NAISMA committees provide vital input and guidance to ensure that our programs and priorities are in line with the needs of the invasive species management community.

NAISMA Committees 

Each committee is comprised of members of the Board of Directors, general members, and sustaining members of NAISMA. Read below to learn more about our active committees.

We invite you to reach out to the committee chair listed below each committee if you are interested in learning more about, or joining, a particular committee.

Annual Conference Committee

The Annual Conference Committee develops and maintains a consistent NAISMA annual conference program and works with the host state to highlight their programs and invasive species management.

The Awards sub-committee’s purpose is to recognize the contributions made by the NAISMA Board of Directors and other contributors to NAISMA. Duties include gathering nominations for the following awards and coordinating the logistics of the awards ceremony.

Committee Goals

Awards:

  • Consideration of an award(s) recognition program for the membership
  • Plan the agenda for the awards celebration at conference
  • Develop criteria to explain each award to simplify the nominations process
  • Develop write-ups for each award winner at the awards banquet


Conference Planning:

  • Seek nominees from new states and provinces
  • Finalize the conference planning document
  • Assist in conference planning
  • Seek conference sponsorship, vendors, and fundraising
  • Develop a conference survey
  • Promote conference and conference activities

Awards Descriptions (not all are given every year):

  • Years of service
  • Outgoing President
  • Outstanding Board Member
  • Outstanding Achievement
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Appreciation Award
  • Award of Excellence
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Youth Outstanding Achievement Award
  • Friend of NAISMA
  • Outstanding Vegetation Management Award

Committee Members

  • Chair: Liz Lodman
  • Members: Todd Boller, Tom Boos, K Todd, Mike Reed, Jimmy Petersen, Nicole Kimmel, Kristopher Stahr, Brent Meyer, Natalia Bjorklund, Jennifer Andreas

Classical Biocontrol Committee

The purpose of Classical Biocontrol Committee is to coordinate county, state/provincial, and federal personnel toward establishing, maintaining, reviewing and updating biological control standards. This committee also communicates biocontrol information and research to the membership through NAISMA’s newsletters and the listserv.

Resources:

Committee Goals

  • Host a Biocontrol Summit or update on various bio-control issues at the annual conference.
  • Garner widespread support for overseas research and development for current and potential biological control agents.
  • Provide a collective voice for on the ground biological control matters in North America.
  • Be the central hub for collecting, discussing, and sharing on the ground successes, failures, observations, and resources in North America.
  • Create a focus group to be involved with TAG (technical advisory group) for improving process.
  • Update the NAISMA Newsletter on biocontrol agents and issues.

Committee Members

  • Chair: Jennifer Andreas and Philip Weyl
  • Program Director: Christie Trifone Millhouse
  • Members: Aaron David, Aaron Eagar, Aaron Foster, Allison Zach, Audrey Bowe, Carol Randall, Carrie Brown-Lima, Chandra Moffat, Deah Lieurance, Ellen Lake, Hester Williams, Jennifer Andreas, Joseph Milan, Melissa Smith, Melissa Maggio, Monika Chandler, Nathan Harms, Philip Weyl, Sarah Travalio, Scott Erthum, Sharlene Sing, Wade Simmons

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Committee

In 2020 NAISMA formed a Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee and created the organization’s first Diversity and Inclusion statement. The committee guides and contributes to the integration of opportunities to improve diversity and inclusion throughout programs, committee charters, and operations. A Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship to attend the Annual Conference was launched in 2020 and will continue in future conferences. 

Resources:

Committee Goals

  • Improve student involvement by students in historically marginalized groups through scholarships.
  • Ensure a diverse range of perspectives are present in developing conference programming. 
  • Engage and share resources with groups from underrepresented and historically disenfranchised communities that share affinities for NAISMA’s invasive species work. 

Committee Members

  • Chair: Vasiliy Lakoba
  • Members:

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee ensures that all financial and organizational records are kept in accordance with NAISMA’s By-Laws and that all tax and incorporation records are kept current and correct. The committee is responsible for bringing forward any proposed changes to the By-Laws to the membership at the Annual General Meeting, as well as ensuring that the proper notifications are sent out to facilitate any changes prior to the AGM.

The Governance committee also advertises positions available on the NAISMA Board of Directors, creates annual nominations forms, evaluates any nominations received, accepts or rejects them according to the criteria for serving on the NAISMA Board of Directors, and run the election for the Board and the AGM.

Committee Goals

  • Review By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation
  • Bring forward any proposed changes or necessary updates to the NAISMA Board of Directors

Committee Members

  • Chair: Heidi Kennedy
  • Members: Kate Wilson, Tom Boos, John Petty
  • This committee is made of the Past President, President-Elect, Secretary / Treasurer, and at least one or more interested Board Members

Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee is responsible for being alert for and making the NAISMA Board of Directors and members aware of legislative issues pertaining to invasive species. This committee can construct responses to national and international invasive species policy issues as they arise, write position papers, and meet with other groups working on regional, national, or international policy issues that can have an impact on invasive species management.

Visit the Government Relations page for resources produced by the Legislative Committee.

Committee Goals

  • Advise the NAISMA Government Relations Program and the Board of Directors on policy and legislative items of importance.
  • To coordinate and facilitate the implementation of National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) annually.
  • Communicate to the membership about international issues through the NAISMA listserv, newsletter, and social media.
  • Write position papers pertaining to relevant issues surrounding invasive species management.
  • Facilitate member communication with elected officials to increase attention and concern among legislators for invasive species concerns.
  • Hold a committee meeting at the annual conference to discuss legislative activities that impact invasive species issues.

Committee Members

Advancement Committee

The Advancement Committee works to maintain and increase membership, guides marketing efforts, and contributes to communications.

Committee Goals

  • Improve membership structure and strategies for increased communications with membership
  • Improve capacity of invasive species management professionals to address current issues
  • Increase membership at all levels of support
  • Gain a truly North American membership
  • Engage current membership
  • Provide valuable services for members

Committee Members

  • Chair: Lesley Beckworth
  • Program Director: Michelle Huntley
  • Members: Julie Kraft, Kelly Cooley, Lesley Beckworth, Mark Daluge, Todd Boller, Thomas Boos

PlayCleanGo Advisory Committee

The PlayCleanGo Advisory Committee is made up of eleven committee members and a representative from each North American country. All are are PlayCleanGo partner organizations. Each member represents one of the campaign’s primary audiences.

Committee Goals

The PlayCleanGo® Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks® campaign is a branded, patented outreach campaign owned and administered by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA). Originally developed, with significant support from the USDA – Forest Service, and launched in 2012 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Play Clean Go was fully adopted by NAISMA in 2018.

The PlayCleanGo Advisory Committee consists of members who represent all regions of the US. The committee strives to include broad representation of all recreational activities. The committee’s purpose is to provide guidance on the implementation of the PlayCleanGo outreach campaign. Any NAISMA member in good standing may serve on the PlayCleanGo Advisory Committee.

Committee activities include:

  • Promote the PlayCleanGo campaign;
  • Guide communications with PlayCleanGo partner organizations and individual recreationists;
  • Identify ways to grow financial support of the campaign;
    Regularly review areas of focus and decide new approaches as needed;
  • Provide feedback on graphic design and outreach products; 
  • Bring the voices of PlayCleanGo partner organizations and individuals to the campaign; 
  • Review and evaluate the effectiveness of the committee’s recommendations and PlayCleanGo program activities, communications, and actions. 
  • Provide alignment with NAISMA’s strategic plan to grow the campaign in North America

Any NAISMA member in good standing may serve on the PlayCleanGo Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee will strive to include representatives across geographies and areas of interest relevant to PlayCleanGo.

Committee Members

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee guides and contributes to the content of professional development opportunities that NAISMA provides its members and the general public. This committee oversees the Certified Manager of Invasive Species Program, Online Trainings, and Webinar Series.

Committee Goals

  • Manage, evaluate, improve, and grow participation in the Certified Manager of Invasive Species Program.
  • Host monthly educational invasive species webinars.
  • Provide continuing educational credits at the annual conference, webinars, and other NAISMA events.
  • Support workshops, webinars, and trainings offered by other NAISMA committees.
  • Create an online asynchronous learning library with short courses and offer a variety of certifications to support invasive species professionals.

Committee Members

  • Chair: Amy Morey and Tom Boos
  • Members: Chris Evans, Chuck Bargeron, Dan Tekiela, Kayla Malone, Sarah Rang, Vasiliy Lakoba, Wade Simmons, Jordy Veit
  • Program Director: Teagan Wilmot

Standards and Technology Committee

The Standards and Technology Committee provides guidance and recommendations to the professional invasive species management community on Mapping, Early Detection Rapid Response, Technology including Apps, and provides NAISMA’s membership with education on new EDRR species. They also review, promote, and update the NAISMA Mapping Standards to continue being relevant to current issues over time.

Committee Goals

  • Post Standards Alerts through the listserv and social media
  • Maintain and regularly provide updates and information in the Standards section of the NAISMA website
  • Annual standards review
  • Promote standards

Committee Members

  • Chair: Mark Daluge
  • Program Director: Christie Trifone Millhouse
  • Members: Aaron Foster, Aaron Eagar, Alicia Doran, Amy Morey, Chuck Bargeron, Dan Tekiela, David Bingham, Deah Lieurance, Jennifer Dean, Jennifer Hillmer, Kayla Malone

Weed Free Products Committee

The purpose of the Certified Weed Free Products (WFP) Committee is to coordinate efforts of county, provincial, state, and federal agency personnel toward establishing, maintaining, reviewing and updating the North American weed free product standards, including forage, gravel and mulch for the Weed Free Products Program.

Committee Goals

  • Evaluate and revise existing standards for the certification of weed free products.
  • Provide education, mentorship, and training related to weed free certification.
  • Advise new organizations seeking to implement the NAISMA WFP program.
  • Develop and establish new standards for the certification of weed free products.
  • Monitor and maintain the integrity of the WFP Program. 

Committee Members