Amanda Crouch-Smith is now a Certified Invasive Manager in the State of Rhode Island. 

Invasive plant management is a permitted activity within coastal buffers in Rhode Island.  Those proposing to conduct activities within the coastal buffer, an area regulated by Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), may need to restore the overall habitat values/native vegetation within the buffer as a part of the project conditions.  This restoration is primarily achieved through invasive species management, which allows native Rhode Island flora to proliferate once again within the area.  In addition, property owners may elect to manage for invasive species on their property outside of a proposed permitted project or other activity within CRMC jurisdiction. 

Certified Invasive Managers are permitted to manage and restore up to 50 percent of a coastal buffer on a property.  Invasive species management requires an application for buffer zone management with the CRMC; certified managers are not exempt from the permitting process.  Persons applying to manage coastal buffers that do not possess an invasive species management certification are only permitted to alter up to 25 percent of the coastal buffer, rather than 50 percent.

Certified Invasive Managers are trained in site assessment and the buffer zone management permitting process as well as in the identification, management, control, and monitoring and maintenance of invasive species and native plant restoration efforts.  Certified Invasive Managers are listed in a database compiled and managed by the URI College of Environmental and Life Sciences website.  This website also provides additional information regarding invasive species management. 

Website:
http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/ceoc_programs_clp_imcp.htm.

Database:
http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/documents/CertifiedIMs.pdf

For more information, please contact the Horsley Witten Group, Inc.