2026 CIPWG Invasive Plant Symposium
From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Our Response to Invasive Plants
Join fellow land stewards, scientists, and practitioners to discover practical strategies for managing invasives and restoring native habitat.
The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2026 symposium is a full day in-person program on October 28, with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts. This year’s theme is From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Our Response to Invasive Plants. The symposium will be recorded and made available after the event. Attendees can choose to attend in person or purchase the recording.
The morning session will include a keynote presentation by Tom Zetterstrom, Sharon Land Trust: “Land Trust Decision Model for Invasive Control in Severely Impacted Areas of Forest Collapse” and a Panel Discussion: “Myths of Invasive Plant Management.”
Afternoon Breakout Session Group A (Concurrent):
1) Identification and Management of Invasive Vines: Dr. Bryan Connolly, ECSU; Pete Picone, CT DEEP
2) Rugged Native Plants for Restoration of Managed Areas: Frederick (Erik) C. Sechler, Jr., Native Plant Trust
3) Invasive Aquatics: Updates on Hydrilla and Water Chestnut: John Hall, Jonah Center for Earth and Art; Greg Bugbee, CAES
Afternoon Breakout Session Group B (Concurrent):
4) Special Topics in Invasive Plant Management: Christian Allyn, Invasive Plant Solutions; Joshua Tracy, Regional Water Authority; Tim Mack, Hamden Land Conservation Trust
5) Building Layers for Biodiversity with Native Plants: Anna Fialkoff and Maggie Redfern, Connecticut College Arboretum
6) Herbicide Management of Invasives: Law and How to Apply it: Zach Donais, CT DEEP
CEUs for organizations and Pesticide Recertification Credits are available.
$90 General Registration (in person attendance). $80 Recording Only; Student Registration Available.
In-person registration DEADLINE: Register by Sunday, October 18. No walk-ins.
More information and to register: cipwg.uconn.edu/2026-symposium
Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is pleased to be a partner of the 2026 CIPWG Symposium.