National Invasive Species Awareness Week begins February 26th, 2018. Learn how you can get involved and prevent the spread of invasive species.

For Immediate Release    

WESTMINSTER, Colorado – February 20, 2018

Ready to sharpen your knowledge about invasive species and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems? You’ll have a great opportunity during National Invasive Species Awareness Week, scheduled for February 26-March 2, 2018.  The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is among the sponsors of the week-long event.

“Invasive weeds alone represent a multibillion dollar drain on our economy annually,” says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., science policy director of WSSA.  “It’s important to educate ourselves so we can take fast and appropriate action throughout the year to protect native species from unwanted invaders.”

Many learning opportunities are planned during the weeklong awareness event, offering lots of opportunities for becoming involved.

Attend a Capitol Hill Seminar

Four noontime seminars will be offered in Washington, D.C.:

• “Invasive Species and Infrastructure” will be led by Michael Vissichelli, Wildlife Biologist at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (February 26, Room 421 of the Cannon House Office Building)
• “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” will be led by Sinan Abood, Ph.D., of the USDA Forest Service. (February 27,  Room 421 of the Cannon House Office Building)
• “Gene Drives 101: Perspectives on Potential Invasive Species Management” will be led by Heath Packard, Director of Government and Public Relations for Island Conservation. (February 28, Room 421 of the Cannon House Office Building)
• “Early Detection and Rapid Response” will be led by Stas Burgiel of the Department of Interior and will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by the Secretariat of the National Invasive Species Council. (March 1, 4th Floor Conference Center at the National Museum of the American Indian)

Join an Online Webinar

The National Association of Invasive Plant Councils (NAIPC) will offer a number of informative afternoon webinars on invasive species management, including:

• SIIPA Model: Webmap on Early Detection and Rapid Response (3 p.m. Eastern, February 26)
• Legal Issues Surrounding Invasive Species Management (3 p.m. Eastern, February 27)
• Climate Change and Invasive Species (4 p.m. Eastern, February 28)
• The Indiana CISMA Project (3 p.m. Eastern, March 1)

Attend an Agency Fair

On Wednesday evening, February 28, there will be an agency fair and reception for federal agencies and other organizations involved in invasive species management. The event is scheduled for 4:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 2043-4 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Find or Plan a Local Event

Additional educational resources and details on both national and local activities are available at www.nisaw.org.  You will even find an online toolkit to help you plan an event in your own community.

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world.  For more information, visit www.wssa.net.

Press Contact:
Lee Van Wychen
Science Policy Director, National & Regional Weed Science Societies
Lee.VanWychen@wssa.net
202-746-4686