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.
Browntail Moth Mitigation Fund: Now Accepting Applications
Have you noticed a lot of browntail winter webs in your town this winter? Have you been itching from a browntail moth rash? You may live in an area with a high population of browntail moths. The Browntail Moth Mitigation Fund is a new funding opportunity available to your local government officials or nonprofit organizations to fund activities that will reduce browntail moth impacts in your community.
Help yourself, your family, and your community by contacting your local government or nonprofit organizations in your town to let them know about this funding opportunity. The DACF is now accepting applications from government entities or nonprofit organizations in areas with significant browntail populations, which, if approved, will receive funding from the Browntail Moth Mitigation Assistance Grant Program.
The Browntail Moth Mitigation Fund was established to provide funding to government entities or nonprofit organizations with significant populations to assist with reducing impacts from browntail moths. Eligible activities are those that may help reduce the impacts of browntail moth:
- Physical controls such as removal and destruction of overwintering webs,
- Pesticide treatments in accordance with the Maine Board of Pesticides Control Regulations,
- Cultural controls such as taking actions to limit exposure, reduce habitat or attraction, and
- Education that fosters continued community engagement in browntail moth population reduction and awareness beyond the immediate mitigation measures taken,
- Or a combination of the above activities.
Application for Funds*
Check out our finalized rules for more details. Only government entities or nonprofit organizations that plan to conduct mitigation in areas found on the significant browntail populations list are encouraged to apply; funding is not available to individuals. Areas outside of this list may be considered for funding at the request by an applicant if significant populations of browntail are confirmed.
*Only applications from government entities or nonprofit organizations will be considered.
