Invasive Species Awareness Week

February 24 – February 28, 2020

We Need Your Help

Events

The Washington Invasive Species Council and partners are organizing events throughout the week. Events include the following:

Webinars

• February 24 – Challenges and New Technology for Managing Invasive Fish
• February 25 – Flowering Rush in the Columbia River Basin
• February 25 – Regulations that apply to moving firewood right now
• February 26 – Asian Giant Hornet
• February 28 – Washington Pest Watch: Washington’s First Detector Network
• February 28 – Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species: Stopping the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species

Events

• February 25 – Chelan County Noxious Weed Board Event
• February 27 – Columbia Gorge Invasive Species & Exotic Pest Workshop
• March 14 – Restoration Event with Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association

Holding our own invasive species event? Contact the Washington Invasive Species Council to add your event to our list here.

Simple Actions

To prevent and stop invasive species we need your help. You can take simple actions to help prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds and invasive species:

Clean your hiking boots, bikes, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles, and other gear before you venture outdoors to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. Learn more about the pathways to spreading invasive species.

On your next walk, watch for noxious weeds. Visit the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board’s Web site to learn about noxious weeds and if you spot some in your yard or while walking in your neighborhood, notify your county noxious weed control board.

Dispose of unwanted pets, aquarium plants or water, science kits, or live bait the proper way and NOT by dumping them into waterways. Released pets often suffer a slow death in winter, or may become invasive and damage our wildlife and agriculture. When it comes to unwanted pets or live bait, letting it loose is never the right thing to do. Visit the council’s Don’t Let It Loose Web page to learn the proper ways to dispose of unwanted pets and plants.

Download the WA Invasives mobile app so you are ready to report sightings of invasive species. Check out the worst invaders.

Buy firewood where you’ll burn it, or gather it on site when permitted. Remember not to move firewood from the local area where harvested. Learn more about the potential dangers of moving firewood.

Do you enjoy catching salmon and steelhead? Protect them by not moving any fish from one water body into another. This will prevent spread of fish diseases, and also protect salmon and steelhead fisheries from non-native predatory fish. Visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Web site to learn more about moving fish.

Use forage, hay, or mulch that is certified as weed free. Visit the Washington Department of Agriculture Web site to see details of its certification program.

Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden, and remove any known invasive plants.

Volunteer to survey public lands and trails as a Citizen Science Invasive Plant Monitor with the Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council. Learn more on the plant council’s Facebook page.

Become a Washington State University Master Gardener and help your community identify, report, and properly manage exotic and invasive pests. Read details of the program.

Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas. Contact your local state, county, or city parks and recreation department, land trust, conservation district, or county Washington State University Extension office to learn more.

Don’t pack a pest. Certain items obtained abroad may contain invasive insects, pathogens, or weed seeds. When traveling abroad, review travel guidelines on items that should not be brought back to the United States. Learn more about Don’t Pack a Pest.

See more solutions for preventing the spread of invasive species.