Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species This Season and Beyond

Common invasive species of the Northeast: (top left) barberry; (top right) bittersweet; (bottom left) wisteria; (bottom middle) tree of heaven; (bottom right) garlic mustard

Calling all invasive species sleuths🕵️🌿

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is February 24 – 28, 2025! And while the forests may still be frosty, many common invasive species are recognizable in the Northeast during the cold-weather months, even without their leaves.

Detecting these species in your yard now gives you a head start on your future management and removal plans, and provides a helping hand to native species in reclaiming their habitat. Here are a few invasives to be on the lookout for this winter and beyond:

🌿 Barberry (top left): Thinly thin-branched shrub with pointed spines near the leaf nodes and ovular red berries

🌿 Bittersweet (top right): Woody vine that grows in vertical coils around trees and has red/yellow berries

🌿 Wisteria (bottom left): Thin, brown climbing vine with red/dark purple buds

🌿 Tree of heaven (bottom middle): Stout trunk with bark textured like a cantaloupe rind, branches that resemble an upturned hand, fingers reaching toward the sky

🌿 Garlic mustard (bottom right): Grounded cluster of green heart-shaped leaves

Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species This Season and Beyond

What is an invasive species?

As defined by our Lower Hudson PRISM stewardship team, invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or human health. Invasives come in all shapes and sizes, originate from around the globe, and pose a dire threat to native habitats and biodiversity, spreading into our forests, waterways, and backyards. As international trade increases, so too does the rate of invasive species introduction.

What is the Trail Conference doing to combat the spread of invasive species?

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is committed to mitigating the negative impact of invasive species and protecting our native habitats through a variety of initiatives.

Our groundbreaking Conservation Dogs Program utilizes highly trained detection dogs to sniff out invasive flora and fauna, identify endangered wildlife, and safeguard the native habitats of New York and New Jersey. Our Invasive Strike Force is a boots-on-the-ground crew of Conservation Corps members that protects precious terrestrial natural resources in the Lower Hudson region through strategic invasive species management. And our Ecology Volunteers program empowers outdoor enthusiasts like YOU to be part of the solution in protecting native habitats!

How can I help?

We’re thrilled you asked! Click here to learn how to take action against invasive species from our Lower Hudson PRISM stewardship team. To stay informed about all our ecological initiatives and discover how you can get involved, subscribe to our monthly Stewardship Newsletter!

Written content contributed by volunteer Annalise Jarski