Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative
Addressing a large-scale regional issue such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites requires broad cross-sector coordination. Little progress is made and cost efficiencies are reduced when each entity works independently. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a regional level with a common agenda and goals to maximize impact and investment using an adaptive management approach. The Collaborative promotes network building among managers, governmental agencies, private landowners and scientists and serves as a resource center for information on Phragmites management and research.
Since its formation in 2012, the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative (GLPC) has served as a communication hub via an interactive website (GreatLakesPhragmites.net), a webinar series, a listserv, and social media to facilitate access to information and resources. The site links to or describes many products, including plant identification tools, over 35 downloadable webinars, a 750+ member list server, and a map of Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas. The GLPC has a steering committee, advisory committee, and working groups of professionals organized by topic (management, research, communication, etc.) who are guiding the development of products and projects.
The project responded to partner and stakeholder needs by developing a Pragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) that aims to improve Phragmites management at local and regional scales, increase management effectiveness and efficiency, and reduce treatment uncertainty. The PAMF program is early in its implementation but has already generated significant outputs and outcomes. There are over 50 participants from 8 states and 1 province that enrolled 130 management units in the program. More participants are joining each month as visibility to the program increases and the value of data-driven management guidance is realized.
Addressing a large-scale regional issue such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites requires broad cross-sector coordination. Little progress is made and cost efficiencies are reduced when each entity works independently. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a regional level with a common agenda and goals to maximize impact and investment using an adaptive management approach. The Collaborative promotes network building among managers, governmental agencies, private landowners and scientists and serves as a resource center for information on Phragmites management and research.
Since its formation in 2012, the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative (GLPC) has served as a communication hub via an interactive website (GreatLakesPhragmites.net), a webinar series, a listserv, and social media to facilitate access to information and resources. The site links to or describes many products, including plant identification tools, over 35 downloadable webinars, a 750+ member list server, and a map of Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas. The GLPC has a steering committee, advisory committee, and working groups of professionals organized by topic (management, research, communication, etc.) who are guiding the development of products and projects.
The project responded to partner and stakeholder needs by developing a Pragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) that aims to improve Phragmites management at local and regional scales, increase management effectiveness and efficiency, and reduce treatment uncertainty. The PAMF program is early in its implementation but has already generated significant outputs and outcomes. There are over 50 participants from 8 states and 1 province that enrolled 130 management units in the program. More participants are joining each month as visibility to the program increases and the value of data-driven management guidance is realized.