State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance Indiana's landscapes by coordinating efforts to identify, prevent, and control Invasive Species.

SICIM is the operating name for the Southern Indiana Cooperative W**d Management Area (CWMA).

A flash of blue in the backyard is enough to brighten anyone's day.This beautiful Eastern Bluebird is more than just a p...
06/15/2026

A flash of blue in the backyard is enough to brighten anyone's day.

This beautiful Eastern Bluebird is more than just a pretty face. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, meaning they raise their young in tree cavities and nest boxes. During the breeding season, they rely heavily on insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers to feed their growing chicks.

That's where native plants come into the story.

Native plants support far more insects than most non-native and invasive plants. More native plants means more caterpillars and other insects, which means more food for bluebirds and countless other songbirds. When invasive species crowd out native vegetation, they can reduce the abundance of insects that birds depend on to raise healthy broods.

Eastern Bluebirds also enjoy fruits later in the year, including the berries of many native shrubs and trees. Planting natives helps provide food throughout the seasons while creating healthier habitat for wildlife.

Fun fact: Eastern Bluebirds can spot insects from more than 50 feet away and often hunt by perching in an elevated spot before swooping down to catch their next meal. That may be exactly what this bluebird is doing while it keeps watch from its tree-side perch!

Every native plant added to the landscape and every invasive plant removed helps strengthen the connections that support birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. It's all part of the same ecosystem.

Have you seen any Eastern Bluebirds this year? Drop your photos down in the comments!

Ever grabbed a w**d bare-handed and instantly regretted it?This week's Invasive Plant of the Week is bull thistle, a spi...
06/14/2026

Ever grabbed a w**d bare-handed and instantly regretted it?

This week's Invasive Plant of the Week is bull thistle, a spiny invader that can quickly take over roadsides, pastures, fields, and neglected corners of your yard. While its purple flowers may look attractive, bull thistle spreads aggressively, crowds out native plants, and can produce thousands of seeds from a single plant. Livestock will not eat it, so it has an even bigger advantage over our native plants.

The good news? Learning to identify bull thistle early can help prevent a small problem from turning into a much bigger one. Check out our graphic to learn what to look for.

Have you spotted bull thistle growing near your home or property this summer? Tell us where you've seen it!

For more information on invasive species visit sicim.info

Photo credit: W.C. Botanical Club

Indiana is full of amazing places to explore and protect, and CISMAs make it fun to be part of that mission! Check out ...
06/14/2026

Indiana is full of amazing places to explore and protect, and CISMAs make it fun to be part of that mission!

Check out this map of all the CISMAs across the state. Each logo represents a group of people who get together to learn, volunteer, host events, and take care of the lands we all enjoy.

If you do not see a logo in your county, that simply means your area has not formed a CISMA yet. The good news is that every new CISMA starts with people who care about local habitats and want to build something positive in their community.

CISMAs host plant walks, workshops, volunteer days, and hands on events that bring people together. You meet new friends, learn cool things about local ecosystems, and make a difference for the forests, trails, and parks you love to visit.

Find your local CISMA and see what they are up to
https://sicim.info/cismas

Interested in helping start one in your county?
Reach out to your Regional Specialist
https://sicim.info/cisma-project/

Indiana’s natural spaces are more fun when we take care of them together. Let’s keep building a network of people who love this state and want to protect the places that make it special.

Want more butterflies in your yard without planting a future problem?Butterfly bush is often sold as a pollinator-friend...
06/12/2026

Want more butterflies in your yard without planting a future problem?

Butterfly bush is often sold as a pollinator-friendly plant, but in many areas it can spread beyond gardens and into natural spaces where it competes with native plants. If you're looking to support butterflies and other pollinators, there are better options that provide habitat benefits without the invasive risk.

Try planting native alternatives like Nannyberry, New Jersey Tea, or Dense Blazing Star. These native plants support the lifecycle of our pollinators, are part of your local ecosystem, and create more habitat for wildlife right in your own backyard.

The solution is simple: choose natives that work with nature, not against it. Your butterflies will thank you. 🦋

Which native plant has been the biggest pollinator magnet in your yard? Tell us in the comments!

Someone has been hitting the all-you-can-eat buffet this summer...Just look at this chunky caterpillar! After spending i...
06/11/2026

Someone has been hitting the all-you-can-eat buffet this summer...

Just look at this chunky caterpillar! After spending its days munching on milkw**d leaves, it's safe to say this little guy hasn't missed many meals. Growing from a tiny hatchling into a plump caterpillar takes a lot of food and a lot of native plants.

That's one reason invasive species can be such a problem. When invasive plants crowd out native species, they don't just replace plants they remove the food sources that many insects need to survive. And those insects are a critical part of the food web, supporting birds, pollinators, and countless other wildlife.

Every leaf this caterpillar nibbles is a reminder that healthy ecosystems start with native plants. The more space we make for native species and the less space we give invasive ones, the more we support the entire web of life that depends on them.

For more information about native plants visit indiananativeplants.org

Before you pull that thistle, take a second look. You might be removing a pollinator powerhouse by mistake.Not all thist...
06/10/2026

Before you pull that thistle, take a second look. You might be removing a pollinator powerhouse by mistake.

Not all thistles are bad! Our native field thistle (Cirsium discolor) provides important resources for pollinators and other wildlife, while invasive Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) spreads aggressively and can quickly take over fields, roadsides, and natural areas.

One of the easiest ways to tell them apart is by looking at the leaves and bracts. Bracts are the small leaf-like structures located just beneath the flower head. Field thistle has bright white leaf undersides, deeply lobed leaves, and green bracts. Canada thistle has green leaf undersides, more shallowly lobed leaves, and bracts with a noticeable purple tint.

Learning the difference helps solve a common problem for landowners and gardeners: controlling invasive plants without accidentally removing beneficial native species.

Have you ever mistaken a native plant for an invasive one? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more about invasive and native species at sicim.info

This cardinal is a perfect reminder that everything in nature is connected.At first glance, a bird perched in a patch of...
06/09/2026

This cardinal is a perfect reminder that everything in nature is connected.

At first glance, a bird perched in a patch of Japanese honeysuckle might not seem like a problem. But invasive plants can have ripple effects throughout the entire ecosystem.

Many invasive plants produce berries that birds eat. As birds travel, they spread those seeds to new locations, helping invasive species expand into forests, fields, and natural areas. Japanese honeysuckle is one of many invasive plants that can hitch a ride this way.

The impacts don't stop there. While adult birds may eat seeds, fruits, and insects, most songbirds rely heavily on caterpillars to feed their nestlings. A single brood of baby birds can eat thousands of caterpillars before they fledge.

Here's where native plants become so important. Native caterpillars evolved alongside native plants and often depend on specific species as host plants. When invasive plants like Japanese honeysuckle crowd out native vegetation, they reduce the number and diversity of caterpillars available. Fewer caterpillars means less food for baby birds.

It's a powerful example of how interconnected our ecosystems really are. The plants growing in our yards and natural areas influence the insects that can survive there, which in turn affects the birds and other wildlife that depend on them.

By controlling invasive species and planting natives, we aren't just helping plants, we're supporting an entire food web, from caterpillars to cardinals and everything in between.

If this plant is growing in your yard, ditch, or along your fence line, don't ignore it.Poison hemlock is one of the mos...
06/09/2026

If this plant is growing in your yard, ditch, or along your fence line, don't ignore it.

Poison hemlock is one of the most common invasive plants along roadways, and this time of year it's hard to miss with its tall stems and clusters of white flowers. The problem? It spreads quickly, crowds out native plants, and is very toxic.

Knowing how to identify poison hemlock is the first step to protecting your family, pets, and local ecosystems. Check out this week's Invasive Plant of the Week graphic to learn what to look for and help stop its spread before it produces thousands of seeds.

Have you spotted poison hemlock in your neighborhood this year? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on invasive species please visit sicim.info

06/03/2026

🌟Our newsletter, TICT Off, is hot off the press and ready for your viewing pleasure! Learn about the invasive Norway maple and some awesome upcoming events: https://mailchi.mp/in/october-news-18082878

Invasive Plant of the Week: Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)This commonly planted ornamental tree is now being r...
05/31/2026

Invasive Plant of the Week: Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)

This commonly planted ornamental tree is now being reported escaping cultivation in parts of Indiana and establishing in natural areas. While it may look harmless, Japanese tree lilac can spread into natural areas where it begins to compete with native plants, reducing biodiversity over time.

Early detection is key. Catching new or small populations before they become established makes control much easier, more effective, and far less costly. Once invasive species become widespread, management becomes significantly more difficult and long-term.

If you spot Japanese tree lilac outside of planted landscapes, report it to EDDMapS using the website eddmaps.org or mobile app. Reporting helps land managers track new invasions and the Indiana Invasive Plant Council put new plants on the Indiana Invasive Species List.

Learn more about identifying and managing invasive species at sicim.info

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1919 Steven Avenue
Bedford, IN
47421

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+18126535563

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