Invasive species pose a threat to Michigan's environment, economy, and sometimes even human health. What is at stake? What is being done? This webinar series will explore how agencies, universities and locally led organizations are working together to protect Michigan's natural resources through the Michigan Invasive Species Program.
If you are concerned about the impacts of invasive species or interested in the techniques used to control them, join us as we examine species-specific actions, innovations in research and technology, and programs designed to help communities prevent and manage harmful invasive species. A question and answer period will follow each presentation.
All recordings are approximately 1 hour long, unless otherwise stated.
In 2024, Michigan’s Invasive Species Program began assembling a team to focus on emerging populations of new invasive species and tree diseases on state lands.
Today, four foresters and two wildlife biologists are hard at work detecting and managing watch list and high priority invasive species on 4.6 million acres of state forests, parks, recreation areas and game and wildlife areas.
Join Michigan’s Invasive Species Response Team forester Gwen Grochowski and wildlife biologist Natalie Bekins to find out how their team’s efforts to detect and manage invasives are protecting critical habitats in your favorite outdoor places.
Invasive mussels not only foul docks and props and cut your feet, they also attach to native mussels, preventing movement, feeding and reproduction. In essence, zebra and quagga mussels are smothering Michigan’s native mussels.
Michael Hillary, fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is seeking ways to protect the small, fragile populations of our native filter feeders.
Join him to discover what he’s learned working with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to sift through decades of data, locate healthy native mussel populations and field test management strategies to protect them.
Holiday Hitchhikers: Unpacking Pests in Christmas Trees (recorded 11/12/25, 61 min)
Every holiday season, millions of Christmas trees are cut and shipped around the country to become centerpieces for family celebrations – but some come with more than just festive cheer. Spongy moth and balsam woolly adelgid are two invasive Christmas tree pests on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s naughty list. MDARD’s Amber Neils and Lindsay Patrick will discuss the status of these two insects in Michigan, their biology, the risks they pose, and how the department’s Christmas Tree Inspection and Certification Program helps Michigan tree farms spread holiday cheer without the risk of spreading invasive species.
“Hold the invasives, please!” Certified Invasive-free Products are Coming to Michigan (recorded 10/30/25, 59min)
Have you’ve ever landscaped with “clean” fill or gravel and ended up with a weed patch, or purchased mulch that took on a life of its own? If so, you might be interested in Michigan’s new voluntary, invasive-free certification program. Join Vicki Sawicki, program coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources, to learn how she’s building relationships with producers of gravel, fill, mulch, compost and firewood who want to provide clean options for their customers. Invasive plants, insects and even tree diseases can be moved to new places on firewood and landscape materials. Learn more about when and where you can find certified products and how purchasing these can ensure that what you bring home is clean and invasive-free.
Something Strange in Your Neighborhood? Who Ya Gonna Call? (recorded 9/23/25, 58 min)
Call your local invasives-busters, of course! Michigan’s cooperative invasive species management areas are here for you, providing guidance and assistance in busting invasive species across the state. Whether it’s harmful plants in a local bird sanctuary, wild parsnip along the North Country Trail or aggressive flowers in a backyard garden, CISMAs are here to help! Join Shikha Singh of Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw CISMA, Zach Peklo of North Country CISMA and Evan Chalmers of Three Shores CISMA to hear about managing invasive species in important places and how these efforts build valuable relationships within communities. You’ll learn who to call when you need invasive species help, and you might even get to see their cool backpack sprayers!
They’ll need that hug: How climate change is increasing native and invasive threats to Michigan’s trees (recorded 8/27/25, 60 min)
Invasive insects and diseases, including hemlock woolly adelgid, beech bark and beech leaf disease, are taking a toll on Michigan’s forests. As if this weren’t enough, the changing climate is further stressing trees and may lead to greater impacts by both invasive and native insects and diseases. Join forest entomologist Erin Biggs and forest pathologist Simeon Wright of the Department of Natural Resources to learn more about these emerging issues, how they are being addressed, and which may have the biggest impact on Michigan’s forests and urban landscapes.
Spotting the Spotted Lanternfly: What to Know and What You Can Do (recorded 7/29/25, 60 min)
Invasive spotted lanternfly, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, is now present in at least 18 eastern U.S. states. In Michigan, localized spotted lanternfly infestations in four southeastern counties are expected to build and spread, especially in areas where invasive tree of heaven, the insect’s preferred host, occurs. Deborah McCullough, professor of forest entomology at Michigan State University, will cover spotted lanternfly’s life stages, tree of heaven identification and spotted lanternfly’s impacts on trees and people. Options for managing spotted lanternfly, if or when it arrives in your neighborhood, will be included.
Digging in: Michigan’s Unconventional Response to Hydrilla (recorded 6/25/2025, 60 min)
Hydrilla is known as one of the most difficult aquatic invasive plants to control. When it was found for the first time in Michigan in September 2023, the Michigan Invasive Species Program chose to take decisive action to eradicate it. Project lead Billy Keiper of EGLE’s Water Resources Division will walk through the response effort from detection to the recent excavation of two private ponds. Learn why and how this extraordinary effort was undertaken and the deliberation, planning and cooperation that made it possible.
What Lies Beneath: Detecting Invasive Plants in Michigan Lakes (recorded 5/28/25, 61 min)
Often, invasive aquatic plants exist unseen, lurking and spreading below the waterline until they’ve grown into a major problem. Fortunately, a trained eye can find these invaders before they wreak havoc. That’s where the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program’s Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch comes in! Join Erick Elgin and Jo Latimore from Michigan State University Extension as they reveal the training and tools available to help volunteers detect and track these underwater invaders. Hear firsthand from dedicated volunteers who have made surprising discoveries in the lakes they cherish. Whether you’re a seasoned lake steward or just getting started, this webinar will inspire you to take a closer look beneath the surface!
Now you see me, now you don’t! The trick of finding and managing invasive lesser celandine (recorded 3/27/2025, 60 min)
In 2024, lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), a spring ephemeral plant found in forest floodplains, was added to Michigan’s watch list. With this plant, timing is critical; it appears very early in spring and hides underground well before summer’s heat begins.
Learn about the impacts, identification and management strategies for lesser celandine from Katie Grzesiak, terrestrial invasive species coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources. You’ll finish prepared to become a spring lesser celandine spotter on your next outdoor adventure.
Road trippin’: How MDOT manages Michigan’s highways (recorded 2/25/25, 62 min)
Picture it – you’re driving along I-75 on a Friday afternoon, either heading out on a vacation or heading home for the weekend. The sun is shining, the air is warm, and traffic is moving. Life is good – But do you notice what’s happening in the landscape around you? Is the grass mowed along the highway? What kinds of plants are growing? Is litter strewn about? If you suddenly got a flat tire, would you have a spot to pull over? Join us as we talk with Carla Ahlschwede of the Michigan Department of Transportation to learn more about how they keep our highways safe and the role MDOT plays in Michigan’s Invasive Species Program by keeping the rights-of-way clear of invasive species.
Don’t let it loose! Protecting Michigan’s waterways from pesky pets and plants (recorded 1/14/25, 58 min)
Aquariums and water gardens provide peace and serenity to homes and public spaces; however, they also are home to non-native animals and plants that don’t belong in the wild. Since 2015, Michigan State University Extension has been empowering aquarium and water garden retailers to make sound stocking decisions and to share the “don’t let it loose” message with their customers through the Reduce Invasive Pet and Plant Escapes (RIPPLE) campaign. Join Paige Filice, natural resources educator and associate director of the MSUE Center for Lakes and Streams to learn about the pet and garden trade and how the “don’t let it loose” message is being promoted through surrender events and partnerships with leading retailers and conservation organizations.
Beauty or beast? Tackling invasive Himalayan balsam in the Upper Peninsula (recorded 11/20/24, 60 min)
Invasive Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) isn’t well known across Michigan, but it has been detected in isolated regions of the Upper Peninsula. With showy, orchid-like blooms and high nectar volume, this plant is attractive to both humans and wildlife, so what’s the problem? Join Nick Cassel, Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council director, Elise Desjarlais, Lake to Lake CISMA coordinator, and Michael Hindy, Three Shores CISMA coordinator, to find out why Himalayan balsam is such a concern, what's being done to manage it, and what landowners can do to help.
Getting down to the nitty gritty: Oak wilt spread and vector behavior research in Michigan (recorded 10/29/24, 60 min)
Oak wilt is an invasive fungal pathogen that spreads underground through interconnected roots and also above ground by beetles that carry, or vector, the pathogen. Nitidulid beetles, also called sap beetles, act as oak wilt vectors. They are attracted to sap from fresh wounds on trees which become entry points for the fungus. Knowing exactly when these beetle vectors are active in the spring and summer can determine the “no pruning” season recommended to protect oaks. Join Dr. Tara Bal and Katie Bershing from the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University as they explain how to identify and prevent oak wilt and share results from their ongoing research into oak wilt vector behavior in northern Michigan.
See it. Squish it. Report it. What you need to know about invasive spotted lanternfly (recorded 7/17/24, 60 min)
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect that has spread throughout the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest since its discovery in central Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted lanternfly damages plants directly while feeding and excretes honeydew that can foul surfaces and attract other pests. Infestations in both rural and urban areas can be a significant nuisance to the public. Join the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Robert Miller and Lindsay Patrick to learn about spotted lanternfly and why it’s important for Michiganders to “See it. Squish it. Report it.”
Invading Classrooms: Empowering Students to Take Action on Invasive Species (recorded 6/25/24, 56 min)
If you’re looking for a successful model for infusing invasive species education in the classroom, Lake Superior State University’s Beth Christiansen has one. “Invading Classrooms and Communities” brings together students, teachers, natural resource mentors, and staff from LSSU’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education to conduct hands-on research into local invasive species issues. Join Christiansen to learn how this collaboration has fostered local, student-led stewardship projects to raise awareness and inspire action in communities across Northern Michigan.
A Herculean Task: Containing the First Hydrilla Infestation in Michigan (recorded 5/21/24, 56 min)
The mythic Hydra was a water serpent that sprouted two heads for every one cut off. In a similar fashion, hydrilla - said to be the most invasive aquatic plant in the world - can grow new plants from stem fragments, making it a formidable challenge to control. That challenge now faces Michigan, where hydrilla was recently detected for the first time. Join Billy Keiper from EGLE Water Resources Division to find out why hydrilla is such a threat, how the Michigan Invasive Species Program is working to eradicate it, and what you can do to help identify and report it.
Untangling the Knot: Identifying Effective Detection and Treatment Regimes for Invasive Knotweeds (recorded 4/11/24, 60 min)
Invasive knotweeds are a growing problem throughout Michigan. In the Upper Peninsula, a collaborative effort is underway to find the best methods for detecting and managing these aggressive plants. Dorthea Vander Bilt of Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Sigrid Resh of the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area and MTU, and Matt Watkeys of Alger Conservation District will share the results of their recent research. The team studied various chemical, manual and integrated control methods on Japanese, Bohemian and giant knotweed species and employed remote sensing to detect and prioritize knotweed populations across the landscape.
I Wash My Bottom, Do You? Engaging the Boating Industry in AIS Prevention (recorded 3/21/24, 36 min)
In 2021, the Michigan Boating Industries Association got on board with state efforts to help boaters understand their role in stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. With help from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, MBIA launched its Boaters Prevent AIS Initiative. Join MBIA’s Amanda Wendecker to learn how an industry push, along with an eye-catching campaign has helped engage thousands of boaters across the state. After registering, you will receive an email from "EGLE Outreach" with a link for you to use to join the webinar.
What’s the damage? Ecology and Effects of Invasive European Frog-bit in the St. Marys River (recorded 2/07/24, 61 min)
European frog-bit was first detected in southeast Michigan in 1996 and has since spread along the coastal areas of lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan and to some inland lakes. Kevin Kapuscinski, associate professor and assistant director of research at Lake Superior State University's Center for Freshwater Research and Education, has been studying the aquatic invasive plant and its effects on native ecosystems and water quality since 2019. He will share what’s been learned about plant reproduction, removal efforts and impacts based on research in the St. Marys River in the Upper Peninsula.
Dirt Never Hurt, but Invasive Species Do – Engaging ORVers to Stop Invasive Spread (recorded 1/23/24, 58 min)
In the off-roading world, a muddy 4x4 is a badge of honor, but dirt, mud and trail debris also can carry invasive plant fragments and seeds from one beautiful landscape to another. When the North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area staff set their sights on educating motorized trail users about the importance of cleaning their vehicles, the question was, “How?” Vicki Sawicki, NCCISMA program coordinator, and technician Zach Peklo will share some unique approaches to reaching this transient and fast-moving audience and helping them embrace the beauty of clean rides.
