
The Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic weeds (FICMNEW) represents an unprecedented formal partnership between 18 federal agencies with direct invasive plant management and regulatory responsibilities spanning across the United States and territories. FICMNEW was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by agency leadership in 1994 and 1997. It is currently co-chaired by DOI-BLM (Seth Flanigan) and USDA-NRCS (Chris Taliga). See a printable flyer and learn more about FICMNEW Factsheet [PDF, 657 KB].
During quarterly open meetings, FICMNEW members interact on important national and regional invasive plant issues and share information with various public and private organizations participating with the federal sector to address invasive plant issues.
FICMNEW's charter directs the committee to coordinate, through the respective Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Agency heads, information regarding the identification and extent of invasive plants in the U.S. and to coordinate federal agency management of these species. FICMNEW accomplishes these portions of its charter by developing and sharing scientific and technical information, fostering collaborative efforts among federal agencies, providing recommendations for national and regional level management of invasive plants, and sponsoring technical/educational conferences and workshops concerning invasive plants.
FICMNEW continues to bridge the gap between federal agency invasive plant management and science activities and has been a driving force behind the national emphasis against the broader invasive species threat.
Next Open Meeting
- Date/Time: January 23, 2025, 1-2:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
- Speaker/Topic: Dr. Kurt Kowalski -- "Advances in Regional Coordination, Adaptive Management, and the Development of New Treatments for an Invasive Grass"
- Speaker Biography: Dr. Kurt Kowalski is a research ecologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center based in Ann Arbor, MI. His research is focused on Great Lakes coastal wetland habitats and invasive plant species and includes extensive involvement in the application of research results into practice.
- Overview: Phragmites australis (common reed) continues to invade wetlands, lake shores, roadside ditches, and wet areas throughout North America and is a significant challenge for resource managers. The U.S. Geological Survey and many non-profit, academic, state, federal, and international collaborators continue to coordinate research and management efforts through the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative, reduce uncertainty around optimal treatment approaches with the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework, and develop innovative new treatment approaches that target the traits that make Phragmites so invasive or the symbiotic relationships between microbes and the invasive plants. This presentation will describe these efforts and highlight recent advances that may be applicable to other invasive plants throughout the nation.
- Meeting location and call-in information: The meeting will be held virtually. Call in instructions will be sent via email. Please email Seth Flanigan (sflanigan[at]blm.gov) if you are not on our electronic list and would like to receive a meeting invitation.
North American Invasive Species Forum

Presented by: The Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds and Weed Science Society of America
Where: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters, Washington D.C.
Dates: Monday, May 12th – Thursday, May 15, 2025
Registration Cost: $400
The Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW) and WSSA (Weed Science Society of America) are excited to invite you to the 2025 North American Invasive Species Forum (NAISF) at the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington D.C., the vibrant capital of the United States, renowned for its rich history and iconic landmarks like the White House and Lincoln Memorial, and world class museums like the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian.
NAISF is an ongoing collaboration for over two decades between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to bring together leaders and organizations from various jurisdictions across North America to highlight new policy and legislation, research, emerging issues, success stories, and prevention and response initiatives across the continent and among international neighbors. Attendance will be in-person, and we anticipate participants from a wide range of invasive species policy, management, and research affiliations.
NAISF 2025 will explore innovative and effective approaches for engagement in international frameworks including cross-border biosecurity, e-commerce of invasive species, risk management, early detection and rapid response, citizen and community science successes, and the nexus of invasive species, wildfire, and climate change from the viewpoint of an international audience and indigenous and tribal groups. The forum will culminate in a workshop to build a strategic framework for future forums.
We hope to see you at NAISF!
FICMNEW Co-Chairs
Seth Flanigan, Bureau of Land Management
Christine Taliga, Natural Resources Conservation Service
For Hotel and Registration information access the WSSA website.
A password is required to keep your registration information confidential. If are already a WSSA member please use your existing username and password to register.
Space is limited to 150 so register today!