The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) is pleased to celebrate excellence in invasive species prevention and management through the 4th Annual Invasive Species Awards Ceremony. The ceremony took place during the ISC’s annual Forum – one of Canada’s largest invasive species events.   

The 6th Annual Invasive Species Forum is being held virtually from February 18 to 20, in partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources. The Forum brings together invasive species researchers, managers, policymakers, and community members to learn from more than 50 expert speakers with presentations calling attention to issues, research, and advances in prevention and management of invasive species across Canada, neighbouring U.S. States, and beyond.  

Winners of the 2025 Invasive Species Centre Awards are: 

  • Dr. Taylor Scarr of the Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, for the Career Achievement Award 
  • Mallory Carpenter and Peyman Saidi of Ducks Unlimited Canada and Saiwa, Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa, for the Innovation Award   
  • Jessie McFadden and Michelle Willows from Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, for the Leadership Award  
  • Kallum McDonald of the Government of Alberta, for the Young Professional Award 

“We are thrilled to be celebrating people moving the bar on invasive species during a record-setting event with more than 1,700 people scheduled to attend the Forum,” says Colin Cassin, Invasive Species Centre Executive Director. “We thank and commend all award nominees and event attendees for their important work on invasive species, which have a $3.6-billion-dollar annual impact in Ontario alone on forests, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, public health, recreation, and tourism.”  

Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are introduced to an area and cause harm to the environment, economy, or society. Invasive species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity. As a result of these threats, many beloved pastimes in Canada are impacted such as hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and visiting local parks.  

There’s still time to tune into the Forum, with sessions on aquatic invasive species, innovative solutions, terrestrial invasives, and biodiversity and climate change still to come. Session recordings will also be available on the Invasive Species Centre’s YouTube Channel.  

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