Nebraska Invasive Species Council

The purpose of the Nebraska Invasive Species Advisory Council is to coordinate invasive species management and research across the State of Nebraska for the prevention and detection of invasive plant and animal species. Through a coordinated and well informed effort, we intend to provide land managers with the information needed to utilize funding and resources more effectively and efficiently. Our goal is to minimize the effects of harmful invasive species on Nebraska's citizens and ensure the economic and environmental well-being of the state.

In April 2012, legislation was passed to formally create the Invasive Species Council under LB 391. The entire piece of legislation can be viewed at the Nebraska Legislature Website (beginning on page 2, section 11)

Council Membership

Voting members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor and shall include a representative of:

(a) An electric generating utility;
(b) The Department of Agriculture;
(c) The Game and Parks Commission;
(d) The Nebraska Forest Service of the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources;
(e) The University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
(f) The Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit of the University of Nebraska;
(g) The Nebraska Weed Control Association; and
(h) The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts.
(3) Voting members of the council shall also include up to five members at large appointed by the Governor who shall represent public interests, at least three of which shall represent agricultural land owner interests.

Nonvoting, ex officio members of the council shall include a representative of:
(a) The Midwest Region of the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior;
(b) The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture;
(c) The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture;
(d) The United States Geological Survey; and
(e) The Nature Conservancy, Nebraska Field Office.

The responsibilities of the council shall be to:

(1) Recommend action to minimize the effects of harmful invasive species on Nebraska’s citizens in order to promote the economic and environmental well-being of the state;
(2) Develop and periodically update a statewide adaptive management plan for invasive species as described in section 15 of the legislation;
(3) Serve as a forum for discussion, identification, and understanding of invasive species issues;
(4) Facilitate the communication, cooperation, and coordination of local, state, federal, private, and nongovernmental entities for the prevention, control, and management of invasive species;
(5) Assist with public outreach and awareness of invasive species issues; and
(6) Provide information to the Legislature for decision making, planning, and coordination of invasive species management and prevention.

The adaptive management plan required under section 14 of the legislation will address the following:
(1) Statewide coordination and intergovernmental cooperation;
(2) Prioritization of invasive species response and management;
(3) Early detection and prevention of new invasive species through deliberate or unintentional introduction;
(4) Inventory and monitoring of invasive species;
(5) Identification of research and information gaps;
(6) Public outreach and education;
7) Identification of funding and resources available for invasive species prevention, control, and management; and
(8) Recommendations for legislation regarding invasive species issues.

Meetings:

Currently, meetings are held the 2nd Friday of each month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. If interested in attending, please contact Karie Decker (kdecker4@unl.edu or 402-472-3133) for location information and an agenda.

Next Meeting:

Friday May 11, 2012

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

901 Hardin HallEast Campus University of Nebraska - Lincoln