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INVASIVE PLANTS
In 2012, the Reading Fire devastated 28,079 acres at California's Lassen Volcanic National Park. Four years later, crews treated 465 acres of bull thistle, helping native plants returnLassen Volcanic National Park faces bull thistle invasion after the 2012 Reading Fire. This invasive species thrives on disturbed lands and...
In the 1830s, America imported autumn olives from eastern Asia to stop erosion and reclaim mines; now the plant infests much of the United StatesAutumn olive, introduced from Asia, was used for erosion control and land restoration. This shrub's nitrogen-fixing ability and rapid growt...
In 2020, DC's DOEE restored 500 feet of stream at Branch Avenue Park. Six years later, a site where the streambed had eroded by more than 15 feet was transformed, opening parkland for peopleA stream restoration project transformed a degraded parkland section in southeast Washington, DC. This initiative improved habitat and reso...
In 2010, federal wildlife trustees secured $2.65 million for San Francisco Bay tidal marsh restoration. 5 years later, tidal waters returned to 1,250 acres at Cullinan RanchSan Francisco Bay tidal marshes are being restored for a reason that reaches far beyond wildlife. These wetlands filter polluted water and ...
In 2009, Montana's Big Hole staff began monitoring an invasive plant threatening native habitat. 17 years later, spotted knapweed estimates stood at just 8% of its 2012 peak, showing strong controlLong-term monitoring and control efforts have significantly reduced spotted knapweed at Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana. Monitorin...
In 2014, Great Smoky Mountains National Park funded Ravensford wetland restoration. 10 years later, volunteers had planted 500 native seedlings and removed 157,000 invasivesA decade of restoration work has helped transform the 10-acre Ravensford wetland in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After invasive pla...
In 2015, California EPMT discovered Japanese knotweed along Lagunitas Creek. 2 years later, treatment cut knotweed by 93% on National Park Service land, a major gain nowJapanese knotweed can spread quietly along waterways, making an early discovery especially valuable. In 2015, California’s Early Detection ...
In 2009, Great Lakes IPMT helped restore 1 invaded panne at Indiana Dunes. 17 years later, native flowers now bloom in the wetland where invasive plants once formed a dense monocultureIndiana Dunes National Park faced a challenge as invasive plants colonized its delicate panne ecosystem. A dedicated partnership was formed...
In 1950, Australia released the Myxoma virus as biological warfare against its invasive rabbit population. The virus killed 99.8% of infected rabbits within two yearsAustralia grappled with a catastrophic rabbit overpopulation that put its ecosystem and economy at risk. To combat this, scientists unleash...
America introduced Chinese Privet as an ornamental plant in 1852. It later spread across millions of acres of forestFirst spotted in 1852, Chinese privet has spread relentlessly across the American Southeast, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. This invas...
Drone strike hits Russian refinery as Moscow warns of retaliationThe attack on the Kirishi refinery, deep inside Russian territory, came as Moscow said it was preparing "massive strikes" against Ukrainian...
Death toll rises to 38 from Russia's deadliest attack on Ukraine this yearA Russian strike on a warehouse west of Kyiv killed 38 people, marking the year's deadliest attack. Russia plans massive strikes on Ukraine...
In 1946, imported beetles were released against toxic St. Johnswort in northern California; by 1957, the weed had fallen to less than 1% of its former abundanceBy the 1940s, European Klamathweed had established itself as a major rangeland threat in California. To combat this invasive species, leaf ...
In 2023, Arizona State University began planning a 1-2-acre pollinator garden by Phoenix’s Salt River. Today, the project aims to restore habitat and support pollinatorsA pollinator demonstration garden is planned for South Central Phoenix. This project aims to create vital habitat for declining pollinator ...
In 2012, Ray Milewski and students set research plots at Pennsylvania's Tannersville Cranberry Bog. 10 years later, researchers cleared shrubs to help rare native plants return to the bogIn 2012, Ray Milewski and students established research plots at Pennsylvania’s Tannersville Cranberry Bog. A decade later, researchers cle...
Invasive tree of heaven is helping spotted lanternflies spread across US by feeding them its toxic sap; here’s why scientists are using it as a trapThe tree of heaven, an invasive species, facilitates the spread of the spotted lanternfly by providing an abundant source of plant sap. To ...
In 1772, Benjamin Franklin sent Chinese tallow seeds to Savannah, Georgia; the government planted more along the Gulf in 1900, and the tree now covers 185,000 hectaresIn the late 1700s, a shipment of 1772 seeds sparked a significant invasion of non-native trees across southern U.S. forests. The federal pl...
Since 1965, Florida has used the alligatorweed flea beetle to control invasive mats; once established, it can cause them to collapse within about 3 monthsA small but mighty insect, the alligatorweed flea beetle, has proven to be an efficient guardian against the spread of invasive alligatorwe...
After someone planted golden bamboo beside an Oʻahu road, the single ornamental planting escaped and grew into a 1-acre patch, crowding out native plantsGolden bamboo, once a beloved addition to gardens, is now recognized as an invasive menace. Its rapid growth through underground rhizomes t...
In 1500s, Spanish explorers introduced pigs into North America. Now areas where they roam free have fewer invasive speciesAlthough wild pigs have long been viewed as destructive invasive species, recent findings reveal they also play a surprising role in curbin...