Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) are partnership organizations formed with the goal of managing invasive plants across jurisdictional and landownership boundaries. Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) and Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs) are similar to CWMAs, but their goals may include the management of invasive animal species in addition to plants. The following are key characteristics of CWMAs/CISMAs/PRISMs:

• Work within a defined geographic area
• Participation from a broad cross-section of stakeholders and land owners
• Decision making though a steering committee
• Long-term commitment to cooperation, preferably formalized through a partnership agreement
• Have a strategic plan for addressing species of concern
• Coordinate across jurisdictional boundaries

CWMAs/CISMAs/PRISMs enable partners to pool resources to address invasive species problems held in common. Partnerships are more efficient and effective than piecemeal approaches. Due to these benefits, MIPN advocates for and offers technical support towards the establishment of CWMAs/CISMAs/PRISMs in the Midwest. 

Recently MIPN developed a new Outreach Standards document that can help CWMA staff (and other organizations) be more effective in reaching a wide, varied audience. Download MIPN’s Outreach Guidance Document.