The Lake to Lake Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (L2L CISMA) is a multi-agency and multi-community group created in 2008. We aim to provide long-term protection of a variety of habitats by reducing the threat from non-native and invasive plant species through coordination of efforts among partners to educate the public, survey and research invasions, and provide opportunities for on-the-ground invasive plant removal and other management actions. Formerly the Central Upper Peninsula Cooperative Weed Management Area, our goals have remained the same: to maintain and restore native habitats throughout the central Upper Peninsula counties of Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft and Marquette. There are a total of 28 partners in our CISMA including local, state and federal governmental agencies, non-profits, and businesses. 

As one of the many threats to native ecosystems, invasive species are a large concern. They tend to displace the native plants that have evolved to grow in our local climate, and contribute to a lack of biodiversity. 

Here is a list of the top invasive species to be on the lookout for in Marquette County:
​
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Non-native Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
European Swamp Thistle (Cirsium palustre)
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

While this is not a complete list of our species of concern for L2L CISMA, these are some major species to be on the lookout for. If you have seen these, know of an area that has them growing, or want more information, there are a few steps to take:
1. Report any sighting to MISIN, a wonderful citizen science tool to share information on invasive species.
2. Call us! We have many tools and resources to share with you!
3. Be a mindful citizen. Make sure you are doing all you can to reduce the spread of invasive species!

More information on this particular CISMA can be found at:
www.l2lcisma.org

Elise Desjarlais is the coordinator of the Lake to Lake CISMA and can be reached at 906.251.3068, or l2lcisma@gmail.com