Listening sessions set on invasive species

Press release

The Montana Invasive Species Council will host invasive species listening sessions in Billings, Fort Peck and Kalispell over the course of the next few weeks. The listening sessions will be focused on the findings of a recent invasive species law review, which will also support the upcoming Montana Invasive Species Summit to be held in Helena Nov. 15-16.

The public is encouraged to attend. The listening sessions will be held:

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 4 to 6 p.m. Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation — Southern Land Office

1371 Rimtop Drive, Billings.

Tuesday, Aug. 28, 4 to 6 p.m.

Ft. Peck Interpretive Center, Yellowstone Rd, Fort Peck.

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 5 to 8 p.m. Homewood Suites, 195 Hutton Ranch Road, Kalispell.

While interested organizations, stakeholders and citizens are encouraged to attend a listening session in person, an online survey is also available. The online survey will cover the major themes coming out of the invasive species law review, and the questions will be similar to the discussion topics held at the listening sessions. The online survey is now available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MISCsurvey2018/.

The listening sessions are designed to allow the people of Montana to express their comments and concerns regarding current invasive species programmatic and regulatory topics such as the concept of an all-taxa invasive species list, the management of aquatic invasive plants, regulations and enforcement and funding.

The responses collected from the listening sessions and online surveys will aid in the planning and development of the Montana Invasive Species Summit on November 15 – 16 in Helena, Montana. The Summit will feature a series of panels focused on topics related to the findings of the law review, with the objective of gaining clarity on current rules and moving forward with solutions and means of enhancing the prevention and management of invasive species in Montana.

The Montana Invasive Species Council encourages anyone who is interested in preserving the native Montana landscapes and ecosystems to participate in the listening sessions or online survey. The responses will provide valuable feedback to support efforts moving forward.

People with questions can visit the MISC website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/montana-invasive-species-program/misc/.