California Invasive Plant Council About Cal-IPC

Vinca major invades Garrapata State Park (Bob Case)

All over California, natural wildlands are under attack by invasive pest plants. As native habitat is replaced by invasive plants, we also lose many species of birds, insects, fish and other wildlife. People concerned with the protection, management and enjoyment of our natural areas have become increasingly concerned about the alarming spread of non-native, invasive vegetation. The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) is dedicated to finding solutions to problems caused by non-native pest plant invasions of the state's wildlands.

It has been estimated that invasive plants cost California hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

• Tamarisk, or salt cedar, infests 1.5 million acres in wetland and riparian areas in the American southwest. These trees use more water than native species and sterilize the soil.
  
• Arundo, or giant reed, fuels dangerous wildfires, causes local flooding, consumes more water than natives, and eliminates native plants and wildlife habitat.
  
• Pampas grass invades and degrades habitats along the entire California coastline.
  
• Eucalyptus fuels disastrous fires in the Oakland Hills, in Santa Barbara, and elsewhere.

Cal-IPC proposes and facilitates solutions to problems caused by invasive plants. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, formed in 1992. We are not affiliated with any state government agency. Our active membership includes public and private land managers, ecological consultants and researchers, planners, volunteer stewards, and concerned citizens. Cal-IPC is recognized as the authoritative source of new information on all aspects of wildland weed management in California. We

• hold a major statewide symposium each October, and co-sponsor regional workshops on individual species control;
• produce a list of "Invasive Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern in Wildlands" that is used by land managers and planners;
  
• publish a quarterly newsletter with timely, practical information on wildland weeds in the state;
  
• support biocontrol research efforts through the International Broom Initiative and the Cape Ivy Biocontrol research projects;
  
• advance public and professional awareness of wildland weed problems and solutions.
  

Notices, articles, and inquiries on all aspects of invasive plant biology, ecology, control, and management are welcome.