National Invasive Species Awareness Week is May 16-23. How well do you know about these invasive species, especially here in South Florida? These trusted resources offer ways to combat this problem:
• UF/IFAS Extension
• National Invasive Species Information Center
Clean hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. Learn more at PlayCleanGo.org
Avoid dumping aquariums or live bait into waterways. Learn more at Habitattitude.org
Use forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as “weed free.”
Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden, and remove any known invaders.
Report new or expanded invasive species outbreaks to authorities. Contact your extension office.
Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas.
Ask your political representatives at the state, local and national level to support invasive species control efforts.
For more information, visit National Invasive Species Awareness Week.
Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP)
FISP connects partners, private landowners and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas to prevent and control the threat of invasive species on public and private lands and waters here.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FWC protects and manages 575 species of wildlife and 700 species of marine or freshwater fish and provide information about nonnative species. Among their initiatives are statewide Exotic Pet Amnesty Days where pet owners can surrender exotic pets free of charge with no penalties, along with educational displays for kids and families to learn more about nonnative species issues.
REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation)
This Key Largo-based international marine conservation organization’s Invasive Species Program organizes lionfish derbies, tracks the invasion through reporting, hosts lionfish collecting and handling workshops, including lionfish jewelry workshops.
FWC Reef Rangers
Reef maps, statewide restaurants with lionfish on the menu, and lionfish events.
The Woody Foundation Annual Lionfish Bash
Every year, the Woody Foundation has hosted a fishing tournament to raise funds and awareness for those living with paralysis and for Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital. Over the past eight years, they’ve raised more $160,000 and removed more than 2,000 lionfish. Follow for new event date.
Florida Native Plant Society
Dade Chapter
Broward Chapter
Find out more about native plants by joining The Florida Native Plant Society, which promotes the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
Tropical Audubon Society
They host native plant sales, educational events and other programs in their mission to conserve and restore South Florida ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats.
What do green iguanas, lionfish and wild hogs have in common? They’re not native to Florida, they’re multiplying like...
Copyright ©2024 Edible South Florida. All rights reserved
