What is an invasive species?

Invasive species are non-native (alien, exotic or non-indigenous) to Virginia; were bought here, intentionally or accidently, by human action; and cause or are likely to cause ecological and economic harm.

Nationally, invasive species result in an estimated annual cost of $120 billion, and as much as $1 billion annually in Virginia alone. Read more.

What is Virginia doing?

Across the state, numerous actions and efforts have been and are underway to address the threats posed by invasive species. A few examples include:

• the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Forestry and Fairfax County are working to prevent the establishment of the emerald ash borer;
• the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has successfully eradicated the stateМs first and only know population of zebra mussels at Millbrook Quarry;
• the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is working with Chesapeake Bay watermen to remove the rapa whelk from Bay waters;
• the Department of Conservation and Recreation continues to reduce stands of Phragmites from state parks and natural area preserves ;
• and the Virginia Invasive Species Council recently completed a management plan to coordinate state invasive species management actions. The plan was accepted in early 2007 by the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Approval of the plan qualifies the state to receive some limited federal funds to assist with implementing the plan. See approved plans for other states.

Follow links throughout this website to learn more.

What can I do?

You can use this website to:

• Learn about invasive species and their negative impacts to our ecology and economy.
• Educate yourself and friends about how to avoid spreading invasive species.
• Find out what your local, state, and federal governments and others are doing and how you can help.

News & Events

News Highlights

Wavy-leaved Basket Grass in Northern Virginia -- December 2008
In July 2008, wavy-leaved basket grass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) was discovered on a property owned and managed by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) in Fauquier County. As news of the discovery circulated, a report of an 80-acre occurrence discovered in 2005 in Shenandoah National Park came to light. Recent experience with the plant in Maryland indicates this species is highly invasive. PEC quickly applied control based on advice from Maryland invasive species specialists who have several years experience with basket grass. Control had already been implemented in Shenandoah. Since September, other occurrences of wavy-leaved basket grass were reported, including a 20-30 acre patch at The Nature Conservancy's Fraser Preserve on the Potomac River in Fairfax County. Most alarming, it appears it can invade healthy mature forest even more aggressively than Japanese stilt-grass (Microstegium vimineum). For more information on wavy-leaved basket grass, see Maryland's Department of Natural Resources excellent web page.

Beach Vitex in Norfolk -- December 2008
In September, beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) was discovered by Lee Rosenburg, manager of the City of Norfolk Environmental Services, on a primary dune at Willoughby Spit. Beach vitex is a known beach dune invader in North and South Carolina. North Carolina is seeking to list the plant as a noxious weed. The plant at Willoughby Spit covered a 50 foot by 20 foot area. It was reported that the plant was not known to be at that site in 2007. A low woody shrub, beach vitex grows rapidly and crowds out native species such as sea oats. Although originally planted for erosion control, it does not appear to be as effective as native plant species in maintained a high dune profile. The vitex has been treated with a wetlands-approved herbicide, Habitat, and the site will be monitored and control applied by Environmental Services as necessary. There are unconfirmed reports that the plant has been used to stabilize ditches throughout Virginia Beach. More information on beach vitex can be found at the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force website.

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Events Highlights

The next Invasive Species Working Group meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2008. The meeting will be held from 1-4 p.m. in Richmond at the Patrick Henry Building, Conference Room 2, located on the first floor. For more information, contact Kevin Heffernan, kevin.heffernan@dcr.virginia.gov, or 804-786-9112. more events

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