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Invasive Species

Indiana Invasive Species Task Force

The Indiana Legislature created an Invasive Species Task Force in October 2007 to study the economic and environmental impacts of invasive species in Indiana and provide findings and recommendations on strategies for prevention, early detection, control and management of invasive species to minimize these impacts. To learn more about the task force and its activitities, click on these links.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Exotic species can be very expensive or impossible to control. The resulting damage to sport fisheries and commercial resources can be serious. For instance, it was estimated that the U.S. and Canada were spending $8 million per year on control of the exotic sea lamprey and another $12 million per year to restore lake trout populations that were devastated by lamprey invasions (Newman 1991). Lake residents in Indiana spend an estimated $800,000 per year in public waters to chemically control nuisance Eurasian watermilfoil, an exotic water plant that can shade out native species and interferes with boating and fishing.

The long-term plan was develooped to address ecological and economic impacts of aquatic exotic species invasions in the waterways of Indiana and their potential threat to Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Ohio River basins.

Invasive Plant Species Assessment Work Group (IPSAWG)

Invasive plant species are a threat to natural areas in Indiana. They displace native plants, eliminate food and cover for wildlife, and threaten rare plant and animal species. However, among natural resource professionals there is little consensus on which species constitute the greatest threat to natural areas. Consequently, species that are considered a grave threat by some resource professionals are still recommended by other resource professionals and sold by nurseries. Many agencies and organizations have joined together to form the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group (IPSAWG) to assess which plant species threaten natural areas in Indiana and develop recommendations regarding the use of that specific plant species. The IPSAWG's goal is that all partner agencies and organizations would utilize the species assessment when recommending or selling plants.

Indiana DNR Information and Links on Invasive Species

Please report the sighting of certain Aquatic Invasive Species when found in areas not currently known by the DNR.

Clicking on a "Report Sighting" link below will open the reporting form (PDF).