About Us

About Us

The North Central Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) is the largest Florida CISMA geographically, including over 9,000 square miles and thirteen counties. This CISMA consists of diverse natural communities like coastal hammock, salt marsh, flatwoods, sandhill, numerous springs and aquatic caves, and many blackwater streams and rivers. North Florida is mostly rural and the land use consists of agriculture, forestry, and conservation lands, but also includes the cities of Gainesville and Lake City.

The North Central Florida CISMA hosts meetings or events on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings on odd numbered months are hosted virtually while even numbered months are in-person. For more information, reach out to northcentral@floridainvasives.org.

Mission Statement: To strengthen public and private partnerships and collaborate across North Central Florida to address non-native invasive species through education, prevention, monitoring, and Early detection and Rapid Response (EDRR).

Co-Chairs:

Lanie Carter

John Herbert

Partners

Florida Forest Service

The Florida Forest Service (FFS) consists of more than 1,250 dedicated employees with the mission to protect and manage the forest resources of Florida, ensuring that they are available for future generations.

Florida Forest Service

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission logo which contains a spotted fish, deer with antlers, and swallowtail kite bird over a silhouette of the state of Florida, all light brown and grey, encircled by black and green lines and white text that reads the name of the organization

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FWC aims to minimize the adverse impacts of nonnative species in Florida through prevention, early detection, rapid response, control and management, and education and outreach. FWC staff monitor and remove nonnative species, respond to new invasions, and assess the risk of species not yet present in our state. They oversee programs designed to get people involved develop educational handouts and routinely engage with the public at festivals, public workshops and other special events. FWC staff also oversee permitting for nonnative species and manage research contracts that increase our understanding about nonnative species and help evaluate innovative management strategies.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Website

Alachua Conservation Trust logo featuring a blue live oak tree and four blue lines above and below the words Alachua Conservation Trust.

Alachua Conservation Trust

ACT has been instrumental in facilitating the conservation of nearly 56,000 acres of Florida land. This includes the direct purchase and protection of over 24,000 acres. They primarily work in 16 counties, own and manage over 6,000 acres, and collaborate with private landowners to protect an additional 6,212 acres through conservation easements. They serve their community and home by protecting and preserving natural spaces, creating opportunities to interact with the environment, and teaching the next generation through environmental education programs.

Alachua Conservation Trust

UF IFAS Columbia County Logo

UF IFAS Columbia County

UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County helps people find practical solutions to problems specific to living in Florida. They provide research-based educational programs in the areas of Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock, Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development.

UF IFAS Columbia County Website

US Fish and Wildlife Service logo featuring a blue silhouette of a duck, fish, and lake, with orange mountains and a yellow sun in the background encircled by a badge shaped tan and brown outline with the words US Fish and Wildlife Service above and "Department of the Interior" below.

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Website

Florida Natural Areas Inventory logo contains a green palmetto frond and frog with a white square in the background and the words of the organization written in black beneath.

Florida Natural Areas Inventory

The mission of the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) is to collect, interpret, and disseminate ecological information critical to conserving Florida’s biodiversity. A critical role in this mission is understanding and anticipating the effects invasive plant species on resource management in Florida. FNAI surveys for invasive plants, assesses invasive plant control projects, and provides training in invasive plant identification. FNAI collaborates with the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) and CISMAs throughout the state. Through FNAI’s engagement with all partners, we continually learn about and provide outreach about invasive plant impacts and management practices across the state.

Florida Natural Areas Inventory Website

Suwannee River Water Management District Logo contains yellow upper half circle and blue lower half circle with a white tree silhouette and Suwannee River written in white, all encircled by a blue ring and the words "Water Management District" below.

Suwannee River Water Management District

The Suwannee River Water Management District manages water and related natural resources in north-central Florida by providing water quality and quantity monitoring, research, regulation, land acquisition and management, and flood protection.

Suwannee River Water Management District Website

Florida Park Service

The mission of the Florida Park Service is to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.

Florida Park Service