Combating Invasive Species
Invasive species are non-native (or alien) species to a local ecosystem whose introduction causes economic loss, environmental damage or harm to human health. Invasive species grow and reproduce rapidly and establish over large areas, largely because they lack natural predators, competition and exposure to disease-causing agents from their home range.
As invasive species spread and take over ecosystems, they decrease biodiversity and threaten the survival of native plants and animals. In fact, invasive species are a significant threat to almost half of the native U.S. species currently listed as endangered.
Beginning in 2005, the Center developed and managed an important invasive species resource, Texasinvasives.org. Created in partnership with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and many others, Texasinvasives.org is a multifaceted program, including a website and database, that acts as a hub for government agencies, nonprofits, academia and conservation organizations to share best practices and disseminate information directly to the Texas public.
In 2020, the entire program transferred to the Texas Invasive Species Institute at Sam Houston State University, which will be responsible for the statewide mapping effort, management of the website, and all other aspects of the program.
DIG DEEPER
Wildflower Center and National Park Service Team up Against Invasives
Plant Experts Remove Toxic Invasive
Citizen Scientists Tackle Invasive Species
Eating Invasives
LOCATION
Based at the Wildflower Center
PROJECT DATES
- 2005 – 2020
PARTNERS
- Texas Forest Service
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas Master Naturalist
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service