Sharing the science behind invasives
October 6, 2022
Minnesota’s aquatic and terrestrial species invaders don’t come from outer space, but they do come from outside of the state and cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Our natural resources are threatened by a wide variety of invasive species on land and in the water. At CFANS, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) and the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC) focus their research on the prevention, detection, and control of such invaders, which range from aquatic zebra mussels and starry stonewort to terrestrial buckthorn and jumping worms — and everything in between.
This summer, CFANS hosted a statewide invasive species conference via its system of 10 Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs). The free hybrid event was open to the public and featured experiential learning and experts discussing the science behind invasive species.
During the sessions, attendees had direct access to field and research sites where they deepened their understanding of invasive species specific to their region. Armed with this comprehensive information of the latest science and scenarios, community leaders and residents can take what they learned home to make a real impact in their communities.
