Chris Dionigi
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 8:30-9:00
The National Invasive Species Council (NISC) was established by the Executive Order 13112 to coordinate federal invasive species activities. Invasive species can be plants, animals, and microorganisms. They are found in habitats ranging from homes to oceans. NISC coordinates the efforts of over 30 federal agencies that collectively spend $1.3 billion a year on invasive species. NISC staff has indentified over 390 programs, 250 organizations, 170 groups, and 42 federal laws that have a role in invasive species. Between 2001 and 2007, 42 laws dealing with invasive species were enacted in 20 States. Partnerships are indentified as critical to success across regions, sectors, and subject discipline areas. Yet, partnering remains a significant and often limiting challenge. NISC guidelines and management plans contain core recommendations concerning partnerships. Essential to partnerships is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities among partners. Stakeholder and decision maker support is essential to provide adequate sustained funding for partnerships. Terminology can contribute to confusion. The Invasive Species Advisory Committee has developed a clarification of terms such as invasive species. Agreement on the set of conditions that constitute success and how partners will determine if success has been achieved are critical. Joint planning and training foster good partnerships. Decisions should be based on ―sound science. An authoritative identification of specimens is essential. However, there is a critical shortage of trained systematics experts and gaps in the vouchering and collections infrastructure. Monitoring, inventory, and mapping data are essential, but often limiting.
Keywords: CONTROL, FEDERAL, SYSTEMATICS, PLANNING, EDRR