Conference at the DECC Brings Invasive Species Researchers Together

DULUTH, Minn. — Scientists, students, and professionals from several states gathered at the DECC on Wednesday to discuss invasive species this week.

The biannual upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference offers an opportunity for those researching invasive species to share their findings with a wide range of colleagues. And learn from one another, on how to best manage the threats certain species pose to our ecosystems.

“It’s really amazing that we started this conference just as a statewide Minnesota conference. Then we invited Wisconsin to join us the second year. And then and the third year in 2014, we turned into the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference. At this conference, we’ve got over 600 attendees from 26 states, three provinces and three countries. We’re featuring over 100 invasive species that are being researched and managed. And the whole purpose of this conference is to help improve man’s management over these invasive species by sharing success stories and lessons learned,” said Doug Jensen, AIS Prevention Planner, Minnesota DNR.

The conference has grown since its launch in 2008. It now includes several exhibits showing the latest conservation tech and various organizations. Artists from across the state were also asked to submit pieces of their work to be displayed in a contest at the convention. You can see these exhibits through midday Thursday.