DRAFT Minutes – Invasive Plants Council

**DRAFT – THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED**

Thursday June 18, 2026  2:05 PM – 3:32 PM 

Attendees: Dustyn Nelson (CNLA), Victoria Wallace (UConn), Chris Valley (Prides Corner Farm), Bryan Connolly (IPANE), Angelique Lopez (DoAg), William Moorhead (DEEP), Denise Savageau (non-profit environmental association)

Absent: Jatinder Aulakh (CAES), Constance Trolle (Bantam Lake Association)

Non-voting members: Ian Campbell (Invasive Free USA), Maddie Myers (Kowalski Group), David Boomer (Kowalski Group), Lauren Kurtz (UConn)

Call to Order. Chair Dustyn Nelson called the meeting to order at 2:05 PM

 

Approval of minutes

February 10th 2026 Minutes. V. Wallace made a motion to approve; C. Valley seconded the motion.

March 25th 2026 Special Meeting Minutes. C. Valley made a motion to approve; V. Wallace seconded the motion.

 

Updates from Council members​

Wallace: New dean appointed to UConn CAHNR Dr. Kumar Venkitanarayanan. Bonnie Burr is stepping down as Extension department head and will be replaced by Mike Dietz in August 2026. The Invasive Plant Certificate Program finished its first year with 180 participants. Positive feedback received and planned improvements for next year. Upcoming Turfgrass Field Day July 22nd 2026 at UConn Research Farm.

Valley: For CNLA Connecticut Certified Horticulturist program, questions raised about invasive plant list used in course materials. Noted student difficulty with large list of “potentially invasive” plants.

Connolly: Ongoing long-term study of Japanese barberry removal (15-year site) and native plant restoration work.

Lopez: New Environmental Analyst at CT DoAg focused on climate-smart agriculture programs and solar siting.

Moorhead: Commissioner Katie Dykes, stepping down, Emma Cimino to serve as Acting Commissioner starting in July 2026.

Savageau: Update on House Bill 5004 (Public Act 25‑125.pdf) Nature-Based Solutions initiative. Report forthcoming. May inform future legislation and funding for invasive species management.

Old Business​

Legislative Updates on the following bills:

  • HB 5521 – Public Act 26-129
    • Ag Experiment Station tasked with report about sterile cultivars and Japanese barberry due January 15, 2027. Public comment period required.
  • HB 5525 – Public Act 26-65
    • Establishes rapid response framework for Hydrilla effective October 1 2026. Highlights need and precedent for terrestrial EDRR, potentially Japanese Knotweed.
  • HB 5334 – Public Act 26-61
    • DEEP is tasked to train Inland Wetlands Commissions, provides potential to integrate invasive plant management into training.
  • HB 5464 – Public Act 26-63
    • CT DOT and vegetation management plan update.

 

New Business​

Council Role

  • Discussion of IPC’s evolving role relative to: CT Environment Committee, State agencies, with emphasis on maintaining relevance and impact.
  • Funding needed and strong consensus for: dedicated (“hard”) funding for terrestrial invasive plant research and education, Invasive Plant Research Specialist role and continued support for existing staff roles.
  • Continued coordination with CIPWG. CIPWG Symposium: October 28, 2026 at UConn Student Union. CIPWG expected to review research/watch lists; IPC may evaluate recommendations for legislative action. Four IPC members on CIPWG speaker list which provides contact information for public presentations.

Potential future initiatives

  • Consider improved format for invasive plant list.
  • Explore development of terrestrial rapid response guidance.
  • Monitor Ag Experiment Station report on sterile cultivars.
  • Track Nature-Based Solutions report and funding opportunities.
  • Coordinate with CIPWG on research/watch list updates.
  • Begin discussion of 2027 legislative priorities (including funding).

Public Comments

  • Campbell (Invasive Free USA) Introduced organization and offered collaboration opportunities. Seeking continued discussions about invasive plants in CT.
  • Myers and Boomer (Kowalski Group) provided legislative update about sterile cultivar initiative.

 

Announcements

Next Meeting date: October 8th, 2026

 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn: Wallace. Second: Savageau. Meeting adjourned at 3:32 PM