Protecting Washington's Environment and Economy from Harmful Invasive Species

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December 3, 2026  in  TBA
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Invasive Species Awareness Week Was February 23-27

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New Guide to Combat Ash Tree-Destroying Insect

A new guide to help Washington landowners and land managers detect and limit the spread of an invasive, wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees is now available thanks to the collaborative effort of state and federal agencies. Native to eastern Asia, the emerald ash borer first appeared in the United States in 2002 […]

May 19, 2026Read More

Governor Declares Invasive Species Awareness Week in Washington

OLYMPIA–Gov. Bob Ferguson, in partnership with the Washington Invasive Species Council, has proclaimed February 23-27 as Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week, recognizing the ongoing threat invasive plants, animals and pathogens pose to the state. “Invasive species continue to threaten Washington’s lands, waters and communities,” Ferguson said. “Everyone—from students to farmers to outdoor enthusiasts—has a part […]

February 10, 2026Read More

Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest

SPOKANE–The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invite school-age students to participate in an art contest to help spread the word about not spreading invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals, and other organisms that don’t naturally live in Washington and, when brought here, can cause economic and environmental harm. Invasive species […]

November 14, 2023Read More
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Spooky season is in full swing! Don’t let yourself be haunted by the ghosts of invasive species past. Make sure to follow these actions to avoid accidentally spreading invasive species:-Clean, Drain, and Dry all watercrafts and aquatic gear when leaving and before entering a new body of water.-Plant Washington native species in your garden, and avoid invasive species that can spread out of control.-Buy or gather (where permitted) firewood where you plan to burn it, and avoid moving firewood more than ten miles.-When hiking in sensitive ecosystems like Washington’s shrub steppe, make sure to brush off your boots before and after your hike to avoid spreading invasive plant seeds.Learn more about other action you can take to protect Washington from invasive species at https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/campaigns/ ...
Looking for the villain that can eat more than five hundred species of trees and shrubs and cause enormous damage to the environment and the economy? Mystery solved—it’s the spongy moth larvae!Washington sees new introductions of this forest pest insect every year, but eradication efforts by the Washington State Department of Agriculture have prevented spongy moths from becoming established here. They conduct annual surveys to find new introductions, and place twenty thousand traps throughout the state each summer. You can help with these efforts! Learn more about how to identify and report spongy moths and moth larvae at https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorityspecies/lymantriids/Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture ...
The two words that every emerald ash borer and other forest pests fear most: insecticide treatment!Emerald ash borers have now been detected in two different areas of Washington, near Vancouver and in Walla Walla County. While their spread is likely to eventually kill any untreated ash trees, insecticide injections into tree stems have been proven to be an effective treatment that can protect trees for up to three years at a time. Mature ash trees that provide significant shade and other benefits can be treated when emerald ash borers have been detected within thirty miles. You can also help stop the spread of emerald ash borers in Washington by buying firewood where you intend to burn it and not moving firewood more than ten miles.Learn more about emerald ash borers and treatment options at https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorityspecies/emerald-ash-borer/Photos courtesy of David Cappaert, Bugwood.org ...
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