Northwest Iowa — Asian carp, emerald ash borers, zebra mussels, curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, Palmer amaranth — what do they all have in common? They’re all invasive species affecting Iowa.
In an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and the impact they have on Iowa’s ecosystems and economy, Governor Kim Reynolds recently proclaimed May as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.
Each year, public and private organizations spend millions of dollars in an effort to control invasive plants, insects, diseases, and animal species.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says invasive species, such as emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa’s ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and by disrupting the natural complex habitat system.
Iowa woodlands, wildlands and waterways draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and recreational users each year, and raising awareness of invasive species and their impacts is an important step towards behavior change, which can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.
Invasive Species Awareness Month provides an opportunity for the public and private sectors to join forces, and take action against the introduction and spread of invasive species in the Iowa.
There are several things that people can do to prevent the spread of invasive species. More information on invasive species can be found at www.iowadnr.gov. Just search for invasive species or the specific species on which you want more information.
