The Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) began in 2007 and was officially incorporated on August 12, 2008.

Several non-profit groups saw a need to create a CWMA for Southern Indiana.  A number of public meetings across the area were held to gauge interest and set direction.  The consensus of these meetings was that a CWMA for Southern Indiana would be valuable and important – and that we should continue efforts to formalize a coalition. The goal for 2008 is to establish a formal non-profit organization with staff and a Board of Directors chartered to coordinate efforts to efficiently control Alien Invasive Species.

CWMAs are being formed across the U.S. as landowners, private groups and government agencies look for more effective ways to limit the growing economic and environmental damage caused by Alien Invasive Species. Most CWMAs are coalitions of private and public organizations – sharing knowledge, people and other resources in an effort to improve public education, prevention and eradication/containment programs across a given geographic area.

Flier on Organization

August 2008 Update

February 2008 Update

Southern Indiana CWMA 2007 Yearend Update

Why is a CWMA necessary?

Alien Invasive Species – like Kudzu, Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Soybean Rust – cause huge economic and environmental damage.  One estimate puts U.S. costs and losses due to Alien Invasive Species at $120 Billion per year.

Since Alien Invasive Species don’t obey property or jurisdictional boundaries, a cooperative effort among many agencies and land stewards is necessary.  A coalition of many groups can implement education, prevention and control programs across boundaries – resulting in more effective and more efficient efforts.

A coalition of groups that represent many landowners and agencies has access to greater combined resources than any single landowner or agency.  Combining resources like knowledge/research, communication/publicity channels, funding sources and local volunteer groups can produce more effective and efficient programs. 

What is the Southern Indiana CWMA? 

The Southern Indiana CWMA would cover 36 counties that are within the Interior Low Plateau Eco-region.  This area has similar terrain, soil and climate conditions – and relatively consistent natural communities, which face similar threats from Alien Invasive Species.  The northern tier of counties in the area would be Franklin, Decatur, Bartholomew, Brown, Morgan, Owen, Clay and Vigo.

Articles of Incorporation for the Southern Indiana CWMA

The organizing group believes that there are three key requirements necessary to create a CWMA that will be valuable and successful:

• A dedicated CWMA staff and office – A CWMA would like to obtain commitments that would provide a full-time staff and office.
• “Sustaining Partners” – A CWMA must have a commitment from key partner organizations for long-term support.  Such support might include willingness to serve on the CWMA Board, sharing of knowledge and human resources for CWMA planning/operations, and funding/fund-raising assistance.
• “Grass-roots” affiliates – A CWMA should leverage existing local organizations to implement Alien Invasive education, prevention and control programs.  Such local (or special interest) groups can assist the CWMA by sharing targeted communication channels, identifying/prioritizing local needs for Alien Invasive projects, and providing local resources/volunteers for education, prevention and control projects.

What Can Your Organization Do?: 

• Commit to becoming a “Sustaining Partner”:
  • Provide an appropriate leader to serve on the CWMA Steering Committee.
  • Allow certain staff members to participate in CWMA committees. Currently we have three committees:  Organization and Development, Communications and Education, and Project Commitee.
  • Provide resources (funding or in-kind resources) to sustain CWMA operations and satisfy “matching fund” requirements.  Note: This investment could be a redirecting of existing Alien Invasive control resources – and should be expected to bring direct or indirect benefits to your organization.
• Give the Southern Indiana CWMA permission to disclose (on the PTI grant application) that we have “applied for” a matching grant (in cash or in kind) of $10,000 (or smaller amount?) from your organization.

Potential “In-Kind” Commitments for Matching Funds

·       Membership on one of our committees

·       Help with one of the Organization's Field Projects

·       Time commitment by one or more staff members for Board meetings, Planning meetings, Field projects (one day per month = 8.33% of annual Salary and Benefits

·       Office space, furniture and/or equipment

·        Telecommunications (equipment or service) for office and tele-meetings

·        Web site development and/or hosting

·        Use of existing communication channels (Newsletter space, mailing lists, etc.)

·        Printing and publication assistance

·        Postage – mailing on behalf of CWMA

·        Advertising – “Public Service” newspaper or radio ads on behalf of CWMA

·        Production and or distribution of educational materials – brochures, CDs, trail displays, etc.

·        Plant material (for invasive species replacement projects) – plants, seed, mulch, etc.

·        Chemicals (for invasive species control projects)

·        Use of equipment (tractors, planters, sprayers, etc.) for projects

·        Discounts for CWMA on goods or services

·        Research done on behalf of CWMA

·        Technical assistance/Training associated with field days or mentoring programs

·        Educational presentations to schools, civic groups, etc. on Alien Invasive Plants

Let us know if you'd like more information or to be involved with the Southern Indiana CWMA!  Call Teena Ligman @ 812-276-4757 (email tligman@fs.fed.us) or Tom Tremain at ttinogil@bcremc.net.

Notes from Steering Committee

• September 17, 2008

• December 17, 2008

Important Dates to Remember

Saturday, January 17, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

Harrison County Glades, Harrison County

We’ve cleared many cedars from the glades, now we’re ready to burn the piles (weather permitting). Bring water, lunch, and leather gloves if you have them. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary.  Contact Bonnie Wolf at (812) 972-1506 or bwolf@tnc.org.

Directions: Meet in Elizabeth at the 4-way stop.  To reach Elizabeth take I-64 to Georgetown Exit #118.  Travel east on Hwy 62 to Hwy 11, bear left.  Follow Hwy 11 south to the 4-way stop sign intersection in Elizabeth.

 Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

Mayme Hinton Glade, Harrison County

After helping to remove the alien invasive shrub autumn olive in the morning we’ll take a short hike though the glade at the end of the day.   Bring gloves, loppers if you have them, water, and a lunch.  RSVPs appreciated.  Contact Bonnie Wolf at (812) 972-1506 or bwolf@tnc.org.

Directions: Meet in Elizabeth at the 4-way stop.  To reach Elizabeth take I-64 to Georgetown Exit #118.  Travel east on Hwy 62 to Hwy 11, bear left.  Follow Hwy 11 south to the 4-way stop sign intersection in Elizabeth.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST

Buena Vista Glades, Harrison County

We’ll be clearing cedars from this expansive glade. After the workday we may take a hike at Teeple Glade to see the coneflower populations in bloom. Bring gloves, loppers if you have them, water, and a lunch.  RSVPs appreciated.  Contact Bonnie Wolf at (812) 972-1506 or bwolf@tnc.org.

Directions: Meet in Elizabeth at the 4-way stop.  To reach Elizabeth take I-64 to Georgetown Exit #118.  Travel east on Hwy 62 to Hwy 11, bear left.  Follow Hwy 11 south to the 4-way stop sign intersection in Elizabeth.

*Items in Red are directly related to the Southern IN CWMA, others are just related to non-native invasives.

·       Upcoming meetings:

o        Communications Committee: working on communication among CWMA members, partners and prospects – and communicating our message to the general public.  Next meeting: Wednesday Feb 11, 2009, 9:30 AM EDT, Hoosier National Forest office in Bedford.

o        Projects Committee: working on planning and implementing short term projects that will help identify, prevent or control alien invasive species in southern Indiana.  Next meeting: January 20, 2009 at 9:00 at the Hoosier National Forest office in Bedford.

o        Start-up Committee: working on organizational development and efforts to get the CWMA up and running.  Next meeting: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 9:00 AM EDT, Hoosier National Forest office in Bedford.

o        Funding and Finance Committee: working to identify grants and other sources of resources for the CWMA.  Next meeting: TBA.

o        CWMA Steering Committee: working to provide overall direction to the CWMA.  Next Meeting: March 4, 9:30 AM EST, White River RC&D office in Bedford.

Selected Success Stories on Nonnative Invasive Species

Workshop Discusses, Eats, and Plots Against Alien Invasives The Hoosier National Forest was a sponsor of a successful workshop to raise the awareness of the threat of alien invasive species in southern Indiana. Landowners learned to identify invasive plants, and how to control them.

Link to Midwest Invasive Plant Network (leaves the Hoosier NF website)