This is the gateway to information
about invasive species and the efforts to address them in Minnesota.
It includes information about MISAC, rankings of invasive species threats
to the state, how to identify and report invasive species sightings, informational
products, invasive species regulations, contact information for programs
and people who work on invasive species, as well as links to select species
profiles, and links to other web sites about invasive species.
About MISAC
The Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council,
a diverse group with a common interest in battling nonnative invasive
species in Minnesota was initiated in May 2001. The Council was formed
in response to Presidential Executive Order 13112 on invasive species,
the National Invasive Species Management Plan, and Minnesota Legislation
that encouraged the state to plan and take action on invasive species.
The council is co-chaired by Minnesota Department of Agriculture
(MDA) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and now has
30 members and representatives from the following organizations: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
University of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Native Plant
Society, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, U.S. Corp of Engineers,
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, Leech Lake Division of Resource
Management, Bailey’s
Nursery, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Minnesota
Department of Transportation.
The purpose of MISAC is to review information concerning the current status
and management of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species including animals,
insects, plants, and diseases in Minnesota. The group is working cooperatively
in identifying and locating invasive species and in sharing strategies in
order to maximize resources for managing invasive species.
The council is working on several projects. The first is to update the
1991 list of Minnesota’s worst invaders and to help agencies prioritize
which species to survey. The second priority is to develop a database to
inventory invasive species locations in the state. The council has an education
subcommittee to help promote information sharing so Minnesota residents can
help in the battle against invasive species.
The Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources are responsible for
coordinating the management of invasive species in the state. Department
of Agriculture staff conduct surveys for invasive pests such as gypsy
moth, Japanese beetle, Grecian foxglove, bark beetles, soybean rust, sudden
oak death and chrysanthemum white rust disease and also oversee the state
weed and seed laws. The DNR is responsible for the aquatic invasive species
such as zebra mussel, Eurasian water milfoil, flowering rush, curly-leaf
pondweed, mute swans, invasive fish and purple loosestrife.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture initially convened the council
in May, 2001. An Interagency Exotic Species Task Force, initially formed
in 1990, preceded the current state invasive species council. |
