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| Yellow star thistle, a common invasive in California |
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Hospitable climate, international ports, rich agriculture and horticulture, growing population, incredible biodiversity — that’s California. It’s also a breeding ground for one of the greatest environmental threats we face today: invasive species.
The Challenge
Introduced to areas where they are not native, some invasive plants and animals easily take hold and thrive in California’s land and waters. In fact, invasive species represent the top threat to biodiversity, agriculture, fishing and recreation in the state, costing California
hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
“Invasive species threaten California natives by thriving in our habitats and competing for limited resources,” says Melva Bigelow, the Conservancy’s associate director for state government relations. In fact, California is among the hardest hit of the 50 states, with 674 plant and animal invaders now naturalized within its borders. Although invasives take their greatest toll in biologically rich places like California, Florida
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...invasive species represent the top threat to biodiversity, agriculture, fishing and recreation in the state, costing California hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
| and Hawaii, their threat is wide and growing. So far, invasive species have infested more than 100 million acres in the United States, and continue to spread across 3 million acres each year.
The Solution
Battling invasive species calls for broad-based solutions that integrate on-the-ground science with strategic public policy. “To combat invasives effectively, California needs more resources — both funding and staff — for coordinated screening and early detection programs, and support for local control projects and education efforts,” says Doug Johnson, executive director of the California Invasive Plant Council.
On-the-ground eradication of invasives is already part of the Conservancy’s work at many sites. At Lassen Foothills, controlled burns are reducing invasive weeds that choke out native vegetation. At the Cosumnes River project, volunteer teams are battling non-native trees. And on Santa Cruz Island, efforts are underway to combat wild fennel and feral pigs, which threaten the dwindling island fox population.
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Giant reed, an exotic invasive, grows along the banks
of the Sacramento River
© Harold E. Malde |
But an important part of the Conservancy’s work takes places far from the sites we protect. Through collaboratives like the California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC), the Conservancy is partnering with the California Invasive Plant Council, The California Cattlemen’s Association, Monsanto and others to educate the public about the threat of invasives. And in the state capitol, the Conservancy is collaborating with lawmakers on legislation that would strengthen California’s response to invasive species.
Public Policy Progress
The Invasive Species Act calls for California agencies and others to consolidate their authority, efforts and funds to address this growing problem. A newly formed council would conduct California’s first statewide assessment of invasive species, delivering a written plan within two years, with contingencies to allow for urgent action as necessary. The bill passed the Assembly in May, and a modified version is now before the State Senate.
“The Conservancy worked with lawmakers and interest groups to create an effective plan while removing language that prompted opposition to the bill,” says Bigelow. A Senate vote is expected in August, bringing us one step closer to a comprehensive plan of attack against the pests that threaten California’s wild places.
Threatening California’s Biodiversity
These are just a few of more than 600 plant and animal invaders that threaten California:
• wild fennel
• yellow star thistle
• imported fire ants
• glassy-winged sharpshooter
• Chinese mitten crab
• West Nile Virus
• pampas grass
• gorse
How You Can Help
The California legislature has proclaimed July 19 - 25, 2004 Invasive Weeds Awareness Week in California. Follow the links below to learn more.
• Visit the Conservancy’s Web site dedicated to invasive species, nature.org/initiatives/invasivespecies/
• Visit the federal Web site, www.invasivespecies.gov
• Visit the Web site for the California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC), www.caleppc.org
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