Nature Conservancy participates in National Invasive Weed Awareness Week
February 28, 2006
Although once promoted as a way to prevent soil erosion, kudzu has grown to become one of the most notorious invasive species in North America. © Barry Rice/TNC
Representatives from some of America's most beautiful public and private lands, including Nature Conservancy staff, are congregating in Washington, D.C. this week for National Invasive Weed Awareness Week (NIWAW). Now in its seventh year, NIWAW focuses on raising awareness of the economic and ecological devastation wrought by invasive weeds, and ensuring policy makers address what has become a national and global environmental concern.
Non-native plant infestations continue to spread across the United States almost unchecked by strong policies to prevent them. Nature Conservancy staff are all too familiar with the ongoing struggle to control invasive outbreaks in preserves and project areas around the country. Weeds spread over 6 square miles each day on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service alone.
NIWAW officials expect more than 200 representatives from industry associations, professional societies, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies to attend this year's event. Participants will showcase successful control strategies and tactics in an effort to expand opportunities for success in new locations that face similar challenges.
Together, participants will help members of Congress and congressional staff to understand the economic and environmental threat of invasive and noxious weeds to our nation. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend briefings on the problems associated with invasive weeds conducted by the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Defense as well as the National Invasive Species Council.
For More Information:
- How We Work: Invasive Species Initiative
Invasive species contribute directly to the decline of 49% of the threatened and endangered species in the United States. Building on years of experience in invasive species management, the Conservancy has created the Invasive Species Initiative to address this urgent and pervasive threat.
- Places We Protect: Where The Nature Conservancy is Combatting Invasive Species
Across the United States and around the world, The Nature Conservancy is building coalitions of conservation organizations, government agencies and volunteers to stop the spread of problematic plants and animals.
- For Practitioners: Invasive Species Information
The Global Invasive Species Initiative is The Nature Conservancy's response to abating the damage caused to native biodiversity by the human-facilitated introduction of non-native, harmful invasive species. This web site provides many resources designed to help all conservationists deal most effectively with invasive species.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
