invasive species

Feral swine are a highly destructive invasive species with populations that have expanded across the country, resulting in damage to a wide range of resource types. Wildlife biologists and field specialists from USDA Wildlife Services work to reduce feral swine damage by providing technical assistance and conducting targeted management activities in the field.

Over $500,000 of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding is being distributed by the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) through the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) to improve management outcomes for treatment of the non-native Phragmites australis (common reed). 

With Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding provided by the USDA Forest Service, Saginaw Bay Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area established a two-person strike team to monitor and prioritize invasive plant species including phragmites, European frog-bit, and Japanese knotweed. The strike team monitored over 700 acres for invasive plants and treated over 250 acres to control phragmites, Japanese knotweed and European frog-bit population and spread.

A new paper by NOAA researchers identifies the top ten invasive species with the greatest negative impacts in the Great Lakes, serving as a reference point for educators and science communicators throughout the region.