A Note From the Conference Organizers

Due to coronavirus (COVID 19) we are moving the 2020 Indiana CISMA Conference to a virtual meeting. In order to offer continuing education credits and keep the live virtual meeting of appropriate length for one sitting we will prerecord our five speakers presentations and make those available to conference registrants for 15 days beginning 01 August 2020. We will provide a link to registrants at the end of July to access all videos.

You will have 15 days to watch the five hours of recorded videos (approximately one hour for each speaker). Education credits through State Chemist (CCH) and the SAF will be available for those that watch the videos and answer questions associated with each video. We expect the ISA continuing education units to be available as well. We will send a link to the videos and include instructions on how to answer questions for those that want to obtain continuing education credits to registrants at the end of July.

On 20 August we will have a 2 hour live virtual meeting with all speakers present in a panel format. During the live virtual meeting, we will:

• provide updates on the terrestrial plant rule and the new identification guide associated with the rule
• provide an update on the state-wide Indiana Invasives Initiative project (project) and what our next steps are as we enter the next two years of the project
• answer questions submitted by registrants
• announce the 2020 Weed Wrangler awardees
• announce the Weed Wrangle Indiana CISMA winner ($500 dollars prize to the winning CISMA)
• conduct a networking session so you may spend time with others who are managing invasives and / or developing CISMAs, etc.

We will share a final agenda (see draft on last page), presenter biographies, and associated research on the impacts of invasive species soon.

We extend a thank you to all sponsors for sticking with us as we navigate the impacts of coronavirus - COVID 19. Approximately 300 people have registered (which is full capacity) so we recognize the need to hold this conference even if an in-person meeting is not possible, hence a virtual meeting.

We also want to thank each registrant. We hope that by offering prerecorded sessions and continuing education credits as well as a live session with project updates, 40 minutes of breakout networking sessions and more we meet your needs.

• Evaluating the Impacts of Invasive Species on Our Future (Stephanie Downs). A Review of Research of Invasive Species on Forest Health, Soils and Watersheds.
• Invasive Species Management Techniques (Lenny Farlee)
• Kudzu and Spotted Lantern Fly Updates (Ken Cote and Vince Burkle)
• Role of Native Plants in Supporting Biodiversity in Soils, Arthropods and Birds (Deb Marr)
• Regional Woody Invasive Species Collaborative & Landscape Alternatives (Clair Ryan)

• 8:45 AM: Log In
• 9:00: Welcome
• 9:10: The Terrestrial Plant Rule Update (DNR DEPP)
• 9:25: Terrestrial Plant Rule Pocket Guide and the updated official state plant list (what is now ranked high?)
• 9:45: Status of the Indiana Invasives Initiative (Project status, what is next for CISMAs, how do we impact conservation)
• 10:00: Networking Session
• 10:40: Weed Wrangler Awards (Indiana Invasives Initiative Project Regional Specialists)
• 10:50: Weed Wrangle Indiana CISMA Award
• 11:00: Closing remarks
• 11:00 – 11:15: Lunch
• 11:15:11:45 – extended networking for those that wish to continue discussions

Past Meeting Minutes