PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 20: Invasive Species
Wednesday, August 10, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN): A new regional group for invasive plants in the Midwest.

Howe, Katherine^*,1, Jacquart, Ellen ¹, ¹ The Nature Conservancy, Indianapolis, IN

ABSTRACT- Despite the abundance of problematic invasive plants in the Midwestern United States, the issue of invasive plants has received relatively little attention in this region. The lack of awareness of invasive species issues in the Midwest is likely a result of the lack of organization among groups and individuals working on issues related to exotic plant invasion in the region. In order to more effectively address the problem of invasive plants on a regional scale, the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) was created. MIPN is an association of a diverse group of organizations dedicated to addressing the threat of invasive plants in the Midwest. The group's mission is to address the problem of invasive plants and their threat to the Midwest's environment and economy by providing leadership, facilitating information development and exchange, and coordinating regional efforts. Currently, a lack of coordination among groups working on invasive plant species projects in the Midwest has led to a tremendous duplication of effort and missed opportunities for collaboration at the regional level. The MIPN is working to facilitate that collaboration and information-sharing and help to energize the local projects going on throughout the Midwest. Current MIPN projects include producing a list of invasive plant species mapping and inventory projects in the Midwest (including information on associated early detection-rapid response projects) and a recommended data standard to be followed that will be communicated to all involved in such projects; providing regional educational materials to raise awareness regarding invasive plant species in the Midwest and a compendium of currently available materials; creating a website dedicated to invasive plant species issues in the Midwest, which features the products mentioned above as well as information on legislative efforts, funding opportunities, control techniques, current research, and other information specific to the Midwest; and regular communication between invasive species researchers, managers, and others interested in or affected by this topic through a listserv, conference calls, workshops, and meetings.

Key words: invasive plants, Midwest