Report invasive species

Aquatic, Shoreline and Wetland

Learn what species are invasive by reviewing the NR40 factsheets.

REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

If it is an aquatic or wetland plant or animal

• Photograph Take a digital photo(s) of the species in the setting where it was found and include a common object in the photo for size reference.
  • For Plants include flowers, leaves, stem arrangements, and fruits.
  • For animals include shells, top and bottom and any identifying characteristics.
• Collect up to 5 intact specimens to aid identification.
  • For plants, try to get the root system, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. Place plants in a Ziplock bag with a damp paper towel.
  • For animals, try to get the entire animal if possible. Place animals in a jar with water or ethanol. Place on ice and store in a refrigerator as soon as possible.
• Record details using:
  • Your planned project data in the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring Systems (SWIMS); OR
  • Aquatic Invasive Species Incident Report; OR
  • Just take notes.
• Submit the photos, specimen and form/notes to the DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Regional Coordinator/Point of Contact and SWIMS.

If it is a fish

• Contact your local fish biologist.
• Report any round goby sightings to the round goby reporting tool.
• If you think you have caught a diseased fish, follow these steps.

Thank you for taking the time to help report invasive species! If you would like to learn more about aquatic invasive species, please visit the following websites.

• Wisconsin DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species Program (click the monitoring link to learn how to be a monitor!)
• Check where aquatic or wetland invasive species have been reported. Search waterbody or by species lists or refer to the Lakes and AIS Mapping Tool.

Terrestrial

Reporting instructions

Terrestrial plants

Check photos and descriptions on the website to help narrow the possibilities for plant identity. Be sure to include notes about site location and description, population size and control actions taken, if any.

• Complete the Invasive Plant Report Form to report occurrences of invasive plants growing in Wisconsin or near state borders. Please use one form for each sample.
  • If you prefer to use GPS (global positioning system) but do not have a GPS device, you can visit itouchmap.com to find the precise location on a digital topographic map.
  • If using a GPS device, please note the datum being used (e.g. WGS 84, UTM, WI Transverse Mercator, etc).
  • Enclose the form with your identification evidence: photographs, pressed plant specimens, or fresh specimens. See below for guidelines on each method.
• If you can’t fill out the form, please send photos, location and other information about the plant to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov
• Send it to the Wisconsin DNR. Use the address on the form or submit it by email.

Guidelines for identification evidence

• Photographs. Use either film or a digital camera, and try to capture the maximum number of details. Focus on flowers, leaf shape, leaf and stem arrangement and fruits. For a size scale, be sure to include a pencil, dollar bill, coin, or another object of a standard size. For giant hogweed, have a person stand near – but not touching! – the plant. Send by email or US mail (address below).
• Fresh specimens. Diagnostic samples of the plant especially flowers, fruits, stem sections with leaves or whole plants can be sent by U.S. mail. Package with a moist paper towel in a sealed plastic bag. Keep cool until mailing and send it as soon as possible.
• Pressed and dried specimens. To make pressed specimens, visit the UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. If you have a plant press or can make one, press plants providing as many plant structures as possible. Enclose the specimens – each in a newspaper sleeve – between two stiff cardboard sheets and send by U.S. mail.

The Wisconsin Invasive Plants Reporting and Prevention Project is an Early Detection and Strategic Response initiative co-sponsored by the DNR and the Wisconsin State Herbarium, along with the cooperation of many organizations and individuals.

Send reporting form via email by using the "Submit by Email" button on the form.

Send specimen and reporting form, or photos and email to:

Wisconsin DNR
Invasive Plants Project - NH/6
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

Plant pests and diseases

Visit the Forest Health site if you have trees that appear sick.

To report a regulatory pest or disease that is not known to be present in Wisconsin, or to report one that has spread to a new area within the state, call the Pest Hotline at (866) 440-7523, or email a photo and your location to DATCPPestHotline@wi.gov. For identification tips and regulatory pest or disease reporting instructions, visit the DATCP Regulatory Plant Pests and Disease pages.

Other terrestrial invertebrates listed under Chapter NR 40 can be reported by sending an email to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov.

Check out the UW-Madison, Department of Entomology to identify insects, both native and non-native. And visit the Insect Diagnostic Lab to find instructions on how to send insect specimens.

Vertebrates

Report any Prohibited or Restricted wildlife from Chapter NR 40 by sending an email to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov.

NR40 species

To report a Chapter NR40 regulated species or rule violation, please send an email to Invasive.Species@wisconsin.gov.