UMISC 2026 Is Approaching – Register Now!

IPAW is proud to be one of three hosts for the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC)! UMISC is a hybrid event. Join in person in La Crosse, Wisconsin or virtually with an online option.

IPAW members in good standing are eligible for discounted rates. Visit the UMISC Registration web page to explore the various attendance options and rates, as well as tips to ensure a smooth registration process. To renew or begin your IPAW membership, visit the Join page on our website.

The 2026 edition of UMISC has an excellent line up of sessions, workshops, field trips, and plenary presentations. Over 200 presenters will be sharing their work and expertise! A session overview can be found here. A presentation schedule has been set and a more detailed agenda will be available soon.

If you are joining in person, check out the exciting options for workshops and field trips. There are 9 field trips to choose from and 5 workshops! All workshops and field trips will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday October 6th, so in most cases, plan to limit your selection to one trip OR one workshop to avoid schedule conflicts. 

A graphic showing plenary presenter photos and titles for the 2026 UMISC conference.

We are looking forward to learning from each of these knowledgeable and engaging speakers. Full speaker biographies and presentation summaries are available on the UMISC website.  

Evidence-based Hope within Invasive Species Management
Dr. Julie Lockwood, Rutgers University 

Landscape Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Melinda Myers, Gardening Expert & Author

Leveling Up: Next Steps Needed for Invasive Species Management
Dr. Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin-Madison