February 24 – March 2, 2019
In conjunction with National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed February 24 to March 2, 2019 as Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week in order to raise awareness and find preventative solutions for invasive species.
Additional Resources
We Need Your Help
Events
The Washington Invasive Species Council and partners organized events throughout the week. Events included the following:
- What the Bug is That? New Invasive Insects on the Horizon Webinar
- Interagency Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Demonstration
- The Pacific Northwest as an Emerging Beachhead of Crayfish Invasions Webinar
- Columbia Gorge Invasive Species and Exotic Pest Workshop
- Investigating Invasive Species Event
- Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board Open House
Local Proclamations
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Simple Actions
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 top 50 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, or county WSU 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.