Invasive Plant Conference
5th Annual Kentucky Invasive Plant Conference
November 18, 2025, 9 AM – 3:30 PM ET
Perkins Center - Eastern Kentucky University
Topics subject to change.
Registration (8:30-9)
Morning – Indoor Talks
Welcome and Introductions, Dr. Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky, Jess Slade, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (9-9:10)
Extreme Weather Events: The Impact of a Tornado on Invasive Plants, Dr. Theresa Culley, University of Cincinnati (9:10-9:50)
Fire Effects on Common Invasives in Kentucky, Cody Rhoden, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (9:50-10:20)
Break 10:20-10:30
Aquatic Invasives: Locating the Plants and Data Resources, Jeff Herod, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (10:30-10:45)
Revising Kentucky’s Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan, Jeff Herod, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (10:45-11:00)
Use of Herbaria in Invasive Species Research and Tracking, Dr. Sally Chambers, (11:00-11:30)
The Role of Public Gardens as Sentinels for Invasive Plants, Dr. Theresa Culley, University of Cincinnati (11:30-12:00)
Lunch (provided) and poster session (12-1)
Award Presentation, Kasia Bradley and Anna Claire Rogers, Kentucky State University (1-1:15)
Survey and CEUs, Dr. Ellen Crocker and Jess Slade, (1:15-1:30)
Afternoon – Concurrent Sessions (1:30-3:30)
Choose one:
• Taylor Fork Ecological Area as A Student Training Area for Managing Invasive Species, Dr. David Brown (outdoors)
• Tudor Farm Visit Eastern Kentucky University, Logan Ashley, (outdoors)
• Cardinal Lane Visit Eastern Kentucky University, Dr. Kelly Watson and Jacob Klein (outdoors)
• Tour of Herbarium Eastern Kentucky University, Robert Pace (indoors)
• Bluegrass Army Depot Visit, Dylan Abner (outdoors)
• Floracliff Nature Sanctuary Visit, Josie Miller (outdoors)
Share Your Research Poster
Have research you would like to share? Submit an application!
Submit application here...
Join us for a day of learning about invasive plants and networking with other professionals! This conference will feature a morning of talks by a range of speakers. Over lunch we will highlight new research in a student poster session. In the afternoon, participants will be able to choose from several field opportunities.
Cost is $75 and includes membership in the Kentucky Invasive Plant Council. If you have joined or renewed your membership with KYIPC since July of 2025, there is a $35 discount ($40 registration) and students can also receive a $50 discount ($25 registration). Please reach out to e.crocker@uky.edu with questions.
We are seeking sponsors and have different levels and opportunities. If you are interested in sponsorship (e.g. meal, break, students, speaker) please reach out and let us know, e.crocker@uky.edu.
Have research you would like to share? Submit an application to present a poster here.
Registration Closing Soon
We have limited seats available for the conference. Registration will close Monday at 9 a.m. or once 25 spots have been filled.
Register here...