Why OIPC Exists
The Ohio Invasive Plants Council is a coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals throughout Ohio concerned about the introduction, spread, and control of invasive, non-native plants in Ohio's natural habitats. OIPC promotes public awareness of invasive species issues and encourages land management and research to detect invasive species and prevent new invasions into natural ecosystems. OIPC was formed as a 501(c)(3)not-for-profit organization in 2005 as a result of efforts in the late 1990's to improve awareness of the threats of invasive plants.
Are you looking for the OIPC List of Invasive Species? Just go HERE to see the OIPC assessment results.
OIPC Annual Meeting was a Success!
OIPC held its 2020 Annual Meeting on Friday, February 21st at a new facility, Eagleview Lodge, at the golf course at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. It is a beautiful facility overlooking the golf course with lots of windows. Close to 100 people attended the meeting. We are grateful for 12 sponsors who supported the meeting, including the Stream & Wetlands Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Davey Resource Group, The Wild Ones, The Conservationist, Five Rivers Metro Parks, Metroparks Toledo, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Listerman & Associates, Geauga County Master Gardeners, Friends of Crowell-Hilaka, and Bluestem Farm. Generous partners like this provide critical support to OIPC and will help to fund our activities in 2020. The meeting had 7 excellent speakers, including Theresa Culley, Eugene Braig, Mark Warman, Sarah Workman, Tziporah Serota, and Olivia Espinoza (see the program HERE). We also presented the OIPC 2019 Award of Distinction to Dr. David Brandenburg from The Dawes Arboretum (see our upcoming newsletter for an article about his accomplishments). We were pleased so many people attended this meeting!
OIPC Co-Hosted the Invasive Plant Symposium at the North Central Weed Science Society Meeting
When: December 13, 2019
Where: Hyatt-Regency Hotel, Columbus, OH
OIPC partnered with the North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS) and the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) to co-host an Invasive Plant Symposium, 9am-3:30pm, as a part of the NCWSS Annual Meeting. The agenda consisted of six speakers, including Jennifer Windus, Steve Hovick, and Mark Brand on relevant invasive plant topics, including regional collaborative efforts, data sharing, control of reed canary grass, and invasiveness of shrubby cultivars.
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OIPC/Franklin SWCD Workshop for Central Ohio was Successful!
When: August 21, 6-9pm Where: Franklin SWCD Offices, 1404 Goodale Blvd, Columbus, OH The second OIPC workshop this year was held at the SWCD office on Goodale Boulevard in Columbus. Similar to the first workshop in Mansfield, there were two speakers from OIPC talking about invasive plants & control methods, as well as recommended alternatives. In addition, information was provided about the Franklin SWCD’s Community Backyards Rebate Program and the Central Ohio Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (CO PRISM). More than 60 people attended, many of which were new to OIPC’s programs. A selection of invasive plant specimens were provided for the attendees to view during a break. Please see the agenda HERE. 
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UPDATE: 38 Invasive Plants Now Regulated by the ODA in Ohio
Tree-of-heaven
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The hearing for the ODA Invasive Plant Rules was held at the Ohio Department of Agriculture's office on November 30th. There were only 3 people providing testimony, Jennifer Windus (OIPC), Theresa Culley (OIPC and University of Cincinnati), and Anthony Sasson (The Nature Conservancy). All three were supportive of the rules, so there was no opposition. The JCARR hearing was held on December 11th and the rules were approved. The new rules went into effect on Jan. 7, 2018, so be sure to watch the ODA website for more details and the final wording of the rules, including the list of invasive plants. ODA will be forming their Invasive Plant Advisory Committee early in 2018.
On January 11, 2018, Jennifer Windus was interviewed by WOSU's Ann Fisher. Listen HERE. Theresa Culley was also interviewed on Cincinnati's WCPO. Watch HERE. |
Ways You or Your Organization Can Help
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Research Needs Identified by Assessment Team
OIPC is collaborating in an effort to assess invasive plants in Ohio. During that process the Assessment Team has encountered a number of important information gaps. Filling these gaps will lead to a better understanding of the invasive potential of particular species. We encourage researchers to help us address these issues. See the Help Answer Research Questions page for detailed questions.