OUR VISION

Working together to ensure Saskatchewan's environment, economy, and social interests are protected through permanent control and eradication of invasive species.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council enables collaboration and works in partnerships to guard Saskatchewan against invasive species by providing leadership, knowledge, and expertise as well as a forum to engage, enable, and empower citizens to take action on invasive species issues.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

The Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council collectively desires to be:

Collaborative and consensus-based.
Innovative and open to non-traditional approaches to managing invasive species.
Sustainability-focused and science-based in its assessment and prioritization of concerns.
Transparent and accountable in its business.
Trusted by the public as a credible source of invasive species information and expertise.
Inclusive of all relevant and/or interested parties.
Inclusive of all invasive species in Saskatchewan, and those threatening to invade, regardless of their scientific classification.
Adaptive to new threats and management practices.
A forum serving to engage and empower stakeholders and the general public on the issues of invasive species.
An active organization that is proactively dealing with invasive species issues.

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

The SISC has identified a number of key opportunities to advance invasive species management in Saskatchewan and Canada:

Increase awareness and understanding of the impacts on the environment, economy, and society, as well as impacts to individual livelihoods.
Increase public knowledge in identifying, recognizing, and reporting invasive species.
Encourage actions to be taken to address aquatic invasive species and those with little economic impact.
Clearly define socio-economic and ecological impacts of invasive species on Saskatchewan populations and improve research regarding management of invasive species.
Align policy, mandates, and strategies and encourage further coordination to deliver programs to government agencies, non-government organizations, research and academia, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders.
Increase collaboration within and amongst government and involved agencies.
Increase information on the nature and extent of current invasive species in Saskatchewan and neighboring jurisdictions.
Organize and increase efficiency of management, exchange, and distribution of invasive species information.
Outline a coordinated regional approach to the prevention, early detection, eradication, and management of invasive species.
Promote interest, generate enthusiasm, and bring attention to invasive species.

OUR GOALS

INCREASE THE IMPACT, MEMBERSHIP, AND PROFILE OF THE SISC

Formalize the governance of the Council including Board of Directors and membership
Develop Terms of Reference to govern general membership and Board of Directors
Develop policies, procedures, and operating guidelines
Develop a strategic plan that identifies the specific areas of focus
Secure long-term funding to support salaries and expenses
Develop a promotional plan to attract and increase membership
Apply for grants
Host Annual General Meetings and workshops
Pursue sponsorship
Develop a business plan

INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING THE IMPACTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES TO INSPIRE ACTION

Lead education and awareness on invasive species through public forums and presentations
Host Annual General Meetings combined with invasive species forums and workshops
Attend stakeholder functions to maintain rapport and increase profile
Host seminars and workshops
Host invasive plant days, weed picking, beetle distribution days
Develop, maintain, and distribute education and promotional materials
Develop website as a key information exchange forum
Publish newsletters, technical bulletins, and fact sheets on website and distribute to membership via email
Scan existing school curriculum modules and seize opportunities to promote invasive species education
Create awareness materials and promote their use
Gain permission to circulate existing awareness materials from other jurisdictions
Place invasive species awareness signs at key border entry points
Develop a symbol for invasive species in Saskatchewan
Develop a watch list for those species not addressed by current legislation
Utilize other educational items as opportunities arise

COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS WITH MUTUAL INTERESTS IN INVASIVE SPECIES

Facilitate communication and collaboration between key stakeholders and partners
Provide a venue to facilitate information exchange and coordination of management on invasive species in Saskatchewan
Encourage the establishment of invasive species partnerships or working groups at the regional/local level
Establish mutually beneficial partnerships where opportunities arise
Promote coordinated research efforts
Support invasive species research and the transfer of information to a central, publicly accessible data centre (i.e., Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre)
Actively pursue research projects focused on the social and economic impacts of invasive species on Saskatchewan's natural capital

OPERATE AS AN EFFECTIVE RESOURCE FOR AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS

Provide expert advice to stakeholders in applied invasive species management
Maintain an information hotline for invasive species through the website (email and phone)
Continually update information on the most effective control methods, best management practices, and mitigation measures
Be informed about key policy and program initiatives on invasive species of relevance to Saskatchewan
Board members to bring forward key areas of concern from the sector they represent
Provide appropriate input to key policy initiatives on invasive species