Welcome to the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council

This is the gateway to information about invasive species and the efforts to address them in Minnesota. It includes information about MISAC, rankings of invasive species threats to the state, how to identify and report invasive species sightings, informational products, invasive species regulations, contact information for programs and people who work on invasive species, as well as links to select species profiles, and links to other web sites about invasive species.

Group at previous MISAC event
Group at MISAC event in Detroit Lakes

Houndstongue visit with Dan Shaw
Houndstongue site visit

Insect Collection with Dan Shaw
Spotted knapweed biocontrol insect collection

About MISAC

The Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council, a diverse group with a common interest in battling nonnative invasive species in Minnesota was initiated in May 2001. The Council was formed in response to Presidential Executive Order 13112 on invasive species, the National Invasive Species Management Plan, and Minnesota Legislation that encouraged the state to plan and take action on invasive species. An Interagency Exotic Species Task Force, initially formed in 1990, preceded the current state invasive species council.

The council is co-chaired by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and now has 40 members and representatives organization involved in various aspects of invasive species research, prevention, and management.

The purpose of the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council is to provide communication, coordination, and integration among member organizations to implement elements of the Minnesota Statewide Invasive Species Management Plan by:

Promoting communication and cooperation among organizations involved in invasive species issues.
Advocating for research and management for the species and pathways deemed greatest risk.
Coordinating outreach on invasive species (such as the MISAC calendar)
Recognizing outstanding and noteworthy work related to invasive species and encouraging such work through the Carol Mortensen Award
Supporting state-wide and multi-state conferences related to invasive species issues.
Supporting trainings and field visits related to invasive species
Maintaining the MISAC website to help the public locate invasive species resources

These functions support, but do not supersede, the goals and responsibilities of member organizations.

The Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources are responsible for coordinating the management of invasive species in the state. Department of Agriculture staff conduct surveys for invasive pests such as gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, Grecian foxglove, bark beetles, soybean rust, sudden oak death and chrysanthemum white rust disease and also oversee the state noxious weed and seed laws. The DNR is responsible for aquatic invasive species and vertebrate terrestrial invasive species such as zebra mussel, Eurasian water milfoil, flowering rush, curly-leaf pondweed, mute swans, invasive fish and purple loosestrife. See the summary of regulating authorities for various invasive species for more information

MISAC Member organizations include:

Bailey Nurseries

Leech Lake Division of Resource Management

Minnesota Association of County Agricultural Inspectors

Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources

Minnesota Crop Improvement Association

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Minnesota Farm Bureau

Minnesota Forestry Association

Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association