Invasive Species Management in IllinoisIn 2019, Illinois Forestry Development Council prompted a relaunch of the effort to manage invasive species in Illinois. At that time, a committee of stakeholders was formed to identify a potential structure and strategy to better inform broad education and outreach for existing and potential invasive species in Illinois. It was recommended that there be more structure and a process based in science, with clear steps resulting in decisions to monitor, educate, and regulate species that may have a significant economic or environmental impact on our state. IGIA has had multiple representatives serving on the committee during this time including Gary Knosher (Midwest Groundcovers), Brian Aaron (National Nursery Products), and Kellie Schmidt (IGIA). The committee has worked together to reach a point of consensus on the creation of bylaws and support for the reinstatement of the Illinois Invasive Species Council (IISC). The IISC, as proposed, will serve as an advisory body to help establish a network of experts that work across departments/agencies/and organizations to improve communications and response to invasive threats. This resource has not existed in Illinois since 2014. REVIEW IISC BYLAWS On April 13, 2021 the newly-formed Invasive Species Council held its inaugural meeting by Zoom. The first order of business was to appoint officers. Steve Worth, Kankakee Nursery Co, was elected President, John Lough, City of Chicago Bureau of Forestry, was elected Vice President, and Ann Tosovsky, Home Nursery Inc, was elected Secretary. The council approved a list of subject matter experts, who will be asked to serve as committee members under the council in each of the following areas: terrestrial plants, pests and pathogens, terrestrial and avian wildlife, and aquatic life. These committees will review species of concern, formulate recommended next steps for public education efforts, and more. They will make recommendations to the governing council. Invasive Species Council MembersJohn Lough, City of Chicago, Bureau of Forestry - Council President
Of significant interest to our industry is the Terrestrial Plants Committee. Kellie Schmidt, Executive Director of IGIA, and Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension, have been appointed by the Invasive Species Council to co-chair the committee. The council created a list of prospective subject matter experts to serve on the Terrestrial Plants Committee, at the recommendation of the initial working group. Terrestrial Plants CommitteeChris Evans, University of Illinois Extension - Co-Chair We have worked hard to ensure that the voice of the industry is heard throughout the process and will continue to do so. There will be opportunities for you to provide input as the work begins. If you have questions about this effort, please call IGIA at 217.546.4733 Management of Terrestrial Plants in Illinois Presently, there are two lists that regulate terrestrial plants in Illinois: Illinois Designated Exotic Weeds List (525 ILCS 10/) Illinois Exotic Weed Act - It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, political subdivision, agency or department of the State to buy, sell, offer for sale, distribute or plant seeds, plants or plant parts of exotic weeds without a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LIST Illinois Designated Noxious Weeds List - CLICK HERE University of Illinois Extension Guide to Identifying Exotic Weeds - CLICK HERE Guide to Managing Invasive Plants and Pests of Illinois - This is an educational resource funded, in part, through a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council. It is an update and expansion of the original Management of Invasive Plants of Southern Illinois. How to Identify Common Invasive Plants in the Chicago Region (Videos) - CLICK HERE Management of Terrestrial Plants in the MidwestThis publication was funded, in part, through a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council. It is an update and expansion of the original document which was supported by Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund. Access the Guide The Woody Invasives of the Great Lake Collaborative (WIGL) was been created to help you find solutions! Land managers, green industry professionals, homeowners and educators can use the website to identify, manage and replace invasive woody plants, and restore habitat for native plants and wildlife. It is a tool to promote communication and shared learning across the midwest. Visit www.woodyinvasives.org to learn more. What's Happening with Invasive Species Management in Other StatesMissouri Invasive Plant Task Force (MoIP) - In 2015, Grow Native! spearheaded a multi-agency, multi-industry networking and advocacy group to bolster efforts in Missouri to identify and control the invasive plant species that impact several sectors of the Missouri economy and native biodiversity. The task force works to review, discuss, and recommend educational and regulatory actions related to managing known and potential non-native invasive plants. Representatives from the fields of conservation, agriculture, botanical science, ecological services, plant production, horticulture, landscape services and design, and arboriculture makeup the task force. LEARN MORE Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force Invasive Plant Assessment - CLICK HERE Top Invasive Plants Expanding in Missouri - Based on MoIP's statewide assessment created by field biologists in the state who have estimated how rapidly certain species are expanding to form new occurrences throughout each of the state's primary ecological regions. CLICK HERE Indiana Invasive Species Council (IISC) - was established by the state legislature to enhance the ability of government agencies to detect, prevent, monitor, and manage new and long-established invasions, as well as increase public awareness about invasive species. It arose out of an Invasive Species Task Force, which rigorously evaluated numerous exotic species for their degree of invasiveness. The council appointed an advisory committee in 2009 to address invasive plant issues in the state. Their first act was to develop a science-based, transparent list of invasive plants for Indiana through an assessment process that ranked species as high, medium, or low invasive risk, and listed others that bear watching to see if they become invasive. LEARN MORE 2019 Invasive Terrestrial Plant Rule - CLICK HERE Prohibited Plants Fact Sheet - CLICK HERE Alternative Options for Invasive Landscape Plants - CLICK HERE |