invasivespecies.wi.govWisconsin Invasive Species Council | | Wisconsin DNR

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Podcast Pinterest Search Main navigation Hunting Fishing Parks Climate Environment Forestry Licenses News About Contact Invasives_Content Page_Wisconsin_Invasive_Species_Council Breadcrumb Home » Topic » Invasives Wisconsin Invasive Species Council The council is hosting online information sessions in February and March to present recommended changes to the classification of invasive species in Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule – ch. NR 40. In 2002, state agencies joined with private partners to form the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council as directed by s. 23.22, Wisconsin Statutes. Council Duties The council makes recommendations to the department regarding the following: a system for classifying invasive species and a procedure for awarding cost-sharing grants to control invasive species. The council also conducts studies of issues related to controlling invasive species. Wisconsin law requires the council to address the following: the effect of the state’s bait industry on the introduction and spread of invasive species; the effect of the state’s pet industry on the introduction and spread of invasive species; the acquisition of invasive species through mail order and Internet sales; and other issues as determined by the council. The council relies on four committees to carry out its work: education, research, regulation and interagency coordination. An executive committee provides overall direction for the council’s activities. Species Assessment Groups - 2024 Information Sessions The council is responsible for making recommendations to the department regarding classifying invasive species in Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule – ch. NR 40. To accomplish this, the council convenes Species Assessment Groups (SAGs) to review and assess species and make recommendations for which species should be included in NR 40. The council will host online information sessions to present SAG recommendations to the public and gather feedback on proposed classifications. The council will review all feedback collected from these sessions before making recommendations to the department. Read the SAG process for more detail and a description of the SAG groups. Please complete this survey to submit questions or provide feedback on recommendations by April 5, 2024. View the council’s overview on recommendations to revise Chapter NR40 and attend or watch SAG information sessions. Information Session Schedule Feb. 21, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m: Watch the recording SAG Presenting Recommended Changes Presentation Terrestrial Vertebrates List Slideshow Terrestrial Invertebrates and Plant Disease-Causing Organisms List Slideshow Fish and Wildlife Diseases List Slideshow Feb. 28, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m: Watch the recording SAG Presenting Recommended Changes Presentation No Commercial Use Plants List Slideshow Agronomic Plants List Slideshow March 13, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m: Watch the recording SAG Presenting Recommended Changes Presentation Aquatic Plants List Slideshow Aquatic Invertebrates List Slideshow Fish and Crayfish List Slideshow March 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m: Watch the recording SAG Presenting Recommended Changes Presentation Herbaceous Ornamental Plants List Slideshow Woody Plants List Slideshow Council Members, Committees, Initiatives and Resources Council Members And Contact Information Members Representing Public And Private Interests Members Organization Contact Information Thomas Bressner Wisconsin Agri-Business Association 608-444-1420 (c) 608-223-1111 (w) tom@wiagribusiness.org Thomas Buechel (Chair) Buechel Horticulture Solutions, LLC 920-650-6808 (c) buechel.iscouncil@gmail.com Douglas Cox Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin 715-853-8053 dgcox@mitw.org Jennifer Hauxwell, Ph.D University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center 608-263-4756 Fax: 608-262-0591 jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu http://aqua.wisc.edu Gregory Long Needles and Leaves Nursery 262-679-1011 (w) 262-617-3284 (c) GLong@NeedlesAndLeavesNursery.com Mark Renz University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agronomy 608-263-7437 mrenz@wisc.edu Hannah Spaul The Nature Conservancy 608-316-6441 (w) hspaul@tnc.org Members Representing State Agencies Members Agency Contact Information Drew Feldkirchner Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 608-267-5129 (desk) drew.feldkirchner@wisconsin.gov Vacant Department of Tourism Vacant Rebecca Szymkowski Department of Transportation (DOT) 608-266-9381 (desk) rebecca.szymkowski@dot.wi.gov Brian Kuhn Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) 608-224-4590 (desk) brian.kuhn@wisconsin.gov Lauren Leckwee Department of Administration (DOA) 608-267-2125 (desk) lauren.leckwee@wisconsin.gov Tara Bergeson Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Conservation 608-438-2872 (c) tara.bergeson@wisconsin.gov Council Initiatives And Events Strategic Plan "Looking Forward: A Statewide Strategic Plan for Invasive Species" was finalized on Apr. 2, 2013. The plan outlines a framework of objectives to minimize invasive species’ environmental and financial harm and protect human health and natural resources. This plan identifies needs that must be met cooperatively across agencies and jurisdictions. It develops cost-effective, balanced approaches to minimize invasive species’ introduction into Wisconsin and carefully manage the species already established in the state. Species Assessment Groups The council convenes Species Assessment Groups (SAGs) to review and assess species and recommend which species should be included in Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule – Chapter NR 40. Specifically, SAGs are charged with recommending a regulatory (Prohibited, Restricted) or non-regulated category to the council for each considered species. Invader Crusader Awards Each year, the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council honors Wisconsin citizens and organizations for their significant contribution to preventing, controlling or eradicating invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s lands, waters and wetlands. Check out the Invader Crusader Award winners . Awareness Month June is Invasive Species Action Month (ISAM) – a time to learn, identify, report and control invasive species In Wisconsin. Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine has published articles celebrating ISAM and efforts to slow the spread: Stalking Invasive Species Cooperative Endeavors Spell Success Look For and Report These Nine Invasive Species Check out some of the award-winning ISAM video challenge winners: " Boatbusters! " by Brad Steckart and the Washington and Waukesha County AIS Teams https://youtu.be/ufpd7Lr2Mqw " Freeing the Old Oak " by Charlie Luthin and Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance https://youtu.be/IV2le0V4xFU " CBCW Vice " by Chris Hamerla and his dog Cisco https://youtu.be/9grlW4hQ7OcAIS Monster ” by David Blumer https://youtu.be/NUKQ_UGrG8A Council Committees Committees Education Committee Charge: Seek ways to enhance outreach and education efforts in raising statewide awareness on the identification and prevention of invasive species. Chair: Christa Schaefer – Department of Transportation Executive Committee Charge: Develop the council’s meeting agendas and respond to time-sensitive issues. Chair: Thomas Buechel – Buechel Horticulture Solutions, LLC Interagency Committee Charge: Promote coordination among state agencies on invasive species issues and issues related to the development and implementation of Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule. Chair: Brian Kuhn – Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Regulations Committee Charge: Focus on current and future rules, statutes and administrative policies to prevent the spread of and control invasive species. Make recommendations to the council to take the appropriate steps to promote uniform and consistent state regulations and policies to curtail the introduction and movement of invasive species for the protection of the environment, agriculture and human health for...