Taking Action from Coast to Coast to Coast! Paula Noel, Secretary CCIS and Barry Gibbs, Executive Director, CCIS

Canadian Council on Invasive Species Background Originally the ‘National Invasive Species Working Group’ Created after a joint meeting in 2009 at the call of ten provinces and two territories ‘Canadian Council on Invasive Species’ (CCIS) established in 2012. Registered as a national Non-Profit. Established in 2012, the Canadian Council on Invasive Species brings together Invasive species councils, committees, provincial governments and coalitions representing the majority of provinces and territories in Canada. This national organization was formed as a result of a joint Canada wide meeting in 2009 along with a key recommendation from the 2012 National Invasive Species Forum to establish a national voice to share and coordinate knowledge across Canadian borders, as invasive species ‘know no boundaries.’

CCIS Partners Working together to improve coordination among provinces and territories across Canada, and beyond borders Nunavut, aB govt, SK

Canadian Council on Invasive Species What We Do Link non-government councils and federal/provincial/territorial governments coast to coast to coast Work on national action plans Focus on pathways (i.e. horticulture, recreational boating) Educational / information sharing events (i.e. forums, Spotters Network training) Improve coordination among provinces and territories across Canada and beyond borders The Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) works collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries to support actions and provide information that can help reduce the threat and impacts of invasive species. National Invasive Species Forums 2014 Weeds Across Borders

National Action Plan The National Invasive Species Action Plan outlines key actions moving forward on the following national priorities: National Network National Communication Strategy National Education and Awareness National Reporting Network: maintaining and strengthening the national network – meeting with federal government leaders to ensure IS issues are recognized as high priority; work towards a North American framework; support and strengthen provincial councils Communication Strategy: a strategy was drafted and presented at the last Canadian IS Forum in February– feedback was substantial and needs to be incorporated Education and Awareness: develop common approaches and programs to address key pathways; develop youth programs and resources for schools as well as Special Projects Reporting – CCIS collects and contributes information used for reporting against Canada’s 2020 biodiversity goals and targets; committed to developing case studies of successful prevention or eradication – “tell the stories”

Three Major Initiatives National Taking Action Horticulture Framework Spotters Network Framework

National Taking Action Plan The National Taking Action Plan outlines the main education and outreach strategies recommended for invasive species management plans across Canada and identifies the following goals and objectives: Canadians adopt new behaviours that block targeted pathways for the introduction and spread of invasive species Consistent messaging and branding across Canada for all programs Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) principles and practices become the cornerstone for development of pathway focused prevention programs

National Taking Action Plan Goals and Objectives (cont’d): Development of a website-based national resource centre highlighting targeted pathways of introduction and spread: Horticulture - gardening, landscaping Recreation - trail-use, hunting, fishing, camping, bicycling Field work and equipment movement Boating and water activities Pet and Aquarium trade Forestry and Firewood In collaboration with key pathway partners and stakeholders CCIS signed a MOU with Minnesota DNR and is now the manager of PlayCleanGo in Canada

National Horticulture Framework The National Horticulture Framework provides guidance in support of the following national goals: Develop and promote partnerships between horticulture/nursery associations and the CCIS Promote branding, information sharing, resource consistency, and standard messaging Educate gardeners, garden retailers, nurseries, growers, landscape industry Develop a national voluntary code of conduct for nurseries and retailers Has been follow up work across country talking with industry to learn which plants are actually still traded today (plant wise program highlights several species not in trade today) General Recommendations (From National Horticulture Framework): • Seek parity in the decisions on which invasive species to list in regional horticultural programs • Encourage all regions use the same logos, format and decision tree for developing and improving upon horticultural programs, i.e. Grow Me Instead guides • Consider implementing a national ‘Be PlantWise’ campaign • Develop and share existing educational resources for professionals and the public • Compile a list of current programs and determine which, if any, currently incorporate curriculum for post-secondary training programs (particularly horticultural, botanical and landscaping programs)

National Spotters Network The National Spotters Network is a framework for a national citizen science program across Canada to identify and report invasive species.   Network Goals: Raise public awareness about invasive alien species Encourage and support the development and promotion of spotters networks in all Canadian provinces/territories Promote unity and coordinate information sharing amongst provincial/territorial spotters networks, and ultimately, Contribute to an increased national capacity for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) Recommended Next Steps: Develop a national database Develop national public awareness campaigns and tools to promote surveillance across Canada

National Invasive Alien Species Workshop CCIS co-organized the National IAS Workshop held on February 25th, 2016 in Ottawa Involved over 60 organizations from across the country Co – hosted with federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) task force – this task force (representing government agencies) developed their own national priorities

National IAS Workshop Outcomes Workshop participants worked together to identify key priority areas, specific actions, key players and desired outcomes to address IAS in Canada. In summary, the top priority areas for immediate action were identified as : 1. Interjurisdictional Coordination and Funding 2. Education and Awareness 3. Emergency Response, Operations and Pathways 4. Coordination, collaboration and strategic partnerships

National IAS Workshop Outcomes Other specific priority actions included: 5. Development of a rapid response fund 6. Permanent establishment of the IAS Task Force 7. Expanding the role of the CCIS 8. Creating and maintaining a network of experts 9. Conducting research to help understand the true socio-economic impact of IAS

Current CCIS priorities Expanding membership Implement Taking Action Plan – National resources addressing pathways Develop funding Coordination / networking

CCIS Executive www.canadainvasives.ca Gail Wallin, CO-CHAIR, CCIS, Invasive Species Council of British Columbia Kellie Sherman, CO-CHAIR, CCIS, Ontario Invasive Plant Council Chet Neufeld, TREASURER, CCIS, Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council Paula Noel, SECRETARY, CCIS, New Brunswick Invasive Species Council Contact us at info@canadainvasives.ca More information on members and key partners available online. www.canadainvasives.ca