Parks in Partnership: Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs)

February 26, 2025

By Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor

A stroll through southeast Michigan’s woods and fields provides beautiful views and a great break from the stress of work and the daily routine. These wintry days are a perfect backdrop to noticing details that are obscured by leaves and lush green growth the rest of the year. Nests, seed pods, and the pattern of bark all become visible. But the same walk might look very different if you are an expert on the plants and animals of the Great Lakes region because suddenly, all you observe are nonindigenous organisms!

Invasive species can be insects, plants, pathogens, and any variety of wildlife. This ootheca, or egg case, of a nonnative praying mantis is full of 100+ eggs that will hatch in the spring (it was collected and put out for the birds at a feeder).

Brought here for a variety of purposes and by accident, invasive plants, pathogens, and animals can wreak havoc on the environment, have economic impacts, harm fragile habitats, and reduce wildlife. To help the public better understand the problems associated with nonindigenous plants and animals, the last week of February is designated Invasive Species Awareness Week. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) works to get the word out about how to recognize these species, why they cause harm, and how people can get involved in reducing their impacts.

Supporting invasive species management

Luckily for all of us that love the outdoors, there are a variety of people and resources that can support landowners in identifying and removing invasive species. The Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas or CISMAs, are an important tool in the ongoing understanding of these plants, animals, and pathogens.

Amanda Ruffini, the Director of the Lake St. Clair CISMA, said: “The CISMAs are a wonderful source of information when it comes to invasive species. These are organizations that specialize in the identification, detection, and management and for many invasive species, the CISMAs are the first on the ground to identify and manage it accordingly. Whether you are a homeowner, HOA, government official, non-profit or any other group, the CISMA can help to provide the most up-to-date management strategies of invasive species in your area, and if they don’t know, they will work to find the information for you.”

One quality that many nonindigenous plants, like this nonnative bittersweet vine, share is that they have a lot of seeds that spread readily and widely.

Because invasive species are frequently moved along by people and goods, moving from place to place and country to country, another thing that CISMAs help with is knowing what new species to look out for and to help reduce the spread from one site to another.

Ruffini added: “I believe the biggest threat to the region’s biological diversity is the introduction and spread of invasive species. While this is something that is talked about, and you can find many events that advocate for cleaning your equipment, we are, many of the times, a pathway for invasive species spread. Our clothing, boats, or vehicles can serve as a means of spreading unintentionally. Even now, we are dealing with the ramifications of using non-native plants for projects to aid in soil erosion and privacy cover, which were in fact invasive and have rapidly spread. You may have seen state programs to combat the spread through Clean Drain Dry, Don’t move Firewood, or Play Clean Go. And while these programs exist, it takes us as individuals choosing to participate to reduce the potential of spread and begin restoring our natural communities.”

Phragmites, a common site in wet areas across the state, creates thick walls of tall plants that have limited wildlife value. They spread not just through their hundreds of fluffy seeds, but also through underground root structures called rhizomes.

Making a difference

Ruffini also added: “There is a point in invasive species work where you begin to acknowledge that there will be invasive species that we are unable to completely eradicate. But we are making many strides in researching invasive species. In 2023, a study was released that dispelled the previous notion that buckthorn (Rhamnus) seeds persist a number of years in the soil. In 2024, another article was released that showed the effectiveness of planting native grasses alongside invasive species treatment to prevent it from regrowing. There is a growing use of drones to treat phragmites that would be otherwise difficult to reach, biocontrols are becoming more widely available, and I could go on. Even outside of organizations and companies that work daily with invasive species, there is a growing interest from everyday individuals to manage invasive species. It’s hard not to feel hopeful when you are seeing all of the incredible work being done to learn about this species and adapt.”

Invasive Species Awareness Week takes place from February 24-28 in 2025 and it is a great way to learn more about the species that are impacting Michigan’s wildlife, agriculture, and landscapes.

Come back next week to learn how you can get involved in efforts to identify, manage, and/or remove nonindigenous plants.

Resources:

https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/take-action/local-resources

https://www.sixriversrlc.org/ – Lake St Clair CISMA

https://oaklandinvasivespecies.org/- Oakland County CISMA

https://www.michiganinvasives.org/

https://www.misin.msu.edu/ – Report new nonindigenous species

https://www.cleandraindry.org/ Help stop the spread of aquatic invasives

https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/ Reduce the movement of forest pests through firewood

https://playcleango.org/ Prevent seeds from spreading after your outdoor adventures

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