Montana Invasive Species Summit focuses on sharing ideas, spreading management message

HELENA — Leaders from throughout Montana are in Helena this week, engaged on statewide priorities for managing invasive species.

The Montana Invasive Species Council introduced collectively about 100 stakeholders from throughout the state Tuesday, for the state’s 2022 Invasive Species Summit. Their aim was to proceed the message of defending Montana’s land and water.

“I feel we’re lucky in Montana that we’re a headwaters state, and so it takes folks to maneuver invasive species to Montana,” stated Bryce Christiaens, Missoula County Weed District supervisor and chair of the MISC. “That offers us a possibility to interject info and finest administration practices – particularly when so many individuals try to journey to Montana to benefit from the pure assets right here.”

On the summit, federal and state businesses supplied info, full with shows of invasive animals, bugs and crops. Native and tribal governments and personal entities additionally participated.

“One of many distinctive issues about engaged on invasive species is that they don’t acknowledge the jurisdictional boundaries that we acknowledge, so it’s actually essential that we’ve collaborative efforts that herald all of these companions,” Christiaens stated.

Martin Charlo, an MISC member and secretary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council, says invasive species – notably aquatic ones – are a difficulty that resonates for his neighborhood.

“Defending the water’s all the time been essential culturally,” he stated. “We applied a cultural waterway ordinance final yr to guard the Flathead River on the reservation, after which clearly downriver.”

Jonathon Ambarian

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Charlo says the tribes have centered a lot of their efforts on mussels – together with working their very own examine stations – however additionally they need to be prepared for different invasive species, like feral hogs.

“With invasive species, for those who get forward of it, it’s rather a lot simpler to be proactive than reactive,” he stated. “That’s the primary factor, is simply ensuring that we’re studying as a lot as we are able to whereas we’re right here.”

Organizers say the aim was for everybody on the summit to share their concepts. They held a number of work classes, the place attendees talked in pairs and small teams, then offered their prime priorities to the total group.

On Tuesday morning, attendees made strategies for the “Prime Ten” invasive species Montana must be speaking about.

“These are ten species that inform a narrative about why we’re managing invasive species the way in which we’re in Montana,” stated Mindy Wilkinson, who moderated the dialogue.

Jonathon Ambarian

Zebra and quagga mussels remained the highest species of concern for a lot of audio system. Others recognized issues like feral hogs, invasive grasses and the emerald ash borer. When leaders finalize the Prime Ten listing, they plan to make use of it of their public messaging about invasive species.

By the tip of the summit, organizers hope to have a workplan that may assist direct administration efforts over the approaching years. Christiaens says they don’t need to develop into too centered on anyone species.

“I feel it’s essential that we’ve a bigger stewardship message,” he stated. “There are issues we are able to do this stop the motion of invasive species no matter what taxa group they’re from.”

This was the primary time the summit was held in individual since 2018. The occasion will proceed by way of Wednesday afternoon.

You will discover extra info on the MISC web site.