What is an invasive species?

Invasive species are non-native (alien, exotic or non-indigenous) to Virginia; were bought here, intentionally or accidently, by human action; and cause or are likely to cause ecological and economic harm.

Nationally, invasive species result in an estimated annual cost of $120 billion, and as much as $1 billion annually in Virginia alone. Read more.

What is Virginia doing?

Across the state, numerous actions and efforts have been and are underway to address the threats posed by invasive species. A few examples include:

• the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Forestry and Fairfax County are working to prevent the establishment of the emerald ash borer;
• the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has successfully eradicated the stateМs first and only know population of zebra mussels at Millbrook Quarry;
• the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is working with Chesapeake Bay watermen to remove the rapa whelk from Bay waters;
• the Department of Conservation and Recreation continues to reduce stands of Phragmites from state parks and natural area preserves ;
• and the Virginia Invasive Species Council recently completed a management plan to coordinate state invasive species management actions. The plan was accepted in early 2007 by the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Approval of the plan qualifies the state to receive some limited federal funds to assist with implementing the plan. See approved plans for other states.

Follow links throughout this website to learn more.

What can I do?

You can use this website to:

• Learn about invasive species and their negative impacts to our ecology and economy.
• Educate yourself and friends about how to avoid spreading invasive species.
• Find out what your local, state, and federal governments and others are doing and how you can help.

News & Events

News Highlights

Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species (MAPAIS) Launches New Web Site -- April 2007
MAPAIS is one of six regional panels administered by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species as authorized by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. Visit the new site.

Tiny Insect Threatens Ash Trees -- March 2007, Baltimore Sun (requires free registration to read)
Efforts escalate in the attempt to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer in Maryland, and potentially the rest of the East Coast states. Some 17,000 trees have been targeted for removal in a 21 square mile area in Prince George County. Last year, Virginia officials successfully stopped an infestation in Fairfax County. Read more.

DCR Launches New Phragmites Mapping Web Application -- updated August 2007
A new tool developed by DCR allows users to identify occurrences of the invasive wetland grass Phragmites. The tool, called the Virginia Phragmites Mapping Application, makes use of digital aerial photography and tax parcel boundaries. Landowners can check to see if Phragmites has been mapped on their property. If it does occur, the location and amount of area covered can be determined. Learn more.

Laurel Wilt Disease -- January 2007
In coastal Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, a recently discovered beetle, Asian ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), has been found to transport a fungus (Ophiostoma sp.) that causes a wilt disease and mortality in tree and shrub species in the laurel family (Lauraceae), including red bay and sassafras. Learn more. (offsite PDF)

more news

Events Highlights

The Virginia Invasive Species Working Group will meet in Richmond on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. Learn about the Working Group.

Conference on Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species will be held August 7-9, 2007, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lean more.

The Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council will host Invasive Plants Conference: Research, Removal, and Renewal, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, on August 15-16, 2007. Learn more. more events

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