Baby's Breath (Gypsophila scorzonerifolia) is invasive on Michigan's coastal dunes

Invasive Species Network
The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) was founded through the merger of the Grand Traverse Regional Invasive Species Network and the Northwest Michigan Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) in 2012. ISN works directly with over 40 partners in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee Counties to manage populations of invasive species that threaten northwest Michigan’s high-quality natural areas. It is currently funded through grants from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the US Forest Service (USFS), and the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP). For more information check out their website!

So Much Information, Where Do I Start?
If you have something on your property that you think is invasive, we can point you in the right direction. The websites and materials below will help you identify mysterious plants, insects, tree diseases, critters, etc. and help determine if it is or will become invasive. 
​
What Is an Invasive Species?
1.    Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and
2.   whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or            environmental harm or harm to human health.
3.   Plants, animals, insects and even tiny microbes can be considered  invasive.

Why should we be concerned about Invasive Species?
Invasive species threaten the biodiversity and health of the ecosystems they invade. They negatively impact ecosystems because they displace native species, reduce native wildlife habitat, reduce forest health and productivity, alter ecosystem processes, and degrade recreation areas.  

---

Michigan Invasive Species Resources

Visit the new invasive species website for the state of Michigan!

​Report or track invasive species through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN)!

Visit the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network site!

Invasive Plants Alternative to Herbicides...download publication here!

---

Michigan's Invasive Species WATCH LIST
Species on the watch list have been identified as being an immediate and significant threat to Michigan's natural resources. These species either have never been confirmed in the wild in Michigan or have a limited known distribution. If you think you have found any of these species in Michigan, please report the occurrence via the methods given below by clicking on an individual species photo.