The Michigan Invasive Plant Council History, Purpose, and Progress

History Formed in 2000 as result of National Invasive Species Council Executive Order 13112 Federal, state agencies, universities, private organizations & individuals Volunteer Affiliated with SE-EPPC

MIPC Board Members, Officers, and Active Participants: MNLA MDNR MDA MDEQ-OGL MDMVA UM ML&SA MBC MBA MSU TNC Green Industry Nature Preserves Botanical Gardens and Arboreta USFS

How we work Meetings: 4 Board of Director’s meetings Several working committees Executive Education/Outreach Assessment Annual Symposium MNLA, MACD, WAM, MLS&A Annual Meeting

Mission Statement To protect Michigan from the threat of invasive plants

What is the threat? Invasive Plants… Outcompete native species, reducing diversity and eliminating some species

What is the threat? Invasive plants can indirectly inhibit the growth and health of other plants

What is the threat? Invasive Plants… Reduce habitat quality for many native animals, resulting in declines or extirpations of local populations

What is the threat? Invasive Plants… Change ecological processes, making it difficult for native species to reestablish

Objectives Develop, maintain, and publish a council-reviewed invasive plant species list Raise public awareness about the spread and impact of invasive plants Facilitate the exchange of information concerning management, control, inventory, and monitoring of invasive plants Provide a forum for all interested parties to discuss issues relating to invasive plants

Objectives Serve as an educational, advisory and technical support council for all aspects of invasive plants and related issues Prevent future introductions of new invasive plants Adopt guiding principles set forth in the management plan of the National Invasive Species Council Executive Order 13112, February 3, 1999

Status: the list Have developed an “invasiveness assessment tool” Have run about 20 plant species through the assessment—need to come up with a plan of action for each Have agreed to waive the need for assessment for all Federal and State noxious weeds

Michigan Plant Invasiveness Assessment System Dispersal vectors Vegetative reproduction Reproductive Ability Dispersal ability Reproduction by seed Dispersal distance Potential Invasiveness Impact (in each of five system types) Invasiveness in System Types Regional Significance (in each of four ecoregions) Invasiveness in System Types In each Ecoregion

Michigan Plant Invasiveness Assessment System Alliaria petiolata: garlic mustard: Invasiveness ranking

The Noxious Weeds

Status: Raising Awareness Brochure Presentations WAM, MNLA, MLSA, MACD Workshops Master Gardener course

Status: Raising Awareness Website: http://forestry.msu.edu/mipc

How you can get involved Attend MIPC presentations at this conference Talk to MIPC board members, officers, and members Pick up a MIPC brochure In your work, adopt practices to combat invasive species Join MIPC!