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See also: White-Nose Syndrome Spread Maps for current and archived maps from Nov 23, 2010

White-nose Syndrome is a mysterious disease that is killing bats across the northeast United States. Many research projects are underway to help in the fight against WNS, from researching fungicides to modeling the spread and effects of the syndrome. If you would like to help, there are many ways in which you can:

• Report any unusual bat activity (bats flying in the daytime) or unexplained bat deaths to your regional TWRA office. Or check out the Report a Bat Link on this website.
• Donate to a number of funds collecting money for WNS research (see National Speleological Society and Bat Conservation International pages below).
• Adhere to state and federal cave closure advisories.
• Encourage state and federal agencies to assist in WNS research and monitoring activities.

To tackle devastating crop diseases, Africa should boost regional plant surveillance, writes Mustafa O. Jibrin. Recently, a tomato insect pest, Tuta absoluta, swept across Nigeria, devastating tomato fields and leading to immeasurable financial losses and emotional trauma. T. absoluta originated from the Andean region in South America. The invasive nature of T. absoluta and its resistance to conventional insecticides make it difficult to control. If not handled properly, the effect of this pest could hold the continent's agriculture hostage.

See also: MIPN Products and Publications for more resources

Invasive species spread either accidental or intentional into new environments has resulted in negative impacts to the ecological communities of infested areas, to commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, and recreational activities dependent on these areas.

This page displays results from samples collected as part of the USDA, Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Disease Program's wild bird surveillance program. Sample collection from other entities (State agencies, Dept of Interior, private wildlife facilities) are not included.
See related resource: Data Visualization Tools to explore plant and animal health management data and interactive story maps

Wild Spotter is a nationwide effort to complete a comprehensive map and survey of prioritized invasive through on-the-ground activities accomplished by citizen science volunteers. Wild Spotter is a tool that allows the general public to report invasive species in their favorite places. Unlike, EDDMapS it is focused locally and focused on the non-traditional invasive species audiences. Widespread adoption and use of Wild Spotter is key to protecting our public lands.  Wild Spotter is part of EDDMapS, data is part of the EDDMapS database, and it uses the existing EDDMapS review and verification system. 

You can help fight back against invasive species in America's wild places by downloading the free Wild Spotter Mobile App on your smartphone or other mobile devices. You'll learn how to identify, map, and prevent the spread of these invaders in order to protect our rivers, mountains, forests, and all wild places for future generations. Learn more by watching the Wild Spotter Introduction Video. To become a volunteer, register either online or download the Wild Spotter Mobile App. Once registered, reach out to your nearest National Forest or Grassland to discover how you can volunteer to help support and protect these beautiful places from invasive species. Then, just get outside and enjoy America's wild places while keeping an eye out for those harmful invaders!

Provides a collation of best available research literature, research gaps, and a summary of published researchfor wildland fire and invasive species issues. NISC staff searched Google Scholar, USGS publications warehouse, USDA, FS TreeSearch, and AGRICOLA using keywords “invasive species”, “invasive species and fire”, “invasive species and wildfire” from 2000 to 2024. Most of the existing research explores the relationship between invasive plants, particularly grass species, and wildfire risk, fire regimes, impacts to native plant communities, and loss of wildlife habitats. These are living documents and will be updated on a regular basis.

This state-of-knowledge review of information on relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants can assist fire managers and other land managers concerned with prevention, detection, and eradication or control of nonnative invasive plants. The 16 chapters in this volume synthesize ecological and botanical principles regarding relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants, identify the nonnative invasive species currently of greatest concern in major bioregions of the United States, and describe emerging fire-invasive issues in each bioregion and throughout the nation. This volume can help increase understanding of plant invasions and fire and can be used in fire management and ecosystem-based management planning.