NECIS

TEA-21 Reauthorization

This position paper addresses Congressional reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), specifically outlining invasives related problems in the proposed act and providing recommendations to address these shortcomings. Download tea21_102703.doc

Decreasing Ecological Risks Related to International Trade

This NECIS position paper addresses problems associated with invasive alien species and international trade, and includes a number of recommendations for further action. Download necis_trade_1003.doc

Improving Funding to Address Invasive Species

This NECIS position paper addresses problems with federal funding for efforts to combat invasive alien species and includes a number of recommendations for further action. Download necis_funding_1003.doc

Reducing Introductions of Invasive Species

This NECIS position paper addresses means to prevent further introductions of invasive alien species into the U.S. Download necis_prevention_1003.doc

NECIS Mission Statement

This mission statement outlines the purpose and operational guidelines of the National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species (NECIS). Download mission_statement_1003.doc

California Invasive Plant Council

The California Invasive Plant Council was founded in 1992 to bring together land managers and researchers working on invasive plant issues. With 1,000 members statewide, Cal-IPC serves as a professional organization for those in the field and an outreach organization for public education. Basic functions include an annual Symposium, technical publications, field trainings, and an online assessment of invasive plants in the state. Special projects include: partnering with the nursery industry to prevent horticultural introductions of invasive plants; mapping Arundo donax infestations statewide; coordinating aggregation of invasive plant spatial datasets; modeling invasive plant spread; supporting agency coordination and policy development; and organizing advocacy to promote Cooperative Weed Management Areas. Learn more at www.cal-ipc.org.

Defenders of Wildlife

With almost half a million members, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wild animals and plants in their native habitats. Our conservation programs balance policy-making and on the ground field work with a particular focus on endangered species and major predators that serve as indicators for overall ecosystem health. Our work on invasive alien species addresses a range of geographic levels. At the state level, Defenders engages in policy advice and advocacy through our Biodiversity Partners program and on local species management plans. At the national level, Defenders provides input to Congress on pending legislation and to federal authorities on the development and implementation of regulations. At the international level, Defenders focuses on the role of international trade and environmental agreements in preventing the introduction of invasive alien species, as well as on mechanisms to strengthen cooperation among countries to reduce the risks of invasive alien species. For more information on our programs, please visit http://www.defenders.org/habitat/invasive.html or contact invasives@defenders.org.

Ecological Society of America

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of 9,000 scientists founded in 1915 to:
* promote ecological science by improving communication among ecologists;
* raise the public's level of awareness of the importance of ecological science;
* increase the resources available for the conduct of ecological science; and
* ensure the appropriate use of ecological science in environmental decision making by enhancing communication between the ecological community and policy-makers.
Many of ESA’s members use ecological science to address invasive species issues. Invasive species are major agents of global change and can in many cases inflict enormous ecological and economic damage. ESA works with other professional societies, non-governmental organizations, and policy makers to address the mechanisms of invasion, investigate impacts on the economy and environment, and explore workable solutions. Our work takes the form of educational and peer-reviewed publications, stakeholder conferences and briefings, and providing scientific testimony and comments to policy makers. For more information, visit http://www.esa.org or contact Laura Lipps at laura@esa.org.

Environmental Defense

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members. Environmental Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including the right to clean air, clean water, healthy food, and flourishing ecosystems. Guided by science, we work to create practical solutions that win lasting political, economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-effective and fair.

Our invasive species work focuses on getting U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs to effectively target invasives and working with partners to control invasive species in a way that has lasting benefits for the important native ecosystems in which we work. Environmental Defense also works on invasive species policy through our Center for Conservation Incentives and our Back from the Brink campaign. For more information contact Timothy Male, Senior Ecologist, Environmental Defense 1875 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20009; tel: (202) 572-3500 or tmale@environmentaldefense.org.

Environmental Law Institute

ELI’s Invasive Species Project originated as part of the Institute’s larger State Biodiversity Program, a collaborative effort with state and local partners to formulate and implement statewide strategies for biodiversity protection and restoration. Through the Project, ELI has studied and disseminated best practices for combating invasive species throughout the nation. ELI has published numerous studies documenting and analyzing these state tools, as well as some of the federal authorities governing invasive species. These studies include: Halting the Invasion: State Tools for Invasive Species Management (2002); Invasive Species Control: A Comprehensive Model State Law (2004); Filling the Gaps: Ten Strategies to Strengthen Invasive Species Management in Florida (2004); and Making a List: Prevention Strategies for Invasive Plants in the Great Lakes States (2004). For more information, visit http://www2.eli.org/research/statebiodiversity.htm or contact Lisa Goldman at goldman@eli.org.