Week calls attention to invasive species

Pend Oreille Board of County Commissioners joined a nationwide movement last week in proclaiming the week of Feb. 20-26, as Invasive Species Awareness Week.

“We appreciate the commissioners’ efforts in helping us to educate the community on the impacts of invasive species,” said Loretta Nichols, coordinator of the Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Board. “Invasive species affect everyone. We all need to do our part to protect our lands and it starts with awareness.”

The Weed Board leads the local effort against invasive weeds, with the mission to preserve the Pend Oreille County ecosystem for everyone's benefit and use by protecting our agricultural lands, waterways and all other natural resources against invasive species and noxious weeds.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international event to raise awareness about invasive species, the threat that they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread. Organized by the North American Invasive Species Management Association, NISAW encourages representatives from local, state, federal, and regional organizations to discuss legislation, policies, resources, and improvements that can be made to prevent and manage invasive species.

The county proclamation recognizes that, after habitat destruction, invasive species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, threatening the survival of native plants and animals, and interfering with ecosystem functions by changing processes such as fire, nutrient flow, and flooding.

The County Commissioners and Weed Board encourage residents to participate in National Invasive Species Awareness Week by promoting knowledge and understanding of the threats posed by invasive species. Residents can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native, invasive species harmful to the state’s economy and environmental resources by remembering to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and other equipment, to not release unwanted pets into the wild, and to clean boots, bikes, trailers, and off-road vehicles before and after recreational activities to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location.

“Everyone can do something to prevent the spread of invasive species,” said Elizabeth Brown, Director of Government Relations and Professional Development for the North American Invasive Species Management Association. “We encourage organizations and individuals to advocate for increased capacity, improved collaboration and financial support for invasive species prevention and management nationally in coordination with states, tribes and local governments.”

On the heels of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Weed Board hosts its annual Neighborhood Cost Share Workshop in March each year. This year’s workshop is March 11, and while the in-person attendance is nearly full, all are welcome to join virtually. For more information about invasive species or to sign up for the workshop, please visit pendoreilleco.org/weedboard.