As most of you will
be aware, invasive non-native species harm the environment and wildlife, are
costly to the economy, and can even pose a risk to our health and way of
life.
During Invasive Species
Week 2019, which runs from the 13th to the 17th May,
organisations across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland,
Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are working together to raise awareness.
We want to ask everyone to help prevent their spread to protect our environment
and recreational spaces for future generations to enjoy!
Each day of Invasive Species Week will be focused on a different habitat type, starting on the Monday with Freshwater and Riparian habitats.
There will be a launch event relating to aquatic weed control at Loughbrickland Lake on Monday 13th May – further details will follow.
We are looking for your stories of how some of these species have perhaps impacted a habitat that you either have to manage or even own.
· Is your pond choked up with curly water weed or floating pennywort?
· Do you have giant hogweed growing on river banks limiting your access?
· Are there turtles or goldfish in your waterway that shouldn’t be there?
These are just some of the issues that we know our stakeholders face on a regular basis.
We want you to make videos or take photographs of the areas you want to feature highlighting the impacts on native species and habitats. Perhaps include details of any management that you have carried out already, whether successfully or not, even include estimates of costs to date.
The other four featured days are Tuesday – Urban, Wednesday – Marine, Thursday – Bogs and Woodlands and finally Friday – Small Islands.
If you can contribute stories of interest how non – native invasive species have negatively impacted species and/or habitats related to any of these themes, we will be most grateful.
This year as Invasive Species Week coincides with the Balmoral Show, we will have a high profile presence on the DAERA stand giving us the opportunity to exhibit and highlight all your issues.
Please share this information with all your colleagues and let’s get the message out there about the damage non – native invasive species are causing.
You can send all your contributions to info@invasivespeciesireland.com
