Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership

What Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership does

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership, Inc. (LCIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Menomonie, Wisconsin, that delivers community-based invasive plant species awareness, education, and control services. Founded on September 14, 2011, originally as the West Central Wisconsin Invasive Plant Management Area, it was the first Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) in Wisconsin to receive 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (2015) and serves a five-county region covering Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, and Pierce counties. The organization's core offerings include invasive species education and outreach programming, individual landowner walkovers for property assessment and management planning, biological/chemical/mechanical treatment solutions for six target terrestrial invasives (Leafy Spurge, Wild Parsnip, Common Buckthorn, Japanese Knotweed, Garlic Mustard, Spotted Knapweed), a 6' x 12' enclosed equipment trailer available for loan to partner groups, volunteer work events, and an "Alternative Invasive Uses" creative-reuse initiative.

LCIP operates a community-led go-to-market motion with no transactional pricing: membership is free, landowner walkovers are donation-based, and equipment loans require only a signed liability waiver. Revenue is derived from tax-deductible donations, grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (including Rapid Response, Citizen Based Monitoring, and Weed Management Area grants, totaling roughly $29,640 across 2013–2016), and bulk operational support from the Gale Family Foundation. The organization relies on a coalition of 25+ partner organizations — including WDNR, UW-Extension, county highway and conservation departments, corporate sponsors (3M, Andersen Corporation, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company), universities, and conservation nonprofits — to deliver services and reach landowners.

In April 2022, LCIP entered a restructuring period through December 2022 after organizational funding dwindled to minimal income; the Executive Director resigned, the physical office was closed, and operations shifted to a board- and member-driven structure. As of available data, the organization remains operating with website, phone, and email contact maintained, and a 2022–2025 Strategic Plan outlines continued focus on the five-county service area plus expansion into Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) through Beaver Creek Reserve.

Name

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership

Legal name

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership, Inc.

Website

https://lcinvasives.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers invasive plant education, landowner walkovers, equipment loans, and volunteer removal programs across five counties in West Central Wisconsin. It was the first CISMA in Wisconsin to achieve 501(c)(3) status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Menomonie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting tax-deductible donations. Free membership available; financial partnership program for supporters.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from WDNR grants including Rapid Response Grants, Citizen Based Monitoring Grants, and Weed Management Area grants. Major support from Gale Family Foundation.
3. Service Fees: Voluntary donations requested for landowner walkover services. Equipment rental with liability waiver.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership (LCIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides invasive species education, monitoring, and control services across five Wisconsin counties (Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, and Pierce). Its core offerings include landowner walkovers with property-specific invasive plant inventories and management plans, an equipment loan program with a stocked trailer of sprayers and Weed Wrenches, biological/chemical/mechanical treatment coordination, target-species control campaigns for six priority invasives, and community education through workshops and volunteer workdays. Services are delivered through a coalition of 25+ partner organizations including government agencies, conservation groups, schools, and corporations.

Product overview

Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership (LCIP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of invasive species management services focused on education, outreach, and direct control. The organization operates as a service-based nonprofit rather than a software product company. Core offerings include invasive species education and outreach programs, landowner walkovers for property assessments, a Landowner Chemical Program providing equipment and herbicide training, and equipment rental through a 6' x 12' enclosed trailer stocked with control tools. LCIP provides treatment solutions encompassing biological, chemical, and mechanical methods for six target invasive plants, supplemented by volunteer work events, informational resources (brochures, factsheets, identification guides), and documented case studies. The organization serves Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, and Pierce counties in Wisconsin through partner cooperation and community action.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landowner Walkovers

Quantifiable outcome

• 2016 Rapid Response Grant of $11,140 for Amur Cork Tree removal in urban areas with local arborists and UW-Stout student workers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wisconsin DNRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner providing grant funding, technical guidance, and regulatory framework. LCIP was nominated for the 2016 Invasive Crusader Award by WDNR Terrestrial Invasive Species Biologist Kelly Kearns.
• Beaver Creek ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program expansion, including dedicated AIS Coordinator position to address water-based invasive species.
• Dunn County Land & Water Conservation DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partner in invasive species projects, roadside surveys, and landowner assistance programs. Chase Cummings serves as County Conservationist on LCIP board.
• Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin (IPAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization providing resources, networking, and advocacy for invasive plant management. LCIP participates in conferences and shares educational materials.
• UW Extension Forestry - UW MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research-based resources, weed identification tools, and educational materials. Lauren Larsen serves as Forest Health representative on LCIP board.
• Chippewa Savannas Prairie EnthusiastscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for prairie and savanna restoration projects, including joint events at Maiden Rock SNA and other natural areas.
• Prairie Enthusiasts St. Croix Valley ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner for prairie restoration and invasive species control in the St. Croix Valley area.
• 3M CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with environmental engineer Brad Luedtke serving as LCIP Treasurer. Hosts annual Earth Day exhibitor events and lunch-and-learn presentations.
• Andersen CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing employee volunteer groups for invasive species removal projects including Wakanda Park workday clearing over an acre of buckthorn and honeysuckle.
• Landmark ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand trust partner for conservation and preservation initiatives in West Central Wisconsin.
• Dunn County Master GardenerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer garden expert network assisting with invasive species identification and education in Dunn County.
• Pepin County Land Conservation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing county-wide invasive species program including landowner cost-share funding and roadside survey mapping.
• UW-StoutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing student volunteers and intern support for invasive species removal projects. Keith Gilland serves as Biology-Restoration Ecology Professor.
• UW-Eau ClaireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing student volunteers for invasive species control events.
• UW-River FallsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing student volunteers for invasive species removal projects.
• 4-Control Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional invasive species control contractor providing chemical treatment services. Owner Lee Shambeau serves on LCIP board as active member.
• Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for community events and conservation initiatives.
• Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical college partner providing student groups and horticulture class participation in invasive species projects.
• Wisconsin Clear Waters Trout Unlimited ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner for watershed and stream protection projects involving invasive species control.
• Dunn County Fish and Game AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportsmen's organization partner hosting invasive species removal volunteer events at their property.
• Wisconsin First Detector NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide early detection network for invasive species providing training and reporting resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center: West Central Wisconsin conservation and citizen science organization that partners with LCIP on the Aquatic Invasive Species program, including a dedicated AIS Coordinator position. Operates in the same five-county region with overlapping educational and conservation programming.
• Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin: Statewide organization providing resources, networking, and advocacy for invasive plant management. LCIP lists IPAW as a core strategic partner and participates in IPAW conferences, making it the most directly comparable peer in mission and constituency.
• The Prairie Enthusiasts: Wisconsin and Minnesota prairie/savanna restoration organization. LCIP partners with the Chippewa Savannas and St. Croix Valley chapters on joint events at Maiden Rock SNA and other natural areas, addressing similar invasive species challenges on native habitat.
• Wisconsin First Detector Network: Statewide early detection network for invasive species providing training and reporting resources, listed by LCIP as a partner. Operates a citizen science and training model directly comparable to LCIP's Invasive Species Monitoring Program.
• Landmark Conservancy: Regional land trust operating in West Central Wisconsin with overlapping conservation mission, including invasive species control on preserves. LCIP lists Landmark as a core strategic partner and both organizations engage similar volunteer and landowner bases.
• Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin: Statewide nonprofit that funds and supports conservation work including habitat restoration. Operates a similar donor-and-grant funding model focused on Wisconsin natural resources and is a natural peer in the Wisconsin conservation nonprofit ecosystem.
• Riveredge Nature Center: Wisconsin nature center conducting land management, citizen science, and invasive species control in southeastern Wisconsin. Comparable in operating model (education, volunteer land stewards, equipment lending) and nonprofit scale.

Broad incumbents

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: State government agency that provides grant funding, technical guidance, and the NR 40 regulatory framework underpinning CISMAs. WDNR delivers overlapping invasive species education, monitoring, and control at a much larger scale across all of Wisconsin.
• The Nature Conservancy (Wisconsin): Global conservation nonprofit with active Wisconsin chapter that conducts habitat restoration including invasive species control at a much larger scale. Provides overlapping capabilities as part of a wider portfolio of conservation work.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Wetlands Association: Statewide nonprofit focused on wetland conservation and habitat restoration. Operates a similar Wisconsin-focused, education-and-advocacy model and addresses overlapping invasive species issues in wetland habitats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LCIP2011
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lower-chippewa-invasives-partnership-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership