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.  

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dana Risch

Email: dana@sicim.info

Phone: 812-563-5563

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 

SICIM annual reports

contact us

SICIM Staff

SICIM currently employs an Executive Director, Indiana Invasives Initiative Coordinator, and Regional Specialists as part of our Indiana Invasives Initiative. The primary goal of the 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 the regional specialists and request FREE invasive species assistance.