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NY Home | Conservation Spotlight | Invasive Awareness Week |
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Butomus ubellatus (Flowering Rush)
© The Nature Conservancy
National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week Helps Spread the Word About Invasive Species
The Nature Conservancy encourages local groups and community members to get involved
February 26th through March 3rd, 2006 marks the seventh annual National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (NIWAW). Held in Washington DC, the campaign aims to bring together scientists, citizens, and organizations from around the country to focus national attention on the problems caused by invasive species. During the week, NIWAW participants will help members of Congress and congressional staff to understand the economic and environmental threat of invasive and non-native plants to our surrounding lands. They will also share successful control strategies that can be followed in other locations with similar challenges.
Invasives in New York
Back in New York, The Nature Conservancy is also doing its part to raise awareness about invasive and non-native plants and animals. When a new species is introduced into an environment where it lacks natural controls like food supply and predators, environmental balances can be thrown off and the consequences can be devestating. Without the proper controls, invasive species can reproduce rapidly, crowding out native plants and animals and causing massive economic damage. While we don't know exactly what the cost is to New York state alone, studies at Cornell University estimate the cost of invasive species to the United States to be about $120 billion, annually.
Working at all Levels
To combat the threats posed by species like purple loosestrife, giant hogweed, water chestnut, and mile-a-minute weed, The Nature Conservancy is working with government officials, local industries, and concerned citizens alike to raise awareness and prevent further invasions. Since 2004, the Conservancy has worked as a partner on Governor Pataki's Invasive Species Task Force. The Task Force was formed in order to explore the invasive species issue, and to provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. In November of 2005, the group issued its 146-page final report.
How You Can Help
The Nature Conservancy also works at the chapter level to get community members and volunteers involved in the fight against invasives. For example, the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program works to document invasive plant distributions and to advance measures to protect and restore native ecosystems through partnerships with Adirondack residents and institutions. The Long Island Chapter will hold an Alien Invaders Workday every Thursday in March (check our events page for more details). The Conservancy also holds other lectures, symposiums, and volunteer workdays, all of which are aimed at getting more community members involved with their environment.
