National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC): gateway to invasive species information; covering Federal, State, local, and international sources.

Free New Tool in the Fight Against Invasive Species (Nov 2008)
Wildlife Forever.
In partnership with the United States Forest Service, Wildlife Forever announces the availability of a new 27 minute video -- Defending Favorite Places -- to help sportsmen and women identify invasive species and take action to help stop their spread.

Species Profile -- Spiny Water Flea
USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species Information Center.
Spiny water fleas are small predacious crustaceans that threaten aquatic ecosystems and fishing by competing with native fish for food and fouling gear. Water flea introductions have decreased growth or survival rates for many fish, particularly young plankton feeders.

Spiny Water Flea Confirmed in First "Inland" Water (Oct 30, 2008)
New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Species Profile -- Asian Citrus Psyllid
USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species Information Center.
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a pest that acts as a carrier or vector spreading Citrus Greening, a devastating disease of citrus trees. This bacterial disease is transmitted to healthy trees by the psyllid after it feeds on infected plant tissue.

Concern mounts as citrus pest threat increases (Nov 12, 2008)
California Farm Bureau Federation.

West Nile's North American Spread Described (Nov 6, 2008)
ScienceDaily.
The rapid spread of West Nile virus in North America over the past decade is likely to have long-lasting ecological consequences throughout the continent, according to an article in the November issue of BioScience. The mosquito-borne virus, which was little known before its emergence in New York in 1999, has since been found in all 48 contiguous states.

Species Profile -- Citrus Greening
USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species Information Center.
Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as Citrus Greening Disease, is a bacterial plant disease that – while not harmful to human health – destroys the production, appearance and economic value of citrus trees and the taste of the fruit and juice. It is the most serious citrus plant disease in the world and once a tree is infected, there is no cure. Diseased trees produce bitter, inedible, misshapen fruit and eventually die.

Wildlife Forever Receives "Rise To The Future" Award For Excellence in Public Outreach (Oct 29, 2008)
Wildlife Forever.
U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell recognized Wildlife Forever's Threat Campaign (PDF | 1.5 MB), a national, multi-media educational outreach effort targeted to hunters and anglers in the battle against invasive species. The Award recognized the Campaign's efficiency wherein Wildlife Forever and partners generated more than 382 million impressions—reaching 1,000 people with every $1 invested.

Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens (ITAP)
ITAP.gov.
ITAP is the Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens. ITAP's mission is to support and facilitate more efficient networking and sharing of technical information for program planning and coordination among Federal Agencies and Departments involved with invasive species research and management. ITAP focuses on several major taxonomic groups of invasive species for which improved technical coordination is essential to facilitate effective Federal responses. ITAP's mission parallels and complements the missions of the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW) and the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF).

Lacey Act
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The 2008 Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (PDF | 1.4 MB ), effective May 22, 2008, ammended the Lacy Act. The amended Act now covers a broad range of plants and plant products, including timber deriving from illegally harvested plants. Import declarations requirements become effective Dec 15, 2008; enforcements of the requirements will be phased-in.

Don't Move Firewood - Protect the Nations Forests
USDA. FS. Northeastern Area. Forest Health Protection.
Buy and use your firewood locally. Don’t take it with you and don’t bring any back.
Do you want to protect trees? Then, don't move firewood. Moving firewood can spread invasive, tree-killing diseases and insect pests like the Asian longhorned beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer.

• Don't Move Firewood
  • Video
• What Campers Need to Know (PDF | 96 KB)
  Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

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Interactive Learning Module
Why are invasives a problem?