National Invasive Species Awareness Week (2/24 - 2/28)
2/25/2025 10:38:00 AM
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Planning
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international effort and annual event held to raise awareness about invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to prevent and slow their spread. From February 24th to the 28th experts and representatives from local, state, federal, and regional organizations will come together in Washington D.C. and virtually to discuss legislation, policies, funding, and innovative improvements that can be made to better manage and prevent the spread of invasive species. NISAW is coordinated by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the first awareness week was held in 2010 with the shared goal to come together to increase awareness about the impacts of invasive species and how we can protect natural spaces. Together our actions can help slow and prevent the spread of invasive species.
SCIT’s Environmental Team’s Invasive Species program surveys, inventories, manages, and treats Tribal land. Invasive species found on Tribal properties include: Black Locust; Norway Maples; Autumn Olive; Honeysuckle (Bell’s, Morrow, Tatarian); Buckthorn (Common, Glossy); Japanese Barberry; Multiflora Rose; European Privet; Dame’s Rocket; Narrow-leaved Cattail; Purple Loosestrife; Eurasian Phragmites; Reed Canary Grass, Spotted Knapweed; Thistle (Bull, Canada); Sweet Clover (White, Yellow); Tree of Heaven; and European Frog-bit. Phragmites, Buckthorn, Autumn Olive, Eurasian Watermilfoil, and European Frog-bit have been identified as the biggest threats to our native ecosystems. For more information, visit https://www.sagchip.org/Planning/Invasive-Species.aspx. Invasive species impact everyone and when they are not monitored or controlled they can cause harm to our economy, environment, and even human health. When invasive species are not controlled they will increasingly limit land and water use. The longer management efforts are not taken, the harder and more costly control efforts will become. By learning about invasive species and participating in citizen science through MISIN or iNaturalist we can work together to protect our environment and slow the spread of invasive species.
To learn more about regional invasive species, priorities, and concerns or to view training modules, videos, and known distribution visit the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) at https://www.misin.msu.edu/. Once familiarized with local invasive species you can then utilize the smartphone or webpage application to upload photos and geotags to help local invasive species managers and land stewards better detect and rapidly respond to local threats as they enter our areas.
To expand your knowledge and better connect with nature while becoming a citizen scientist, create an iNaturalist account and add your observations to local community projects or invasive species efforts such as: Chippewa Nature Center BioBlitz; Climate Ready Woodlands: Tree Tracker; CWC Nature Notes; Huron Pines Preserves; Michigan Natural Communities – MNFI; Michigan Invasive Animals; Michigan’s Invasive Species Watch List; and Michigan’s Botanists’ Big Year 2025. Stay tuned as 2025 projects open; however, be sure to protect sensitive locations and endangered or rare species by changing the geoprivacy to obscured or private. For more information, resources, guides, projects, site stats, or to create an iNaturalist account visit https://www.inaturalist.org/.
#InvasiveSpecies #NISAW #CMCISMA #SBCISMA