Background/Question/Methods
The Nebraska Invasive Species Project is a collaborative effort involving partner agencies from across the State of Nebraska with the purpose of creating a united front in battling invasive species. Natural resource agencies and partners are actively participating in a variety of projects to promote the betterment of Nebraska's natural resources. Professionals, students, and many other dedicated individuals are working on ways to prevent and manage the spread of invasive species in Nebraska. Our goals are to; provide resources on the potential spread and impact of invasive species; disseminate information regarding identification and management of potential invaders; provide a centralized information clearinghouse on management, impacts, and the potential spread of invaders via a web portal; and provide outreach within Nebraska to agencies and individual stakeholders regarding the monitoring, mapping, risk, and management of invasive species.
In February 2008, the first Nebraska Invasive Species Conference was hosted in Lincoln, Nebraska. Recommendations that come out of this conference include; developing a coalition of interested parties to maintain communication, support, and information sharing; develop a focus on education in the state, including media representation and public awareness and ensuring quality continuing education for professionals; and to identify research needs and effective control techniques, with committees focused on prevention, risk assessment, and early detection of invasive species threats.
Results/Conclusions
To solidify this united front, the Nebraska Invasive Species Project has continued to follow through on these recommendations as suggested by managers and stakeholders from across the state. The Nebraska Invasive Species Council is in development, and has gained the attention and support of legislators, managers, and stakeholders. This coalition will provide infrastructure for invasive species information management, identify partnerships and stakeholders, facilitate this coordination of knowledge, and develop policy proposals. The project hosts the Nebraska Invasive News Network, an e-newsletter providing information to hundreds of individuals involved in invasive species management, publicly and privately. NISP also maintains an online information clearing house of invasive species information and stakeholders, which can be found at http://snr.unl.edu/invasives and is continually being updated and enhanced with data state-wide. Public outreach is underway through presentations made at a variety of venues, development of citizen science programs, and the creation of interpretive displays and educational curricula. Partnerships are continuously being developed, state-wide, regionally, and nationwide, to secure Nebraska’s natural legacy.