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Tracking the establishment and spread of existing and new invasive species is critical to effectively manage invasive species. In addition to standard means of monitoring, the USGS is developing new tools, particularly molecular techniques, to assist in the early detection of invasive species. Provides research information about eDNA and Genetic Tools for Zebra and Quagga Mussels.

Scientists with the USGS Brown Treesnake project conduct research on this snake species, including control tool development and validation, ecology and ecological impacts, and early detection methods.
See also: Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Digital Commons, archived)

Learn to edit Wikipedia and help improve articles about invasive species. Join the National Agricultural Library’s National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) to learn more about invasive species, their impacts, and their control.

The event scheduled from 11am-3pm will begin with an introduction and information about the Information Center and invasive species from Joyce Bolton, head of NISIC, and other guest speakers. Then, Jamie Flood, Wikipedian-in-residence of National Agricultural Library and Ariel Cetrone of Wikimedia D.C. will lead a one-hour training on Wikipedia editing and we will spend the rest of the day updating invasive species articles on Wikipedia. During the event experienced editors will be on hand to assist and answer questions.

The Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) Invasive Species Working Group is an internal multidisciplinary team with representatives across the Interior West.

Rocky Mountain Research Station personnel have scientific expertise in widely ranging disciplines and conduct multidisciplinary research on invasive species issues with emphasis in terrestrial and aquatic habitats throughout the Interior West, Great Plains, and related areas.

There are two basic approaches to limiting the spread of invasive species: a species-by-species assessment of the risks or benefits of admitting or excluding species, and a policy based on controlling pathways of entry in which vigilance is maintained on incoming ballast tanks, cargo holds, packing materials, and similar vehicles for unwanted organisms. These two approaches may complement each other. Policymakers also may emphasize prevention over post hoc control or vice-versa, or they may adopt a combination of the two approaches. Congressional Research Service Report R44011.

Congressional Research Service (CRS Report - R43258); prepared for Members and Committees of Congress.
See also: All Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports for other related invasive species reports.

Delivering results from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. $480 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to states, Tribes, territories and local governments. This is represented in over 60,000 projects that have been awarded funding. These projects range from repaving roads and water system upgrades funded through formula grants to states to competitive funding for massive bridge and transit projects.
See related resource: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Overview for projects related to invasive species management

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is an opportunity for the Forest Service to demonstrate we can deliver on investments and provide significant benefits to the American public. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provides the Forest Service funding and the authority to tackle the most pressing issues. The Forest Service can make critical investments to reduce wildfire risk, restore healthy, productive forests, and improve environmental, recreation and economic infrastructure. 
See also: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Research Projects - Invasives and Invasive Species Grants: Funded Projects

It's the Law -- If you are moving from a spongy moth quarantine area to a non-quarantine area, you must inspect your outdoor household items for the spongy moth and remove all life stages of this destructive insect before you move.
See also: Spongy Moth

See also: Ecological Risk Screening Summaries for more species summaries

The 2008 Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008), effective May 22, 2008, amended the Lacey Act and extended its protections to a broad range of plants and plant products, making it unlawful to import into the United States any plant or plant product that was illegally harvested. It also makes it unlawful to import certain products without a declaration.

APHIS, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administer the Lacey Act. APHIS is responsible for collecting declarations for imported plants and plant products, and defining the scope of plant materials that require a declaration; see Do I Need a Lacey Act Declaration? 

APHIS established through rulemaking a schedule for implementing the declaration requirement. Phases 1, 2, and 3 went into effect in 2009; phase 4 in 2010; phase 5 in 2015; and phase 6 went in 2021. Lacey Act Phase VII Declaration Implementation will go into effect on December 1, 2024. 

The Landscape Scale Restoration Program is a Forest Service State and Private Forestry competitive grant program that promotes collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and furthers priorities identified in State Forest Action plans.

Laurel wilt disease has been spreading through the U.S. since 2002 and is fatal to tree species in the laurel family. Forest Service researchers are continuing to monitor the disease, search for treatment methods, and develop a better understanding of how it is affecting sassafras and other susceptible species.

NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is partnering with Lionfish Invitational, and others to use trained divers to help conduct research and remove invasive lionfish within FGBMNS. This multi-day event is a science-based research expedition in which 11 dive teams work to remove as many lionfish as possible, while also recording helpful data on lionfish activity and sightings. In addition, a science team of 8 divers conducts surveys to determine what species, quantities and sizes of fish are present at each designated site before and after the removals. Applications are due Mar 1, 2024. The 2024 expeditions will take place on the following dates:

• ​June 23-27, 2024
• August 11-15, 2024
• September 8-12, 2024