Focusing on Invasive Species Awareness

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is “the largest invasive species awareness effort in the U.S.”—an annual event that aims to improve policymaking and public knowledge about invasive species, the threats they pose to agriculture and local ecology, and how to contain and combat their spread.

NISAW 2020 is actually two weeks, one that occurred February 24–28 and another that’s coming up May 16–23. Part I highlighted advocacy and education while Part II will focus on local events and awareness.

Visit www.nisaw.org/nisaw-2020/ to learn more about NISAW, view webinars from Part I, and explore strategies for effectively communicating with policymakers. Information on Part II will continue to be added as the week approaches. See www.nisaw.org/resources/ for a collection of free, customizable resources that can be used to help raise awareness and engage with stakeholders.

New York Invasive Species Awareness Week

New York State is conducting its own outreach campaign on invasive species: New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW), to be held June 7–13.

ISAW is a joint venture of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Agriculture and Markets. Those agencies are inviting participating organizations to work with their local Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) coordinator for guidance, resources, and promotional opportunities.

For more information, visit nyisaw.org.

Other Programs or Events? Let Us Know

The Northeastern IPM Center wants to help get the word out about NISAW and similar events being organized at the state level throughout the region.

If you, your organization, or your state agency are planning any outreach or educational events related to NISAW or ISAW specifically—or to invasive species awareness in general—contact us with any relevant dates and times, links, verbiage, and other details.