14 Mar 2025

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Transportation and Utility Rights-of-way BMPs for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species

The Wisconsin Council on Forestry (WCOF) identified and ranked invasive species as the most critical issue facing Wisconsin’s Forests. Invasive species, including plants, insects and diseases can kill trees and impact forest regeneration and productivity.

In response WCOF created the Forest Invasives Leadership Team (FILT) which in turn initiated efforts to collaboratively develop voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Invasive Species. Four BMP tracks, each with their own Advisory Committee, were created to fully address the issue of invasive species in Wisconsin’s forests, including: Forestry BMPs, Recreation BMPs, Urban Forestry BMPs, and Transportation and Utility Rights-of-Way BMPs.

The overall goal of the Utility and Transportation Rights-of-Way BMP Advisory Committee was to develop a broad set of voluntary practices to minimize the further introduction and spread of invasive species within Transportation and Utility Corridors. The Advisory Committee envisions the BMPs as the first steps in minimizing the spread of invasive species through outreach and employee education.

We hope that this Wisconsin Council on Forestry initiative is recognized as a proactive approach to address the present and future threat of invasive species to Wisconsin’s Forests and The Transportation and Utility Rights-of-Ways.

Documents

Tables

Urban Forestry Best Management Practices

Urban Forestry Best Management Practices for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species

Invasive species impact Wisconsin’s urban forests by decreasing biodiversity and reducing benefits that forests provide, while burdening communities with exorbitant control costs. Our urban forests are comprised of all the trees, shrubs, groundcovers and associated vegetation in and around communities of all sizes. Invasive species pose a threat to these urban and community forests which provide important environmental, social and economic services such as reduced storm water run-off, improved air quality, energy conservation, improved public health and increased property values.

With direction from the Wisconsin Council on Forestry and the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, an advisory committee of 21 representatives from the green industry, government agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations and trade associations came together to develop Wisconsin’s Urban Forestry Best Management Practices for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species. The final product was vetted by the public through an open comment period in order to incorporate input from all sectors of the urban forestry community. The BMPs are voluntary standards of practice to aid in the management and control of invasive plants, insects and diseases in and around Wisconsin’s “built environments”.

Urban forestry professionals and homeowners alike can play a role in helping to reduce the impacts of invasive species by following the practices outlined in this manual. The goal is to provide guidance by incorporating invasive species considerations into routine urban forestry activities. Ultimately, everyone involved in the care and management of trees, shrubs and other vegetation shares in the responsibility of preventing and controlling invasives. By taking reasonable and practical precautions today, we can help protect Wisconsin’s urban forests and other lands into the future.

Urban Forestry BMP Manual

Download the entire UF BMP manual with appendices:

Download sections of the UF BMP manual

Background

The UF BMP Manual will be revisited on a periodic basis and revised as necessary.

For further information or questions, you can email [email protected].

Forestry Best Management Practices for Invasive Species

Background

In 2006, representatives of Wisconsin’s forestry community made a commitment to protect the native biodiversity and economic productivity of the state’s forests through the development of voluntary Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPS) for Invasive Species. The original charge came from the Wisconsin Council on Forestry (a stakeholder organization that advises the governor). The Forestry Invasive Leadership Team, which provided the technical assistance to the Forestry Council, guided the process and developed a set of voluntary guidance for landowners, loggers, and land managers.

From the outset, everyone involved in the process has been committed to the common goal of sustaining the productivity and viability of Wisconsin’s forest resources. As a result of the variety of perspectives and experiences of participants and their commitment to opening this process up to all stakeholders, the resulting BMPs will be effective and reasonable to implement. The final product has been vetted by the public through listening sessions in order to incorporate input from all sectors of the forestry community.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Forestry Division, in partnership with the Wisconsin Council on Forestry, facilitated the development of the BMPs with funding from the US Forest Service. The BMPs offer a framework for addressing the state’s invasives problems. The Forestry BMPs for Invasive Species Manual offers voluntary practices that can be integrated with forest management activities. The manual includes standards of practice that will aid landowners, land managers, and loggers in limiting the introduction and spread of invasive plants, invertebrates, and diseases.

Advisory Committee

Forestry BMP Manual

The Field Manual will be revisited on a periodic basis and revised as necessary to address issues that arise during implementation. Appendices G, H and I will be revised as necessary to keep them up-to-date.

For further information or questions, you can email [email protected].

Outdoor Recreation Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices for Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species by Outdoor Recreation Activities in Wisconsin

Invasive Species have been called a “catastrophic wildfire in slow motion” and are a profound threat to Wisconsin’s forests. Recreational users of Wisconsin’s forests are taking an active role in halting the spread of invasive species by participating in the development of Recreation Best Management Practices for Invasive Species in Wisconsin Forests.

Through their varied forest-based activities, hikers, hunters, horseback riders, anglers, birders, and motorized vehicle riders among others can unknowingly cause new infestations of harmful invasive species in previously unaffected forest ecosystems. Recreation BMPs will form the foundation of an educational approach that informs and assists recreational users from a diversity of stakeholder groups to control the spread of invasive species and mitigate their negative ecological and economic impacts.

Recreation BMP Manual

Download the entire UF BMP manual with appendices

Download the UF BMP manual in sections

Background

Invasive Species Best Management Practices Overview

HoneysuckleInvasive exotic species present what may be the greatest threat to the long-term health and sustainability of Wisconsin’s forests. Human activities such as trading of goods, travel, gardening, and recreation have resulted in the introduction of many non-native plant and animal species to the state.

The Council created the Forestry Invasives Leadership Team to develop voluntary best management practices (BMPs) to help control the spread of invasive species.

The Rule

Chapter NR 40 – Invasive Species Identification, Classification and Control