Canadian Council on Invasive Species |

Invasive species councils, committees, and coalitions representing the majority of provinces and territories in Canada have established as a federal society, the Canadian Council on Invasives Species (CCIS), to work collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries to reduce the impact of invasive species across Canada.

Invasive plant and animal species groups are working in partnership to build upon the lessons learned in each province or territory to improve public awareness of invasive alien species. Detecting emerging invasives early is integral to prevention, as once established, they spread rapidly, causing damage to the environment, economy, and/or human health.

The Invasive Species Council of BC provides support for CCIS meetings and events, with the aim of raising the profile in Canada and to safeguard fragile ecosystems from the immediate threat of invasive alien species.

The CCIS hosted Weeds Across Borders (WAB) in 2014, an international conference covering the interests of professionals and organizations from various jurisdictions across North America with a common interest in sharing information and improving invasive species management, including weeds, throughout North America. The goal of the conference is to provide a forum for educating, sharing and disseminating knowledge about invasive species management (including weed management), regulatory issues and concerns about invasive species spread across and between all jurisdictional boundaries across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

*** View the interactive map below for key contact information and links to CCIS key partners and members, or view/print: CCIS CONTACTS (PDF - as of Oct 2015)

Background

Originally named the 'National Invasive Species Working Group,' this working group formed as a result of a joint meeting early in 2009 where 10 provinces and two territories voiced the desire to share knowledge across Canadian borders, as invasive species ‘know no boundaries.’ Together, members agreed that a national working group would help build bridges across Canada to work together in the battle against invasive species.

CCIS Members and Key Partners

CCIS MEMBERS (in alphabetical order)

Alberta Invasive Species Council

Established in 2004, the Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) is a registered non-profit society that provides leadership and expertise to engage, enable, and empower Albertans to take action on invasive species. Council members share an interest in understanding invasive species issues and fostering viable prevention and management strategies. The AIPC works to increase awareness of the impacts of invasive species in collaboration with stakeholders. For more information, visit AISC.

Government of the Northwest Territories

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources promotes and supports the management and sustainable use of renewable resources, the protection and conservation of the environment and wildlife in the Northwest Territories, including the management of invasive alien species. For more information, visit www.gov.nt.ca

Invasive Species Council of British Columbia

The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is a registered charity that aims to improve the coordinated management of invasive species across the province and beyond borders. The Council works with agencies and residents collaboratively to minimize the environmental, economic, and social impacts of invasive species. The Council works through building collaboration on mutual priorities determined by its diverse membership. The Council’s representative Board of Directors implements members’ key priorities in collaboration with Regional Committees and other partners. For more information, visit ISCBC.

New Brunswick Invasive Species Council

The New Brunswick Invasive Species Council (NBISC) is a collaborative initiative involving a number of agencies formed to address the lack of coordination and understanding associated with invasive species within the province of New Brunswick and across Canada. Their vision is to work together to ensure New Brunswick's environment, economy, and social interests are protected through the prevention, early detection, and education and awareness of invasive alien species. They fulfill this vision through best management practices in order to control and eradicate invasive alien species. For more information, visit weedinfo.ca

Ontario Invasive Plant Council

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council (OIPC) is a non-profit, multi-agency organization founded in April 2007 by a group of individuals and organizational representatives who saw the need for a coordinated provincial response to the growing threat of invasive plants. The OIPC is currently housed within the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, a non-profit, charitable organization providing the OIPC with administrative support and office space in its initial stages. Their purpose is to facilitate a coordinated and effective response to the threat of invasive plants by providing leadership, expertise, and a forum to educate, motivate and empower organizations and citizens. For more information, visit OIPC.

Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council

The Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council is a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and understanding about invasive species and the negative impact they have on PEI’s environmental, economic and social health. The Council, comprised of representatives from various organizations and levels of government, and with the help of the Island Nature Trust, are working towards creating a framework for the management of invasive species on PEI. The Council promotes public awareness through the use of educational tools such as IS publications, workshop presentations and their website, www.peiinvasives.ca.

Québec Interdepartmental Committee on Invasive Species

The Québec Interdepartmental Committee on Invasive Species is an inter-ministry committee that facilitates networking between government ministries and agencies to develop a priority invasive species list, outreach materials, promote research, and a rapid response plan to fight against invasive species. Its purpose is to share information, network, and develop a common vision on invasive species.

Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council

The Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council (SISC) is a not-for-profit association of professionals from federal, provincial, municipal governments, industry and non-government organizations. Council members are knowledgeable on invasive species or their management. The SISC was formed in 2008 to address the lack of coordination and understanding associated with invasive species within the province of Saskatchewan and across Canada. Their vision is to work together to ensure Saskatchewan’s environment, economy and social interests are protected through permanent control and eradication of invasive alien species. For more information, visit SISC.

Yukon Invasive Species Council

The Yukon Invasive Species Council (YISC) is a registered non-profit society formed to prevent the introduction and manage the spread of invasive species in the Yukon. This is accomplished by educating and advising the public and professional about invasive species and their risk to ecosystems and economies; actively collaborating with other jurisdictions; and encouraging, promoting, and supporting research on invasive species. For more information, visit YISC.

CCIS PARTNERS (in alphabetical order)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Mitigating risks to food safety is the CFIA's highest priority, and the health and safety of Canadians is the driving force behind the design and development of CFIA programs. The CFIA, in collaboration and partnership with industry, consumers, and federal, provincial and municipal organizations, continues to work towards protecting Canadians from preventable health risks related to food and zoonotic diseases.

The current and future economic prosperity of the Canadian agriculture and forestry sectors relies on a healthy and sustainable animal and plant resource base. As such, the CFIA is continually improving its program design and delivery in the animal health and plant resource areas in order to minimize and manage risks. In an effort to protect the natural environment from invasive animal and plant diseases and plant pests, the CFIA also performs extensive work related to the protection of environmental biodiversity. For more information about CFIA and invasive species, visit CFIA

Environment Canada

As a result of the national concern over invasive alien species, an Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada was developed and approved by federal, provincial and territorial resource ministers in 2004. The 2005 federal budget provided $85 million over five years to support actions that focused on enhanced preventative measures, including $5 million over five years for the Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program (IASPP). Between 2005 and 2010, 141 projects targeting 277 identified IAS have been funded by the IASPP. For more information on Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada, visit Environment Canada

Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden

The Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden Inc., as part of the University's inclusive community, is a non-profit corporation that creates and inspires understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas to further the Memorial's mission of research, education, and outreach. They also provide information and resources on invasive alien species impacting Newfoundland. Botanical Garden

National Research Council Canada (NRC)

The National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada's premier research and technology organization (RTO). Working with clients and partners, we provide innovation support, strategic research, scientific and technical services. For more information, visit NRC

Note: The list of CCIS members and key partners is growing! The CCIS is building new partnerships that can aid in the national collaborative efforts to manage invasive alien species from coast-to-coast-to-coast! Please contact CCIS for ways you can become involved.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Click on the pie to view contact information for specific provinces and territories.