Heading out on the trails this fall? All outdoor recreation enthusiasts can take steps to prevent the spread of invasive species! Invasive plants such as Japanese stilt grass, swallow-wort, and garlic mustard can spread when their seeds attach to clothing, vehicles, animal fur, or gear. Some invasive insects, like emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, can be transported in firewood. These harmful species outcompete native plants and wildlife, impact recreation, and damage New York’s economies and ecosystems. Follow these guidelines to avoid giving invasive species a ride!
Play, Clean, Go: Before leaving your recreation area, brush seeds and burs off your clothing and gear, clean the bottom of your boots with a handheld boot brush or boot brush station, and remove seeds and burs from pets’ fur.
Use local firewood: Building a campfire? Be sure to follow New York State’s Firewood Regulation! Keep untreated, NY-grown firewood within a 50-mile radius of its source or origin and avoid bringing untreated firewood into NY from another state. Heat-treated firewood can be transported anywhere in NY, but it must have a receipt or label that says “New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest Free.”
Report sightings of invasive species: If you find an invasive species this season, report it to iMapInvasives, New York’s invasive species database atnyimapinvasives.org
