We are here to help with your invasive species!
What is an Invasive Species?
Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and
Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Plants, animals, insects and even tiny microbes can be considered invasive.
What Is a CISMA?
CISMA stands for Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. Oceana Conservation District is part of an 7-county group called the West Michigan CISMA that works together to help local landowners manage invasive species infestations on their land and waters. We are available to help identify mysterious plants, insects, tree diseases, critters, etc. and can determine if it is or will become invasive. We also have a crew that is available to help manage invasive species on private lands.
Invasive Species treatments
Managing invasive species can be a tricky business, depending on the situation. Our CISMA follows Integrated Pest Management Practices, which means that we consider any and all methods of treatment to best manage an infestation, using the most basic method that will get the job done. For example, some plant species can be controlled by simply pulling them during the right time of year, or collecting the seeds, where others are more resilient and may require herbicide treatment.
If you have something on your property that you think is invasive, we may be able to help. Thanks to the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we have some money available to help provide treatment services to landowners. We prioritize treatments based on the level of infestation in our county and currently our target species include Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed, European Frogbit and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid.
