National Invasive Species Information Center - What's New

Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month - May 2013

2013-05-01T19:33:24Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month - May 2013
The goal of May 2013 Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month (ISAM) is to provide resources and opportunities to help stop the spread of invasive species in Illlinois - each and every person can make a difference, including you!

* See our Illinois state resource page for more information and additional resources.

WSSA Scientists Stress the Importance of Early Response to Invasive Weeds (Mar 26, 2013)

2013-04-30T18:49:35Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

WSSA Scientists Stress the Importance of Early Response to Invasive Weeds (Mar 26, 2013)
"Early detection creates opportunities for us to make smart decisions and eradicate new invasive weeds before they spread widely and become entrenched. In those early stages, control efforts are typically easier, more successful and far more cost effective."

* See our Early Detection and Rapid Response section for more information and additional resources.

Feral Swine: Ripping and Rooting Their Way across America (Apr 30, 2013)

2013-04-30T17:51:02Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Feral Swine: Ripping and Rooting Their Way across America (Apr 30, 2013)
Feral swine have been called the "rototillers" of nature. Their longs snouts and tusks allow them to rip and root their way across America in search of food. Unfortunately, the path they leave behind impacts ranchers, farmers, land managers, conservationists, and suburbanites alike. April, Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, is a great time to learn about this serious threat to both plant and animal health. Learn more from USDA's Public Education Initiative.

* See our In the News section for more information and additional resources.

Grant Funds Preparation for Invasive Mussels (Mar 28, 2013)

2013-04-23T14:12:04Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Grant Funds Preparation for Invasive Mussels (Mar 28, 2013)
Researchers at Washington State University are preparing for a Northwest invasion of the zebra mussel - a small, distinctly striped and rather tenacious freshwater mollusk that can quickly encrust underwater surfaces. The mussels have caused significant damage in other parts of the country and pose an enormous risk to the hydroelectric infrastructure, recreational facilities and unique ecological system of the Columbia River Basin. The Columbia River Basin is one of the last major river systems in the U.S.still free of zebra mussels and the closely related quagga mussels; but possibly not for long. Once they are established in the water, they are almost impossible to eradicate.

* See our Washington state resource page for more information and additional resources.

The Economic Cost of Invasive and Non-native Species in Ireland and Northern Ireland (Mar 2013)

2013-04-23T13:50:44Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

The Economic Cost of Invasive and Non-native Species in Ireland and Northern Ireland (Mar 2013)
The Invasive Species in Ireland initiative has just published Ireland's first report on the economic cost of invasive and non-native species in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

* See our International - Europe page for more information and additional resources and our Economic Impacts - International section for more information and additional resources.

Discovering Species - Just a Click Away: The USGS makes finding the locations (and more) of U.S. species a lot easier with the new digital resource - BISON (Apr 18, 2013)

2013-04-23T12:52:40Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Discovering Species - Just a Click Away: The USGS makes finding the locations (and more) of U.S. species a lot easier with the new digital resource - BISON (Apr 18, 2013)
Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation or BISON is the only system of its kind; a unique, web-based Federal resource for finding species in the U.S. and territories. Its size is unprecedented, offering more than 100 million mapped records of nearly every living species nationwide and growing. And the vast majority of the records are specific locations, not just county or state records.

* See our In the News section for more information and additional resources.

Updated - Invasive Species Conference Calendar

2013-04-18T13:00:07Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Many New Upcoming Invasive Species Related Conferences added (U.S. and International), including:

Southern Plant Board 2013 Annual Meeting -- Apr 21-24, 2013

Central Plant Board 2013 Annual Meeting -- Apr 28-May 2, 2013

Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council's Invasive Plant Removal Day -- May 4, 2013

Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species -- May 7-8, 2013

2013 Salmon Recovery Conference -- May 14, 2013

Western Plant Board 2013 Annual Meeting -- May 20-23, 2013

Invasive Alien Predators - Policy, Research and Management in Europe -- Jun 16-18, 2013

2013 National Pollinator Week -- Jun 17-23, 2013

National Plant Board 2013 Annual Meeting -- Aug 4-8, 2013

Great Lakes Week 2013 -- Sep 9-12, 2013

Great Lakes Commission 2013 Annual Meeting -- Sep 9, 2013

9th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference -- Sep 10-12, 2013

22nd Annual California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) Symposium -- Oct 2-5, 2013

International Workshop: How to Communicate on Pests and Invasive Alien Plants -- Oct 8-10, 2013

8th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium -- Mar 24-26, 2015

* See our Conference Calendar for more information and resources.

Field Guide To The Identification of Japanese Stiltgrass: With comparisons to other look-a-like species (Dec 2012)

2013-04-18T12:24:23Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Field Guide To The Identification of Japanese Stiltgrass: With comparisons to other look-a-like species (Dec 2012)
This publication provides descriptions and clear pictures of key characteristics as well as details on how to distinguish several common look-a-like species.

* See our Plants-Japanese Stiltgrass page for more information. Also see our Resource Library - Identification Resources page for more identification resources.

California Invasive Plant Inventory -- Updated Mar 2013

2013-04-17T20:14:06Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

California Invasive Plant Inventory -- Updated Mar 2013
This interactive database developed by the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) has been recently (Mar 2013) and contains information on the plants currently included in the Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory. The Inventory categorizes plants as High, Moderate, or Limited, reflecting the level of each species' negative ecological impact in California. Includes options to search for species by region and by habitat type. The database provides a better view of information on each species and allows users to download the entire Inventory as a spreadsheet.

* See our Plants - Databases section for more information and additional resources.

Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Removal Day -- May 4, 2013

2013-04-17T19:45:58Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Removal Day -- May 4, 2013
This year, the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council is sponsoring the first-ever region-wide Invasive Plant Removal Day. This marks the 5th anniversary of the initiative for Virginia on a state-level, but the first annual event for the mid-Atlantic region. Please join in on the effort by visiting the event page!

Are you an organization or community group that often hosts invasive plant removal in your county or neighborhood? Register your event today!

Are you a citizen or volunteer who wants to get involved with invasive plant removal in your community? Check out the event listings for your state to see where organizations or groups are hosting an event in your area.

* See our Community Action section for more information and additional resources.

Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Trainings - Apr 23 and Apr 24, 2013

2013-04-17T18:30:59Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Trainings - Apr 23 and Apr 24, 2013

The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council is offering two opportunties to learn how to establish, manage and fund a Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) or Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) or similar organization for the purpose of removing invasive plants and restoring natural habitats. Presentations by people who have successfully developed and implemented CWMA type groups will be followed by discussion of the challenges and rewards of these efforts. Trainings are free but registration is required.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Conservation Training Center
Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
St. Jones Reserve
Dover, Delaware

* See our Education for Professionals section for more information and additional resources.

Eight 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards Announced (Mar 22, 2013)

2013-04-17T14:55:12Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Eight 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards Announced (Mar 22, 2013)
The major national groups that coordinate the battle against invasive species announced the 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards. The awards recognize the dedication and collaborative efforts of local, state and federal officials; private citizens; and volunteers in preventing and controlling invasive species.

* See our News and Events section for more information and additional resources.

Earth Day -- Apr 22, 2013: The Face of Climate Change

2013-04-11T18:25:33Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Earth Day -- Apr 22, 2013: The Face of Climate Change
Earth Day Network is partnered with National Environmental Education Week (Apr 14-20, 2013), which annually promotes understanding and protection of the natural world by actively engaging K-12 students and educators of all environmental subjects. See Earth Day 2013 Resources to help you participate in Earth Day 2013 and also see What You Can Do to help control invasive species.

* See our In the News section for more information and additional resources.

Scientists Stress Need for National Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (Apr 11, 2013)

2013-04-11T18:01:18Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

Scientists Stress Need for National Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (Apr 11, 2013)
With ocean life facing unprecedented threat from climate change, overfishing, pollution, invasive species and habitat destruction, a University of Florida researcher is helping coordinate national efforts to monitor marine biodiversity.

* See our In the News section for more information and additional resources.

When Traveling, Bring Back Fun Memories-Not Invasive Pests! (Apr 9. 2013)

2013-04-09T19:54:58Z

Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center --

When Traveling, Bring Back Fun Memories-Not Invasive Pests! (Apr 9, 2013)
While traveling, protect our country from invasive plant pests and diseases to help keep our agriculture and forests safe. Learn and prepare in advance of your travels what you can or cannot bring back from a country you visit.

* See our In the News section for more information and additional resources.