Save the Date for 2013 National Invasive Species Awareness Week

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

SAVE THE DATE

March 3 – 8, 2013 will be National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2013
Please mark your calendars for events in Washington DC and around the country.

State, federal and local and tribal officials meet with NGO’s, industry and stakeholder groups addressing invasive species to examine laws, policies and creative approaches to prevent and reduce invasive species threats to our health, economy, environment and natural resources including special places. Attend events in the US Capitol and in Washington DC or host your own event that explores local problems and solutions to invasive species.

Highlights include:

• Congressional Briefing: How invasive species threaten America’s special places
• Forum on the Politics of Invasion - are invasive species considered to be an important national and international issue?
• National Invasive Species Awards Ceremony
• Workshop: Legal and Policy Issues Containing Aquatic Invasive Species
• Congressional Reception with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
• Invasive Species Advisory Committee – Public Meeting
• Presentation on the invasive potential of bio-energy feedstocks
• Kids Invasive Species Day at the US Botanic Garden
• Invasive Species on the Menu: Asian Carp Fish Fry
• Panel: Invasive Species Impacts on Transportation and Manufacturing

In addition to the National Invasive Species Council - NISAW partners include: the Weed Science Society of America, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), the Great Lakes Commission (GLC), the Center for Invasive Plant Management, the US Botanic Garden, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds, the Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens, as well as numerous federal, state and local officials and private nonprofit and business groups and individuals. Our partner organizations will also be sponsoring other events during the same week including: AFWA’s Teaming with Wildlife 2013 Fly-In Event in support of state and tribal wildlife plans; Great Lakes Day sponsored by the GLC, and other activities.

For additional information go to

Politics of Invasion – are invasive species considered to be an important www.nisaw.org

If you have any questions or want to assist with NISAW events please contact Lori Williams at

Lori_Williams@ios.doi.gov or Lee Van Wychen at Lee.VanWychen@wssa.net

10 Ways to Observe Nation Invasive Species Awareness Week

1. Do Some Research:  Get on the Internet and find out what’s invasive in your area, region or state. Identify which species might be growing in your backyard or neighborhood.  Visit http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/main.shtml to get started.

2. Join in an Eradication Effort: Many parks and nature reserves manually remove invasive plants (and sometimes animals) with the help of local volunteers. These outings are a great way to get some exercise, enjoy time outdoors, meet new friends, and gain the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping to protect your natural heritage.

3. Become a Citizen Scientist:  Whether you are collecting scientific data to be used by local, state, or national agencies and organizations or actually helping get rid of the invasive plants and animals, you will be able to see up close and personal the impacts of invasive species and the results of your efforts. Visit Citizen Science Central (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/) to learn more.

4. Visit a Garden, Park or Nature Center: Spend an afternoon at a botanic garden, park or natural area and familiarize yourself with the native flora and fauna in your area. See if a guided tour is offered.

5. Read a Book: Not an outdoor type?  Find a book and read up on the threats posed by invasive species.

6. Donate: If you can’t give time, you might be able to give money. Even small amounts can help local invasive species organizations with control and management and other costs.

7. Start a Garden: Replace your invasive landscape plants with native alternatives. Unlike many non-­‐native plants, native plants are hardy, less susceptible to pests and diseases and are unlikely to escape and become invasive.  They help conserve water, reduce mowing costs, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil and save money on fertilizer and pesticides. (bloggers note: and save the planet in the process)

8. Legislate: Write a letter to your local state representative or get involved with an activist group. Let your lawmakers know your opinions about the impact of invasive species on our natural heritage.

9. Take the Invasive Species Challenge: One of the most effective ways to manage invasive species is for recreationalists such as boaters, fishermen, pet owners, and gardeners to not be unknowing vehicles of dispersion. Download the pdf for more info.

10. Spread Awareness: Take your National Invasive Species Awareness Week commitment beyond this week. Tell your friends, family, neighbors and others about invasive species!

2012 National Invasive Species Awareness Week Kicks-Off on Monday

WASHINGTON, DC—Next week, state, federal, tribal and local officials, along with representatives of private sector and environmental groups will kick-off a week-long of events, briefings, and workshops to discuss international, national and regional invasive species issues as part of this year’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 26 – Mar. 3, 2012) coordinated by the National Invasive Species Council.

All events will be open to the public.

On Tuesday morning, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior Lori Faeth will officially launch National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2012 at an event hosted by the Department of the Interior. Deputy Assistant Secretary Faeth will be joined by Asian Carp Director John Goss from the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Dr. Catherine Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Later on in the day, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Lawrence J. Gumbiner and Ambassador Ronnie Jumeau of the Republic of the Seychelles will be featured during the International Invasive Species and Green Economy Forum.

National Invasive Species Awareness week will highlight efforts to prevent or slow the spread of “invasive species”--species that are both non-native and harmful to the environment, the economy and human health. Asian carp, large constrictor snakes such as the Burmese python in the Everglades, quagga and zebra mussels, wood-boring beetles, kudzu and West Nile Virus are just a few examples of invasive species.
The complete agenda and exact locations and times of events are available at www.nisaw.org . Highlights of the week include:

-Kids Invasive Species Day at the US Botanic Garden (Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 26 at 100 Maryland Ave., SW)

- Official Launch of National Invasive Species Week (9:00 a.m., Feb. 28, 2012, 1849 C Street, NW - the Department of the Interior)

- International Invasive Species and Green Economy Forum (3:00 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2012 at 1849 C Street, NW - the Department of the Interior)

- Invasive Species Prevention Session (8:00 a.m., Feb. 29, 2012, Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1001 14th Street, N.W.) **

- Urban Invasive Species Issues Forum (3:15 p.m., March 1, 2012, Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1001 14th Street, N.W.) **

- Grass Roots Invasive Species forum and Webcast (1:00 p.m., March 1, 2012, Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1001 14th Street, N.W.) **

- National Invasive Species Achievement Award Ceremony (8:30 a.m., March 1, 2012, USDA Whitten Bldg. Patio, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W.)

- National Environmental Coalition for Invasive Species Panel and brown bag on invasive species (11:30 a.m. on March 1, 2012 at 1170 17th Street NW)

**A registration fee will be charged for events being held at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel

A broad coalition of groups are supporting and sponsoring the events next week including the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies, the National Invasive Species Council, the Weed Science Society of America, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Great Lakes Commission, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, and the Federal Interagency Committee on the Control of Noxious and Exotic Weeds - as well as representatives from the private sector and environmental groups.