| Eamonn Leonard | eamonn.leonard@dnr.ga.gov | GA DNR Wildlife Conservation |
| Alison McGee | amcgee@tnc.org | The Nature Conservancy |
| Tom Bliss | tbliss@uga.edu | UGA MAREX Skidaway |
| Candice Wyatt | candice_smith@nps.gov | National Park Service |
| Wayne Harris | billy_harris@fws.gov | US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Mark McClellan | mmclellan@gfc.state.ga.us | Georgia Forestry Commission |
| Suzanne Van Parreren | suzanne.vanparreren@dnr.ga.gov | Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve |
| Jessica Warren | jkwarren@uga.edu | UGA Cooperative Ext |
| Yank Moore | ymoore@jekyllisland.com | Jekyll Island Authority |
| Scott Coleman | scottc@littlessi.com | Little St. Simon Island |
| Hope Moorer | hmoorer@gaports.com | Georgia Ports Authority |
| Carlton Chambers | wcchambe@southernco.com | Georgia Power |
| Tim Bonvechio | tim.bonvechio@dnr.ga.gov | GA DNR Fisheries |
| Michael Mock | michael.mock@dnr.ga.gov | GA DNR Coastal Resources Div. |
| Bryan Fluech | fluech@uga.edu | UGA MAREX Brunswick |
| Jeffrey Butler | jbutler@dot.ga.gov | Georgia DOT (Agronomist manager) |
About the Coastal Georgia Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
CoGA CISMA Vision
A Georgia coast where "non-native invasive species" minimally impact the sustainability and resilience of ecological and economic systems
CoGA CISMA MISSION STATEMENT
To implement a comprehensive, cooperative approach across boundaries to address the threats of "non-native invasive species" to the lands and waters within the Coastal Georgia CISMA. By addressing ocurrences,impacts, early detection/rapid response, education/outreach, and investigation of pathways for infestation.
Approach: The most cost-effective way to address invasive species is to prevent them from reaching the CISMA in the first place. If, despite prevention efforts, invasive species reach the CISMA, early detection programs can help locate and eradicate those invasive species before they become widely established. If invasive species elude early detection and establish and spread in the CISMA or are part of a previous invasion, control and management programs to monitor and minimize their negative impacts to the economy and environment will be necessary, but these efforts can be very costly. The sooner we act the more effective and less costly our efforts will be (adapted from the Indiana Invasive Species Task Force 2008).
Guiding principles
- Information exchange - best control methods, monitoring of effectiveness, environmentally conscience practices
- Resource sharing - staff time, equipment, etc.
- Education / Outreach (public and private) - sharing tools and technology, certifications, EDDMapS and USGS NAS users, volunteers
- Policy development (e.g. State noxious weed list, banned species from retail stores, etc.)
- Prioritizing sites/ efforts/ habitats/ species for the coast; treatment methods necessary for different habitats
- Integrated Pest Management strategies
- Identifying gaps (research needs, landowner training, infestation extent, public understanding, EDRR, control work)
- Fostering partnerships through coordination and collaboration
- Conserving and preserving native species and habitats
- Increasing the sustainability and resilience of coastal habitats/ecosystems
Annual Reports
The CoGA CISMA meets annually in a central location in the 11 county area. Public and private land managers within the 11 county area are welcomed and invited to attend. For more information, please contact the CoGA CISMA coordinator Eamonn Leonard at eamonn.leonard@dnr.ga.gov.