Indiana cismas

WHAT IS A CISMA or CWMA?

CISMAs were first known as CWMAs, or Cooperative Weed Management Areas.  They first became popular in the western US, but over the past decade have become more widespread in the eastern states, including the Midwest.  Sometimes called Coalitions, Partnerships, or Councils, CISMAs are formed to collectively combat the problem of invasive species spreading across the landscape.  CISMAs can vary greatly in their geographic range, activity level, and focus, and are usually comprised of representatives from various governmental agencies, non-profits, and concerned citizens or citizen groups.  They might cover a single county, or stretch over multiple counties. 

CISMAs have been shown to very effectively target invasive species problems by engaging local interests and addressing invasive issues across various land ownerships.  By working together at the local level, CWMA/CISMA partners are able to pool resources and knowledge to address mutual invasive species problems.  In Indiana, the first CISMA was formed in Brown County in 2006, the Brown County Native Woodlands Project. Now, through SICIM’s Indiana Invasives Initiative, we are working to establish new CISMAs across Indiana, and provide resources and guidance for new and established CISMAs.  For CISMA resources and more information on CISMAs in the Midwest, you can also check out the Midwest Invasive Plant Network.

Current Indiana CISMAs

Find out more about existing and organizing CISMAs across the state in the table, map, and directory below. If you would like to get involved, please reach out to a member of our Indiana Invasives Initiative team or your local CISMA. You can also visit our County Resources Page for other helpful contacts in your area.

CISMA Efforts

Our Invasives Initiative Regional Specialists are working with many counties throughout the state to establish their own CISMAs. Some of these counties listed are just starting out, while others have regular meetings and are conducting invasive species activities in their communities. If you live or work in one of the counties below, we encourage you to get in touch or visit them online.

You can also contribute by completing an online survey below (if applicable). Any information is helpful! These surveys help new groups understand how a CISMA can provide information on managing invasives in your county or who might be interested in being a part of a CISMA partnership. If you do not see an online survey button for your county or you would like to receive a paper copy of the survey, you can request this from the contacts below.

Listed alphabetically by County.

Brown County Native Woodlands Project (BCNWP)

Dan Shaver - President

info@bcnwp.org; 812-988-2211

P.O. Box 1092, Nashville, IN  47448

bcnwp.org/ or facebook.com/bcnwp/

Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County (ISAC)

Dubois, Daviess-Martin NRCS-CD

Emily Finch - Invasive Species Specialist

emily.finch@in.nacdnet.net; 812-482-1171 x 3

Executive Blvd. Suite A, Jasper IN 47546

isacdc.org or facebook.com/ISACofDuboisCounty/

Harrison County Native Habitat Alliance (HCNHA)

Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

kaila@sicim.info; 812-631-7913

Kaila Knies - III Regional Specialist

facebook.com/HCNativeHabitatAlliance/

Johnson County Native Plant Partnership (JCNPP)

Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District

Blair Beavers - Assistant Director/Education Coordinator

blair-beavers@iaswcd.org; 317-739-9540 x 101

550 E Jefferson St Suite 202, Franklin, IN 46131

facebook.com/JoCoNPP/

Knox County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area

Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District

Will Drews - CISMA Coordinator & Natural Resource Specialist

willem.drew@in.nacdnet.net; 812-882-8210 x3408

604 S. Quail Run Rd., Vincennes, IN 47591

knoxcountyswcd.com/kccisma/ or

facebook.com/knoxcountycisma/

Indiana Coastal Cooperative Weed Management Area (ICCWMA)

Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties

Susan Mihalo; smihalo@TNC.ORG

Monroe County-identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS)

Ellen Jacquart - Chair

MCIRIS2010@gmail.com

mc-iris.org or facebook.com/MonroeCountyIRIS/

Invasive Management Cooperative of Morgan County (IMCMC)

Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District

David Mow - Invasive Species Specialist

davidmow@att.net; 765-349-2060

180 South Main Street, Martinsville, IN 46151

facebook.com/Invasive-Management-Cooperative-of-Morgan-County

Sweet Owen woodlands network (SOWN)

Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District

Devin Brown - Executive Director

devin-brown@iaswcd.org; 812-829-2605

788 Pottersville Rd, Spencer, IN 47460

facebook.com/sowncisma/

Posey Invasive Partnership (PIP)

Pike, Gibson, Warrick, & Vanderburgh SWCD

Megan Ritterskamp - Invasive Species Technician

Megan.Ritterskamp@in.nacdnet.net; 812-423-4426 x 4948

921 North Park Dr., Evansville, IN 47710

facebook.com/PoseyInvasivePartnership/

Sullivan County CISMA

Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District

Allison McKain - Coordinator/Educator

allison.mckain@in.nacdnet.net, 812-268-5157 x 3

2316 North Section St, Sullivan, IN 47882

http://sullivancountyswcd.org/

Vandeburgh County CISMA

Pike, Gibson, Warrick, & Vanderburgh SWCD

Megan Ritterskamp - Invasive Species Technician

Megan.Ritterskamp@in.nacdnet.net; 812-423-4426 x 4948

North Park Dr., Evansville, IN 47710

facebook.com/vanderburghCISMA/

Vigo County CISMA

Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

Amber Slaughterbeck - III Regional Specialist

amber@sicim.info; 812-229-3539