California Invasive Species Week – June 4-12, 2016

This week is California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW).  A bit like Earth Day, the Invasive Species Action Week focuses on an environmental problem - invasive species.  And like Earth Day, its purpose is to educate Californians about the problem and inspire us to take individual and collective action.  You can read more about ASAW at: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Action-Week

Learn about our CISAW activities at: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/p/calendar-of-activities-october-november.html

What can you do to celebrate Invasive Species Action Week all year long?  Here are a few ideas:

Learn about invasive species: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/invasive-species-action-week-2015

Take the Invasive Species Action Challenge: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/invasive-species-action-challenge

Volunteer for invasive species removal/restoration projects.   Many local preserves & wild areas have regular restoration days and would appreciate your help.

Find out which species threaten California. 

·          http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/ 

·         http://www.cal-ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/planttypes.php?region=socal 

·         http://cisr.ucr.edu/invasive_species.html

 

Remove invasive plants from your property.

Select native or non-invasive plants for your garden.  www.plantright.org  - see also the Native Plant Gallery page on this blog: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/p/learn-more-about-native-plants.html  

Download the ‘Wicked Weeds’ posters and post them where appropriate - http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/wicked-weeds-posters-2014

Use certified “weed-free” hay, seed, mulch, soil and gravel.

Buy it where you burn it: Don’t spread forest pests by moving campfire wood from one place to another.

Learn which invaders are in your local area. 

Monitor plants and trees for infestation symptoms.

Report a Sighting - have you spotted an invader? Tell us where! Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Invasive Species Program web page (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Report)  to fill out a sighting report!