Supporting management of invasive species at the regional level
The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management Networks are working to reduce the compounding effects of invasive species and climate change by synthesizing relevant science, communicating decision-makers’ needs to researchers, building stronger scientist–stakeholder communities, and conducting priority research. The RISCC effort started in the Northeast region in 2016 with a collaboration among USGS researchers, university scientists, and state agency partners. It has since expanded to the Pacific Islands, Northwest, North Central, and Southeast regions, as well as new collaborations with NSF and the USDA-FS. The RISCC networks serve the science needs of stakeholders in DOI, USDA, state agencies, Tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations. In 2021, the Northeast RISCC compiled resources for state agencies to share existing invasive species risk assessments and adapt risk assessment protocols to be more cognizant of climate change. This information is being used by the states of New York, Maine, and Massachusetts to identify high-priority, range-shifting invasive plants to recommend for proactive regulation.