Words Matter: When and How to Use the Words Invasive Species

Naturally Florida

Florida is a hotspot for nonnative and invasive species, but there hasn't been a consistent way to talk about these species until now. In this episode, we explore the various words biologists, park rangers, the public, and news media use to describe nonnative and invasive species. We will define and explain invasive species vocabulary and clarify what these words mean.

Learn more:

• Florida Invasive Species Council - The mission of the Florida Invasive Species Council is to reduce the impacts of invasive plants in Florida through the exchange of scientific, educational, and technical information - https://floridainvasivespecies.org/
• Watch a webinar on proper terminology (Designed for practitioners) https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/44S0gD4WDRW8Kd_iAl_RXGN5WQtde3BuIxKBOMpzZCYtMZ60-aQ79uGhUbX0PhE6.7fADGgWMwrlZqruO (Taught by Shannon)

How You Can Help:

• Research plants before you buy them! – Check the IFAS Assessment: https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/
• Research permit requirements for nonnative wildlife and reptiles - https://myfwc.com/license/captive-wildlife/ and https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/rule-development/
• Remove invasive species from your yard - Contact your local extension office for help: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/
• Report sightings of nonnative plants and wildlife online or via smartphone app: https://www.eddmaps.org/
• Report sightings of high-priority nonnative reptiles- (Examples of high-priority nonnative reptiles are nonnative snakes of any species, tegus, monitor lizards) Contact FWC's invasive species hotline at 1-888-483-4681 or online at [email protected] (include photos!)

Sources for this Episode:

• UF/IFAS EDIS Publication, "Standardized Invasive Species Terminology for Effective Outreach Education" (Shannon is a co-author!) - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FR/FR439/FR439-Dsr1ns611r.pdf
• Journal of Extension, "Invasive Species Terminology: Standardizing for Stakeholder Education" (Shannon is a co-author!) - https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss3/27/#.YhZAiDBNQi0.link
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission websites: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations