The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Conservancy does some of its most important work under the umbrella of this awkward-sounding acronym. CISMAs keep invasive species from eating Florida’s lunch. Some of these include:

• Snorting feral hogs and 20-foot pythons
• A sea of lygodium that can suffocate cypress trees
• Thick mats of water hyacinth that clog our waters.

Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are regional partnerships that work to stop the spread of non-native, invasive species that threaten the future of almost half of Florida’s endangered species.

We spoke with Kris Serbesoff-King, who directs the Conservancy’s invasive species efforts in Florida and also represents the organization nationally.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

Sometimes I just don’t know – it depends on which side of the bed I wake up on. Thankfully, our successful CISMA groups keep me optimistic!

But non-native species have invaded all of Florida’s systems – marine, freshwater and terrestrial.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

The scariest is the one that isn’t here yet. Nobody thought the Burmese python or North African rock python would be a problem, but now most everyone’s scared. And while pythons get the bulk of the press, the red palm mite that recently rode in on imported plants can do serious damage.

With a more conservative policy approach, Florida could reduce the risk. There’s no formal system to look for invaders, and much isn’t known. A tick was caught that could have devastated the cattle industry. But to your point: What are we NOT seeing yet?

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

It’s the worst in the country. We’re a major port of entry for non-native plants and animals, and receive the most non-native reptiles. They come in daily, and pests and pathogens ride along. Some Florida guests also bring along familiar species from home.

It’s a perfect storm, with lots of introduced species and many pathways into the environment. Once released, invaders respond well to Florida’s hospitable climate. Not all imported species are invasive, of course. It’s just a small percent that cause the nasty problems, but they damage our economy and our conservation lands and waters.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

Very effectively. All landowners struggle with the threat of invasives, whether they’re impacting a right-of-way, a cattle ranch or a nature preserve. So we brought local, state and federal agencies together with private landowners, universities and nongovernmental agencies. We can deal with these most efficiently and effectively together – that is really the basis of a CISMA.

I also co-chair the Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This oversight committee offers help and guidelines to all CISMA partners. FISP also developed an online list of financial and technical assistance for land owners and managers. Many state and federal agencies are represented on a cooperative basis; no one gets paid specifically to participate.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

Due to our two decades of invasive species experience and expertise, we got involved early and helped create the statewide system. We also organized and lead many of Florida’s 15 regional CISMAs. I’m the partners’ main contact; I answer questions and help them communicate. It’s one of the most positive things I do at work and makes me think, “Yes! We can do this.”

It’s interesting – each CISMA partner has a specific mission and slightly different mandate. The Conservancy of course wants to see that conservation issues are addressed when dealing with invasive species, but we respect our partner’s issues as well. A group is given tools and then works together to determine on-the-ground priorities and how to address them.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

I could say this in my sleep: CISMAs fight invasive species using three main management strategies:

1) Preventing new invasions before they occur whenever possible,
2) Quickly detecting and rapidly responding to new invaders, and
3) Controlling and managing already-established invaders at priority sites.

Every CISMA uses different techniques, but they all work across fence lines and help out their partners. We share best practices and leverage our limited resources. We present a united front to state and federal legislators to encourage good policy. CISMAs also build community awareness, including training master gardeners and others about what to look for and how to control and report an invasive species.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

A Keys CISMA heard about the python infestation in the Everglades and was determined to stop pythons from spreading to the Keys. An innovative “eyes and ears” campaign was begun, training postal carriers, utility workers and such to identify and report unusual snake sightings.

Now managed by the Conservancy and known as Python Patrol, it’s been expanded to include responder training and is a huge success. In fact, we expect a contract with the National Park Service to begin this fall, bringing the program onto the mainland. The Conservancy will train and build up a whole network of participants.

Nature.org:

Kris Serbesoff-King:

The ball’s a little murky, but we know that money won’t fall out of the sky. My personal goal is that, in less than five years, the entire state of Florida will be covered by CISMAs. We need more than just moral support and bodies though – we need financial support and help from the big agencies on priority projects. It’s amazing to me how much the CISMAs and FISP are accomplishing in this current economic climate – just imagine their success when the economy improves!

For all the hassle of the Burmese pythons, at least they raised citizen awareness about invasive species and CISMAs. With us it’s not about blame, it’s about action. CISMAs deal on the ground with these very real problems that affect us all. We’re building strong relationships and making great strides, and we’re very grateful for financial support from members of The Nature Conservancy.