Together, we’re working hard to protect California from the threat of invasive plants. Clockwise from top left: Dawn Cunningham, Resource Environmental Solutions LLC; Drew Kerr; American Conservation Experience; Adam White, Santa Lucia Conservancy; Joseph DiTomaso.
Mission
Cal-IPC’s mission is to protect California’s environment and economy from invasive plants.
Cal-IPC formed in 1992 to address one of California’s top environmental threats. We work closely with agencies, industry and other nonprofit organizations. Our active membership includes public and private land managers, ecological consultants and researchers, planners, volunteer stewards, and concerned citizens.
Values
Cal-IPC works on behalf of all Californians, and our success depends on engaging people from many backgrounds and communities. We are committed to values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) in conservation.
2025-2030 Strategic Plan
The Cal-IPC Board has approved our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, outlining a bold vision focused on science-based conservation, empowering land stewards, and advocating for strong public policies to stop the spread of invasive plants.
Explore the summary to get an overview.
Read the full report to get a detailed breakdown of our proposed steps to achieve this vision.
What we do
Assess invasive plants and provide information on management
Carthamus lanatus, or woolly distaff thistle
Cal-IPC maintains the California Invasive Plant Inventory, a comprehensive list of invasive plants based on ecological impacts, as well as “Watch” plants that may become invasive in the future. Each plant is assessed using a transparent criteria system with documentation of sources. The Plant Profile page for each plant links the top information on the plant’s biology and management.
Support land managers and volunteers
Managing invasive plants is an important aspect of land management and ecological restoration. Cal-IPC holds an annual Symposium featuring four days of presentations, posters, trainings and field trips. The Wildland Volunteer Network provides resources for volunteers. Our website serves as a library of reference materials. Our quarterly Dispatch newsletter keeps the restoration community current on the latest information.
Coordinate landscape-level strategic mapping, planning, and implementation
Cal-IPC maintains the CalWeedMapper, an online decision-support tool to support regional prioritization and strategic planning. We work closely with Calflora to provide tools for mapping invasive plants and tracking projects. We work with regional partners to plan, fund, and implement invasive plant control projects.
Advocate for funding and policy initiatives
Cal-IPC leads advocacy efforts to secure funding for strategic invasive plant control projects, including through collaborations such as Weed Management Areas (WMAs). Cal-IPC serves as a leader with the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee, the National Association of Invasive Plant Councils, the North American Invasive Species Network, and the National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species.
Reduce invasive plant introductions through horticulture
Cal-IPC works with nurseries and gardeners to address this major pathway for introduction of invasive plants. Our Don’t Plant a Pest! brochures suggests safe landscaping alternatives. We work with nursery and landscape trade organizationsas part of the PlantRight partnership to develop voluntary industry measures.
