About
Who are we?
SICIM, formally known as the Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area (SICWMA), was officially incorporated on August 12, 2008. Several non-profit groups saw a need to create a CWMA for Southern Indiana. A number of public meetings across the area were held to gauge interest and set direction. The consensus of these meetings was that a CWMA for Southern Indiana would be valuable and important – and that we should continue efforts to formalize a coalition.
Since then, many CWMAs have transitioned to the newer term CISMAs, or Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas, and began expanding to focus on a variety of invasive plant and animal species. These groups are being formed across the U.S. as landowners, private groups and government agencies look for more effective ways to limit the growing economic and environmental damage caused by Invasive Species. Most CISMAs are coalitions of private and public organizations – sharing knowledge, people and other resources in an effort to improve public education, prevention and eradication/containment programs across a given geographic area.
In recent years, SICIM's goal has been to support the formation of local CISMAs within our 35 county region, most covering a single county (see our CISMAs & Funding section). Starting in 2018, this effort also led to the development of our Indiana Invasives Initiative, where we are working with USDA-NRCS to create CISMAs across all of Indiana.
Organizational Structure
SICIM is composed of a steering committee and four subcommittees staffed by dedicated volunteers from Central and Southern Indiana. The Steering Committee meets bimonthly at the National Forest Office in Bedford or at another location in southern Indiana. Subcommittees meet as needed. SICIM employs a full time executive director and multiple regional specialists who are part of our Indiana Invasives Initiative.
Members
Ray Chattin, Indiana Assoc. of SWCDs, Knox County SWCD, Indiana State Soil Conservation Board
Cheryl Coon, US Forest Service - Economic Partnership Coordinator
John Hazlett, Marion County SWCD - District Manager
Donna Herum, Vanderburgh County CISMA
Andrea Huntington, Indiana Land Protection Alliance - Executive Director
George Manning, Ecologist
Jon Reese, Miami County SWCD Board
Anthony Sipes, IDNR - Division of State Parks - Chief of Natural Resources
Phil Woolery, Purdue Extension, Stark County & Pulaski County
Claire Lane,
Michael Mycroft,
STEERING COMMITTEE
Anthony Sipes, IDNR - Division of State Parks - Chief of Natural Resources
Judi Brown, Let the Sun Shine In - Director
Teena Ligman, Secretary, Lawrence County KIC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dana Risch
List of SICWMA/SICIM Chairs
Tom Tremain 2008-2012
Janet Eger 2013
Beth Mizell 2014
Ray Chattin 2015
Steve Cotter 2016
Steve Cotter 2017
Ray Chattin 2018
Will Drews 2019-2023
Troy Hinkle 2023-2024
Anthony Sipes current
COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Operations and Development – Cheryl Coon, cheryl.coon@usda.gov
Finance Committee – Troy Hinkle, troy.hinkle@in.nacdnet.net
Communication Committee –Steve Cotter, cotters@bloomington.in.gov
Executive Committee – Anthony Sipes, ASipes@dnr.IN.gov
SICIM is looking for any new members to add to our Steering Committee or subcommittees. If you are interested, or would like to attend a meeting, please contact us: sicim.info@gmail.com, 812-653-5563
SICIM Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM), along with our many partners, is an equal opportunity provider and employer, and we are proud to work with everyone we can all around the state. We support inclusion and racial equality and see the need to reach a diverse audience. Invasive species affect us all, and we need everyone to be part of the solution. We also welcome all people--regardless of race, ethnicity or religion--to get involved with our organization and help us move forward to protect our natural areas from the threat of invasive species.
SICIM annual reports
Local Support
Given the large area SICIM covers, local and regional partners provide the best knowledge and resources for the control and management of invasive species. In many cases, local partners are existing organizations with landholdings in the area, or volunteer organizations with special interests in certain landscapes or species. In other cases, SICIM helps organize new groups to address invasive species in a local area. SICIM fosters cooperation and sharing of resources among our many partners organizations.
Check back for an updated list of SICIM partners and supporters. If your organization/agency is interested in joining the SICIM partnership, we invite you to contact us for more information at sicim.info@gmail.com or 812-653-5563.
Partial funding for SICIM is from USDA NRCS. USDA and its partnering organizations are equal opportunity providers, employers, and lenders.
contact us
812-653-5563
(Mailing Address Only)
1919 Steven Ave
Bedford, IN 47421
SICIM Staff
SICIM currently employs Regional Specialists as part of our Indiana Invasives Initiative. The primary goal of these specialists is to assist current or developing CISMAs. They also can conduct invasive species education/outreach programs and landowner technical assistance as time and distance allows. Visit our Indiana Invasives Initiative page to learn more about this project and request FREE invasive species assistance.
REGIONAL SPECIALIST - Liz Yetter
Serving East Central Indiana
765-277-1415
823 South Round Barn Rd, Suite 1
Richmond, IN 47374
REGIONAL SPECIALIST - DUGAN JULIAN
Serving Northeast Indiana
(574) 527-0781
1919 Steven Ave
Bedford, IN 47421
REGIONAL SPECIALIST - Kaila Knies
Serving South Central Indiana
812-631-7913
573 SE Main St
Paoli, IN 47454
REGIONAL SPECIALIST - AMBER SLAUGHTERBECK
Serving West Central Indiana
812-229-3539
PO Box 124
New Goshen, IN 47863