The Nature Conservancy - Invasive Species

New NEWS!

The Invasive Species Task Force has finished documenting their findings and finalized their recommendations for what needs to be done about invasives in Indiana. Click here to download At the Crossroads - Invasive Species in Indiana.

What are Invasive Species?

Invasive species can be a plant, animal, insect or pathogen that has the ability to thrive and spread aggressively outside its natural range with devastating consequences.

The Nature Conservancy understands how detrimental invasive species can be to our native species, economy and conservation efforts which is why invasive species is one of our priority conservation initiatives.

What You Can Do to Help

The Nature Conservancy's stewards always appreciate a helping hand when it comes to eradicating invasive species on our nature preserves.

Check out our Volunteer section for the next stewardship workday in your area.

On May 19, 2008 Governor Mitch Daniels once again proclaimed that June is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Indiana. Though June has come and gone, that doesn't mean working to stop invasive species must cease. The Nature Conservancy and our partners in fighting against invasive species continue their work in preventing and eradication invasive species from our great state all year round.

Some Good News - and some Bad News - about Invasive Species

According to the 2007 State of Indiana Report on Exotic Forest Pests, our state has the "dubious distinction of having the first public bodies of water in the Midwest invaded by Brazilian elodea and hydrilla." Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) are aggressive aquatic invasive species that can dominate a body of water within weeks and can easily spread to nearby bodies of water. Eradication programs have taken place for both species in infected areas with encouraging results. Not only has hydrilla been contained to Lake Manitoba - where it was discovered in 2006 - but it has responded well to treatment. Elodea has not spread to other public body of waters and may have been completely eradicated from Lake Griffy in Bloomington, Indiana.

The Emerald Ash Borer is another invasive specie of great concern to Hoosiers. This exotic, bright green beetle is notoriously known for the deaths of millions of ash trees in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Since its presence was confirmed in 2006, Indiana has been placed under a federal, three-level quarantine that restricts the moving of regulated ash wood to any other state. It is currently found in 16 of our counties and is monitored annually.

In order to slow the spread of emerald ash borers, the Department of Natural Resources has advertised against the moving of firewood. Visitors from southern Michigan, Ohio, Illinois or residents who live in the sixteen quarantined counties are asked to not move firewood for their area to any of our state parks. Monitoring your ash trees for symptoms of the emerald ash borer can also help. If you believe you've found evidence of this invasive specie in your backyard, please contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Interested in Learning More?

If you'd like more information on the species invading our state, make sure to visit our partners in eradication:

Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group, or IPSAWG
Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN)
Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program, or CAPS

Indiana's own radio program - Journey with Nature - has covered several invasive species such as hydrilla, cattails, autumn olive, garlic mustard and bush honeysuckles. Check out our podcasts and supplemental information regarding these pesty invaders.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © TNC (Kudzu, Russian olive and Asian bush honeysuckle).