INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive species are species that are non-native and introduction of the species is likely to cause environmental or economic harm or harm to human health. Non-native species are defined as those not naturally occurring in this environment. A species can be non-native, but not considered invasive if it does not spread aggressively or cause harm.

Council goals for removing invasive species

Nearly all of our on-the-ground projects address invasive plant species. Additionally, we facilitate MFWWIPSWG (Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Invasive Plant Species Working Group) meetings. We plan to continue our efforts to address invasive and non-native species throughout the watershed with each project.

Species we are concerned about in the MFWW include:

Terrestrial species: barred owl, feral dogs and cats, nutria, and opossum

Aquatic species: warmouth sunfish, bluegill, sunfish, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, mosquitofish, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, bullfrog, and black crappie

Amphibian and Reptile species: bullfrog, red-eared sliders (turtles)

Plant species: non-native blackberries, false-brome, Japanese knotweed, reed canary grass, various knapweeds, field bindweed, scotch broom, climbing nightshade, yellow sweetclover, thistle species, oxeye daisy, wild lettuce, wild carrot, shining geranium, dalmation toadflax, English ivy, and common St. John’s wort among others

Informational Links:

• MFWW Five-Year Strategic Implementation Plan: Treatment of False-brome (5MB pdf)
• USDA Oregon State-listed Noxious Weeds
• False-brome informational brochure (1MB pdf)