Applicants Needed for Montana Invasive Species Council Members
HELENA, Mont. – Invasive species pose a serious threat to Montana’s economy, ecological resources, and public health. Members of Montana Invasive Species Council lead a science-based, comprehensive program to identify, prevent, eliminate, reduce, and mitigate the impacts of invasive species in Montana – and they are recruiting new council members.
Council members use their expertise and involvement to collaborate with and provide recommendations to governmental agencies and other organizations to improve invasive species prevention, detection, rapid response, and management.
Council positions representing various sectors are available, including:
- Agriculture
- Blackfeet Nation
- Conservation Districts
- Conservation Organizations
- County Weed Districts
- Crow Nation
- Little Shell Tribal Government
- Montana State University Extension
- Northern Cheyenne Tribal Government
Applicants should be active members of their representative organization and have a desire to collaborate on projects such as strategic planning, science advisory panels, economic impact research, identifying new invasive species threats, and building capacity for Montana’s invasive species management organizations.
The service terms are four years and council members attend four quarterly meetings per year. Council members serve without pay but are reimbursed for travel expenses.
Persons interested in applying for one of the open positions can apply online at the Montana Boards and Appointments at https://gov.mt.gov/boards_appointments/boardopenings. Use the key word “invasive” to find the MISC openings.
To learn more about the Montana Invasive Species Council go to https://invasivespecies.mt.gov/misc/ or contact MISC Administrator Liz Lodman at 406-444-0547 or email liz.lodman@mt.gov.
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About MISC: MISC was established by executive order in 2015 and then written into Montana Statute (80-7-12). MISC is administratively attached to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The Council is a diverse group of scientists and resource managers charged with developing “a science-based, comprehensive program to identify, prevent, eliminate, reduce, and mitigate the impacts of invasive species in Montana.” The Council began their work with a Statewide Assessment or inventory of the individuals, groups, and agencies working on invasive species, their management priorities, and an estimate of their expenditures in March of 2016. The Montana Invasive Species Framework serves as a roadmap for better collaboration in Montana’s efforts to prevent and manage invasive species.
Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week
What are invasive grasses? Invasive grasses are noxious weeds that have the significant potential to be detrimental to agriculture, the economy, and the environment. The Montana Department of Agriculture has four invasive grasses identified on the state noxious weed list. Ventenata (2A), Medusahead (1A), and Phragmites (1A) are state listed, and Cheatgrass (3) is state regulated.
Learn to identify annual grasses
Watch this video from Montana State University - Extension
Western Governors' Association Toolkit for Invasive Annual Grass Management in the West
The Western Governors’ Association (WGA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed in June 2019 to pursue an effort to meaningfully address the large-scale infestation of invasive annual grasses on western forests and rangelands. One product of this effort is a new toolkit for land managers working to combat the spread of invasive annual grasses in the West
This toolkit comprises of:
- A roadmap for invasive grass management in the west with new best management practices.
- Case studies highlighting these practices.
- Geospatial data layer to help managers assess invasive grasses within their jurisdictions.
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