California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC)

Conservation science: cal-ipc supports the state's land managers in effective stewardship. We maintain tools, such as the inventory of Invasive plants in California and calweedmapper, that provide important information on the risks and spatial distribution of Invasive Plant species. We are producing best management practices guidance on controlling Invasive plants, resulting in the new weedcut online tool hosted by the university of California agriculture and natural resources. We conduct research on the impacts of Invasive plants to rare native plants, including the role of climate change, to help land managers set priorities. To help managers get ahead of the game with new weeds, we lead an effort with colleagues in Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington to proactively evaluate the risk of plants becoming Invasive in the future. Where we can add value, we step in to provide coordination for regional implementation projects, such as the Invasive spartina project in san francisco bay.

Policy: cal-ipc works in sacramento to strengthen state Invasive Plant programs. One focus is securing funding for collaborative Invasive Plant management performed by county weed management areas (wmas). We also track bills in the legislature that are relevant to effective land stewardship, working with authors and committees to amend language as needed. The state's interagency Invasive species Council and its advisory committee were created via legislation sponsored by cal-ipc, and we actively track and support their efforts. At the regional and national level, cal-ipc works with other states on issues of common interest, such as federal funding and Invasive Plant assessment.

Education: cal-ipc supports the state's land managers in effective stewardship and seeks to expand and diversify the conservation field. We provide trainings for conservation corps members and participate in an ecological workforce development effort as part of the California biodiversity network. Over 600 people attended our 2023 symposium, with three days of presentations, trainings, and discussion groups.