Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
People help spread invasive species, which means that, with basic awareness, we can also curtail much of their spread. Better still, with broader awareness, we can instead “spread” native species, through restoration efforts in degraded landscapes and natural areas throughout the community.
Invasive species thrive in degraded areas, like old fields, roadsides, along parking lots, unmanaged landscapes, or heavily impacted natural areas. Once an ecosystem becomes disrupted, invasive plants often quickly colonize the area, dramatically reducing the levels of insect, bird, or fish life. Compare the images below to see the difference between a degraded shoreline on the left with a diverse natural shoreline on Power Island on the right.
Community activities that lead to the spread of invasive species include:
- Gardening: Our community imported upwards of half of the invasive plants in our region for use in our home and community landscapes. Ask your local nursery to partner with ISN to guide customer demand away from invasive plants, or for assistance developing a native plant sales section. Avoid purchasing invasive plants by referring to ISN’s invasive plant lists.
- Boats: Boats can transmit invasive plants and animals from lake to lake. If you plan to visit different waters within a week’s time, clean off all plants and animals from your boat, motor, and trailer by rinsing or wiping them down. Also, make sure to drain your boat of all water, including live wells, before entering any new body of water.
- Hiking and Biking: Seeds from invasive plants spread when people travel from infected regions, by clinging to pets and clothing, or by getting stuck in boot and tire treads. Make sure to wipe off any visual mud or seeds from shoes, pets, clothing, and tire treads.
- Firewood: Transporting firewood can also transport invasive species along with it. Emerald ash borer, gypsy moths, and beech bark disease have all been spread by transporting infected firewood. Buy firewood and burn it at your destination. Invasive pests and disease can also be spread along with imported organic materials like wooden packing materials, lumber, and plant stock. Insist your suppliers take precautions to avoid importing a pest, or buy local.
- Releasing Pets and Bait: Do not release aquarium plants and fish or live bait into storm drains, water bodies, or other wild places. Make sure you plan ahead to know where to dispose of bait when fishing. It is also very important not to release unwanted pets, like snakes or turtles purchased in pet stores, into the wild.