WHAT IS SAGINAW BAY CISMA?
Saginaw Bay CISMA (SB-CISMA) is a framework of collaborative communities working to cooperatively manage the environmental and economic impacts of these invasive species. With the help of our partners - public, private, and non-profit organizations. SB-CISMA fights invasive species by working with the public to educate about, identify, treat, and manage infestations. We provide education to the public on invasive species issues and technical assistance for land managers to treat invasive species using economic and environmentally sound best practice management techniques.
WHY INVASIVE SPECIES?
The Saginaw Bay Watershed is the largest watershed in the State of Michigan and one of the largest freshwater watersheds in the world. Unfortunately, it has also been highly impacted by agriculture, development and invasive species infestations. After habitat loss, invasive species is the largest danger to threatened and endangered species. Much of the Saginaw Bay Watershed that once provided habitat for threatened and endangered species is now unavailable due to the introduction of non-native invasive species. Invasive species cause significant environmental and economic damage throughout the Saginaw Bay area every year.
WHAT IS A CISMA?
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are partnerships of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, individuals, and other groups that manage invasive species (or weeds) in a defined area. These partnerships allow for management and outreach across boundary lines and areas of service of individual partners. There are 22 CISMAs in Michigan, covering every county in the state. Saginaw Bay CISMA was founded in 2017 under the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP), covering 16 counties within the Saginaw Bay Watershed. In 2019, Saginaw Bay CISMA was split into 3 CISMAs: GiLLs CISMA, Central Michigan CISMA, and the new Saginaw Bay CISMA to better serve these areas. Since then, we have been providing invasive species information and partnership opportunities for 6 counties in the Saginaw Bay Region: Arenac, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola. Based out of the Arenac Conservation District, Saginaw Bay CISMA is committed to providing the best invasive species education and management resources to residents of the Saginaw Bay Watershed. |
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