MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
The Montana Invasive Species Council continues to be actively engaged in preventing the spread of invasive species in our state. The council has worked diligently to seek out, build, and sustain partnerships. These collaborations include our members, diverse stakeholders, and agencies across the state, as well as neighboring states, provinces, and the public. These partnerships play a crucial role in supporting the work of the Montana Invasive Species Council—thank you to each and every one of you.
MISC LEADERSHIP
Our biennial summits help the council identify and prioritize tasks. We are still working on priorities from the 2022 Summit and are looking forward to prioritizing the results of the 2024 Summit. We can be gratified by our accomplishments to date, and I look forward to our endeavors in 2025.
In closing, I would like to express my appreciation for our staff. Your dedication is essential to bringing our efforts to fruition. It’s a pleasure serving with you!
Steve Wanderaas, MISC Chair
Chair Steve Wanderaas | Conservation Districts Representative, McCone CD Supervisor
Vice Co-Chair Tom Woolf | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks-AIS Bureau Chief
Vice Co-Chair Jason Allen | Montana Department of Transportation-Maintenance Noxious Weed Coordinator
MISC STAFF
Liz Lodman | Council Administrator | liz.lodman@mt.gov
Russ Hartzell | Program Coordinator | russ.hartzell2@mt.gov
Anna Connerton | Administrative Assistant | anna.connerton@mt.gov
The Montana Invasive Species Council is a statewide partnership working to protect Montana’s economy, natural resources, and public health through a coordinated approach to combat invasive species. MISC’s work is guided by the objectives outlined in the Montana Invasive Species Framework and informed by stakeholder input gathered during the 2022 MISC Summit, which led to the creation of a 2023-2026 work plan. MISC’s accomplishments for 2023 and 2024 follow. Logos for collaborating partners are noted on page headings.
Cover photo: Blackfoot River Visit Montana
MISC Chair Steve Wanderaas.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
INFORMING TRAVELERS ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES
Outreach to residents and visitors traveling through Montana was improved when the 2023 Montana Legislature passed SB 293. This bill, introduced by Senator Mark Noland, requires the display of posters at public rest areas to educate visitors on preventing the spread of invasive species. MISC worked with partners to create a poster that is displayed in all Montana Department of Transportation rest areas across the state.
Travelers taking a break will now see a message about the PlayCleanGo campaign to prevent the spread of noxious weeds on trails and natural areas and the Protect Our Waters/Clean.Drain.Dry. campaign to stop the movement of aquatic invasive species on watercraft and fishing gear.
Posters are displayed at all 52 Montana Department of Transportation rest areas.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
MONTANA’S INVASIVES TO WATCH LIST
Invasive species are plants, animals, and diseases that are non-native to Montana and cause harm to our natural, cultural, and economic resources.
BULLFROG
While native to the central and eastern U.S., bullfrogs are an invasive species in Montana. Bullfrogs are voracious predators of our native wildlife. They can carry the chytrid fungus that affects frogs and amphibians and contribute to the dwindling population of native frogs. A bullfrog removal project is underway in western Montana.
EASTERN HEATH SNAIL
A small land-dwelling snail that feeds on a wide range of crops and will climb vegetation and fence posts to escape high ground temperatures. It can contaminate hay and crops, clog harvest and processing equipment, and transmit plant and animal diseases. While most agricultural and plantpests are insects or pathogens/diseases, this mollusk pest highlights the need for additional taxa to be considered for national plant pest priorities. This snail is found in Cascade, Judith Basin, and Fergus counties.
EMERALD ASH BORER
This beetle threatens ash trees in Montana’s urban communities, shelterbelts, and woody draws. The larvae feed on tissue underneath the bark, killing the tree. The emerald ash borer is one of many tree-killing beetles that can travel long distances in firewood. Preventing the transport of firewood from out of state into Montana can slow the spread of this and other tree pests. Emerald ash borer has infested 36 states and was recently discovered in North Dakota.
FERAL SWINE
This species will impact agriculture producers through damage to crops, predation on livestock, and as a vector to spread diseases. Their destructive behaviors affect wildlife, habitat, and water resources. Feral swine are rampant in southern U.S. states with no chance of eradication, and Canadian populations continue to expand unchecked. Stopping the intentional movement of feral swine and responding to sightings are measures that keep this species out of Montana.
FLOWERING RUSH
Invasive aquatic plants degrade aquatic habitats, impede water-based recreation, and obstruct irrigation canals. Flowering rush has infested Flathead Lake and downstream to the Clark Fork River. Preventing the spread of invasive aquatic plants through cleaning watercraft and preventing aquarium and ornamental pond releases is an important part of protecting Montana’s waters.
RUSH SKELETONWEED
A deep-rooted perennial noxious weed that is very drought resistant and can easily spread from rangeland to cropland. Impacts on rangeland include loss of forage and biodiversity. In croplands like cereal grains and potatoes, rush skeletonweed can reduce production and quality and hamper harvest machinery with sticky latex sap. Rush skeletonweed is very difficult to identify in the field and management can be laborious. It is found mostly in western Montana.
soil erosion. Ventenata has little to no forage
identify. Ventenata is found from northwestern
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
SALTCEDAR
This tall woody shrub establishes in riparian areas and replaces large stands of native cottonwood and willows, reduces wildlife access, increases soil salinity, and has the potential to take up significant amounts of water through a deep tap root. Saltcedar is a drought tolerant species that spreads easily by wildlife and water. When it develops dense stands, it can alter stream channels and floodplains. Saltcedar is found along the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers and tributaries.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
Invasive mussels can have major impacts on Montana’s waters. They disrupt the food chain and impact recreational boating and fishing. Mussels can cause significant damage to infrastructure by clogging pipes used for hydropower, irrigation, and water treatment plants. Zebra mussels are established in the Dakotas and other eastern states. Preventing the spread of invasive mussels by cleaning watercraft and equipment is a top regional priority.
VENTENATA
A noxious winter annual grass that can impact Montana’s native landscapes and degrade rangelands, pastures, and crops by decreasing agricultural production and increasing the risk of soil erosion. Ventenata has little to no forage value and its diminutive stature makes it difficult to identify. Ventenata is found from northwestern through southcentral and southeastern Montana.
INVASIVE SPECIES INVASION CURVE
Preventable: Prevention and early detection programs are low-cost investments to protect Montana from invasive species impacts.
Eradication Possible: With a coordinated and rapid response, eradication can be possible. Financial and programmatic resources must be available to meet the consistent challenges.
Accelerated Impacts: Without swift action, invasive pest populations can grow exponentially and spread fast. Opportunities for eradication are lost when control options become more limited and costs quickly rise.
Widespread Consequences: Once an invasive pest takes hold, it is costly and time-intensive to manage the resulting impacts year after year.
This list was built from invasive species that were suggested during listening sessions and the Invasive Species Summit in 2022. The list is not ranked in any specific order and does not encompass all invasive species.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
Fern McBride, 2024 Montana Conservation intern at work.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
PROTECTING MONTANA TREES AND FORESTS
Invasive tree pests threaten the health of trees and cause billions of dollars in damage across the U.S. each year. These pests, like wood borers, defoliators, and sap feeds, can be transported across state lines in infested plant nursery stock and in solid wood packing material. However, the dominant pathway for movement is firewood.
Invasive pests and their larvae or eggs can be unintentionally transported on firewood when out-of-state visitors and Montana residents returning home bring firewood from another state for use at campsites or homes in Montana.
The 2022 Science Advisory Panel on Firewood recommended to (1) educate front-line partners who interact with nonresident visitors about the threats posed by out-of-state firewood and (2) determine if there are websites Montana could use to effectively promote local businesses that sell firewood.
MISC collaborated with the MT DNRC-Forest Pest Management Program, U.S. Forest Service, and The Nature Conservancy to respond to these recommendations and conduct an outreach program to Montana’s public and private campgrounds to promote the Don’t Move Firewood program.
In 2024 MISC hosted Montana Conservation Corps intern Fern McBride to organize and implement the outreach program. Fern traveled to campgrounds in western and south-central Montana to visit campground hosts about the potential danger of out-of-state firewood, how to communicate that message to campers, and what to do if a camper transports firewood into Montana. Fern provided Buy It Where You Burn It posters to 97 campgrounds in 2024.
While traveling to campgrounds, Fern used the website Stacked.camp to record locations where firewood can be purchased in Montana. This crowdsourced firewood vendor map gives campers the ability to purchase local firewood for use at their campsite. Fern added 80 locations to Montana’s map.
DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD
These actions prevent the movement of tree-killing pests that could destroy forests in the places you love.
• Buy firewood near where you’ll burn it
• Buy certified heat-treated firewood ahead of time
• Gather firewood on site where permitted
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
INVASIVE TREE PESTS
EMERALD ASH BORER Agrilus planipennis
• Not yet detected in Montana but found in nearby states including North Dakota, Oregon, and Colorado.
• Commonly introduced on infested firewood.
• Montana’s community forests are largely composed of ash trees and would be drastically impacted by outbreaks of emerald ash borer. Green ash is one of the few deciduous trees in the woody draws of eastern Montana.
SPONGY MOTH Lymantria
dispar
• Widespread in the northeastern U.S.
• Traps are set throughout the state and periodically catch spongy moths. In 2023, two individual spongy moths (male) were collected in traps in Gallatin and Missoula counties. Surveys yielded no additional moths and therefore they are not considered an established pest.
• Caterpillars feed on more than 300 species of trees, mostly hardwoods, preferring oaks, aspen, basswood, apple, and willow.
WHITE PINE BLISTER RUST Cronartium ribicola
• This fungus is found in locations throughout the western U.S. and Canada, including western and central Montana.
• Affects all five-needle pine species in Montana, including whitebark pine, western white pine and limber pine.
• Whitebark pine is listed as a “threatened” species largely due to white pine blister rust.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
SLUGS & SNAILS WEBINAR
Invasive slugs and snails can cause severe ecological and economical disturbances. MISC partnered with the Washington Invasive Species Council and others to host and present at the 2023 Invasive Snail and Slug Workshop.
This nationwide virtual workshop gave attendees a better understanding of the threats posed by invasive snails and slugs, characteristics to identify non-native species of mollusks, tactics to prevent their movement, and where to report new infestations. Eastern Heath Snails were featured at the event.
ROMAN SNAILS Helix pomatia
The Roman snail is a non-native terrestrial species and the primary snail used for escargot. The iNaturalist reporting app indicates this large land snail had been sighted in Grant Creek near Missoula as far back as 2021.
In 2024, staff from the Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana Department of Agriculture, and interested local landowners joined forces to confirm those observations and to delineate Roman snail populations along Grant Creek. Several snails were collected and euthanized in the early summer of 2024. In late fall MISC organized another group for a snail roundup in the same area where only empty snail shells were discovered.
MISC will continue to support Roman snail education and outreach efforts and assist partners and local landowners with further monitoring.
atina fulica - photo: DG
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
EASTERN HEATH SNAILS Xerolenta obvia
The Eastern Heath Snail (EHS) is an invasive terrestrial snail that can negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health, and commerce. EHS are only found in three locations in North America: Michigan, southern Ontario, and central Montana.
Following the 2020 Eastern Heath Snail Science Advisory Panel, MISC remains engaged with education and outreach efforts regarding this invasive land snail.
In 2023, new detections in Judith Basin County prompted public meetings and expanded education and outreach efforts. MISC worked with CEMIST, USDA-APHIS, MSU and other partners to hold a public meeting in Stanford,
Stakeholders learn about Eastern Heath Snail impacts at meeting hosted by Fergus Conservation District.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
Montana. MISC shared information about EHS at outreach events and in the media.
In 2024, EHS were detected for the first time in Fergus County. MISC worked with CEMIST, Fergus Conservation District, BLM, Montana Department of Agriculture, and other partners to organize a stakeholder response and host a public meeting about this new detection. The Fergus Conservation District took the lead to notify landowners of the detection and to plan and execute integrated control efforts with the help of many nonconventional partners. Treatment activities took place in the late summer and fall of 2024. This population of EHS will continue to be monitored and treated.
Lewistown Fire Rescue conducts a controlled burn as part of EHS treatment.
Snail mortality observed after controlled burn.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
AIS e DNA PANEL
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a tool that can be used to detect aquatic invasive species (AIS). To better understand this emerging technology, MISC collaborated with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to host a panel of experts to explain eDNA and metabarcoding. Panelists were asked to identify the strengths and challenges of using molecular tools for AIS detections.
WATERCRAFT INSPECTOR APPRECIATION
eDNA Panel Speakers
• John Amberg – USGS, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
• Gordon Luikart – University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station
• Taylor Wilcox – U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
The Western Montana Conservation Commission and watercraft inspection station partners held the annual Watercraft Inspector Appreciation Week August 4-10, 2024. MISC staff visited several inspection stations to recognize and applaud the efforts of the watercraft inspection station staff.
WESTERN AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES SHORT COURSE
The Western AIS short course provides aquatic managers, researchers, and landowners an in-person training opportunity to learn AIS identification, prevention, and management strategies. Educational programs like this are critical to promoting partnerships and maintaining effective lines of communication between aquatic resource stakeholder groups, managers, and researchers with the ultimate goal of increasing our intact aquatic ecosystems.
In 2023 and 2024, MISC helped sponsor the Western AIS short course that was hosted by the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension in Missoula.
Watercraft inspectors at Highway 12 inspection station near Helena.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
AIS TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
In 2023 MISC collaborated with education staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) to host an Aquatic Invasive Species teacher training workshop at the FLBS facility on the shores of Flathead Lake. The workshop was funded by an AIS grant awarded to the Lewis & Clark Conservation District.
Teachers from around the state attended the two-day workshop to learn about aquatic invasive species, hear from AIS professionals and researchers, and engage in handson learning. The teachers took home AIS lesson plans developed by FLBS that are suitable for upper-grade-school through high-school-age students.
This workshop provided teachers with a better understanding of the impacts of AIS and the materials they can use in their classrooms to better inform Montana’s youth.
Participants at AIS Teacher Training Workshop on the shore of Flathead Lake.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
MISC SUMMIT NOVEMBER 14, 2024
MISC hosts the Montana Invasive Species Summit every two years. Nearly 100 stakeholders and partners attended the Summit held November 14, 2024, in Helena. Agency partners provided updates on the status of several invasive species in Montana. Guest speakers presented information on invasive species communication, using reporting apps, and climate change impacts on range expansion. The Summit concluded with partners reporting success stories and celebrating partnerships regarding invasive species efforts across the state.
The attendees were asked to identify any gaps or needs for invasive species of concern and to suggest ways to encourage public engagement and increase reports. They also provided ideas to improve the messaging and effectiveness of invasive species education campaigns. The results of these work sessions will be analyzed and incorporated into future efforts by MISC and partners.
PULL YOUR SHARE
The Pull Your Share (PYS) project facilitates teachers and their classes to adopt noxious weed sites at campgrounds and trailheads near their schools. At the weed-pull events, students meet natural resource professionals, learn about the targeted weed, and actively remove the weed as a community service. MISC collaborated with PYS to design the new PYS logo and brochure and to promote the project on a billboard displayed during the summer of 2024.
Billboard near Great Falls.
Partners sharing invasive species success stories at 2024 Invasive Species Summit.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
WOODY INVASIVE SPECIES
Woody invasive species can be detrimental to Montana’s riparian areas, crowding out native plants, reducing wildlife habitat, and influencing fire and flood activities.
Since 2017, multiple efforts have been made to increase collaboration and coordination on woody invasive species management. The pinnacle of these efforts was
WOODY SAP AND ECONOMIC REPORT
MISC funded two Science Advisory Panels on woody invasive species to address Management Best Practices (2023) and Environmental and Economic Impacts (2024). These panels and their resulting recommendations will be critical in the development of the management plan.
MISC also funded an Impact Report on these three focal species, which will address realized and expected impacts to Montana’s economy, agricultural production, natural resources, and more. The report is expected for publication in 2025.
in 2023 when a group of partners secured dedicated funding to drive this coordination. A grant from the Noxious Weed Trust Fund supports the efforts of a Working Group that has been meeting and working toward the development of a statewide management plan for common buckthorn, Russian olive, and saltcedar. MISC has played a key role in reaching this Working Group’s objectives, including assisting in the development of education and outreach materials.
Saltcedar Tamarix chinensis, T. ramosissima. Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia.
Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
FERAL SWINE Sus scrofa
Feral swine can cause severe damage to crops, pastures, and waterways; prey on livestock and wildlife; and transmit diseases to animals and people.
Montana has no confirmed feral swine populations. However, Montana is at risk of feral swine introductions through the natural movement of wild pig populations in Alberta and Saskatchewan and the deliberate introduction or movement by humans.
MISC supports the Montana Department of Livestock’s feral swine education and outreach activities and promotes early detection and reporting of pig sightings.
MISC activities include:
• Hosting the SquealOnPigsMT.gov web page
• Designing and printing the Montana Feral Swine Fact Sheet
• Inviting officials from Saskatchewan (2023) and Alberta (2024) to discuss the status of wild pigs in these provinces
• Sharing feral swine information at outreach events
In 2023, MISC collaborated with partners to hold public meetings along Montana’s Hi-Line communities to discuss feral swine impacts and how to report sightings.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
WORKING ACROSS BORDERS TO ADDRESS FERAL SWINE
Feral swine populations are expanding in the western provinces of Canada and are on the rise in the U.S. The Transboundary Feral Swine Working Group (TFSWG) was formed in 2020 to discuss challenges and opportunities to stop the spread of feral swine along interstate and international borders.
MISC and the Canadian Council on Invasive Species co-host the TFSWG.
The TFSWG collaborates on projects to address mapping standards, provide information at outreach events, and manage the shared U.S.-Canada website SquealOnPigs.com.
2023: MISC received a USDA-APHIS grant to support activities at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit in Boise, Idaho. MISC helped plan the feral swine breakout sessions and took the lead in organizing a oneday Feral Swine Technical Workshop held during the Summit. Managers and industry experts shared successful management strategies; demonstrated detection tools like trail cameras, eDNA, and detection dogs; and discussed trapping systems and methods.
2024: To close out the USDA-APHIS grant, MISC worked with partners to develop the SquealOnPigs.com website to provide a single location for feral swine information and reporting in North America.
David Bergman USDA-APHIS Arizona Director welcomes workshop attendees.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
NAISMA CONFERENCE
The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) provides the support, training, and standards needed by the professional invasive species management community.
MISC hosted the NAISMA Conference in October 2024 in Missoula. The NAISMA Conference brings together invasive species managers, academia, industries, researchers, and government officials from the U.S. and Canada to explore innovative solutions, share knowledge, and provide inspiration in the battle against invasive species.
MISC staff and council members, along with other partners from Montana and Alberta, Canada, helped plan the conference sessions and organize field trips to view on-the-grounds projects.
A grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) covered the conference registration fee for representatives from Montana Weed Districts, Conservation Districts and Extension Agents to attend the workshop.
Conference Highlights
• 459 in attendance
• 114 from Montana
• 4 Countries: United States, Canada, Switzerland, and Australia
• 39 U.S. States
• 4 Canadian Provinces
Grow Wild’s education trailer at the NAISMA Conference.
Invasive Species Mascots at NAISMA Annual Awards Banquet.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
CITIZEN SCIENCE
MISC funded CEMIST to coordinate and host an AIS Citizen Science workshop at Lake Elmo State Park in Billings. CEMIST partnered with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks AIS Bureau and FWP Region 5 staff for the event. This workshop targeted school-age students in grades 5-8 Nearly 100 students attended this workshop, and enough interest was generated that a waiting list was created for future opportunities.
AIS TRAIN THE TRAINER WORKSHOP
MISC funded the Central and Eastern Montana Invasive Species Team (CEMIST) to coordinate and host AIS Train the Trainer workshops in Missoula (2023) and Bozeman (2024).
Natural resource educators attended these free workshops to learn about aquatic invasive species and Montana’s AIS program. Each attendee received an AIS activity trunk with lessons they can incorporate in their educational events.
PET REHOMING EVENT
Aquarium pets released into the wild can become invasive species that negatively impact waterways. In 2024, MISC funded the Invasive Species Action Network (ISAN) to host Montana’s inaugural Aquatic Pet Rehoming Event in Billings in partnership with ZooMontana and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
This event provided rehoming options for pet owners with aquatic and semi-aquatic species.
Students at the Lake Elmo Citizen Science event.
Participants at the Train the Trainer event in Bozeman.
ISAN staff at pet rehoming event in Billings.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES ENGAGED IN 2023-2024
Federal Agencies
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Forest Service
• USDA-APHIS - Wildlife Services
• USDA-APHIS - Plant Protection & Quarantine
• U.S. Geological Survey
• U.S. National Park Service
WHERE MISC WENT IN 2023-2024
Red stars indicate places visited multiple times.
MT State Agencies
• Agriculture
• Commerce
• Disaster and Emergency Services
• Environmental Quality
• Fish, Wildlife & Parks
• Livestock
• Montana Natural Heritage Program
• Montana State University
- Extension
• Natural Resources & Conservation
• Transportation
• University of Montana
• Western Montana Conservation Commission
Tribes
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
• Fort Belknap Indian Community
• Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes
• Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribe
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
Conservation Districts
• Beaverhead CD
• Cascade CD
• Fergus CD
• Judith Basin CD
• Lewis & Clark CD
• McCone CD
• Petroleum County CD
• Missouri River Conservation Districts Council
• MRCDC - CMR Working Group
• Yellowstone River Conservation Districts Council
Conservation Groups
• Central Eastern MT Invasive Species Team - CEMIST
• Clearwater Resource Council
• Flathead Lake Biological Station
• Grow Wild
• Invasive Species Action Network - ISAN
• Montana Association of Conservation Districts
• Montana Biological Weed Control Coordination Project
• Montana Conservation Corps / Big Sky Watershed Corps
• Montana Watershed Coordinating Council
• Montana Weed Control Association
• Sun River Watershed Group
• Yaak Valley Forest Council
Counties & Weed Districts
• Jefferson County
• Missoula County
• Sanders County
• Yellowstone County
Advocacy / Industry Organizations
• Montana Association of Counties
• Montana Farm Bureau Federation
• Montana Grain Growers
• Montana Stockgrowers Association
Regional & International Groups
• Alberta Invasive Species Council
• Canadian Council on Invasive Species
• Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee
• IdaMont Pest Risk Committee
• Invasive Plant Control, Inc.
• North American Invasive Species Management Association
• Northwest Power and Conservation Council
• Pacific Northwest Economic Region
• Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
• The Nature Conservancy
• Transboundary Feral Swine Working Group
• Washington Invasive Species Council
• Western Governors’ Association - Invasive Species Council
• Western Regional Panel on AIS - E/O Committee
• University of Georgia
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
AIS GRANT PROGRAM
MISC, in coordination with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, began overseeing the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant program in 2020. In 2023-2024, 21 grants valued at a total of over $500,000 were awarded to Montana conservation organizations, counties, weed districts, conservation districts, universities, and other organizations. Grants can be used to fund public education or to implement projects to prevent, research, detect, control, or eradicate AIS.
For more information about the grant program, visit:
2023-$250,722 awarded 6 On-the-ground projects funded
On-the-ground projects funded Education and outreach projects funded 2023 $250,722 awarded 2024 $250,722 awarded
3 Education and outreach projects funded
1 Research projects funded
1 Research project funded
6 On-the-ground projects funded
3 Education and outreach projects funded
2024- $250,722 awarded
5 On-the-ground projects funded
4 Education and outreach projects funded
2 Research projects funded
2 Research projects funded
5 On-the-ground projects funded
4 Education and outreach projects funded
Grow Wild AIS education and outreach grant.
MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
MISC COUNCIL MEMBERS
Steve Wanderaas, Chair Conservation Districts
Tom Woolf, Vice Co-Chair Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Jason Allen, Vice Co-Chair Department of Transportation
Jared Beaver Montana State University Extension
Mike Bias Fishing Organization Rep
Dylan Brown Agriculture Rep
Jacob Chadwell Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Jasmine Chaffee Department of Agriculture
Martin Charlo Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Sean Fritzler Crow Nation
Charles Headdress Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes
Dennis Longknife Fort Belknap Indian Community
Jenny Pelej Department of Commerce
Sara Ricklefs Conservation Organization Rep
Paul Rossignol Wildlife Organization Rep
Pam Schwend County Weed Districts
Tracy Tyner Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribe
Andy Welch Hydropower Utility Industry Rep
FEDERAL PARTNERS
Gary Adams
Michelle Cox
USDA - APHIS - PPQ
U.S. Forest Service
Patricia Gilbert Army Corps of Engineers
Monica Pokorny
Nadja Seymore
USDA - NRCS
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Robert Thompson Bureau of Reclamation
Brenda Witkowski
Jessica Zarate
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
MISC Team: Fern McBride, Russ Hartzell, Anna Connerton, & Liz Lodman.
MISC toured flowering rush research at USDA-ARS Lab in Sidney.
MISC toured woody invasive removal project at Two Moon Park in Billings.
Visit misc.mt.gov for more information and to access MISC meeting archives, events, reports, publications, and more.