Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin

03/25/2026

Stiltgrass is an invasive plant that is expanding its range in the Upper Midwest. Last year, there were 4 new sightings in Wisconsin, one in Iowa, and populations are spreading in Lower Michigan.

Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison Forestry and Wildlife Program for this informative presentation that will cover how to identify and report sightings of stiltgrass, the current status of this plant in Wisconsin, and what we can learn from land stewards in the Northeast about successful management.

Presenters include Mark Renz, Keith Phelps, and Scott Hershberger from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Calvin Norman from Penn State University.

Register Here!
https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/7117742794036/WN_Kltlf0sLTMmEojLHTZ68Iw

03/03/2026

Join our friends at the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium for an Invader Alert Webinar: Invasive Species on the Move!

Tuesday, March 10, 2026
1:30-3:00pm CST
Register at the link below

Managing invasive species is no easy feat. Just when you think you know how to identify and control existing local populations, another new invader arrives or is lurking nearby. This webinar will help you to employ early detection and rapid response practices to identify and report new and spreading invasive species, and to enact control measures quickly, before the population expands to the point where it cannot be locally eradicated. Join us to learn about the invasive plants, insects and tree diseases emerging as significant threats in southeastern Wisconsin and our neighboring communities.

The guest presenter, Chris Evans, is an Extension Forestry and Research Specialist with the University of Illinois. He specializes in forest management, restoration, forest health, invasive species, and native plants. Chris currently serves as an associate editor for the Natural Areas Journal, vice president of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, and is a member of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This webinar is free due to the generosity of sponsors.

Managing invasive species is no easy feat. Just when you think you know how to identify and control existing local populations, another new invader arrives or is lurking nearby. Join us to learn about the invasive plants, insects and tree diseases emerging as significant threats in southeastern Wisc...

02/17/2026

Our friends at Lakeshore Invasive Species Management Area (LISMA) are hosting a two-day Phragmites workshop to be held on March 11th and July 23rd. At this event, you will learn how to identify invasive phragmites, obtain the correct permitting, and properly control this invasive plant.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phragmites-restoration-education-field-day-2-part-workshop-tickets-1978930668902?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/13/2026

We are all set up and ready to see you at the 2026 Garden & Green Living Expo, starting today, Feb 13 through Sunday, Feb 15.

Come visit vendors showcasing seeds, plants, landscaping, and everything you need for gardens and yards of all sizes.

Find IPAW at booth 216 to answer all your invasive plant questions and share what’s new for 2026.

12/02/2025

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced that the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council is accepting nominations for the 22nd annual Invasive Species Action Awards now through Feb. 15, 2026.

Award recipients are Wisconsin residents and organizations who have made significant contributions to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin's native wildlife, wetlands, forests, prairies, lakes and rivers. Nominees can be individuals, groups or organizations who have demonstrated exemplary efforts to address issues surrounding terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council, an advisory council to the DNR, presents Invasive Species Action Awards for volunteer and professional categories.

All nominators and winners will be notified in April, followed by an award recognition ceremony in June to celebrate Invasive Species Action Month. To submit a nomination, download and fill out the form available on the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council's webpage below. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Feb. 15, 2026.

Wisconsin Invasive Species Council Call for Nominations for the 22nd Annual Invasive Species Action AwardsThe Wisconsin Invasive Species Council is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Invasive Species Action Awards!Award recipients are Wisconsin residents and organizations who made significant co...

11/12/2025

Upcoming Webinar
Harnessing AI for Invasive Species Detection: Smart Traps, Drones, and Machine Learning in Action
November 19, 2025 at 1:00pm
Hosted by NAISMA, the North American Invasive Species Management Association

This dynamic webinar will showcase how artificial intelligence is transforming invasive species detection and monitoring across ecosystems. Through innovative applications like smart traps, drones, and machine learning, researchers and practitioners are unlocking new tools to manage biological invasions more effectively and efficiently.

Register for this learning opportunity at:

10/23/2025

Join MIPN for our November webinar
Deer and Invasive Plants: Impacts and Interactions

Presenter Dr. David Gorchov with Miami University will be discussing a long term study on the effects of excluding deer and removing invasive honeysuckle. The findings of this study can inform management of areas with high deer density and with invasive shrubs that are palatable to deer.

Get a preview here!
https://woodyinvasives.org/deer-and-invasive-plants-impacts-and-interactions/

Register today!
https://mipn.org/learn/mipn-webinars/

This webinar is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service.

10/23/2025

Join us on November 11 at Havenwoods Environmental Awareness Center in Milwaukee!

09/15/2025

Save-the-Date for the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium's 2025 Annual Educational Symposium! This free, public event will take place on Tuesday, November 11th from 1-4pm at Havenwoods State Forest Environmental Awareness Center in Milwaukee.

Check out the SEWISC website for more information!

09/10/2025

Save the Date for UMISC 2026!
https://www.umisc.net/

Sponsor and exhibitor information will start going out this week. To stay updated on calls for abstracts, registration timelines, and much more, sign up for the UMISC newsletter!
https://www.umisc.net/contact.html

09/09/2025

Is buckthorn taking over your urban property? Would you like to be able to determine which plants are doing harm to the native landscape? Are you ready to arm yourself in the fight against invasives? If so, this day-long workshop is for you!

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the UW-Madison Division of Extension to host fall workshops on urban invasive species plant identification and management. Dr. Mark Renz (professor and Extension specialist with UW-Madison) will lead the instruction, with Travis Wilson, Matt Wallrath and John Zabrosky assisting.

Each workshop will include morning classroom instruction followed by hands-on field demonstrations in the afternoon. The cost is $40 and includes lunch.

Attendees will choose from one of multiple locations around the state.

Sept. 23 – Eau Claire area
Sept. 24 – Wausau area
Oct. 1 – Green Bay area
Oct. 2 – Oshkosh area
Oct. 7 – Fitchburg area

Learn more and register online at the link below!

2025 Urban Forestry Workshop The 2025 Urban Forestry Workshop topic is Invasive Species Plant Identification and Management. This workshop will be held this fall in six locations throughout the State. Each location will include morning classroom instruction followed by hands-on field demonstrations....

09/05/2025

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network and University of Wisconsin-Madison are pleased to unveil a new woody invasive plant field guide. These pocket-sized guides are ideal for invasive plant management field days and other training events.

Learn more and Order yours today!
https://woodyinvasives.org/blog/