This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Locally, invasive species range from kudzu to lion fish.
Here’s a press release from Escambia County, with a link included for further information on invasive species:
Escambia County Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) is drawing attention to invasive species during National Invasive Species Awareness Week, March 2 to March 8. Invasive species are non-native or exotic species that do not naturally occur in an area and cause economic, environmental harm or harm to human health.
Invasive exotic plants and animals cause many challenges for natural resource managers of timber, wildlife and recreational uses. Invasive species can displace native plants and wildlife affecting fire regimes, water flow and biodiversity. Private and public lands are in need of frequent treatment to eradicate these invasive species. Invasive species do not know boundaries and as a result public and private lands are affected as well as natural and man-made water bodies and associated watersheds.
For more information on prevention and containment of invasive species please contact Escambia County Extension at 475-5230 or visit:
http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/wwww/2013/02/27/invasive-species-of-northwest-florida/.