Invasive species threaten Vermont’s biodiversity by preying on or out competing native plants and animals.
Aquatic Invasives
- Includes plants such as such as purple loosestrife, water chestnut, or Eurasian milfoil, and animals like zebra mussels, spiny water flea and white perch.
- Can devastate river and lake habitats, spoil fishing opportunities and cause native species to decline.
- Are usually spread by clinging to boats or trailers as they travel between waterbodies, or when people do not follow baitfish regulations.
What YOU can do to help!
- LIEP Invasive Species Program. Learn how to ID and manage aquatic invasive species.
- Clean, Drain, Dry. Make sure your boat and trailer are free of plants or mud and completely dry before transporting between waterbodies.
- Follow Baitfish Regulations. Buy only certified baitfish and only use it at the designated waterbody.
- Vermont Invasive Patroller. Help identify new invasive species in your area.
Terrestrial Invasives
- Includes plants like garlic mustard, buckthorn and Japanese knotweed that can poison soils, cause streambank erosion, and crowd out native plants.
- Also includes forest pest insects like the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and hemlock wooly adelgid.
What YOU can do to help!
- Early detection and manual removal of invasive plant species is often the best solution.
- LIEP Invasive Species Program will help you ID and manage terrestrial invasive plants.
- Vermont Invasives provides more information on identifying and controlling invasive plants.
- iMapInvasives is a tool to report new invasive species if you think you’ve spotted one.
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation webpage is a great source to learn more about efforts to combat forest pest invaders.