Apalachicola Invasive Working Group

Who We Are

The IWG was established in 2003 by The Nature Conservancy Northwest Florida Program (TNC NWFL) and other stakeholders in the Apalachicola River watershed with concerns related to invasive non-native species.  The primary reason for the creation of the IWG was to facilitate a network for land managers to address the growing threat of invasive non-native species in the watershed.  Since its inception the IWG has conducted tri-annual meetings, initiated control projects on private lands, assisted land managers with grant writing, compiled and shared data, coordinated with partners for outreach and education, and participated in other activities related to invasive non-native species.  Our goals for the future include the continuation and expansion of these activities, with increased focus on private land control and public education programs.

Our Mission

The mission of the IWG is to implement a comprehensive, region-wide approach to address the threats invasive aquatic and terrestrial non-native species pose to native ecosystems within the Apalachicola River watershed (adopted January 2004).

Specific goals of the IWG are:

1. Maintain the functional landscape community of the Apalachicola River watershed.

2. Preserve and restore the native biodiversity of the Apalachicola River watershed.

3. Maintain the Apalachicola River watershed's natural processes, such as hydrology and fire that sustain native species and natural communities.

4. Protect species designated by the State of Florida or the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as rare, threatened, or endangered.

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