CISM brochure (PDF) - Center for Invasive Plant Management

Weedcenter.org
CISM’s website has served as an invasive species information clearinghouse
for more than a decade, informing millions of diverse users. Updated constantly,
Weedcenter.org provides a wide array of useful and timely information
and resources, including: comprehensive invasive species management
information; educational resources; online trainings and web seminars;
links to partner organizations and agencies; information on CISM projects,
services, and activities; and more.
CISM Online Store
Another major feature of Weedcenter.org is our online store, which offers
a variety of tools, publications, and invasive species outreach materials
produced by CISM and our partners.
Missouri River
Watershed Coalition
The Missouri River Watershed Coalition (MRWC) is comprised of the
seven headwater states of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Coalition’s mission is to
maintain productive, biodiverse riparian ecosystems that provide quality
water resources, habitat, recreation, and power to meet the economic
and ecological needs of the region. Specific Coalition goals are: to reduce
the introduction and spread of invasive species in the region; to increase
regional coordination and communication and to develop regional management
strategies and priorities for invasive plant species and water resources;
to maximize funding efficiency for public education, prevention,
management, and restoration projects on riparian corridors; and to team
MRWC collaborators in private-public partnerships. CISM provides the
Coalition with program management and coordination, fiscal and grant
management, and serves as project leader, develops outreach products and
tools, and maintains the MRWC website and listserv.
Conservation Innovation Grant
In 2010, the MRWC and CISM received a $1 million NRCS Conservation
Innovation Grant (CIG) for a three-year project to: foster innovative conservation
approaches to invasive plant management by evaluating the effectiveness
of control treatments and their ecological effects in riparian areas;
investigate and demonstrate the utilization of invasive plant biomass as an
untapped biofuel source; and convey those results to citizens throughout
the region. The project is providing knowledge and benefits to producers
and land managers throughout the Watershed.
Who We Are
CISM Staff
Liz Galli-Noble, Director
Emily Rindos, Assistant Director
Kitty Weiss, E-Communications Coordinator
Scott Bockness, MRWC-CIG Project Leader
CISM is advised by a 10- to 15-member Steering Committee representing
regional and national stakeholder groups.
Collaborative Program
Montana Weed Prevention Areas
Kim Goodwin, Coordinator
Our Mission
To promote ecologically sound management of invasive species in western
North America by sponsoring innovative research, advancing education,
and facilitating collaboration and partnerships among scientists, educators,
policy makers, natural resource managers, and concerned citizens.
Contact Us
Center for Invasive Species Management
235 Linfield Hall, PO Box 173120
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
(T) 406-994-6832 (F) 406-994-1889
www.weedcenter.org
Center for Invasive
Species Management
© October 2012 Center for Invasive Species Management
Center for Invasive
Species Management
Promoting ecologically sound
management of invasive species
in western North America

Background
Established in 2000, the Center for Invasive Species Management (CISM) is a
nationally recognized western regional hub for invasive species expertise and
interagency project collaboration. CISM is housed within the Land Resources
and Environmental Sciences Department and the College of Agriculture at
Montana State University, an 1862 Land Grant University.
Vision and Approach
The Center improves invasive species management by investigating science
and management topics, translating scientific information for the public,
and disseminating invasive species information and management techniques
to people and organizations that manage or are concerned about
improving and maintaining the health of western landscapes. This vision is
accomplished by proactively identifying key research, management, policy,
and communication needs and connecting those needs to solutions that
improve invasive species management.
Funding
The Center was launched and initially funded through Congressional earmark
from 2000 to 2007. Since 2008, however, CISM diversified and is now
largely funded through project-based grants and product sales revenues,
which are reinvested back into the program.
A key aspect of CISM’s program has always been to provide professional
and technical support services to local, community-based and regional
groups with limited funding and resources. In order to continue providing
these important services at little or no cost, CISM needs your support.
The amount needed is not great (less than $50,000 per year), so even small
contributions will allow CISM to continue this much needed work.
To make a tax-deductible donation to CISM, send a check payable to CISM/
MSU Foundation to CISM Director Elizabeth Galli-Noble at the address on
the back of this brochure.
What We Do
It is widely accepted among natural resource managers that people must
work together across jurisdictional boundaries to manage invasive species
and maintain healthy, non-invaded ecosystems. CISM’s program embodies
a commitment to collaboration and cooperation, which requires building
and maintaining regional partnerships, pooling resources, and avoiding
duplication of efforts.
The Center’s objectives are to support and sponsor comprehensive invasive
species research and implement timely technology transfer between natural
resource managers and scientists; serve as a science-based information
clearinghouse for invasive species expertise; provide a western regional
voice for ecologically sound management of invasive species issues at state
and regional levels; and create hands-on education and outreach products
and tools for natural resource managers and private citizens.
Services We Provide
CISM is dedicated to supporting a wide range of stakeholders and partners
throughout western North America. We collaborate extensively with
universities, state and federal agencies, Tribes, landowners, the research
community and Extension Services, county weed districts, conservation
organizations, and the public.
We provide a variety of services to our partners, on an as-needed basis, in
many different capacities (grant project collaborator, regional initiative leader,
technical advisor, pro bono service provider, and so on). These services
include, but are not limited to:
• Scientifically-based, landscape-scale project leadership
• Invasive species program, conference, and workshop coordination
• Technical writing, editing, and design assistance
• Outreach and awareness product development
• Technical advice/peer review to local, state, and national organizations
• Website design, maintenance, and hosting.
Examples of Our Work
conference, workshop, and training coordination
DoD Invasive Species Workshops
CISM was awarded funding from the Department of
Defense Legacy Resource Management Program in
2009 to coordinate an invasive species management
workshop for DoD natural resource personnel in
the southwest US. A similar workshop focusing on
the Northwest region was held in Portland, Oregon
in May 2012.
technical writing, editing, and design assistance
MRWC –EDDMapS App for iPhone and Android
In 2010, CISM and the MRWC developed an invasive
species identification and reporting guidebook
for the Coalition states. The guidebook was converted
into a free app for iPhone and Android smartphones
which allows users in 12 states to report
invasive species sightings instantly.
outreach and awareness product development
Plastic Weed Models
Since 2003, CISM has developed and distributed
32,000 plastic models of eight invasive plants. The
three-dimensional models are botanically accurate,
safely transportable and useful for all ages and levels
of expertise.
website design and hosting
Partner Websites
• Western Weed Coordinating Committee
• Montana Weed Prevention Areas
• Missouri River Watershed Coalition
• Weeds Across Borders 2010 and 2012
Sportsman’s Guide
to Invasive Species
booklet
MRWC–EDDMapS
App for iPhone and
Android
Plastic weed models
DoD Workshop
Website (2012)