Wisconsin needs YOU

to participate in

Invasive Species Awareness Month!!

By Amy Staffen

Former Chair, Education Committee, Invasive Plant Assoc. of WI

Any effort, big or small, is significant! Through knowledge comes change. What can you

do? Read the following list and see if any of these activities are for you.

• Invite your friends, family or neighbors on a field trip to your favorite local natural area. Highlight the beautiful natural elements that inspire you. Point out the invasive species that threaten the long-term integrity of the natural area.

• Submit an article on invasive species to your neighborhood newsletter. Templates are available on the website. You can copy the templates verbatim if you wish!

• Organize an invasive species control work party at your favorite local natural area. Coordinate this through your scout troop, school, neighborhood group or church.

• Create a poster for display at your local library or school.

• Invite a speaker to talk about invasive species at your school, church, scout troop or non-profit meeting.

• For teachers and scout troop leaders, use one of the activities from the Invaders of the Forest educators's guide(http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/teacher/invasiveplantguide.htm).

• Become a Clean Boat, Clean Water volunteer. Enroll in one of the state’s Clean Boats, Clean Waters workshops and learn how to recognize aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian water milfoil, as well as how to educate boaters on invasive issues.

• Coordinate a plant exchange program. Work with a local nursery to provide gardeners with free native plants in exchange for their invasive garden plants.

• Provide information on the proper disposal of earthworms and live bait at a fishing tournament.

• Distribute information on invasive pets such as the giant African snail at your local pet store or pet swap meet.

Once you've decided what kind of event to hold there are a number of other tasks to make sure your event is a success.  Look over the Event Leaders' Resource page to find tips on planning and promoting your event.  Don't forget to Register Your Event for the on-line calendar!

For information not found on this website, contact Rachel Orwan, Invasive Species

Awareness Month Coordinator (isam_wi@yahoo.com)