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The Nature Conservancy Urges Public To Help Reduce Threat Of Invasive Plant SpeciesNational Invasive Species Awareness Week February 26th - March 3rdEast Hampton, NY—February 16, 2006—As National Invasive Species Awareness Week (www.nawma.org) approaches at the end of February, The Nature Conservancy on Long Island urges the public to become familiar with invasive species in our area, and to learn what they can do to help prevent the spread of these non-native plants. Invasive plants or weeds come into our area from other geographic locations. They have no natural enemies and often out-compete and overcrowd our fields, streams, rivers, forests and parks. These invaders can destroy fishing and boating areas by clogging up waterways, and cost millions of dollars to control and combat. “Unlike native plants that provide habitat for birds and butterflies, invasive plants threaten the natural landscape and the wildlife that depends on it for survival. In fact, invasive plants are the second biggest threat to Long Island’s natural lands, next to loss of habitat,” said Bill Jacobs, invasive species project director for The Nature Conservancy on Long Island. “Thick growths of invasive weeds threaten the health of our bays, harbors, parks and preserves by displacing what should naturally be growing in these areas.” Invasive species are appearing around the world at an unprecedented rate and scale and Long Island is no exception. Among the biggest threats here are the common reed, purple loosestrife, Japanese barberry, and the newly discovered mile-a-minute vine, which as its name implies, rapidly overtakes nearly everything in its path. “In order to control the threat, early detection and rapid response to invasive weeds can be the most effective way to eliminate them from your yard,” continued Jacobs. “We urge people to familiarize themselves with the plants in their yards and to make every effort to purchase non-invasive plants from local garden retailers.” In fact, invasive species control and removal is part of an ongoing and Island-wide campaign, Long Island’s Last Stand, which aims to preserve our remaining open spaces and restore and protect hundreds of thousands of acres of parklands, harbors and bays, in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Long Island’s Last Stand is supported by a coalition of concerned citizens, farmers, business leaders and conservation groups who are taking a stand to protect remaining natural areas and to restore Long Island’s lands, waters and way of life. While invasives pose a major threat to our natural and agricultural landscapes, as well as our waterways, there are many simple measures that homeowners can take to help abate this problem, such as planting non-invasives, and being aware of what invasives plants look like. Here are five ways that you can combat the spread of invasive species and join Long Island’s Last Stand:
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