ORGANIZING IN MISSISSIPPI AND THE MID-SOUTH INVASIVE SPECIES ALLIANCE. John Byrd, Mississippi State University (jbyrd@pss.msstate.edu)

ABSTRACT

We propose to develop an alliance of federal, state, and local government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and concerned citizens focused on the early detection and management of invasive noxious species in Mississippi-the Mississippi Invasive Species Alliance (MS ISA). Also, through funding from the US Geological Survey, we propose to develop and implement a task force of federal, state, and local government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and concerned citizens focused on the early detection and management of invasive noxious species in mid-southern states-The Mid-South Invasive Species Alliance (MSISA). The organization will be tiered, with coordination at both the state and regional level. Our target states include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Mississippi Invasive Species Alliance We propose to develop a Mississippi Invasive Species Alliance with the primary purposes of coordinating existing programs and developing a data-sharing network for the occurrence of invasive species, and secondarily to increase the acquisition of funding and efficiency of fund utilization to deal with Mississippi problem invasive species. We propose a tiered approach, with an Executive Council of decision-makers from major agencies or organizations, a Technical Steering Committee, and an Advisory Committee composed of those interested in participating. The alliance will coordinate the sharing of data, act as a clearing house for locations of invasive species in the region, facilitate information exchange at the appropriate federal level, and act to coordinate funding of regional management efforts.

Executive Council: We propose an Executive Council composed of decision-makers from the major agencies involved in invasive species issues, including federal and state agencies, extension, and nonprofit organizations. The Executive Council will act upon the recommendations of the Technical Steering Committee.

Technical Steering Committee: The Technical Steering Committee will be the workhorse of the MS ISA, with representation from federal and state agencies and nonprofit organizations. The chairs of the Executive Council and Advisory Committee will be ad hoc members of the TSC.

Advisory Committee: The Advisory Committee will be open to all interested persons in Mississippi, and allows access to information, coordination, and an opportunity to participate in decisions on priorities. The Advisory Committee will meet at least once per year. At other times, information will be disseminated to the Advisory Committee e-mail list.

The Mid-South Invasive Species Alliance The development of the Mississippi ISA is the foundation of constructing a regional Invasive Species Alliance for the Mid-South. The MSISA will be composed of individual state ISA groups that select representation along the same format as presented above. The primary purpose of MSISA is to develop a data-sharing network for the occurrence of invasive species, and secondarily to increase the acquisition of funding and efficiency of fund utilization to deal with mid-south problem invasive species. We anticipate a tiered approach, with coordination at both the state and regional level. The MSISA will also have tiered participation, each having an executive council of decision-makers from each state, a technical steering committee, and an advisory council composed of those interested in participating. While MSU will act to coordinate early formation and serve as the data clearinghouse and GIS center, the task forces will be self-governing. The MSISA will coordinate the sharing of data, act as a clearing house for locations of invasive species in the region, facilitate information exchange at the appropriate federal level, and act to coordinate funding of regional management efforts.

Intended Participants:
Federal agencies: USDA, USGS, USFWS, USFS, USACE, and others
State agencies (agriculture, natural heritage, natural resources) from AL, AR, LA, MS and TN
Local agencies at the county and municipal level
Nongovernmental organizations such as Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and others

Point of Contact: Dr. David Shaw, GeoResources Institute, Box 9652, Mississippi State, MS 39762-9652. dshaw@gri.msstate.edu