Developing a CWMA
A Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is a partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that manage invasive species (or weeds) within a defined area. In different parts of the country, CWMAs are known by other names, including: Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs), Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), Weed Management Areas (WMAs), Invasive Species Teams, and Invasive Species Partnerships. Although these groups may be organized differently, they share six basic characteristics:
- CWMAs operate within a defined geographic area, distinguished by a common geography, weed problem, community, climate, political boundary, or land use.
- CWMAs involve a broad cross-section of landowners and natural resource managers within its defined boundaries.
- CWMAs are governed by a Steering Committee.
- CWMAs make a long-term commitment to cooperation, usually through a formal agreement among partners.
- CWMAs have a comprehensive plan that addresses the management or prevention of invasive species within its boundaries.
- CWMAs facilitate cooperation and coordination across jurisdictional boundaries.
CWMAs bring together local citizens, landowners, nonprofit organizations, industry, and city, county, state, tribal, and federal representatives to work towards a common goal—effective control of invasive species.
*Reference: CWMA Cookbook: A Recipe for Success. 2011. Midwest Invasive Plant Network.
CWMA Resources
How-to Guides
CWMA Cookbook: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Develop a Cooperative Weed Management Area in the Eastern United States (PDF)
This comprehensive guide, updated in 2011, covers all the bases—from establishing geographic boundaries to holding public meetings to developing a strategic management plan.
Developing Bid Specifications for Invasive Plant Control Programs (PDF)
This thorough guide from Invasive Plant Control, Inc. offers helpful information on establishing goals, identifying and prioritizing species, outlining tasks, contractor requirements, and types of contracts.
Guidelines for Coordinated Management of Noxious Weeds: Development of Weed Management Areas
This guide includes: sample contracts and agreements; information about planning, mapping, and monitoring; tips for weed awareness and outreach activities; and much more. It was developed by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and state and county land managers in the Greater Yellowstone Area in 1997 and updated in 2002.
Sample Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)
A sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for establishing a CWMA.
Sustaining Cooperative Weed Management Areas in the Long-term (PDF)
A PowerPoint presentation given by Susan Donaldson at the 2010 Weeds Across Borders conference.
Funding
California: Weed Management Areas
This website includes information on WMAs in California as well as funding sources.
Pulling Together Initiative
This grants program from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has a strong history of funding CWMAs nationally.
State Wildlife Action Plans
Each state has a State Wildlife Action Plan; most include a section on invasive species.
Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund
Established in 1985 by the Montana Legislature, this grant program provides funding for the development of weed management programs, research and development of innovative weed management techniques, and supports educational and other research projects that benefit Montana citizens.
CWMAs by State
Invasive.org: View CWMAs and CISMAs on a map
California's Weed Management Areas
Florida's CISMAs and CWMAs
Idaho's CWMAs
New Mexico's CWMAs
Oregon's CWMAs
Utah's CWMAs
Wyoming's WMAs
Ideas for CWMAS
- Sponsor Realtor education classes
- Invite state legislators and local media on a tour of the CWMA (or an infested area)
- Place eye-catching ads in newspapers
- Host hands-on displays at gardening shows
- Recruit retirees to serve as weed awareness volunteers at campsites and in state parks
- Exchange a trash bag of weeds for coupons or cash from sponsoring local businesses
- Insert information on weeds into hunting and fishing guides
- Distribute colorful weed calendars and weed identification guides
- Come up with a great slogan
Advice and Inspiration
Cooperative Weed Management Area Development: Expanding Coast to Coast
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Western Weed Awareness Summit (PDF)
Awareness Campaigns
Habitattitude
Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign
Montana Statewide Noxious Weed Awareness and Education Program
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
Texas Invasives
CIPM-Funded Projects
The Center for Invasive Plant Management no longer offers CWMA grants; however, we hope that the CWMA grants program will resume in the future.
Cooperative Weed Management Area Grants Program
From 2002 to 2006, CIPM offered a competitive grants program to CWMAs across the western US. A total of 98 projects were funded through the grants, which helped support management, mapping, education, and community outreach efforts by CWMAs.