, industry, and city, county, state, tribal, and federal representatives to work towards a common goal—effective control of invasive species.

Counties Covered CISMA Name Point of Contact  Email Website
Lake, LaPorte, Porter Indiana  Coastal Cooperative Weed Management Area (ICCWMA)  Susan Mihalo smihalo@TNC.ORG Visit Site
LaGrange, Stueben Lakes County Cluster Cooperative Weed Management Area (LCC) Beth Williams and Nate Simons bw_consulting@frontier.com,  stuartbheron1@hotmail.com Visit Site
Brown Brown County Native Woodlands Project (BCNWP) Dan Shaver dshaver@TNC.ORG Visit Site
Monroe Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS) Ellen Jaquart mciris2010@gmail.com Visit Site
Owen Owen County  CISMA - Sweet Owen Woodland Network  (SOWN) Andrea Oeding andrea-oeding@iaswcd.org N/A
Knox Knox County Cooperative Weed Management Area Will Drews willem.drews@in.nacdnet.net Visit Site
Dubois Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County  (ISAC) Ron Ratham ronr@purdue.edu Visit Site
Lawrence Lawrence County CWMA - Keep Invasives in Check (KIC) Cheryl Coon ccoon@fs.fed.us Visit Site
Jackson Jackson County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Terri Ault Terry.Ault@in.nacdnet.net N/A
SICIM covers 35 counties in the southern part of the state Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM)  Will Drews willem.drews@in.nacdnet.net Visit Site

 

Invasive Plant Removal Contractors

Download this PDF file for a list of invasive plant removal contractors in Indiana.

 

Tools to Manually Remove Invasive Shrubs

Download this PDF file for a detailed summary of tools available to pull Asian bush honeysuckle or other invasive shrubs from the ground.

 

For more information on invasive plants in Indiana