In order to prevent
the introduction or spread of invasive
alien plants into natural areas, and to
help restore our native flora and fauna,
you should follow these recommendations:
 Avoid disturbance to natural
areas, including clearing of
native vegetation, planting of non-native
plants and dumping of yard wastes.
- Do not purchase
or use invasive/exotic species in
your landscaping or for land restoration
or erosion control projects.
- When landscaping,
use plants that are native to your local
region as much as possible or those that
are not known to be invasive.
- Know your plants.
If you are unsure of the identification
of a plant, take a sample to a university,
arboretum, United States Department of
Agriculture office, local nature center,
or native plant society for assistance.
Find out if it is known or thought to
have invasive tendencies. If the exotic
plant is closely related to an invasive
species, it is likely to have similar
tendencies. To be on the safe side, if
you don't know it, don't grow it.
- Control invasive/exotic
invasive plants in your landscape either
by removing them entirely or by managing
them to prevent their spread outside
your property. This may include pruning
to prevent flowering and seed dispersal
or cutting, mowing or herbicide use
to prevent vegetative
spread.
- Discuss
your concerns about
invasive/exotic plants with nurseries
and garden shops and ask them not to sell
these species. Provide them with printed
material (such as this) explaining the
problem to read later. Ask for non-invading
alternatives instead.
- Notify land managers of
invasive/exotic plant occurrences.
- Offer to assist in
invasive/exotic plant removal projects.
- Work with your local government to
encourage the use of native plants in
their urban and suburban landscapes.
Provide them with lists of
attractive, non-invasive locally native
alternatives that are naturally more
hardy, pest-resistant, and provide more
nutritious food for
wildlife than cultivated plants.
Sources:
The above information is from:
The Plant Conservation
Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group
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