Welcome!
Lake St. Clair
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
The Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (LSC CISMA) is a collaborative effort to enhance ecosystem functions and enrich ecosystem services through invasive species prevention, detection, management, and outreach in Macomb and St. Clair counties of Michigan.
2024 Recap
Phragmites Right-Of-Way Surveys
In Spring 2024, we surveyed hundreds of miles of roadways throughout Macomb County for the presence and density of Phragmites. Because of these surveys, we were able to contract out treatment of the Right-Of-Way for 846,565 ft. of these roadways. Treating ROW areas increases visibility for drivers and helps maintain environmental quality.
Red Swamp Crayfish
Spring-Fall 2024, we performed weekly survey and trapping efforts for Red Swamp Crayfish. In drains, streams, and even golf courses, we trapped 659 crayfish across 21 acres, and even found a female carrying over 200 eggs. We document gender, size, and form of the specimen before disposing of them, and report our data to the DNR for their statewide database.
Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF)
This year we took part in the PAMF collective learning program for Phragmites treatment through the Great Lakes Basin. By contributing data and being a member, we are working to streamline the treatment of invasive Phragmites by keeping record of environmental conditions of our sites, and using multiple techniques to treat in phases.
We currently have 9.3 acres of Phragmites that we are treating until Spring 2025 via herbicide, mowing, and biomass removal. These areas are in parks, residential ponds, and roadside lots.
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are organisms that are not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan’s economy, environment, wildlife, and/ or human health. Economic impacts of invasive species include reduced property values, degradation of infrastructure, public safety hazards, and loss of land use. Environmental impacts of invasive species include loss of biodiversity, loss of habitat, and altered nutrient cycles, hydrology, and topographies.
Which species are priorities for Macomb and St. Clair counties?
The LSC CISMA prioritizes outreach, education, and management of certain invasive species with high potential for negative impacts in the region. These include: invasive Phragmites, Japanese and giant knotweeds, European frog bit, red swamp crayfish, water lettuce and water hyacinth. The CISMA is also on high alert for all state watch list species like spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle.
View our full list of priority invasive species for Macomb and St. Clair counties.
Catch us at our next event!
Join the Lake St. Clair CISMA, St. Clair County Parks, and MSU Extension for our next boat wash event hosted at the North Channel DNR Boat Launch!
Staff will be providing information on aquatic invasive species (such as European Frog-bit, Water Primrose, Hydrilla, and others) and ways to reduce their spread, while also offering a free boat wash to further prevent the spread of these invasives!