Invasive Species Centre

Biological control of introduced Phragmites australis in Ontario
2026-04-07 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Online
Presented by Dr. Ian Jones, Research Associate in the Smith Forest Health Laboratory at the University of Toronto
Introduced Phragmites australis (hereafter Phragmites) is one of the most invasive plants in North America. Classical biological control represents an affordable, and host-specific option to supplement existing management approaches. Dr. Jones will outline the process by which candidate biological control agents are selected, screened for host specificity, and released in their introduced range and provide an update of the Phragmites biological control program in Ontario, and the plans for its expansion.

2026 AIS Short Course
2026-04-29 - 2026-04-30 | Exploration Center in Missoula, Montana
Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension is excited to be hosting the 2026 Aquatic Invasive Species Short Course!
The course will be held at the Exploration Center in Missoula, Montana on April 29th and 30th.
Join us in beautiful Missoula for two full days of hands-on workshops, panels, speaker sessions, and demonstrations!

2026 IAGLR-SCAS-SCSA Joint Conference
2026-05-25 - 2026-05-29 | Winnipeg, Manitoba
You’re invited to the joint conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research and the Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences—where global research on the world’s large lakes meets Canada’s rich tapestry of aquatic systems, from rivers and lakes to oceans and groundwater. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and advance our knowlege across scales and borders.
The conference theme—Connected Waters: Bridging Communities & Ideas—reflects our commitment to fostering dialogue across scientific, Indigenous, and local knowledge systems. It recognizes that healthy waters are sustained through relationships among diverse communities, disciplines, ecosystems, and ways of knowing, and it underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing aquatic challenges across Canada, the Great Lakes, and beyond.
Hosted by the IISD Experimental Lakes Area, the conference will be hybrid, so if you can’t make it to Winnipeg in person, you’re welcome to join us online. We hope to see you May 25–29, 2026.

Invasive Species Awareness Fair
2026-05-30 | Erindale Park, Mississauga, Ontario
Join us at the Invasive Species Awareness Fair where you’ll meet environmental experts and some very special four-legged guests: a team of goats helping to clear invasive plants naturally! Residents will learn how to detect, report and protect Mississauga’s green and natural spaces while enjoying free activities on-site

PlayCleanGo Awareness Week 2026
2026-06-06 - 2026-06-13 | Online
PlayCleanGo® Awareness Week, taking place June 6-13, 2026, across North America. This annual campaign brings together outdoor enthusiasts, land managers, and partners across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—including Invasives Canada and CONABIO—to help prevent the spread of invasive species.
This year’s theme, “We protect the places we love,” highlights the simple actions we can all take to care for the lands and waters we enjoy. Wherever we go, we all play a role in protecting these places for future generations.

Webinar: Kowabdanawa odë kė: Preventing and Preparing for Invasive Species on Pokagon Lands
2026-06-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
The emerald ash borer decimated the ash population across the state. For the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Southwest Michigan, this meant the loss of mature black ash trees, culturally important for traditional basket making. Since then, many new invasive species have emerged that could cause harm to culturally significant trees in the tribe’s service area in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. Join Vic Bogosian, Natural Resources Manager for the Pokagon Band’s Kowabdanawa odë kė (‘They watch over this land’) to learn how they are taking a proactive approach, including education, tree surveys and response planning, to prepare for Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, and beech leaf and beech bark diseases.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Management Training for Practitioners
2026-06-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Rd. Hamilton ON)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Rd. Hamilton ON)

Paid parking applies

For working conservation professionals who are either dealing with or preparing for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on their property
Please come dressed for the weather. This program includes both an indoor and field portion. The outdoor portion will occur rain or shine, unless severe weather (thunderstorm) suspends the field portion

What you will learn:

The ecological importance of Eastern Hemlock and the imminent threat of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)
HWA’s lifecycle and mechanisms of spread
HWA identification both in-person and in the field
How to develop an HWA survey program and examine different sampling techniques
Treatment options available in Ontario

By attending this event, you’re helping support the protection of Eastern Hemlock at RBG

24th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
2026-08-23 - 2026-08-27 | Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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 (AIS) in freshwater, marine and estuarine environments.
ICAIS provides an international platform for the presentation of research to advance global action to limit the introduction and spread of AIS worldwide and serves as a catalyst for international collaboration on research and management projects.

5th International Congress on Biological Invasions
2026-09-01 | Perth, Western Australia
From Threats to Solutions: Advancing Biosecurity

Postponed to September/October 2026
Perth, Western Australia

Neobiota 2026, the 14th International Conference on Biological Invasions
2026-09-07 - 2026-09-11 | Brussels Belgium
The International Neobiota conference is an initiative from Neobiota, the European Group on Biological Invasions.
It is part of a well-established biennial series that brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world to share cutting-edge scientific research on biological invasions.
This year, the conference features a rich programme including Thematic and General Sessions, keynote speakers, poster and oral presentations, and a field trip.
Neobiota 2026 also welcomes the final event of the LIFE RIPARIAS project, which focuses on transitioning from data to management of biological invasions.

2026 Annual Meeting of the Western Regional Panel
2026-09-23 - 2026-09-25 | Sacramento, California
Join us for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Sacramento, CA. Our theme “Sustaining Successful Aquatic Invasive Species Management” will drive the meeting content. The meeting is hosted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Please check this page frequently as new information will be posted as it becomes available.
The current draft agenda is now available HERE. The agenda is still subject to change, and the most current agenda will be updated here.

2026 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
2026-10-06 - 2026-10-08 | La Crosse Convention Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin
The Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC) is a biennial conference that addresses all taxa of invasive species. In 2026, UMISC will celebrate 18 years of connecting the invasive species management, research, and policy community. The goal of UMISC is to strengthen management of invasive species, especially prevention, control, and containment. There have been great strides in invasive species research, prevention, and management, but much work still must be done. The conference provides numerous opportunities to network with professionals, land managers, researchers, nonprofits, and others.

The 2026 NAISMA Annual Conference
2026-10-19 - 2026-10-22 | Alexandria, Virginia
NAISMA’s 2026 Annual Conference will take place at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, just minutes from Washington, D.C. This event brings together invasive species management professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers from across North America to share ideas, innovations, and strategies for protecting natural ecosystems.

Forest Health Review
2026-10-27 - 2026-10-28 | Barrie, Ontario
Mark Your Calendars for the upcoming Ontario Forest Health Review.

This annual event brings together forest resource managers, foresters, ecologists, conservation authorities, pest management companies, academics, municipalities, and others interested in forest resource management.
Covering important topics about the current state of Ontario’s forests, the event highlights the latest information on forest health conditions, forest invasive pests, current and upcoming forest pest management programs, and the current year’s research results.
The Ontario Forest Health Review returns this year to celebrate its 50th year through partnership with Natural Resources Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Invasive Species Centre, and Forests Canada.
