University of Minnesota Invasive Species Conference
Join us for an invasive species conference!
Learn the science behind invasive species and how to take action in your own community.
This hybrid event, which is free and open to the public, will feature morning keynote speakers via Zoom that can be viewed at a Research and Outreach Center (ROC) or from anywhere, and afternoon expert talks in person at eight of the 10 ROCs across the state.
Participants will have the option to view the morning virtual keynote sessions in person at the closest ROC near them or from anywhere of their choosing via Zoom. Once those sessions have concluded, participants can either stay at the ROC or make their way to one for in-person afternoon programming. While at a ROC in the afternoon, attendees will receive direct access to field and research sites and have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of invasive species local to their region. The latter half of the day will also provide hands-on, experiential learning that will likely occur outside. Please dress for the weather.
Schedule Overview
- 9:45 to 10 a.m. – Arrive at your chosen ROC or join the Zoom webinar from anywhere.
- 10 a.m. to noon – Virtual state-wide Zoom webinar with keynote speakers (listed below).
Speaker Unit Topic Roger Becker, PhD Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics What makes a species invasive? Dan Larkin, PhD Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology How is data collected and analyzed? Discussion of interactions between invasive and natives species. Rebecca Montgomery, PhD Department of Forest Resources How does the data we have play into controlling and mitigating invasives? How do we know what's working?
- 10 a.m. to noon – Virtual state-wide Zoom webinar with keynote speakers (listed below).
- Noon to 1 p.m. – Lunch break – We invite you to bring your own lunch and chat with our experts and other attendees.
- 1 to 3 p.m. – In-person, experiential presentations with experts on location, starting at the ROC of your choice.
Afternoon speaker schedule
| Location | Speaker(s) | Topic |
| Cloquet Forestry Center | Kelsey Taylor, Abbie Anderson and Maggie Barnick | Chinese mystery snail and invasive yellow lily (Taylor), "Pesky Plants" and the Pesky Plant Trackers program (knotweeds, other species; Anderson), and invasive plant identification and reporting (Chandler) |
| Hubachek Wilderness Research Center | Jack Greenlee and Liz Anderson | Herbaceous invasive species, aquatic invasive species |
| North Central Research & Outreach Center | Rebecca Montgomery | Wild Parsnip and Japanese Knotweed |
| Northwest Research & Outreach Center | Daniel Svedarsky | Leafy Spurge, Musk and Canada thistle, and Spotted knapweed in the Prairie |
| Rosemount Research & Outreach Center | Logan Neu | Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) |
| Southern Research & Outreach Center | Duane Rathmann and Carli Wagner | Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil |
| Southwest Research & Outreach Center | Megan Weber and Gary Wyatt | Zebra muscles and invasive carp, also terrestrial plants |
| West Central Research & Outreach Center | Anthony Hanson | Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer, Purple Loosestrife Infestations, and Buckthorn: Infestations & Consequences |
U of M Partners:
- College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)
- Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC)
