COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREAS: LOCAL COOPERATION EQUALS AREAS: LOCAL COOPERATION EQUALS LOCAL SUCCESS IN THE NORTHWOODSLOCAL SUCCESS IN THE NORTHWOODS

Carmen Chapin, Northwoods CWMA

NorthwoodsNorthwoods CWMACWMA

Began as the Began as the NorthwoodsNorthwoods Weed Initiative Weed Initiative in 2002 with concern over leafy spurgein 2002 with concern over leafy spurgeStarted organizing as a CWMA in 2005Started organizing as a CWMA in 2005Formalized a MOU in 2006Formalized a MOU in 2006

Signatories/CooperatorsSignatories/CooperatorsAshland, Bayfield, Douglas & Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas & Iron CountiesIron Counties’’ Land Land Conservation CommitteesConservation CommitteesGreat Lakes Indian Fish & Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife CommissionWildlife CommissionNatural Resources Natural Resources Conservation ServiceConservation ServiceNational Park Service National Park Service The Nature ConservancyThe Nature ConservancyUSDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Great U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science CenterLakes Science CenterUW Cooperative ExtensionUW Cooperative ExtensionWisconsin DNRWisconsin DNR

Bayfield County Lakes ForumBayfield County Lakes ForumDelta Area Lakes AssociationDelta Area Lakes AssociationDouglas County Association of Douglas County Association of Lakes & StreamsLakes & StreamsIron River Lakes AssociationIron River Lakes AssociationNorthern Native Northern Native PlantscapesPlantscapesSigurdSigurd Olson Environmental Olson Environmental Institute & Northland College Institute & Northland College The Friends of the Bird The Friends of the Bird SanctuarySanctuaryThe Friends of the St. Croix The Friends of the St. Croix HeadwatersHeadwatersTown of WashburnTown of WashburnUpper St. Croix Lake Upper St. Croix Lake AssociationAssociation

OperationsOperations

Chair, Secretary, 9 active membersChair, Secretary, 9 active membersFiscal agent is Bayfield Land Conservation Fiscal agent is Bayfield Land Conservation DeptDeptMeet monthly for 2 hoursMeet monthly for 2 hours““Donut discussionsDonut discussions”” followed by business followed by business meetingmeeting

Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach

NorthwoodsCWMA.orgNorthwoodsCWMA.org

Control EffortsControl Efforts

Mapping and DataMapping and Data

Professional BenefitsProfessional Benefits

Household herbicide guidesHousehold herbicide guidesDevelopment of mowing schedules Development of mowing schedules Sources of weedSources of weed--free productsfree productsSharing of technical informationSharing of technical information

Successes!Successes!

Continued Continued momentummomentumGood communication Good communication with stakeholderswith stakeholdersDoing more with lessDoing more with lessInvader Crusader Invader Crusader Award WIAward WI

ChallengesChallenges

Volunteer recruitmentVolunteer recruitmentFundingFundingCommunity awarenessCommunity awarenessDollar match from federal partnersDollar match from federal partnersMore weeds!More weeds!

What WorkedWhat Worked

Because of few $, responsibilities are on Because of few $, responsibilities are on members and not a CWMA coordinatormembers and not a CWMA coordinatorTargeting individuals who have invasive Targeting individuals who have invasive species management as part of their job species management as part of their job dutiesdutiesSmall geographic area, local community, Small geographic area, local community, wellwell--connected individualsconnected individuals

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Just start!!!!Just start!!!!Choose a champion that can commit time Choose a champion that can commit time and energyand energyDifferent groups will come on board at Different groups will come on board at different times, build flexibility into your different times, build flexibility into your organizationorganization