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City of Duluth Announces Collaborative Invasive Species Management Coordinator

The City of Duluth, Minnesota Conservation Partner Legacy, Duluth Community Clubs, the 1854 Treaty Authority, and The Stewardship Network are pleased to announce the formation of the Duluth Collaborative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). Working with funds awarded through the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation's Pulling Together Initiative (NFWF PTI) program, The Stewardship Network has hired a Coordinator, Lori Seele, for the group. Lori has already started working at Duluth City Hall and around the county to help coordinate the fight against invasive species in the area.
  
Lori will rely on all local, private, and public land managers to bring a diverse set of skills, concerns, and resources (tools, funding, volunteers, etc.) in order to accelerate the formation of this new collaborative. The initial objectives of the group are to attract new partners and to get key local stakeholders involved in the creation of a Strategic Plan for the management of invasive species in the area. You can sign up to receive updates and meeting invitations at www.stewardshipnetwork.org/st-louis-cisma

To get this essential conservation work off to a great start there will be a CISMA Partner Meeting at the Central Hillside Community Center (12 E 4th St.) on June 21 from 5:00-6:30 PM. We will share information about the CISMA Model and discuss what being a partner to it looks like. Partnerships are crucial to a successful CISMA and through collaboration in South St. Louis County, we can grow our collective impact to tackle terrestrial invasive species.

"I would like to offer my appreciation for your interest and time spent on your invasive species work in the area. I was born and raised in the Northwoods of Minnesota and am enthusiastic about learning from your successful efforts managing invasive species in our unique ecosystem. I have seen many people expressing interest to help restore and protect our beautiful water and woods. This is a great opportunity!  The time is now.  I look forward to identifying and building the relationships that we need to keep all of our natural areas in balance.  As you’re well aware, invasive species do not care about jurisdictional boundaries.  Feel free to contact me anytime if you want to get involved." -Lori Seele, CISMA Coordinator (lori@stewardshipnetwork.org)

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