OISC Committees & Working Groups

OISC Committees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee was formed in 2021 and includes the Chair, Past Chair, Vice Chair, committee chairs, and an Oregon Department of Agriculture representative. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to share information between Council committees, discuss priorities and assistance needed, create OISC meeting agendas, and make the OISC meetings more efficient and effective. This committee will hold a meeting every other month on the third Friday (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm).

  • Chris Benemann, Council Chair,

  • Wyatt Williams, Council Vice-Chair, Governance Chair

  • TBD, Appointed Member Vice-Chair (exp. March 2026)

  • Anna Ramthun, Communications Committee Chair

  • Vacant, Education & Outreach Committee Chair

  • Vacant, Legislative Committee Co-Chair

Communications Committee | Chair: Anna Ramthun

The Communications Committee was established by motion in 2016. The committee plans for coordinated Council communications, including social media plans, news releases, website, and outreach materials. This committee meets as needed.

Members:

  • Anna Ramthun

  • Sam Chan

  • Chuck Fisk

  • Mina Cooper

  • Vanessa Youngblood

Recognition & Awards Subcommittee

The Recognition & Awards Subcommittee (formerly Awards Subcommittee) was created in 2020 as a subcommittee of the Communications Committee. This subcommittee will support the planning and coordination of the OISC Awards. The subcommittee meets every two years as needed.

Governance Committee | Chair: Wyatt Williams (Oregon Department of Forestry)

The Governance Committee reviews and proposes changes to the Oregon Invasive Species Council bylaws, first adopted in 2002. Chaired by the ex officio member, vice-chair. View the most up-to-date bylaws by clicking here. 

Members:

  • Wyatt Williams

  • Josh Emerson

  • TBD

  • Chris Benemann

Legislative Committee | Co-Chairs: Vacant

The Legislative Committee tracks, reviews, and provides information for proposed legislation relating to the Council and invasive species management in Oregon. 

Members:

  • Michelle Delepine

  • Tim Butler

  • Chuck Fisk

  • Christine Moffit

  • Clint Nichols

  • Rick Boatner

  • Kit Rouhe

  • David Webber

  • Vanessa Youngblood

  • Courtney Gattuso

  • Keith DeHart

  • Sam Chan

Education & Outreach Committee | Chairs: [Vacant]

The Education and Outreach Committee is a cross-agency body focused on outreach and education related to invasive species. This committee provides support for the outreach and education projects coordinated or supported by the council, including awareness campaigns, art projects, K-12 education projects, and outreach programs. This committee meets as needed and occasionally with the Communications Committee.

Members:

  • Arick Rouhe

  • Christer LaBrecque

  • Michelle Delepine

  • Sam Chan

  • Troy Abercrombie

  • Christine Moffitt

  • David Webber

  • Todd Pfeiffer

  • Vanessa Youngblood

  • Laurel Hillmann

  • Nikki Brooks

  • Tristen Berg

Invader Hotline Working Group | Lead: Jacob Rose (PSU/INR)

The Invader Hotline Working group was formed to develop a long-term, sustainable plan to support the OISC Invader Hotline’s online presence, now hosted at Oregon State University.

Education & Outreach Grants Working Group | Leads: OISC Coordinator and ODA Grants Admin.

The Education and Outreach Grants Subcommittee was formed to oversee the development and execution of the OISC Education and Outreach Grants program (2024-2026) made possible by SB5701 (2024).

Invasive Species Hub Working Group | Lead: [Vacant]

Originally, the Worst Invaders Working Group was created in 2020 to support updating Oregon’s Worst Invaders list; the HUB Working Group is transitioning to a support team within the OISC Education and Outreach Committee, as the HUB structure and initial dataset have been populated, and the HUB moves into as-needed maintenance and update mode. Future needs include activities and efforts to raise awareness of the HUB as a resource on invasive species of concern.

Budget/Funding Committee | Chairs: Chris Benemann (ODA)

The Budget/Funding Committee is responsible for identifying budget and fundraising priorities for the Council and finalizing the OISC's biennial budget. Membership includes the past chair, the current chair, the rising vice chair, and the ODA representative. The committee is co-chaired by the OISC Chair and the ODA representative.

Other OISC Working Groups

Oregon Invasive Freshwater Mussel Response Plan Working Group | Lead: Glenn Dolphin (OSMB)

This interagency group reflecting the ongoing efforts of OSMB, ODFW, and PSU/CLR, (the three entities charged with elements of invasive mussel prevention, detection and response) is working to update the 2013 Oregon Dreissenid Rapid Response Plan (amended in 2017) and incorporate new threats (golden mussels), lessons learned over the last decade of prevention and control efforts throughout the western US, and expanded partnerships and resources for mussel response.

  • Glenn Dolphin

  • Keith DeHart

  • Josh Emerson

  • Kit Rouhe

  • Blaine Parker

  • Laurel Hillman

  • Mina Cooper

  • Todd Pfeiffer

  • Vanessa Youngblood