Crown Terrestrial Invasive Plant Network
OUR MISSION
The Crown Terrestrial Invasive Plant Network (CTIP) is comprised of agency and nonprofit experts from across the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem who are committed to collaborative management of terrestrial invasive species. We share information on our challenges and successes, early invaders, and treatment strategies.
Meadow Knapweed, Centaurea x moncktonii
Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare
Dalmatian Toadflax, Linaria dalmatic
Who We are
The Crown Terrestrial Invasive Plant Network holds biannual conference calls to discuss emerging issues, success stories and challenges, new management and strategies. The network formed out of interest developed at the 2015 CMP Forum on Terrestrial Invasive Plants.
Participating members include: Crown Managers Partnership, Alberta Environment and Parks, US Forest Service, East Kootenai Invasive Species Council, University of Montana, Flathead Biological Station, Parks Canada-Waterton Lakes National Park, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Glacier National Park, Milk River Watershed Council Canada, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Blood Tribe Land Management, Blackfeet Nation, Alberta Invasive Plant Council
Our Work
An example of the habitat suitability models. This model is for orange hawkweed.
The Crown Terrestrial Invasive Plant Network has been the focus of two annual Crown Managers Partnership Forums in 2005 and 2015. At the 2015 meeting, Bray Beltran set the stage by modeling current and future habitat suitability of invasive plants throughout the Crown ecosystem. The models were created using species presence data and associating it with climate conditions at each of the locations the species was detected. Future suitable habitat was created by extrapolating the species/climate relationship using a climate scenario with moderate emissions.
In 2021 we revised, updated, and re-released the very popular Invasive Plants of the Crown of the Continent Field Guide, 3rd Ed. The guidebook is intended for managers with jurisdictions in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem as a tool for educating staff, volunteers, and the general public about invasive plants. It is written to be understandable and useful for the general public (i.e. non-technical) as well as field crews directly working with weeds, and non-weed staff who may be able to assist with early detection of invasive plants while in the backcountry.
If you would like a print copy of the guidebook, please reach out to us at crownmanagers@gmail.com!
gET INVOLVED around montana
Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week - June 7-13, 2026
Montana Invasive Species Summit - November 4-5, 2026 @ Montana Heritage Center, Helena
North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Webinar Series’
Our Partners’ Upcoming Events!
Pincher Creek Day on the Creek
WATERTON BIOSPHERE RESERVE ASSOCIATION
A unique outdoor learning experience where over 800 students, teachers, parents, and the general public can learn about the environment and human history along Pincher Creek and explore the importance of watershed stewardship.