natural resources.Prevention is the most effective strategy in managing invasive species. However, hundreds of invasive plants and animals have already established in California and are rapidly spreading each year. These invaders are negatively impacting our waters, our native plants and animals (some of them rare, threatened, or endangered), our agriculture, our health, our economy, and our favorite recreational places. Help us celebrate California's Invasive Species Action Week, and more importantly, help stop the spread of invasive species, by volunteering to take action.
Are you planning to host an invasive species event during Action Week? Submit your event information (PDF Form) so we can add you to the Schedule of Events!
Can your facility or organization display or distribute Action Week brochures or
art contest flyers (PDF) to help recruit event hosts, volunteers, or youth participants? Email Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov and tell us how many to send you!How Can You Participate?
- Check the 2017 Schedule of Events (PDF) or the CISAW event map (below) to find an event near you.
- Volunteer for invasive species removal/habitat restoration projects.
- Attend an educational workshop or youth activity
- Join the statewide citizen science effort to monitor for quagga mussels.
- Become a volunteer (PDF) with CDFW's invasive (Nerodia) watersnake eradication project (Roseville).
- Find out which species are threats to California.
- Learn about California’s invasive plants.
- Join the iNaturalist project, California Nerodia Watch, and help us find Nerodia watersnakes.
- Remove invasive plants from your property.
- Select native or non-invasive plants for your garden.
- Make sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry (PDF) your boat after each outing.
- Use only certified "weed-free" forage, hay, seed, mulch, soil, and gravel.
- Avoid spreading forest pests: buy your firewood where you burn it.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Prevent the spread of plant pathogens that damage and kill California's native plants and trees.
- Get to know your local invaders.
- Eat them. Yes, really. Check out these interesting websites to find out who is edible and how to prepare them.
- Invasive-eats.com (California-specific)
- Invasivore.org
- EatTheWeeds.com
- EatTheInvaders.org
- Monitor plants and trees for symptoms of infestations and disease.
- Share your knowledge.
- Visit your favorite local, state, or national park, ecological reserve, recreational area, or nature center and ask about their volunteer programs.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting
Source: CFW
