The California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC) is a coalition of private sector groups concerned about invasive weeds in California. Our mission is to (1) support and enhance existing weed control efforts in the state, and (2) to promote public awareness of invasive weed issue in California.  The coalition solicits scientific input from public entities, including the California Deparment of Food & Agriculture, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the University of California. CALIWAC's main annual events are Invasive Weeds Day at the Capitol, held in Sacramento each spring and California Invasive Weeds Awareness week in July. Member organizations include NGOs and industry: California Cattlemen's Association California Invasive Plant Council California Farm Bureau Federation California Native Plant Society California Forest Pest Council The Nature Conservancy Monsanto, Dow Agrosciences, UAP Timberland Regional Council of Rural Counties Goals: Provide a public forum to increase awareness of the environmental and economic damage caused by invasive weeds Contribute to solutions for invasive weed issues. Promote increased funding for management of invasive weeds. Influence state and national policy on invasive weeds. Support the development and implementation of a statewide management plan for invasive weeds. Committees: Education Committee - To promote invasive weed awareness, educate and coordinate grassroots and WMA efforts, coordinate field tours, develop an Invasive Weed Awareness Week, support/promote national invasive weed activities. Statewide Weed Plan & Summit Committee - Assist the California Department of Food and Agriculture with the development and adoption of a California Invasive Weed Management Plan and facilitate a public forum. Legislative & Funding Committee - Identify and seek all sources of funding for management of invasive weeds, work with CDFA to promote adoption and on-going funding of the California Invasive Weed Management Plan. Events: Host field tours for Legislators, staff & policy makers throughout the state, including East Bay Park District, Sacramento and southern California. Develop a statewide Invasive Weed Awareness Week when Weed Management Areas (WMA) could hold field tours to showcase their accomplishments to elected officials and the public. Assist CDFA in hosting a Weed Summit to gather input and rally support for the California Invasive Weed Management Plan. Contacts: Chair Bob Pickard, Mariposa County Supervisor, Regional Council of Rural Counties, (800) 736-1252 Santinia Pasquini at RCRC, (916) 447-4806; fax (916) 431-0101; email santiniap@rcrcnet.org Regional Council of Rural Counties 801 12th Street, Suite 600 Sacramento, California 95814 Doug Johnson, Executive Director, Cal-IPC, (510) 525-1502; email dwjohnson@cal-ipc.org Meeting Minutes: Meeting - May 24, 2002 Meeting - September 27, 2002 Meeting - January 24, 2003 Meeting - March 28, 2003 Meeting - July 18, 2003 Meeting - Sept. 12, 2003 Meeting - May 7, 2004 Meeting - July 1, 2004 Meeting - October 15, 2004 Meeting minutes - December 3, 2004 (pdf) Meeting minutes - April 8, 2005 (pdf) Meeting minutes - June 22, 2005 (pdf)   California Invasive Plant Council 1442-A Walnut St., #462 Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 843-3902 fax (510) 217-3500 info@cal-ipc.org