The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) is pleased to celebrate excellence in invasive species prevention and management through the 5th Annual Invasive Species Centre Awards Ceremony. The ceremony took place during the ISC’s annual Invasive Species Forum – Canada’s largest virtual invasive species event.
Invasive species cost Canada billions of dollars each year and are the second most significant threat to biodiversity. Fortunately, local leaders at the Invasive Species Forum and ISC Awards are proving that collaboration is key to tackling this costly issue.
Winners of the 2026 Invasive Species Centre Awards are:
Sandy Smith, University of Toronto, and Rob Bourchier, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada (retired) for the Career Achievement Award | Sandy and Rob are widely recognized for lasting impact and mentorship, leading innovative biological control research, supervising dozens of graduate students, serving in national scientific leadership roles, and shaping the next generation of forest and invasive species professionals.
Cathy Kavassalis and Claudette Sims, Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulations for the Innovation Award | Cathy and Claudette have transformed invasive plant prevention by mobilizing and empowering home gardeners across Canada with science-based resources and advocacy tools, building a volunteer-driven movement that now includes over 100 partner and endorsing organizations.
Fiona Spitzig, City of Edmonton for the Leadership Award | Fiona is recognized for people-first leadership and community empowerment, creating engaging programs, youth and public outreach activities, and neighbour-to-neighbour stewardship initiatives that build lasting awareness and action around invasive plants.
Joel Goodwin, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Services, for the Young Professional Award | Joel is recognized for creative, applied research that improves invasive insect monitoring, including new trap designs and detection methods that are now informing real-world management and eradication efforts.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the people driving progress on invasive species prevention and management at this year’s Invasive Species Forum, where we’ve welcomed more than 1,200 attendees,” says Colin Cassin, Invasive Species Centre Executive Director. “We thank and commend all award winners, nominees, and event attendees for their important work on invasive species. Your actions are protecting natural landscapes from the impacts of invasive species; safeguarding communities, biodiversity, and the economy.”
Session recordings are available on the Invasive Species Centre’s YouTube Channel, and you can learn more about the Invasive Species Centre Awards here.
