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Wisconsin Invasive Species Council

The council sent final recommendations on species classifications under Wisconsin's Invasive Species Rule - ch. NR 40 to the department on Aug. 8, 2024. Learn more about the council's recommendations.

In 2002, state agencies joined with private partners to form the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council as directed by s. 23.22, Wisconsin Statutes.

Council Duties

The council makes recommendations to the department regarding the following:

  • a system for classifying invasive species and
  • a procedure for awarding cost-sharing grants to control invasive species.

The council also conducts studies of issues related to controlling invasive species. Wisconsin law requires the council to address the following:

  • the effect of the state's bait industry on the introduction and spread of invasive species;
  • the effect of the state's pet industry on the introduction and spread of invasive species;
  • the acquisition of invasive species through mail order and Internet sales; and
  • other issues as determined by the council.

The council relies on four committees to carry out its work: education, research, regulation and interagency coordination. An executive committee provides overall direction for the council's activities.

Recommendations on Ch. NR 40 Classifications

WisInvSpCouncil_NR40RecommendationsLetter_2024.jpg Council's NR 40 Recommendations

The council is responsible for making recommendations to the department regarding classifying invasive species in Wisconsin's Invasive Species Rule – ch. NR 40. To accomplish this, the council convened Species Assessment Groups to review and assess species and make recommendations for which species should be included in NR 40.

The council hosted online information sessions earlier this year to present Species Assessment Group recommendations to the public and to gather feedback. Watch the recordings. The council reviewed public feedback and sent final recommendations on species classifications for ch. NR 40 to the department in August 2024. The council advises the department to review this list and begin the rulemaking process to revise ch. NR 40. Learn more about the Species Assessment Group process.

 

Council Members, Committees, Initiatives and Resources

Council Members And Contact Information

Members Representing Public And Private Interests

Members Organization Contact Information
Thomas Bressner Wisconsin Agri-Business Association 608-444-1420 (c)
608-223-1111 (w)
Tom@wiagribusiness.org
Thomas Buechel (Chair) Buechel Horticulture Solutions, LLC 920-650-6808 (c)
Buechel.iscouncil@gmail.com
Douglas Cox Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin 715-853-8053
dgcox@mitw.org
Jennifer Hauxwell, Ph.D University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center 608-263-4756
Fax: 608-262-0591
Jennifer.Hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu
http://aqua.wisc.edu
Gregory Long Needles and Leaves Nursery 262-679-1011 (w)
262-617-3284 (c)
GLong@NeedlesAndLeavesNursery.com
Mark Renz University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agronomy 608-263-7437
MRenz@wisc.edu
Hannah Spaul The Nature Conservancy 608-316-6441 (w)
HSpaul@tnc.org

Members Representing State Agencies

Members Agency Contact Information
Drew Feldkirchner Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 608-267-5129 (desk)
Drew.Feldkirchner@wisconsin.gov
Vacant Department of Tourism Vacant
Rebecca Szymkowski Department of Transportation (DOT) 608-266-9381 (desk)
Rebecca.Szymkowski@dot.wi.gov
Brian Kuhn Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) 608-224-4590 (desk)
Brian.Kuhn@wisconsin.gov
Lauren Leckwee Department of Administration (DOA) 608-267-2125 (desk)
Lauren.Leckwee@wisconsin.gov
Tara Bergeson Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Conservation 608-438-2872 (c)
Tara.Bergeson@wisconsin.gov
Council Initiatives And Events

Strategic Plan

"Looking Forward: A Statewide Strategic Plan for Invasive Species" was finalized on April 2, 2013. The plan outlines a framework of objectives to minimize invasive species' environmental and financial harm and protect human health and natural resources. This plan identifies needs that must be met cooperatively across agencies and jurisdictions. It develops cost-effective, balanced approaches to minimize invasive species' introduction into Wisconsin and carefully manage the species already established in the state.

Species Assessment Groups

The council convenes Species Assessment Groups to review and assess species and recommend which should be included in Wisconsin's Invasive Species Rule, ch. NR 40. Specifically, Species Assessment Groups recommend a regulatory (Prohibited, Restricted) or non-regulated category to the council for each considered species.

Invasive Species Action Awards

Each year, the council honors Wisconsin citizens and organizations for their significant contributions to preventing, controlling or eradicating invasive species that harm Wisconsin's lands, waters and wetlands. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Invasive Species Action Awards (previously known as the Invader Crusader Awards). Check out this year's recipients.

Award Recipients From The Last 20 Years - What Are They Up To Now?

Action Month

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine articles celebrating Invasive Species Action Month efforts:

Check out some of the award-winning Invasive Species Action Month video challenge winners:

Council Committees

Committees

Education Committee
  • Charge: Seek ways to enhance outreach and education efforts to raise statewide awareness of the identification and prevention of invasive species.
  • Chair: Christa Schaefer – Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Executive Committee
  • Charge: Develop the council's meeting agendas and respond to time-sensitive issues.
  • Chair: Thomas Buechel – Buechel Horticulture Solutions, LLC
Interagency Committee
  • Charge: Promote coordination among state agencies on invasive species issues and issues related to developing and implementing Wisconsin's Invasive Species Rule.
  • Chair: Brian Kuhn – Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Regulations Committee
  • Charge: Focus on current and future rules, statutes and administrative policies to prevent the spread of and control invasive species. Make recommendations to the council to take the appropriate steps to promote uniform and consistent state regulations and policies to curtail the introduction and movement of invasive species for the protection of the environment, agriculture and human health for generations to come.
  • Chair: Gregory Long – Needles and Leaves Nursery
Research Committee
  • Charge: Convey the current knowledge base to the council as a whole; assemble and evaluate research; provide a pool of experts for communication; identify areas where the existing knowledge base is inadequate; solicit community on research needs; research components including invasive impacts, control, basic biology, avenues of introduction and prioritization of research needs.
  • Chair: Vacant
Meeting Minutes

View and download council and committee meeting minutes:

2023

2022

2021

Partners, Grants and Local Ordinance Links

Partners

The council partners with several Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas across the state to manage invasive species. Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas are local organizations that bring together landowners and land managers to coordinate action and share resources in the fight against invasive species. Each Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area has a defined geographical area distinguished by a common invasive species problem. Learn more about Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas.

The council also partners with the Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership, which includes professionals from the department, the Lakes Monitoring and Protection Network, UW-Madison Extension and UW-Stevens Point Extension Lakes. Partners engage in various activities, including Aquatic Invasive Species education and outreach, citizen monitoring, providing Aquatic Invasive Species funding and more.

Financial Assistance

Local Ordinances

Chapter 66, Wisconsin Statutes, establishes the state's general municipal law. Among other regulatory authorities, local units of government, town chairs, village presidents, city mayors, and managers can annually require the destruction of all noxious weeds within their respective municipalities. The statute defines "noxious weed" as "Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed, any weed designated as a noxious weed by the Department of Natural Resources by rule, and any other weed the governing body of any municipality or the county board of any county by ordinance or resolution declares to be noxious within its respective boundaries" (s. 66.0407(1)(b), Wis. Stats.). The law requires that landowners destroy all noxious weeds on lands they own or control. Below is a list of some example ordinances adopted by Wisconsin municipalities. The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council recommends that local noxious weed ordinances be used to facilitate the implementation of ch. NR 40, Wis. Adm. Code, and that when designating noxious weeds, emphasis should be placed on regulated invasive species as listed in NR 40. Below is a list of local ordinances regarding invasive species control around the state. To find local ordinances regarding invasive species control around the state, visit Wisconsin State Library - local ordinances and codes.

Chapters 59, 60, and 61, Wis. Stats., authorize expenditures for the control of invasive species, weeds, and pests. Wisconsin Statutes also permit municipalities to impose special charges against property for current public services provided to the property, including noxious weed cutting/removal. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has prepared a manual that outlines the procedures prescribed by Wisconsin law for levying special assessments. The Legislature's website has a template for local noxious weed ordinances.