Invasive Species Strike Team Seminar in Franklin Township

The Franklin Township Environmental Commission is pleased to have Susan Brookman, Executive Director of the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team give a presentation about Invasive Species in the Municipal Council chambers on May 4, 2015 at 7PM.

The Invasive Species Strike Team works to stop the spread of new invasive species – plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are not native to New Jersey whose presence is likely to damage the health of our environment, economy or our citizens.  Ms. Brookman will discuss detecting invasive species early as the key to successful control.  If an invasive species is detected soon after it arrives, we have a chance to nip it in the bud and keep it from establishing a viable population in New Jersey. 

Ms. Brookman will share information about the status of invasive species in New Jersey and will discuss how people with smartphones can learn about, identify and report invasive species with an app that has been developed.  She will demonstrate how a new smartphone app works - a user who sees something they suspect may be an invasive species can scroll through photos to identify what they see, read information about it, then take a picture and submit a report.  She will share how when invasive species are detected, the Strike Team can offer guidance to property owners to help them eradicate the problem species. 

The Strike Team works with counterparts across the mid-Atlantic to catalog non-native species and assess their threat levels.  It creates an annual list of target species – the list this year includes 88 plants, 35 animals and 5 pathogens – and then encourages conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts to be on the lookout for them. 

All interested members of the public are invited to attend and participate including asking questions.