Invasive Species Invasive Species Public Awareness CampaignPublic Awareness Campaign
• 2009 Sunset Commission raised 2009 Sunset Commission raised issue of exotic aquatic plants and issue of exotic aquatic plants and directed the Department to:directed the Department to:
““provide greater information to the public provide greater information to the public on the harm caused by releasing exotic on the harm caused by releasing exotic speciesspecies.”.”
Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species
What is an invasive species? An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem.
• Grows, reproduces and spreads rapidly
• Lacks natural predators and competitors
• Are disease resistant
Aquatic Invasive SpeciesAquatic Invasive Species
Invasive Species ImpactInvasive Species Impact
Why should I care?• It’s costly to treat, control and to remedy damage that is caused to public resources & personal equipment
• Negatively impacts recreational activities
• May reduce property values in affected areas
• Degrades ecosystems and reduces native plant and game fish populations
Invasive Species CampaignInvasive Species CampaignGiant Salvinia (Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)Salvinia molesta) the first species to be addressedthe first species to be addressed
Giant Salvinia Giant Salvinia • Floating, rootless fern
• Grows in chains, forming dense mats
• Native of Brazil
• Popular aquarium plant
• First found in Texas in 1998
• Currently reported in over a dozen Texas water bodies and in most US coastal states
Why Giant Salvinia?Why Giant Salvinia?• Highly destructive
• Can double in size in one week
• Best opportunity to reduce and control
Hello Salvinia ~ Goodbye Lakes Hello Salvinia ~ Goodbye Lakes Six month unchecked growth rate
of Giant Salvinia beginning with ¼ acre
0
250
500
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
Lake
Sur
face
( T
hous
ands
of A
cres
)
Lake Austin (1,599 ac)
Lake Amistad (64,900 ac)
Lake Texoma (74,686 ac)
Toledo Bend (181,600 ac)
All Texas Lakes (3.2 million acres)
Giant Salvinia CampaignGiant Salvinia Campaign
Public Awareness Campaign:Public Awareness Campaign:
– Primarily in East Texas Primarily in East Texas
– Focus at the following lakes:Focus at the following lakes:
• Toledo Bend ReservoirToledo Bend Reservoir
• Caddo LakeCaddo Lake
• Lake Sam RayburnLake Sam Rayburn
• Lake ConroeLake Conroe
Giant Salvinia CampaignGiant Salvinia Campaign
Strategy: Multi-media campaign Strategy: Multi-media campaign
– On-the-GroundOn-the-Ground
– Broadcast and PrintBroadcast and Print
– OnlineOnline
– TPWD VehiclesTPWD Vehicles
– Fishing EventsFishing Events
– Media EventsMedia Events
WebsiteWebsitewww.texasinvasives.orgwww.texasinvasives.org
Partnership with Partnership with
Lady Bird Johnson Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wildflower Center
Features: Features:
– Invasives 101 Invasives 101
– Eco-Alerts by Eco-Alerts by regionregion
– Report new Report new
sightings onlinesightings online
Online AdvertisingOnline Advertising
Animated Banner Ad Animated Banner Ad shows rapid growth shows rapid growth of Giant Salviniaof Giant Salvinia
ResourcesResourcesTexas Parks & Wildlife, www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Texas Invasives, www.texasinvasives.org
Protect Your Waters, www.protectyourwaters.net
Aquatic Plant Management Society: Understanding Invasive Aquatic Weeds Activity booklet and interactive web site, www.apms.org/activity.htm
University of Florida: Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/
How You Can HelpHow You Can Help• Include invasive species
information and education activities in your Angler Ed classes and events
• Help educate boaters and anglers about cleaning their boats, trailers, vehicles, fishing equipment, clothing, dogs & not releasing bait
• Communicate! (club newsletters, Facebook, etc)
• Learn to ID invasive species and report new sightings
• Have a partnership idea? Contact us!