Mindy Wilkinson

Expertise

In 2002 I became the Invasive Species Coordinator for Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources after years of research on the role of invasive grasses in transforming Hawaii’s lowlands. A culture of interagency cooperation and sense of urgency driven by the declines of rare native species helped us grow the island invasive partnerships to include full time field crew serving the Invasive Species Committees. This experience of partnership building was put to national wide use during a year spent with the National Invasive Species Council and providing opportunities for state coordinators to engage across programs. I’ve also served the State of Wisconsin as Invasive Species Coordinator and developed their statewide, all-taxa strategy. As a consultant, I've had the opportunity to assist Montana in completing their own statewide invasive species framework.

• Invasive Species
• Botany
• Conservation biology
• Environmental policy
• Island biogeography
• Urban management

Invasive Species Planning

As an Invasive Species Coordinator and Owner of Primum Terrae I've written and produced plans for Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Montana. The documents are living guidelines for partnerships which evolve and respond as the threats posed by invasive species grow.

Montana's Rapid Response to Dreissenid Mussels

High-profile rapid responses can transform invasive species programs. In 2016, the discovery of dreissenid larvae in Montana initiated a rapid response effort that resulted in a six-fold expansion of the aquatic invasive species program. Pressure to respond to the mussels both changed the planned response efforts and increased the scope of invasive species partnerships across the state. This white paper provides a review of 2016-2018 rapid response and program development with recommendations for preparing for large scale rapid response efforts.

Montana Invasive Species Framework

Served the Montana Invasive Species Council by developing a statewide all-taxa invasive species framework built on their multi-year planning process and a series of inclusive stakeholder meetings.

Wisconsin Invasive Species Coordinator & Plan

As liaison to the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council and leader of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Team I initiated revisions to the invasive species rule and developed an all-taxa invasive species plan.

Hawaii Invasive Species Coordinator & Plan

I became the Invasive Species Coordinator for Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2002 and developed the first and revised statewide invasive species management plans.

Contact Me

Reach us by e-mail at primumterrae@gmail.com