Barry Calhoun Kalamazoo
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
Combating Invasive Species Together
Welcome to the BCK CISMA! We're your local team dedicated to protecting Barry, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo Counties from the threat of invasive species.
From harmful plants to pesky pests, invasive species can wreak havoc on our environment, economy, and health. But you're not alone! That's where we come in! We are numerous organizational partners, including local municipalities, state and federal departments, non-profits, tribes, and educational institutions.
Through education, monitoring, and control efforts, we're working tirelessly to keep our Southwest Michigan communities safe and our natural spaces thriving.
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are plants, animals, and insects, fungi, and microorganisms that are introduced into a new area in which they did not previously exist. In that new area, invasive species often out-compete local native species for resources like food, water, and habitat. They may have no natural predators in their new habitat, and so they thrive and reproduce unchecked. They grow rapidly and spread quickly, disrupting wildlife habitat and changing the character of the natural area. This causes harm to the local environment, economic loss, and even poses risks to human health. Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species is crucial for protecting native ecosystems and the services they provide.
But we're not alone in this fight.
Who are the partners?
We're proud to partner with a wide array of organizations throughout the region. Local municipalities, state and federal departments, non-profits, local tribes, and educational institutions all play a vital role in providing input and contributing to our efforts to prevent and control invasive species. Together, we're making a difference. By working hand in hand, we're safeguarding our natural environment and preserving the beauty of Barry, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo Counties for generations to come. Thank you for joining us in this important mission!
City of Albion
Parks
What is the Invasive Species Strike Team?
As part of BCK CISMA, Barry Conservation District (BCD) is fiduciary and plays a crucial role in managing the administrative and operational aspects. This includes overseeing grants, financial management, administrative tasks, and coordinating efforts among various stakeholders. Additionally, Barry Conservation District holds the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance for invasive species treatment.
BCD’s team includes individuals dedicated to invasive species management.
The CISMA Coordinator leads, manages, and oversees all CISMA activities, including strategic planning, organizational coordination, and fieldwork execution, ensuring effective implementation of invasive species management initiatives across Barry, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo Counties.
A Program Specialist provides targeted leadership and expertise to guide specific initiatives, in this case mile-a-minute weed.
During the active season from April to October, BCD hires a skilled strike team to assist in fieldwork and treatment activities. These technicians play a vital role in completing treatments and supporting monitoring efforts across the tri-county region.
Sara Huetteman
BCK CISMA Coordinator
April Savickas
Program Specialist
What does invasive species management involve?
Join us in the fight against invasive species – together, we can make a difference! Are you involved in education or controlling invasive species, or interested in adding invasive species efforts to your organization's goals? You'd be a great partner! As a partner, you'll receive program updates, information on new invasive species detection and control methods, and collaborative opportunities with other organizations. Plus, you'll have the chance to speak about how invasive species affect your organization or community and the challenges you face.
Barry Conservation District and BCK CISMA are committed to nurturing community interest in conservation and welcome your help in spreading awareness, reporting invasive species, and controlling them. If you have a group interested in a project, we can connect you with opportunities through our network of partners. Reach out to learn more about current opportunities.
How can you become a partner?
• Creating Awareness
We're available to speak in classrooms, public meetings, and to train your seasonal staff on how to identify, report, and prevent the spread of invasive species. In season, you can find us at boat launches, trailheads, and other public spaces. Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages (@bckcisma) for real time updates about invasive species in the tri-county region.
• Spotting Invasive Species
We're always on the lookout for invasive species during our travels across our service area and beyond. If we spot a high-priority invasive species from the roadside, we notify landowners and offer treatment. If we're outside our service area, we alert the CISMA covering that region and report it on MISIN.msu.edu - anyone can report invasive species at this site!
• Controlling Invasive Species
We provide services to both private and public landowners for high-priority species listed on our invasives webpage. These services include monitoring and treatment of invasive species. While some services may be covered by grants, there is often a small fee for treatments. However, this fee is significantly lower compared to companies offering similar services in the area. Check out Treatment Solutions for updated prices.
Current Projects
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Mile-a-Minute Weed
This invasive vine was first detected at Albion College’s Whitehouse Nature Center in 2020. We have since identified 30 properties with infestations of Mile-a-minute weed and have treated known sites since 2021.
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Red Swamp Crayfish
A Louisiana crayfish has found its way to Michigan, and is taking over ponds, ditches and slow moving streams. A few years ago, a family picnic turned into a bit of a problem for Vicksburg, MI. A local park is currently host to a small population of Red Swamp Crayfish, and BCK CISMA , the Gun Lake Tribe and Michigan DNR have been taking action to protect our waterways. Through monitoring efforts and physically removing red swamp crayfish from a stream off the Kalamazoo River on a weekly basis. In 2023, 494 individual crayfish and hundreds of baby crayfish were removed.
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Spotted Lanternfly
The Spotted Lanternfly is making its way to western Michigan and 3 local CISMAs have been actively monitoring southwest Michigan for any signs of Spotted Lantern Fly. BCK CISMA placed 16 traps that wrap around trees that SLF are drawn to, such as Tree of Heaven, Black walnut and Maple and checking them biweekly. Spotted Lanterflies are not long-distant flyers and have mostly traveled via trains jumping off along the way. Remember to See it, Squish it, and Report it - with photo documentation or the speciman itself!