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National Invasive Species Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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  3. Florida

Florida

Provides selected Florida resources from agencies and organizations with an interest in the prevention, control, or eradication of invasive species.

Spotlights

  • Study Identifies Florida’s Potential Invasive Species Threats

    • Dec 15, 2023

    • University of Florida. IFAS Extension.

    • In a first-of-its-kind study for North America, scientists accumulated a list of potential invasive species for Florida, and researchers deemed 40 pose the greatest threat. A team of experts, led by University of Florida scientists, evaluated terrestrial, aquatic and marine species with characteristics that make them particularly adept at invasion. Their list includes 460 vertebrates, invertebrates, algae and plants.

      The study, "Identifying invasive species threats, pathways, and impacts to improve biosecurity," was funded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the UF/IFAS Dean for Research. It is published in the journal Ecosphere.

  • Got Invasives? Get Help!

    • Apr 2022

    • University of Florida. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.

    • Have an invasive species problem on your property? Use FloridaInvasives.org (Florida Invasive Species Council) to find private land owner assistance programs and connect with your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). FloridaInvasives.org is convenient, builds community awareness, leverages limited resources through cooperation, and may reduce individual land management costs. This resource is regularly updated to provide you up-to-date information. Visit the For Homeowners section to find available information for your invasive species problem.

  • Pest Alert: Lissachatina fulica (Bowditch), Giant African Land Snail [PDF, 672 KB]

    • June 2022

    • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

    • The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica (Bowditch)) (GALS) is one of the most invasive pests on the planet, causing agricultural and environmental damage wherever it is found. This snail was twice established in southeastern Florida and was successfully eradicated both times. On June 21, 2022, FDACS-DPI recieved a report of a possible population of the snail in New Port Richey, Pasco County. On June 23, a survey of the property confirmed the presence of a white form of the giant African land snail, which is popular in the pet trade in other countries. This snail is a Federally prohibited organism that cannot be legally sold or possessed in the USA.

      If you see a suspect GALS, take a picture, and contact the DPI Helpline at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIHelpline@fdacs.gov for instructions how to submit pictures and needed information. 
      See also: Pests & Diseases - Giant African Land Snail for more information

  • Exotic Pet Amnesty Program

    • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

    • The Exotic Pet Amnesty Program is an effort to reduce the number of nonnative species being released into the wild by pet owners who can no longer care for their pets or no longer wish to keep them. People can surrender exotic pets free of charge with no questions asked. Every attempt will be made to place all healthy animals with experienced exotic pet adopters.

  • Florida Python Challenge

  • Identify and Report Invasive Animals and Plants in Florida - IveGot1

    • University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

    • IveGot1 is more than just an app, it is an integrated invasive species reporting and outreach campaign for Florida that includes the app, a website with direct access to invasive species reporting and a hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1 for instant reports of live animals. By reporting sightings of invasive animals and plants, Florida agencies can better assess the extent of the infestations and hopefully eradicate new infestations before they become huge problems. The goal of IveGot1 is to make identification and reporting easy and efficient as possible.

  • Lionfish Challenge

  • Python Patrol

    • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

    • Python Patrol is a no-cost training program that aims to create a network of trained individuals throughout south Florida who know how to identify Burmese pythons, report sightings, and in some cases, capture and humanely kill the snakes. Python Patrol training is offered throughout south and southwest Florida.

State Specific Threats

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Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this location, organized by source.

Council or Task Force

  • Florida Invasive Species Council

    • Florida Invasive Species Council.

    • The vision of the Florida Invasive Species Council is to be a leading resource and partner for advancing invasive plant management in Florida. The mission of the Florida Invasive Species Council is to reduce the impacts of invasive plants in Florida through the exchange of scientific, educational, and technical information.
      Note: In an effort to retire outdated invasive species terminology, the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) formally changed its name to the Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC).

Partnership

  • Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area

    • Miami-Dade County (Florida); DOD. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; DOI. National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; South Florida Water Management District.

  • Florida Invasive Plant Species Mobile Field Guide

    • Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council; Orange County Government; University of South Florida.

    • FLIP (Florida Invasive Plants) is designed to be a mobile field guide that can be accessed by a computer, smart phone, tablet, or other device with internet browser capability. Developed in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF), FLIP currently contains 20 plants: 19 of the 2011 Category I invasive species and one of the 2011 Category II invasive species, as designated by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).

  • Florida Invasive Species Partnership

    • Florida Invasive Species Partnership.

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