Invasive Species
Native? Non-Native? Invasive?
Native
A organism that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem. Note: The word native should always be used with a geographic qualifier (that is, native to New England [for example]). Only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered to be native to the United States.
Example pictured above: Au Gres-Sims School District students mapping Pitcher's Thistle
Non-native
Non-native species are those brought to an area by humans, intentionally or otherwise, and are able to survive there, either independently or with human intervention. Human perspective of these species may be positive or negative and is often influenced by value systems around natural resources.
Example pictured above: Chinook Salmon
Invasive
An invasive species is any living thing that is not native to a specific area (ex. watershed, state or other geographical descriptor) AND that cause ecological, human health or economic harm.
Example pictured above: Sea Lamprey attached to a fish
Campers from the 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp help find and identify crayfish as part of a research effort to track the movement of the invasive Rusty Crayfish.
Invasive species disrupt our Great Lakes ecosystems
Invasive species are a fact of life in the Great Lakes due to the global nature of our society. This doesn't mean we ignore the problem. Some invasive species cost Michigan millions of dollars: Sea Lamprey. Other invasive species we deal with as individuals: dandelions. Each year new invasive species are identified in the Great Lakes region.
RESOURCE: The Great Lakes Most Unwanted Activity from Michigan Sea Grant has students match invading species with their characteristics using aquatic invasive species game cards.
RESOURCE: This Indigenous STEAM Invasive Species Lesson teaches about "plants who have lost their original relationships" and invites students to make observations about where and how they grow.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONNECTION: Have aquatic and terrestrial invasive species impacted certain populations in different ways? Who relies most heavily on natural resources as a source of food, income and wellness?
Taking Action - What Can You Do?
Mapping Biodiversity and Preventing Invasive Species
Identification - A BioBlitz is one process for finding and identifying invasive species. Conducting a BioBlitz is a method for cataloging ALL of the types of critters your site supports over a specific period of time (often 1 to 24 hours). It can be as complex or simple as fit your purposes/grade level.
Prevention - Make sure to clean boots and equipment that are used in multiple locations. Clean your shoes, even brushing of dirt from in the tread helps, before going out into any ecosystem to reduce the spread of invasive species.
Public Outreach & Awareness - Encourage your students to teach others about preventing the spread of invasive species.
The USDA provides links to many resources for taking action against invasive species.
Reporting Invasive Species
Connecting with community partners around invasive species is a first step in any invasive species PBSE effort. Finding community partners is as simple as connecting with your Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA).
RESOURCE: You can also report invasive species following the Michigan reporting guidelines for invasive species. Some species are prohibited by law in Michigan (meaning they can't be sold). The Michigan Watch list contains information about invasive species identified as posing an immediate or potential threat to Michigan's economy, environment or human health.
RESOURCE: Other invasive species can be reported through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) or MISIN Smartphone app. Check out these identification training modules for invasive plants and animals! Perhaps work through one for a species on your site.
RESOURCE: The US Fish & Wildlife Invasive Species information site contains answers to many questions around invasive species.
RESOURCE: The Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) is an aquatic invasive species database for the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Youth in Presque Isle and Au Gres removed Spotted Knapweed in the coastal dunes along Lake Huron shores to help with the recovery of Pitcher's Thistle, an endangered coastal plant.
Visit this interactive map to see if any invasive species have been identified at/near your PBSE site.
Teachers and community partners participated in a European Frogbit removal during the 2017 Lake Huron PBSE Summer Institute
Controlling Invasive Species
Controlling invasive species on public lands can be vital for our Great Lakes ecosystems. However it is important that it is done safely and correctly. Connecting with your local CISMA is an important step in any efforts to control invasive species.
There are three main methods for the control of invasive species
Biological - use the natural pests and predators of the invasive species to control it.
Mechanical - Physically removing the invasive species (may require special permission)
Chemical - Application of a chemical agent to eliminate or interfere with life cycle of the invasive species
NOTE: Partner with area CISMAs before attempting any control methods on public lands.
Youth in Au Gres partnered with Huron Pines (CISMA) to monitor and control Phragmites on Charity Island in Lake Huron shores to help with the recovery of Pitcher's Thistle, an endangered coastal plant.
Participants at a workshop prepare a recipe featuring chopped cattails. (Nicholas Reo)
RESOURCE: 'Every plant and animal is useful to us': Indigenous professor re-thinking how we deal with invasive species": an article about living with invasive species.
Living with Invasive Species
Is controlling invasive species on public lands a realistic or reasonable goal? Every year new invasive species arrive in the Great Lakes region. Should we consider change our approach to these biological invaders?
Views of invasive species:
RESOURCE: WIREs authors suggest we consider ways to reduce the impact of invasive species in an effort to live with those that are difficult or impossible to control
RESOURCE: Some Indigenous Tribal members view invasive species as an opportunity rather than a menace. As gifts that humans have forgotten. (Invasive Species ISTEAM Lesson)
RESOURCE: Freshwater Feasts is a cooking blog from MI Sea Grant and an opportunity to share and learn about the delicious edibles from the Great Lakes, native, non-native and invasive.
Pictured above are Knotweed Pickles, Ramp Salt, and Hickory Syrup from the blog post Spring foraging retrospective: Knotweed Pickles, Ramp Salt, and Hickory Syrup
RESOURCE: Discover ways to enjoy delicious Great Lake edibles including invasive species on the Michigan Sea Grant cooking blog, Freshwater Feasts
Case Study
PBSE IN ACTION: Sanborn Elementary School - Rusty Raiders
Rusty Raiders was a student-led research project from Alpena Public School's Sanborn Elementary. These 5th graders, with the help of local research scientists, developed a three year research project to
Monitor Rusty Crayfish populations
Educate the public to encourage the catch and release of small mouth bass which prey on crayfish
Educate the public about how to prevent the spread of invasive species
The Rusty Raiders were supported by a strong network of collaborators and community partners who benefited from this project.
Rusty Crayfish specimens were collected for preservation and use in education.
The Rusty Crayfish "Most Unwanted" poster profile was developed by students
Picture of the student-led Rusty Crayfish poster developed in partnership with Michigan Sea Grant as part of the Lake Huron "Most Unwanted" invasive species poster collection.
COMMUNITY PARTNER CONNECTIONS
CISMAs are networks of non-profits, government agencies, businesses and volunteers that have come together to tackle the issue of invasive species in their regions.
CISMAs include: Cooperative Weed Management Areas, Invasive Species Management Areas, Invasive Species Networks, Invasive Species Coalitions and Invasive Coalitions.