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Are you familiar with spongy moths, Japanese knotweed, or zebra mussels? These are all examples of invasive species. Invasive species are nonnative plants, animals, diseases and other living things that cause harm to the ecosystem they were introduced to. And invasive species can disrupt more than the local ecosystem. Japanese knotweed can destroy driveways, roads, and building foundations. Zebra mussels can clog water pipes. If you’re concerned about invasive species on your property, here is some great information on how you can work to minimize their impact.
Barry, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (BCK CISMA) is an organization devoted to eliminating invasive species in our area. BCK Cisma can give you guidance on how to remove the species yourself or they can be contracted to do the work.
Are you unsure if that plant growing in your yard is an invasive species? Michigan State University Extension programs have great resources available for folks to learn how to identify invasive species. You can also help researchers track the spread of invasive species by submitting sightings to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.
Invasive species thrive on land and water. If you’re a kayaker, angler, or enjoy spending time on the water, you can find information from MI Paddle Stewards on how to identify invasive species and learn to stop their spread.
You can help the City of Kalamazoo monitor invasive species in the area by using the free iNaturalist app for iPhone or Android devices. Just download the app for free on your device and use it to scan and identify plants, and report where you locate invasive species. Search for the project "Invasive Species Monitoring in Kalamazoo".