Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

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

On-The-Ground SignageOn-The-Ground Signage

Buoys Metal boat ramp signs

On-The-Ground MediaOn-The-Ground Media

Pump Toppers

&

Billboards

On-The-Ground DisplaysOn-The-Ground Displays

Exhibits &

Banners

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

Print AdPrint Ad

• ‘09-10 Outdoor Annual

• Texas Parks & Wildlife

• Texas Monthly

TV and Online Videos TV and Online Videos

Brochure, with tear-off pocket ID guide card & Ruler Sticker

Event MaterialsEvent Materials

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!

Thank You!Thank You!