Maine Invasive Species Network (MISN) brings together both professionals and amateurs who are interested in understanding and managing invasive species in Maine.
Our members work, among other places, at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, University of Maine, Nature Conservancy, Colby College, Unity College, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Maine Lakes Society, several land trusts, and for private land management companies. We also have many citizens who are simply concerned about land stewardship and preservation of natural ecosystems.
MISN and this website were conceived in October 2009, when a group of 45 people met in Augusta at the first meeting to bring together people who work intensively on invasive plants, animals, and other invasive species in Maine.
Purpose of MISN
- serve as a communication tool;
- help members identify and pursue collaborative projects;
- support research on management of invasive species;
- map invasive species populations;
- present funding opportunities;
- exchange species-specific information;
- explore new tools to monitor populations;
- develop and distribute educational materials;
- provide outreach opportunities; and
- exchange database tools.
We’re Looking for Browntail Caterpillar Observations!
Browntail populations appear to be spotty compared to previous years. We are looking for your reports of hatched browntail caterpillars or browntail egg masses from this current season! Your observations will help us understand where browntail moth is most active in the state right now. Please send reports to foresthealth@maine.gov. If you can, attach a photo from your phone and let us know when and where you took the photo. This will make it easier for us to confirm identity and track where populations are being reported.
