2026 Everglades Invasive Species Summit (ECISMA)

Join us at the 2026 Everglades Invasive Species Summit to learn how to protect our ecosystem from harmful species.
About this Event

2026 ECISMA Coordination Meeting

Tuesday, July 22nd

8:30 to 9:00 am (30 min)Sign In, Settle In Moderator: Eric Suarez (UF)

9:00 to 9:20 am (20 min)Year in Review LeRoy Rodgers (SFWMD) and Dennis Giardina (FWC)

9:20 to 9:30 am (10 min)Welcome Address Eric Stabenau (Everglades Foundation)

Reporting and Outreach

9:30 to 9:50 am (20 min) EDDMapS/IveGot1 Chuck Bargeron (UGA) & Aaron Chimelis(UF)

INVASIVE PLANT RESEARCH

9:50 to 10:10 am (20 min)

MDC Pine Rockland Reztoration at Deering Estate James Duncan (MDC)

10:10 to 10:30 am (20 min)

Progress with Biological Control Efforts Against Invasive Weeds of the Everglades F. Allen Dray Jr. (USDA)

10:30 to 10:50 am (20 min)

TBD

10:50 to 11:10 am (20 min)

TBD

11:10 to 11:30 am (20 min)

Break

INVASIVE SPECIES HOT TOPICS

11:30 to 11:50 am (20 min)

Use of Composting to Dispose of Invasive Biomass after Removals Fertile Earth Worm Farms

11:50 am to 12:10 pm (20 min)

TBD

12:10 to 1:10 pm (1 hr)Lunch (Provided by Dennis Giardina and Family)

INVASIVE SPECIES HOT TOPICS CONTINUED

1:10 to 1:30 pm (20 min)

FISC Update Deb Thorpe(UF)

1:30 to 1:50 pm (20 min)

SW Florida Nonnative Fish Roundup Innovation Mike Sipos (UF)

INVASIVE ANIMAL RESEARCH

1:50 to 2:05 pm (15 min)

eDNA and Mosquitos - Use in Species Detection Melody Bloch (UF) and Brian Bahder (UF)

2:05 to 2:30 pm (25 min)

Northern African Python Biology and Removal Tactics Anthony Flanagan (SFWMD Python Removal and Training Contractor)

2:30 to 2:50 pm (20 min)

Swamp Eels in Florida Nate Dorn (FIU)

2:50 to 3:10 pm (20 min)

Detector Dogs used for Biosurveilance for Giant African Land Snails and Conehead Termites Katie Tenn (FDACS)

3:10 to 3:30 pm (20 min)

Break

REGIONAL OPERATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS

3:30 to 4:00 pm (30 min)

Regional Assessment of Priority Plant Management Hillary Cooley (NPS), Elena Suarez (BCPR), Jimmy Lange (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden), LeRoy Rodgers (SFWMD) and Andy Flaner (SFWMD)

4:00 to 4:30 pm (30 min)Regional Assessment of Priority Animal Management Annisa Karim (FWC)

(2.5 hr)

Social and Poster Session Organizer: Jessica Spencer (USACE)

Wednesday, July 23rd

8:45 to 9:00 am (15 min)

Sign In, Settle In Moderator: Eric Suarez (UF)

9:00 to 10:30 am (1.5 hr)

BREAK OUT SESSIONS

Breakout Session I

Breakout Session 1 Session moderator: Chuck Bargeron (UGA)
EDDMapS Pro - Plants/Wildlife

Objectives : TBD

BREAK OUT SESSION 2 Session Moderrator: FWC Staff

FWC Python Patrol Training

Objectives: Python Patrol Training teaches people how to identify Burmese pythons, and report sightings, as well as search for, safely capture and humanely K*ll these invasive constrictors. Participants will attend an in-person classroom presentation followed by a safe capture demonstration with a live python. Each attendee will then be able to apply safe capture techniques using a live Burmese python.

BREAK OUT SESSION 3 Session moderators: Hillary Cooley (NPS), Erik Eckles (BCPR), immy Lange (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden)

Invasive Plant ID/Plant Walk

Objectives: TBD

BREAK OUT SESSION 4 Session moderators: Elena Suarez (BCPR)

Wokday Planning

Objectives: TBD

10:30 to 10:45 am (15 min)

Debrief on Break Out Sessions I

10:45 to 11:05 am (20 min)

Break

BREAK OUT SESSIONS II

11:05 am to 12:35 pm (1.5 hr)

BREAK OUT SESSION 1 Session moderator: Frank Mazzoti (UF), Melissa Miller (UF)

Biosurveilance for Emerging Nonnative Wildlife Species Update

Objectives: TBD

BREAK OUT SESSION 2 Session moderator: Aaron Chimelis (UF) and Eric Suarez (UF)

Outreach, ECISMA Website, Social Media

Objectives: TBD

BREAK OUT SESSION 3 Session moderator: Hillary Cooley (NPS), Leroy Roders (SFWMD)

Overview of Useful ID Apps, ArcGIS tools, and Mappng Tools

Objectives: TBD

12:355 to 12:50 pm (15 min)

Debrief on Break Out Sessions II

12:50 pm

Meeting Adjourned and Help Clean Up

Silent AuctionStop by and participate in the 2026 ECISMA Coordination Meeting Silent Auction. The proceeds will be used to fund outreach and education efforts as part of ECISMA mission.