2016
ISC Formed: To address invasive species issues, the Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) was formed to nurture transdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships and foster an inclusive environment where science and policy can meet to tackle this global challenge.
2018
Confronting a Crisis Workshop: The goal of the workshop was to bring people with different expertise together in order to identify gaps in knowledge and future needs for invasive species research and management.
2019
Devising Seminar on the Science and Policy of Biological Invasions | Richmond, VA: The ISC held a summit with key stakeholders to discuss the policy, management and science of invasive species in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"Advocacy, Science, and Policy of Invasive Species” Graduate Course: Led by ISC Steering Committee members, this course provided Virginia Tech graduate students with exposure to the tripartite integration of science, advocacy, and policy that shapes regulatory responses to biological invasions. Students had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with government agency officials, NGO and lobbying advocates, and policymakers.
2020
Awarded +Policy Destination Area Fellowship: The ISC received funding to begin building our Invasive Species Policy Database.
2021
Hired an ISC Postdoctoral Associate
2022
Destination Area 2.0 Phase I Funded: Destination Area 2.0 projects target transdisciplinary discovery, learning, and outreach efforts that yield solutions to complex problems that advance the human condition and that have a high likelihood of Virginia Tech sustaining or establishing an international leadership position in the area of interest. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost selected the ISC to receive a Destination Area 2.0 Phase I grant in spring 2022.
2023
Virginia Tech Summit on Invasive Species: The ISC hosted a campus-wide summit to bring together faculty engaged or interested in invasive species research to identify new opportunities for collaboration, expand the portfolio of Virginia Tech researchers whose expertise intersects with invasion science, and explore the possibility of developing a center of excellence focused on advancing collaborative action on invasive species.
Stakeholder Meetings | Washington, D.C.: The ISC steering committee met with representatives from federal agencies, Congress, and nonprofit organizations in D.C. to build an academia-government network and identify actors at the national level involved in invasive species management, prevention, and policy.
Destination Area 2.0 Phase II Funded: The ISC was selected by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost to receive a Destination Area 2.0 Phase II grant.
Invasive Species Policy Database Grant: The ISC received an award from the USGS to further develop and publish a version of our Invasive Species Policy Database. The database will be integrated with the new USGS-led National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System.
Hired and ISC Program Coordinator
Graduate Research Grants: ISC is dedicated to supporting graduate student research, outreach, and professional development opportunities. Seven unique projects were selected from the applicant pool and over $18,000 was awarded.
2024
Invasive Species Symposium: The ISC hosted a research symposium where attendees learned about invasive species research that is occurring across campus through faculty flash talks, student spotlight presentations, a poster session, and networking social.
Hired a ISC Graduate Research Assistant
Invasive Species Faculty Hires: The ISC is collaborating with four colleges (CALS, CLAHS, COS, & CNRE) to place seven new tenure track faculty positions. These positions will be filled over the next two fiscal years.
2025
Inaugural Invasive Species Day: In partnership with the Town of Blacksburg, the ISC will host an annual showcase of research, outreach, extension, and the arts to be held during National Invasive Species Awareness Week.