Invasive Species Program

How can I help prevent invasive species introductions?

In general

• The Nature Conservancy – 6 Easy Things You Can Do to Avoid Spreading Invasive Species www.nature.org/initiatives/invasivespecies/help/

Gardeners

• California Invasive Plant Council, “Don’t Plant A Pest!”
  www.cal-ipc.org/landscaping/dpp/index.php
• Habitattitude (for water gardens):
  www.habitattitude.net/

Aquarium and pet owners

Released pets can disrupt native animal populations by hunting, introduction of diseases and competition for food, nest or den sites. Instead of releasing an unwanted pet into the wild, one can:

• Donate your pet to a PUBLIC PLACE:
  a nature museum, aquarium, school, community center, or nursing home.
  
• Give your pet to PEOPLE:
  your family, friends, neighbors, or other hobbyists.
  
• Contact your PET STORE for advice:
  some pet stores may actually allow you to return your pet.
• For aquarium owners:  www.habitattitude.net
  • Buy pets from reputable dealers that follow the laws regarding species that are restricted in California.
  • A manual that explains the processes and requirements for obtaining permits for the possession of restricted species can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg1518.pdf. It includes a list of the species that are regulated by these laws.
  • Nine species of Caulerpa, a plant sold for use in saltwater aquariums, are illegal in California.  Visit the website for the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team.

For outdoor recreation enthusiasts (boaters, anglers, hikers, etc.)

• California Department of Boating and Waterways, Boating Clean and Green Campaign: 
  www.coastal.ca.gov/ccbn/ccbndx.html
• Help stop the spread of New Zealand Mudsnails (and other invasive species):
  http://mudsnails.com/index.html
• Protect your waters – Stop aquatic hitchhikers:
  www.protectyourwaters.net/aboutus.php
• California Department of Water Resources – Zebra Mussel Watch
  http://wwwdes.water.ca.gov/
• 100th Meridian Initiative: www.100thmeridian.org/
• San Francisco Estuary Project’s Clean Boating Resources  
  http://sfep.abag.ca.gov/programs/boated/index.html
  

For water managers, rural construction, timber harvest, and environmental professionals

• Develop a customized plan to avoid spreading invasive species from one worksite to another: 
  www.haccp-nrm.org/
• Avoid spreading New Zealand Mudsnail (and other invasive species) on field gear:
  http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/