Integrated Vegetation Management

Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) promotes compatible, desirable, stable vegetation cover that will resist invasion by tall-growing tree species—through the use of appropriate, environmentally sound, and cost-effective control methods. These methods can include a combination of chemical (herbicides), mechanical (mowing), manual (hand-cutting), or other treatments. The IVM approach strives to manage vegetation and the environment by balancing benefits of:

  • Vegetation control (species and growth form)
  • Economic costs
  • Environmental and habitat quality
  • Regulatory compliance

Integrated Vegetation Management is promoted by the Wildlife Habitat Council, Environmental Protection Agency, National Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Society of Arboriculture, the White House Pollinator Task Force and is becoming the standard practice for many utility companies including First Energy here in Pennsylvania.