Southern Michigan Invasive Species Team (SMIST) Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) was started in April of 2018 with grant funds from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program. SMIST CISMA aims to increase awareness regarding the impacts of invasive species and to share management techniques with community members throughout Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph Counties. Our CISMA is supported by Michigan's DNR, EGLE, MDARD, and a multitude of regional partners. We are always looking to expand on partnerships with organizations and citizens across jurisdictional boundaries. By working together we can help create a healthier and more resilient natural environment.
Top level
387 N. Willowbrook Rd Suite F, Coldwater MI, 49036
517-278-2725 Ext 5
588 Old St Bldg #2
Jonesville, MI 49250
517-849- 9890 Ext 3
693 E. Main St.
Centreville, MI 49032
269-467-6336 Ext 5
Chinese Yam
(Dioscorea polystachya)
Invasive species are non-native organisms that are purposefully or accidentally introduced to an area and have the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, and/or to human health. Invasive species have several traits that allow them to outcompete native species, including a lack of natural predators and an ability to spread aggressively. According to the US. Fish and Wildlife Service, costs of economic damages in the U.S. resulting from invasive species impacts are estimated at around 100 billion dollars each year.
Invasive species also have substantial environmental damages. In 2006, the US. Forest Service stated that invasive species have lead to a 49% decrease in threated and endangered species survival. At the same time, they reported that 133 million acres (the size of California and New York combined) are infested with invasive species and this area continues to increase by about 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 individual invasive presents new difficulties for management and treatment.
Litylenchus spp.
Vincetoxicum nigrum & Vincetoxicum rossicum
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.
Michigan Invasive Species is the State website for information on priority invasive species, laws, outreach, and more.
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 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 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 is a state program with information about helping to prevent the spread of Invasive species and Michigan laws about invasives.
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 is a volunteer program with EGLE that monitors water quality collecting data.
Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters is a non-profit that is dedicated to providing information on lake monitoring and invasive species education.
The US Forest Service Quick Facts on invasive species is a good source for seeing the economic and land impact of invasive species.
You're welcome to visit during normal business hours!
St. Joseph County Conservation District 693 E. Main St. Centreville, MI 49032 US
Open today | 08:00 am – 04:30 pm |
Copyright © 2023 St. Joseph County Conservation District - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder