February 28, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST
This webinar will highlight examples of strategic and collaborative prevention projects supported by the Department of the Interior (DOI). Projects featured include recipients of DOI’s Notice of Funding Opportunity offered in 2022 to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species through strategic landscape-level approaches. Presenters will provide an overview of progress made.
Presentations and Speakers:
- Rapid deployment of watercraft cleaning stations – Zach Burnside, Wildlife Forever
This presentation will detail the steps taken to work with local and state partners in the Columbia River Basin to install signage, pavement markings, and user-led watercraft cleaning stations at public access sites in the Columbia River Basin. - Strengthening the California Islands biosecurity program to leverage outcomes for biosecurity on U.S. Department of the Interior Islands – Dr. Nick Holmes (The Nature Conservancy) and Annie LIttle (National Park Service)
Annie Little and Nick Holmes will be presenting efforts to Strengthen the California Islands Biosecurity program including opportunities to leverage outcomes for biosecurity on US Department of the Interior Islands broadly. - An international approach to addressing aquatic invasive species in commerce – Leah Elwell (Conservation Collaborations, LLC) and Stephanie Otts, J.D. (National Sea Grant Law Center)
Commerce in aquatic invasive species represents a significant pathway for their introduction and spread globally. This presentation will share multiple solutions to address key areas that lead to aquatic invasive species issues associated with commerce. - Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species through NAISMA’s strategic international prevention programs – Christie Trifone Millhouse, NAISMA
NAISMA and our partners steward and implement international prevention programs, including PlayCleanGo®: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks® and Certified Weed Free Products (WFP). These well-established prevention programs are aimed at stopping the spread of invasive species through specific human-assisted pathways. With funding received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NAISMA has taken significant steps to advance these campaigns.
Zach Burnside, Invasive Species Program Manager, Wildlife Forever
Zach manages national Clean.Drain.Dry. Initiative outreach, education, and implementation of access-based cleaning solutions to empower the recreational boater and angler to do their part
to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Dr. Nick Holmes, Associate Director of Oceans, California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
Nick lead’s TNC’s Island Resilience Strategy and works in thematic areas of island conservation, invasive species management, seabird restoration and threatened species recovery.
Annie Little, Supervisory Natural Resource Manager, Channel Islands National Park, National Park Service
Annie leads the terrestrial program for Channel Islands National Park. Her focus is the conservation of unique island ecosystems, including eradication and control of invasive species, habitat restoration, and species recovery.
Leah Elwell, President, Conservation Collaborations, LLC
Leah leads Conservation Collaborations, LLC., that works with partners to identify solutions for invasive species and conservation issues.
Stephanie Otts, J.D., Director, National Sea Grant Law Center As Director, Stephanie oversees a variety of legal education, research, and outreach activities and has conducted extensive research on legal issues related to invasive species management.
Christie Trifone Millhouse, Executive Director, North American Invasive Species Management Association
Christie serves as the Executive Director of the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA). With over 25 years of experience in the conservation sector, Christie brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic vision to her leadership role. As Executive Director, she oversees the development and implementation of innovative policies and programs that address invasive species management across North America. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including land and water resource managers, agency directors, and nonprofit organizations. Christie’s expertise and dedication ensure that NAISMA remains at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of invasive species through education, outreach, and professional networking.