Indiana cismas

WHAT IS A CWMA OR CISMA?

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

Check out the existing CISMAs across the state as well as those in the beginning stages of organizing by browsing the directory and map below. If you would like to get involved, please scroll down for more information on new and organizing CISMAs or reach out to a member of our Indiana Invasives Initiative team. You can also visit our County Resources Page for other contacts in your area.

This directory of established and new CISMAs (shown in blue & orange in the map above) can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF. There are several other counties working to create CISMAs in Indiana, and we will strive to keep this information up to date. However, if you have any corrections or additions please contact Mary Hallinan at mary@sicim.info.

New CISMA Efforts

Our Invasives Initiative Regional Specialists are working with many counties throughout the state in an effort to establish their own CISMAs. Some of these counties listed below are just starting out, while others have held several meetings and are already conducting invasive species activities. Below is a list of new and organizing CISMAs. If you live or work in one of the counties below, we encourage you to reach out to the contacts listed or visit them online (though some CISMAs have yet to set up facebook and/or web page).

You can also help a new CISMA by completing an online survey by clicking on the survey buttons below. These surveys can help new groups understand how a CISMA can help provide information on managing invasives in your county or who might be interested in playing a part in a CISMA partnership. Any information is helpful. If you do not see an online survey button for your county and/or to receive a paper copy of the survey, feel free to reach out to the county contact to request this.

Listed alphabetically by County.

Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County (ISAC)

Dubois, Daviess-Martin NRCS-CD Emily Finch - Invasive Species Specialist 1486 Executive Blvd. Suite A, Jasper IN 47546 emily.finch@in.nacdnet.net, 812-482-1171 x 3 isacdc.org facebook.com/ISACofDuboisCounty/

Greene County Invasive Management Alliance (GCIMA)

Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District Casey Kennett - District Manager 104 CR 70 E, Ste. B, Bloomfield, Indiana 47424 Casey-Kennett@IASWCD.org, 812-384-4634 x 3

Henry County CISMA

Helen Steussy hsteussy@comcast.net

Johnson County Native Plant Partnership

Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District Blair Beavers - Assistant Director/Education Coordinator 550 E Jefferson St Suite 202, Franklin, IN 46131 blair-beavers@iaswcd.org, 317-739-9540 x 101 facebook.com/jococisma/

Invasive Management Cooperative of Morgan County (IMCMC)

Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District David Mow - Invasive Species Specialist 180 South Main Street, Martinsville, IN 46151 davidmow@att.net, 765-349-2060 facebook.com/Invasive-Management-Cooperative-of-Morgan-County

Sweet Owen woodlands network (SOWN)

Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District Andrea Oeding - Executive Director 788 Pottersville Rd, Spencer, IN 47460 andrea-oeding@iaswcd.org, 812-829-2605 facebook.com/sowncisma/

Putnam County CISMA

Depauw Nature Park Vanessa Fox - Ecologist vfox@depauw.edu, 765-658-1078

Sullivan County CISMA

Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District Allison McKain - Coordinator/Educator 2316 North Section St, Sullivan, IN 47882 allison.mckain@in.nacdnet.net, 812-268-5157 x 3 http://sullivancountyswcd.org/

Vandeburgh County CISMA

Pike, Gibson, Warrick, & Vanderburgh SWCD Megan Ritterskamp - Invasive Species Technician 921 North Park Dr., Evansville, IN 47710 Megan.Ritterskamp@in.nacdnet.net, 812-423-4426 x 4948 facebook.com/vanderburghCISMA/

Vigo County CISMA

Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management Amber Slaughterbeck - III Regional Specialist amber@sicim.info, 812-229-3539