Join the Vermont Introduced Species Collaborative to learn more about Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) in Vermont. While they vary in size and scope, CISMAs are partnerships of government agencies, municipalities, watershed groups, land trusts, landowners, local volunteers and more working together at the regional level to prevent and manage the spread of introduced species. This webinar will examine three such groups operating in Vermont – how they were formed, how they work together, and the value they offer to the communities they serve. Interested in starting a CISMA in your area? This webinar will provide the insights – and the connections – to get you started.
“How to Create a CISMA” Webinar
Wednesday, October 14th | 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Register here!
Welcome and Introductions – Alex Connizzo (AVCC)
About the Vermont Introduced Species Collaborative – Emilie Inoue (VAAFM)
Goals of this Webinar and our Regionalization Efforts – Pieter van Loon (VLT)
Southeast Vermont CISMA – Cory Ross (Windham County NRCD) & Pieter van Loon (VLT)
↪ Cory and Pieter will focus on the process of county-scale CISMA development and the partners involved
Upper Connecticut River CISMA – Sam Mayne (Essex County NRCD)
↪ Sam will explore the interstate model that engages organizations and volunteers in Vermont and New Hampshire
Mad River Valley Knotweed Project – Curt Lindberg (Waitsfield CC)
↪ Curt will highlight the “ground up” model and the leadership role played by CCs and municipalities
Q&A and Discussion
This past May, the Collaborative hosted its 3rd Annual Introduced Species Collaborative Gathering in Montpelier, bringing together 70 Vermonters interested or engaged in introduced/invasive species management to build connections and knowledge. The event highlighted the different ways organizations and volunteer groups are working to protect our state’s natural communities and working landscapes. This webinar is intended to serve as a continuation of this work to build our local, regional and statewide networks of support and cooperation. As the primary environmental stewards for their towns, we encourage conservation commission members to join this webinar to find out how they can contribute to and benefit from the CISMA structure.
In the early 2000s, the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) put together a CWMA Cookbook to provide general guidelines to help natural resource professionals and landowners develop CISMAs in their region. Another valuable resource is this strategic planning and organizational template created by Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) and last revised in 2020. As our webinar will demonstrate, there is no “one size fits all” approach to creating, organizing and sustaining a CISMA, but these documents can get you started with recommendations and lessons learned from the field.
About the Vermont Introduced Species Collaborative: Comprised of members from the Vermont Land Trust, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets, the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, and the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions, we have joined together to build a unified and inclusive network that aims to connect all those whose work intersects with the management of introduced (invasive) species in Vermont. By fostering collaboration, trust-building, and diverse participation, we aim to ensure that all practitioners have access to accurate, timely information and an effective network of communication. This network promotes cooperation among government, landowners, industry, conservation groups, and the public to address the challenges posed by introduced species. Together, we strive for mutual gains and sustainable outcomes through a balanced approach that complements voluntary actions with the support of regulatory and state agencies.