Welcome to the Invasive Species Centre!
We have a wide range of resources here on our website to help you manage invasive species. Please check out the species profiles, which gives detailed information on common plants, water weeds and pests. Or view our monthly ISC webinar series and events series, which highlights new tools and projects. An easy way for us to stay in touch is through our regular newsletter or news feed. At the Invasive Species Centre, we are fortunate to work with a wide range of wonderful partners. We are always looking for new partners and collaborations, so if you have an idea, we’d like to hear from you at info@invasivespeciescentre.ca.
Sincerely,
Sarah Rang
Executive Director
Who we are
The Invasive Species Centre prevents the introduction and spread of high-risk invasive species in Canada by connecting stakeholders with knowledge and technology.
Incorporated as a non-for-profit in 2011, the Invasive Species Centre is a hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing. The Centre is a respected partner and leader in invasive species science, education, and action.
VISION
A Canada where land and water are protected from invasive species.
MISSION
The Invasive Species Centre connects stakeholders, knowledge and technology to prevent and reduce the spread of invasive species that harm Canada’s environment, economy and society.
VALUES
- Sustainability: Helping natural resources last for future generations
- Collaboration: Drawing on all stakeholders to achieve success
- Credibility: Using a consistent, evidence-based approach
- Professionalism: Maintaining dedication to excellence in management and delivery
- Efficiency: Breaking down organizational silos and reducing overlap
The ISC Team ISC’s Colin Cassin with Dr. Dan Simberloff at ICAIS 2019 in Montreal, Quebec. ISC’s David Dutkiewicz at a Sault Ste. Marie career fair. ISC’s David Nisbet, Rebecca Schroeder, Leah Hodgson, and Deb Sparks at the 2020 Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre SSMARt Innovation Awards. ISC’s David Dutkiewicz and Mackenzie DiGasparro in front of Parliament in Ottawa, Ontario. ISC’s Mackenzie DiGasparro and Lauren Bell at an Outdoors Show in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The ISC team with Beastie the Bug celebrating the 2020 United Nations International Year of Plant Health.
How we do our work
- Build relationships and engage a broad array of stakeholders
- Coordinate and support projects that contribute to invasive species knowledge and management
- Develop capacity to manage invasive species
- Develop actionable recommendations through leadership and long-term agenda-setting
- Identify and fill needs for knowledge, tools, and resources
- Spark and influence public discussion
- Transfer policy and science knowledge to the broader public
The ISC carries out its work by:
Working with experts and stakeholders to help identify priorities and gaps in knowledge, tools, and resources.
Identifying and convening stakeholders and facilitating discussions.
Providing independent analysis for pressing issues.
Leading projects with multiple partners.
Providing seed funding for high-priority projects, and rallying other partners and supporters.
Collecting, consolidating, and disseminating information through the creation of dedicated websites, through regular environmental scanning, and making the outcomes of ISC-funded work publicly available.
Administering and overseeing the selection and delivery of research and on-the-ground projects on behalf of its funders to ensure value for money and alignment of efforts.
The outcomes of our work help to:
Better understand invasive species by generating new knowledge and information on invasive species biology, establishment, and spread.
More rapidly detect, respond to and control invasive species by developing new tools, technologies, methodologies and processes for on-the-ground management by professionals, practitioners and landowners
Build capacity among students and young graduates, and equip them with skills and experience to lead invasive species efforts in the next generation.
Increase awareness among citizens on the harmful attributes of invasive species, encouraging citizen science and community action to prevent and control the spread.
Invasive Species Centre Projects
Policy Support & Invasive Species Management
The Invasive Species Centre works on policy and technical projects to enhance invasive species management. We provide comments on policy changes or new legislation such as the Invasive Species Act, write technical reports such as risk assessments, best management practices and invasive species management plans and provide professional training.
Forest Invasives Canada
Forest Invasives Canada is a resource for technical information on forest pests and pathogens. Forest Invasives Canada consolidates science, practical electronic tools, and information on invasive forest pests. This project is undertaken in cooperation with municipalities, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Natural Resources Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and was funded in part by the Great Lakes Forest Alliance.
Asian Carp Canada
Funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Asian Carp Canada engages environmental professionals and the public about the threat of Asian carps to the Great Lakes. We build practical response tools and provides web resources in French and English. Resources include information on prevention, early detection, and response. Learn more through the website, webinar series, and local events!
Early Detection & Rapid Response Network Ontario
The Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Network Ontario is a citizen science project that was jointly managed by the Invasive Species Centre and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council and funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The EDRR Network trains and equips citizens with the skills and resources needed to detect and prevent invasive species from establishing in Ontario.
International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
The International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) is the most comprehensive international forum to address new and emerging issues related to aquatic invasive species in freshwater, marine and estuarine environments. ICAIS provides an international platform for the presentation of aquatic invasive species research that pertains to species biology, risk assessment, prevention, management and control methods, ecological and ecosystem impacts and restoration, outreach and policy. The Invasive Species Centre has been a secretariat since 2013.
Support Services
The Invasive Species Centre Support Services (ISCSS) project engages our existing expertise and capitalizes on a broad network of practitioners, policy makers, and academics to build strong teams and provide professional services in invasive species prevention and management.
Learn more
Internship and Student Training
The Invasive Species Centre continues to invest in graduate internships and student work placements to build capacity and improve results on invasive species. New talent gains exposure to increased knowledge, skills, and the invasive species community.
Find out more about the Invasive Species Centre
Corporate Social Responsibility
2020 Annual Report
Thanks to our many partners, the Invasive Species Centre had a successful year of growth in invasive species action, outreach, and innovation. We look forward to working with all partners on our common goals to increase invasive species prevention and management.
Sarah Rang
Executive Director