About SMIST CISMA
CISMA stands for Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas and is a program set up to bring non-profits, government agencies, tribal governments, businesses, and individuals together to deal with invasive species in their area. How the CISMA deals with invasive species depends on the direction of the region's CISMA program and that region's challenges. Services may include education on prevention, identification, and reporting/ mapping of invasive species, some CISMA's can offer management services for certain species.
Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph County fall under the SMIST CISMA. As a grant-funded program, services available will change based on funding year to year. At times SMIST may offer surveying/ mapping and treatment in various forms from the strike team, goats, and injector rentals in addition to education material and talks.
What is an Invasive?
Invasive species are nonnative organisms that are purposefully or accidentally introduced to an area that causes harm economically, environmentally, and to human health. Invasive species have several traits that allow them to out-compete native species, including lack of natural predators and life strategies that make them successful. According to the US. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2006 estimate the cost of economic damages and control measures cost the US 138 Billion dollar. This number is known over 10 years old and has since changed.
Invasive species also have substantial environmental damages. In 2006 the US. Forest Service stated that invasive species have lead to a 49% decrease in species on the threated and endangered lists. At the same time, they reported that 133 million acres (size of California and New York Combined) have invasive species and this area increase by 1.7 million acres per year. The threat is not only in new plants but introduced insects, disease, mollusks, mammals, fish, birds, and crustaceans. Each invasive presents new difficulties in managing and treatment. Issues that can occur depending on the species include: changing natural water flow, increased erosion, decreased food sources, and more.
US Forest Service Invasive Species
Other US Forest Service information:
-Forest Service National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management
-U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Invasive Species Activities April 2015
- US Forest Service Invasive Species Quick Facts
10 Priority Invasive Species
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum)& Pale Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
Chinese Yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia)
Chinese Yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Chinese Yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia)
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Japanese Stiltgrass (Mirostegium vimineum)
Japanese Stiltgrass (Mirostegium vimineum)
Japanese Stiltgrass (Mirostegium vimineum)
Japanese Stiltgrass (Mirostegium vimineum)
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Other Sources of Information
Michigan Invasive Species
Michigan Invasive Species is the State web site for information on priority invasive species, laws, outreach, and more.
MISIN
MISIN is a service run by Michigan State University and is a great way to learn how to identify and report invasive species.
Play Clean Go
Play Clean Go is a great program that aims to spread awareness of invasive species but not the species themselves. They have useful tips on how to avoid accidentally spreading invasive species to new sites, general invasive species information, and more.
Don't move firewood
Don't Move Firewood is an informative website about invasive species that can spread when firewood is transported long distances. Some of the information they provide is invasive species information, firewood map, and more.
Ripple
Ripple is a state program with information about helping to prevent the spread of Invasive species and Michigan laws about invasives.
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers is a program geared towards recreational users and how they can help stop the spread of aquatic invasives species to help keep our waterways clean.
Michigan Clean Water Corps
Michigan Clean Water Corps is a volunteer program with EGLE that monitors water quality collecting data.
Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters is a non-profit that is dedicated to providing information on lake monitoring and invasive species education.
US Forest Service Invasive Species Quick Fact Sheet
The US Forest Service Quick Facts on invasive species is a good source for seeing the economic and land impact of invasive species.