An Online Conference
Pathways to Success: Partnerships and Purpose
Pathways to Success: Partnerships and Purpose
Our call for abstracts is now closed. Please stand by while we develop the program!
UMISC receives excellent reviews for its presentations.
The 2020 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference will cover all invasive aquatic and terrestrial plants, animals, insects and pathogens. It will emphasize how invasive species interact with natural and man-made systems in the Midwest, including lakes and rivers, wetlands, forests, prairies, agricultural systems, timberlands, and urban parks. In addition, we will have special sessions and symposia that focus on the topics of woody invasive species, organisms in trade, biocontrol, prescribed fire, ballast management, community science and other topics.
The conference's purpose is to share information to facilitate improved management of invasive species in the Upper Midwest and beyond. The conference covers many angles of invasive species work, including prevention, control, and impact mitigation. The conference is for a broad audience of stakeholders and professionals who engage on invasive species issues, including land managers, agriculture and natural resource professionals, researchers, students, landscape and nursery professionals, business leaders, foresters, environmental consultants, lake association members, lake improvement district professionals, private land owners, conservation group leaders and volunteers, and non-governmental organization staff.
Proposing an Abstract for a Concurrent Session Oral Presentation or Poster:
Prospective presenters are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations in one of four tracks:
- Aquatic Ecosystems,
- Forest Health,
- Terrestrial Ecosystems, and
- Cross-track/Interdisciplinary.
Proposing a Special Session or Symposium:
If interested in organizing a session (a series of 4 or 5 presentations) or a symposium (multiple sessions), please contact abstracts@umisc.net to discuss. If approved, session organizers will be given specific abstract submission instructions to provide presenters.
All prospective presenters must submit abstracts using the UMISC abstract submission form by the deadline of Friday, June 19, 2020, 7:00pm Central using the guidance provided below (Note: deadline extension due to issues surrounding COVID-19). Please note that presenters wishing to attend the conference will receive a discount on registration (cost will be $75). We highly encourage speakers to register for the whole conference! However, speakers who only wish to attend their session may do so at no cost. You will be asked to indicate this when your abstract is accepted.
Please note also that we plan on recording the UMISC sessions and making them available to registrants in the months following the streaming event. Speakers with strong reservations against being recorded will be able to opt out.
Review Process: The UMISC program committee will review and approve abstracts. Acceptance will be based on relevance to the conference's session topics and receipt of abstract by the deadline. Oral presentation slots are limited. Oral presentation authors are asked in the abstract submission form below to indicate if they would be willing to present their topic as a poster if the committee does not approve an oral presentation slot. Abstract contributors will be notified of committee decisions by mid-July.
Conference sessions within the concurrent tracks will be organized around the topic areas below. On the abstract submission form you will be asked to identify the topic area that best fits your abstract subject.
Conference Topic Areas
Items listed under each area below are examples and are not comprehensive. Authors are invited to submit presentations on topics not listed here if they are relevant to invasive species concerns in the Midwest.
Items listed under each area below are examples and are not comprehensive. Authors are invited to submit presentations on topics not listed here if they are relevant to invasive species concerns in the Midwest.
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Emerging Issues
Prevention
Advances in Control and Management
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Novel Approaches and Use of Technology
Policy, Legislation and Economics
Interdisciplinary Topics
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Guidelines for Abstracts:
Abstracts should not exceed 250 words. Authors should carefully edit their abstracts before submission. It is strongly recommended that authors develop their abstract in a word processing software with spelling and grammar check before entering into the submission form. UMISC organizers will not be responsible for editing abstracts. Submit abstracts ready for publication using the guidelines below.
Click here to go to the abstract submission form.
1. Title: Submit the title exactly as it will appear in the program (maximum 12 words).
2. Authors: Name and affiliation fields are provided for up to five authors. If there are more than five contributing authors, list remaining authors, including affiliation, in the “Additional Authors” field. If more than one author will be giving an oral presentation, please indicate in the "additional information box." Note that no extra time will be allotted to oral presentations with multiple presenters.
3. Body of abstract: Body of abstract should be a single paragraph, no longer than 250 words, that provides a brief description of the project, methods, results, and conclusions as appropriate to the topic.
4. Names of organisms in title and abstract: In the first instance of use of an organism name, use the common name followed by the scientific name in parenthesis (e.g. starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa)). Subsequent references can be by common name.
5. Names and application rates of pesticides in title and abstract: In the first instance of use of a pesticide name, initial reference should be to the active ingredients followed by the trade name in parenthesis (see: Herbicide Handbook, Weed Science Society of America). Subsequent references can be by trade name. Application rates and units of measurement should be clear in all cases.
6. Numbers and units: Use either English or metric units, but do not mix them.
7. Biographical sketch: Please provide a brief biographical sketch (bio) 150 words or less that outlines the presenter’s expertise relative to the presentation. Bios will be provided to conference attendees.
Guidelines for Presentations:
Oral Presentations
Oral presentations in the track sessions will be timed to 15 minutes with 5 minutes reserved for questions. If you are part of a special session, symposium or workshop, your session organizer will inform you if your presentation length will be different. Upon acceptance of abstracts, authors will be notified of the duration of their presentation. Conference administrative staff will work closely with confirmed speakers in the months and weeks preceding the conference to ensure that speakers are comfortable to deliver their presentations online and know what to expect for question and answer sessions, virtual break-out rooms or panels, etc. Speakers will have the option to pre-record their presentation if they cannot deliver it live at the appointed time. Please note that sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants in the months following the live online event. Speakers with strong reservations against being recorded may opt out.
Virtual Poster Presentations
Conference administrative staff will work closely with poster presenters in the months preceding the conference to provide guidance on how to develop and format a poster presentation for virtual display. Options are likely to include sharing a pdf file of your poster and sharing a short, pre-recorded video presentation.
For questions on abstract submission or presentation guidelines: Contact abstracts@umisc.net.
Example abstract submission:
Author: Tina Fitzgerald, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 259–5300; Email: tina.fitzgerald@state.mn.us
Second Author: Phil Hunsicker, Minnesota DNR
Title: Minnesota AIS Prevention Aid: Empowering Local Innovation
Abstract:
Minnesota's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid provides $10 million each year directly to counties to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species at all access sites within the county. A local government organization within each county has complete oversight of the funds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) role is to provide technical support and receive plans and resolutions submitted by counties. The program is in its fourth year and has more than 130 local government staff leading AIS work in the 83 counties that receive funds. One of the most powerful outcomes is the relationships that have been built between the DNR, local governments and local stakeholders. Each county program is unique and truly attempts to use innovative solutions to address AIS issues in ways that will bring the most benefit to their communities. These locally-led programs are bridging the gaps between all organizations and individuals involved which, in turn, strengthens the effectiveness of AIS prevention efforts statewide. Come and learn about our successes, challenges and how these programs are making a difference in their communities.
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Presentation Track: Aquatic Ecosystems
Presentation Theme: Spread Prevention
Biographical sketch of Presenting Author
Tina Fitzgerald and Phil Hunsicker are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Planners for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Since November 2014, Tina and Phil have provided technical support to local governments as they develop, implement, and assess AIS Prevention Aid plans and activities within their counties.
Abstracts should not exceed 250 words. Authors should carefully edit their abstracts before submission. It is strongly recommended that authors develop their abstract in a word processing software with spelling and grammar check before entering into the submission form. UMISC organizers will not be responsible for editing abstracts. Submit abstracts ready for publication using the guidelines below.
Click here to go to the abstract submission form.
1. Title: Submit the title exactly as it will appear in the program (maximum 12 words).
2. Authors: Name and affiliation fields are provided for up to five authors. If there are more than five contributing authors, list remaining authors, including affiliation, in the “Additional Authors” field. If more than one author will be giving an oral presentation, please indicate in the "additional information box." Note that no extra time will be allotted to oral presentations with multiple presenters.
3. Body of abstract: Body of abstract should be a single paragraph, no longer than 250 words, that provides a brief description of the project, methods, results, and conclusions as appropriate to the topic.
4. Names of organisms in title and abstract: In the first instance of use of an organism name, use the common name followed by the scientific name in parenthesis (e.g. starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa)). Subsequent references can be by common name.
5. Names and application rates of pesticides in title and abstract: In the first instance of use of a pesticide name, initial reference should be to the active ingredients followed by the trade name in parenthesis (see: Herbicide Handbook, Weed Science Society of America). Subsequent references can be by trade name. Application rates and units of measurement should be clear in all cases.
6. Numbers and units: Use either English or metric units, but do not mix them.
7. Biographical sketch: Please provide a brief biographical sketch (bio) 150 words or less that outlines the presenter’s expertise relative to the presentation. Bios will be provided to conference attendees.
Guidelines for Presentations:
Oral Presentations
Oral presentations in the track sessions will be timed to 15 minutes with 5 minutes reserved for questions. If you are part of a special session, symposium or workshop, your session organizer will inform you if your presentation length will be different. Upon acceptance of abstracts, authors will be notified of the duration of their presentation. Conference administrative staff will work closely with confirmed speakers in the months and weeks preceding the conference to ensure that speakers are comfortable to deliver their presentations online and know what to expect for question and answer sessions, virtual break-out rooms or panels, etc. Speakers will have the option to pre-record their presentation if they cannot deliver it live at the appointed time. Please note that sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants in the months following the live online event. Speakers with strong reservations against being recorded may opt out.
Virtual Poster Presentations
Conference administrative staff will work closely with poster presenters in the months preceding the conference to provide guidance on how to develop and format a poster presentation for virtual display. Options are likely to include sharing a pdf file of your poster and sharing a short, pre-recorded video presentation.
For questions on abstract submission or presentation guidelines: Contact abstracts@umisc.net.
Example abstract submission:
Author: Tina Fitzgerald, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 259–5300; Email: tina.fitzgerald@state.mn.us
Second Author: Phil Hunsicker, Minnesota DNR
Title: Minnesota AIS Prevention Aid: Empowering Local Innovation
Abstract:
Minnesota's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid provides $10 million each year directly to counties to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species at all access sites within the county. A local government organization within each county has complete oversight of the funds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) role is to provide technical support and receive plans and resolutions submitted by counties. The program is in its fourth year and has more than 130 local government staff leading AIS work in the 83 counties that receive funds. One of the most powerful outcomes is the relationships that have been built between the DNR, local governments and local stakeholders. Each county program is unique and truly attempts to use innovative solutions to address AIS issues in ways that will bring the most benefit to their communities. These locally-led programs are bridging the gaps between all organizations and individuals involved which, in turn, strengthens the effectiveness of AIS prevention efforts statewide. Come and learn about our successes, challenges and how these programs are making a difference in their communities.
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Presentation Track: Aquatic Ecosystems
Presentation Theme: Spread Prevention
Biographical sketch of Presenting Author
Tina Fitzgerald and Phil Hunsicker are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Planners for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Since November 2014, Tina and Phil have provided technical support to local governments as they develop, implement, and assess AIS Prevention Aid plans and activities within their counties.
If you have any questions regarding the abstract submission process, please contact abstracts@umisc.net.