Spotting and Stopping Invasive Species: Tips from Great Basin National Park

First published in The Midden, the Great Basin National Park newsletter, Vol. 20, No. 1, Summer 2020, for National Invasive Species Awareness Week (May 16–23, 2020). By Meg Horner, biologist.

Hoary cress, an invasive plant park staff work to remove. NPS photo by Julie Long.

Why invasive species matter

Invasive plants and animals can harm both natural and cultivated landscapes that people enjoy and depend on. National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) supports events across the country to raise awareness and find solutions at local, state, tribal, national and international levels — backing education, legislation and practical work to stop invaders spreading across the nation's lands and waterways.

In 2020, with people staying close to home, many were getting reacquainted with backyards, local open spaces, empty lots and alleys — a good chance to spot and report infestations. You can help find invasive species any time.

Report what you find: EDDMapS

EDDMapS — the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System — is a free web platform (with a smartphone app) where citizen scientists, land managers, state agencies and pest professionals report invasive species and explore distribution maps.

• It aims to make the huge number of yearly invasive-species observations useful and accessible.
• As of April 2020 it held more than 4.8 million records — a foundation for understanding invasive species worldwide.
• Data from Wild Spotter and iNaturalist also flow into EDDMapS.

Bull thistle, another invasive plant the park works to remove. NPS photo by Julie Long.

Other ways to help

• Learn the invasive species in your region — your county extension office (for example, White Pine County's) and your state department of agriculture are trusted sources.
• Clean boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear, so invaders can't hitch a ride.
• Never dump aquariums or live bait into waterways.
• Don't move firewood — buy it where you'll burn it, or gather it on site where allowed (Don't Move Firewood).
• Use certified weed-free forage, hay, mulch and soil.
• Plant natives in your garden and remove known invaders (Habitattitude).

More from this issue of The Midden: Lehman Caves cave shield study · evidence of a sulfuric acid origin for Lehman Caves.

Sources

Based on "National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2020," by Meg Horner, The Midden — Great Basin National Park, Vol. 20, No. 1, Summer 2020, National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain. The awareness week's promotional banner is not reproduced.