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National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is a time to learn about the threats posed by non-native plants and animals—and to take action to protect local ecosystems. Invasive species spread quickly, outcompete native species, disrupt food webs, and cause billions of dollars in environmental and economic damage each year. Celebrating this week is about raising awareness and promoting prevention across the country.
One meaningful way to celebrate NISAW locally is to get involved with community and statewide organizations focused on invasive species.
The snow might still be piling up in Alaska, but federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental agencies are planning for summer invasive species fieldwork. Many of these agencies participate in larger organizations, such as the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership, to host workshops and hands-on events across the state during the spring and summer. Take time this NISAW to connect with your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (Anchorage , Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Archipelago , and Northern Alaska) and Alaska Invasive Species Partnership. You can sign up for emails, follow social media accounts, or bookmark the events page to join a weed pull, shoreline cleanup, Clean Drain Dry event, or other gathering during the warmer months!
Personal education is another powerful tool you can use to celebrate NISAW.
Take time before the ground thaws to learn what invasive species to look out forand how to report them. Many garden plants can escape cultivated landscapes and become invasive. Before you plant your garden this year, check out Don’t Plant a Problem: Invasive Garden Species. You can use the bonus time inside this winter to refresh or learn which terrestrial plants are invasive with Select Invasive Plants of Alaska pocket guide. Plus, there’s an app for that! You can download the Alaska Invasives ID App to bring invasive species identification with you everywhere you go.
Equally important is to know how to report invasive species.
In Alaska, it’s easy:
- Call 1-877-INVASIV (1-877-468-2748)
Use Alaska Department of Fish and Game Online Invasive Species Reporter
Prevention should be at the heart of the week’s activities (and every other week throughout the year).
Prevention is far easier, more effective – and far less costly– than long-term management after an invasive species becomes established. Simple actions make a difference: clean boots and gearbefore hiking or hunting, inspect and clean boatsbefore moving between water bodies, use certified weed-free hay and gravel, and never release aquarium plants or pets into the wild. Travelers and outdoor enthusiasts play a critical role in stopping accidental spread.
