How You Can Help

Cover-Alien Invaders

TPW Magazine, January 2010
If you don't have a copy of the TPW magazine, you may print a copy of Alien Invaders .

Ideas from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center www.wildflower.org and www.texasinvasives.org.

There are many things you can do to help stem the tide of invasive species. Here are just a few ways you can take action and get involved:

Join a Citizen Scientist Program

Working out in the field can be a very rewarding way to combat invasive species. Whether you are collecting scientific data to be used by local, state, or national agencies and organizations or actually helping get rid of the invasive plants and animals, you will be able to see up close and personal the impacts of invasive species and the results of your efforts. Go to our Citizen Scientist Page.

Do Not be a Vehicle of Dispersion

Most invasive species are introduced by humans accidentally. Learn how to prevent carrying invasive species on your boats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, and socks and hiking boots.

Garden Wisely

Avoid plants that self seed and show up outside of your garden. Do not use weedy volunteers from parks and abandoned lots. Most non-native species are okay; the invasive species are the ones to avoid. Planting a native species garden can be very rewarding. There are many resources to help with creating low-maintenance and colorful native plant gardens such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network. Also visit the PlantWise website for easy tips on how to manage your garden to preserve the unique qualities of neighboring wildlands.

Educate Yourself

Learn more about invasive species by exploring our website and the related links.

Educate Others

Tell your friends and family what you have learned and let your local nursery grower know your concerns if they are selling invasive species.

Tips from The Nature Conservancy

  • Verify that the plants you are buying for your yard or garden are not invasive. Replace invasive plants in your garden with non-invasive alternatives. Ask your local nursery staff for help in identifying invasive plants.
  • When boating, clean your boat thoroughly before transporting it to a different body of water.
  • Clean your boots before you hike in a new area to get rid of hitchhiking weed seeds and pathogens.
  • Don't "pack a pest" when traveling. Fruits and vegetables, plants, insects and animals can carry pests or become invasive themselves. Don't move firewood (it can harbor forest pests), clean your bags and boots after each hike, and throw out food before you travel from place to place.
  • Don't release aquarium fish and plants, live bait or other exotic animals into the wild. If you plan to own an exotic pet, do your research and plan ahead to make sure you can commit to looking after it.
  • Volunteer at your local park, refuge or other wildlife area to help remove invasive species. Help educate others about the threat.