About Us
The North Central Florida 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.
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:
Ginger Feagle
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.