Invasive species erode the ecosystems that support us.

An invasive species is an organism that takes over. It can be a disease, parasite, plant, or animal. As the organism spreads from its original introduction site, it has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health—sometimes all three. A few well-known examples of unintentional introductions of invasive species include the Corona Virus, West Nile virus, emerald ash borer, buckthorn, zebra mussels, and Asian carp.

Harmful invasives tend to be non-native species without natural competition and can be found in all ecosystems across the United States. These species can cause costly economic and ecological damage each year including crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, wildlife and human disease transmission, threats to fisheries, increased fire vulnerability, and adverse effects for ranchers and farmers.