Recently, two Cary Institute scientists spoke out about what citizens can do to prevent the spread of invasive species. Forest ecologist Gary Lovett and freshwater ecologist David Strayer had a number of practical recommendations.
Invasive species carry a steep price tag. Damages by non-native pests and pathogens – like the emerald ash borer, West Nile virus, and zebra mussels – cost billions, threaten human health, and cause irreversible ecological damage.
So what can individuals do? First and foremost, don’t add to the problem by releasing new invaders. Avoid buying exotic plants for your garden, unless they are already widely planted in your region or have been shown to be harmless.
Never release pets into the wild or dump your aquarium or bait bucket. Each year, thousands of unwanted pets are abandoned in natural areas. Some – like Burmese pythons in the Everglades – end up causing big problems.
Don’t smuggle fresh produce, live plants, or exotic pets past customs officials into the US. You’re probably thinking … “what harm could one plant cause?” … but some smuggled items, or the diseases they carry, can escape into the wild and cost us big bucks.
Use common sense about practices that move invaders from place to place. This means don’t move firewood and always clean a boat and trailer before launching into a new lake or river.
And finally, tell decision makers you’re concerned about our inadequate response to the challenges of invasive species, to help motivate more effective policy measures.
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Photo, taken on October 20, 2011, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Southeast Region) via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, with partial support from the Field Day Foundation.