Invasive Species Awareness Week Aims to Protect Our Fragile Environment

By Barbara Fahs

February 26 through March 3 has been designated National Invasive Species Awareness Week. It will include activities, briefings, workshops and events that will seek solutions to the worldwide epidemic of invasive species. According to the NISAW website, important areas of action include “prevention, detection, monitoring, control and management” of nuisance plants and animals that threaten native species in the world’s ecosystems and which can also adversely affect the quality of life and livelihood of humans.

Page Else, Public Outreach Specialist for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC), added, “Many non-native plants are beneficial to humans, but a small subset will out-compete everything and cause economic harm… Invasives arrive in Hawaii at a rate 500 times greater than the US mainland, due to our global trade and more limited plant and animal life, which lack natural enemies to control new pests.”

Numerous events are planned for Washington, DC, but we can all participate on the Big Island to learn about and help combat our own invasive species. The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health has developed a “Top 10″ list that everyone can use to spread awareness and take action on an individual level. With the help of BIISC, we have adapted it to make it Hawaii-specific.

1. Do some research. Learn about Hawaii’s invasive species and identify suspect plants in your own back yard. The websites Hawaii’s Ecosystems at Risk (hear.org), www.bigislandisc.org, and www.reportapest.org are valuable resources that include photographs, detailed information and rankings of plant and animal species that pose the greatest threat to our environment. Also visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website for the National Invasive Species Information Center at www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/main.shtml.

2. Join an eradication effort. Volunteers are an important resource in the removal of invasive plants and animals from parks and nature preserves. Check with Malama O Puna (www.malamaopuna.org) to sign up for a workday and to link to numerous other environmental websites.

3. Become a citizen scientist. If you like being outdoors, working in the field might be a rewarding way to take action. Local, state and national agencies need to collect data and remove invasive species. The Citizen Science Central website contains more information that can help you to connect with groups that will welcome your help. Go to www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci or www.reportapest.org to get started.

4. Visit a garden, park or nature center. We are fortunate to have a large number of botanical gardens and parks in Hawaii. Many include native plants and some offer tours that will teach you about them. The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden In Captain Cook specializes in native Hawaiian plants and plants that the early Polynesians introduced. Guided tours are offered at 1 p.m. every day from Tuesday through Sunday and they welcome volunteers. Coincidentally, their “Grow Hawaii” festival falls on February 24. For more information, visit www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/greenwell/greenwell.html.

5. Read a book. Pick up a field guide at a bookstore such as Basically Books in Hilo or Kona Stories in Kealakekua.

6. Donate. If you can’t give your time, money is always appreciated by the organizations working to combat invasive species.

7. Start a garden. Plant some native plants on your property. You will find that they require less fertilizer, water and general care than non-native plants. Some endangered species, such as the ma’o hau hele hibiscus are available for sale at gardens such as the Greenwell Garden.

8. Legislate. Write letters to Hawaii legislators to express your opinions about the invasive species problem. Page Else recommends that concerned individuals should “support funding for inspectors at points of entry, and better inspection facilities. Support updating of restricted species lists and stronger fines for intentional transport of invasives.”

9. Take the invasive species challenge. Boat and bulldozer owners should clean trailers and gear after each use to prevent the spread of seeds, coqui frogs and other invasives. If you hike, camp or go birding, clean your shoes after leaving forests. Do not release any pets or fish into the environment. Else adds, “Remember — don’t plant or pack a pest. Also, buy local — many pests come in with imported produce, Christmas trees and other freight.”

10. Spread awareness. Don’t stop your efforts when this week ends. Tell your neighbors and ohana about the problems that invasive species cause and encourage them to become involved.

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Activities Planned for National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Feb. 28: At noon at the U.S. Forest Service Office conference room, on Nowelo Street in Hilo, Chris Dracus of the Hawaii Department of Transportation will talk about their new worker training program, which includes invasive species detection and some control.

Feb. 29: Page Else of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) will deliver a talk to the students at Honoka’a High School. This event is only for students, but Page is available for talks to any group or community organization. Contact her at pageelse@hawaii.edu or call 933-3345.

March 2-3: Big Island Association of Nurserymen’s 33rd annual horticultural show and scholarship benefit plant sale will take place at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium in Hilo; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Free admission. BIISC will have a booth where you can ask questions and pick up informational literature.

March 4: `Imiloa presents the sixth annual KTA Family Free Day. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Free cake and other giveaways, talks, exhibits, special planetarium shows and garden tours will highlight the day. More info is at www.imiloahawaii.org/184.

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More Info:

Flyer: www.nisaw.org/2012/ways_to_observe.pdf

University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health: www.bugwood.org

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Barbara Fahs is the owner and creator of Hi’iaka’s Healing Herb Garden, LLC in Kea’au and author of the book “Super Simple Guide to Creating Hawaiian Gardens.” Read her articles at gardenguides.com, eHow.com and her website at hiiakas.com.

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