Regional Resources

1. The Center for Invasive Plant Management (CIPM):
   Janet Clark leads this resource center in Montana. Her science-based information is located at www.weedcenter.org.

   The CIPM continues to update with new information. They are able to add information to the web in two minutes. Visit the site to get grant information and stay longer to gather practical stuff like: prevention guidelines, a western weed field guide, imitation weeds you can use for training or a desk bouquet, other regional resources, plus contact lists. The CIPM vision is that of "healthy, diverse habitats unimpaired by invasive weeds."

2. The Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN):
   Kelly Kearns champions this Midwest network which builds on existing information and the idea of information-sharing on behalf of their regional network. The MIPN is also interested in coordinating databases and use of NAWMA standards. Check out www.botany.wisc.edu/wisflora.

   This group is on the lookout for new invaders as well, e.g. kudzu moving north, oriental bittersweet moving west, and wild yam. Working with the landscape industry, MIPN will release a weed target list later in 2004. It will include Japanese stiltgrass, giant hogweed, hydrilla, and water chestnut.

3. The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (SEEPPC):
   This site aims to increase public awareness and facilitate information exchange. It provides a compilation of invasives information for 13 Southern States. Visit: www.se-eppc.org.

4. The Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA):
   The home of a Federal interagency group founded through a 1994 Memorandum of Understanding to share information and resources to benefit native plant communities. One section of the site, "Weeds Gone Wild", has been packed with information on invasive plants, or weeds that threaten the future of native plants. Other related topics include: on-line working groups, native plant source directory, available grants and funding, landscaping guides, links, publications and websites.

   Weeds Gone Wild, www.nps.gov/plants/aliens.

5. IPAW Websites Links Categorized
   The Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin (IPAW), like many of us have searched, googled, yahooed to find useful information on invasive plants, prevention, control, and more. IPAW has thoughtfully sorted through the thousands of websites and narrowed them to a more usable feast.

   IPAW's LIST is now available to all of us at: www.ipaw.org. Thanks IPAW for hand-picking these useful links.

6. The National Invasive Species Council (NISC):
   This website serves as a gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species.

   The NISC originated and was defined by the Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species in 1999. It is up and running and continues to monitor the national scene in terms of impacts, programs, policies, and so much more. Visit them to view the 2001 National Weed Management Plan and links to other resources: www.invasivespecies.gov.

7. The Southwest Exotic Plant Information Clearinghouse (SWEPIC):
   This clearinghouse is packed with practical information for the SW mapping efforts and more. Visit www.usgs.nau.edu/SWEPIC/swemp

8. The Invaders Database System:
   This website from the University of Montana contains all State and Canadian noxious weed lists thanks to the Agricultural Research Service, USDA-ARS.

   Go to: http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/

9. The Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE):
   The IPANE mission is to create a comprehensive database of invasive and potentially invasive plants in New England. An important focus is the early detection and rapid response to new invasions. Their work could be a model to many. See invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/.

10. The Fort Collins Science Center
    houses the National Institute of Invasive Species Science (NIISS) which is led by Tom Stohlgren and Mohammed Kalkhan in Colorado in cooperation with federal agencies. Watch for more news from this center at www.NIISS.org.

11. Native Roadside Vegetation Center
    is located at the University of Northern Iowa. For information of native plantings following control of invasive species contact Daryl Smith (daryl.smith@uni.edu) or Kirk Henderson (kirk.henderson@uni.edu). See the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program (www.uni.edu/irvm/web/index.html), the Iowa Ecotype Project (www.uni.edu/ecotype/), and the Prairie Institute (www.uni.edu/~lostland/).

Biocontrols Practical in Canada:

(Editor's note: The Canadian experience suggests specific invaders that could be problems in the United States.)

Shafeek Ali suggests that biocontrols will play a large role in control efforts in Alberta, Canada. Biocontrols will be critical to leafy spurge, knapweed, and purple loosestrife control. New weeds to watch in Alberta include chamomile, houndstongue, oxeye daisy, common tansy, and sow thistle. Complicating control are the impacts of forestry, oil pipelines, city freeways, and range management. Alberta Agriculture is tracking the impacts on four locations. More to come. Other sources of invasive species are tourists, wildflower mixes, and the internet. Ali suggests that privatization of maintenance mowing/spraying operations is causing increased weed problems and he is documenting this potential issue.