You can help stop the introduction and spread of invasive species. Help protect native plants and animals by following these six easy guidelines:

• Verify that the plants you are buying for your yard or garden are not invasive. Replace invasive plants in your garden with non-invasive alternatives. Ask your local nursery staff for help in identifying invasive plants!
   
• When boating, clean your boat thoroughly before transporting it to a different body of water.
   
• Clean your boots before you hike in a new area to get rid of hitchhiking weed seeds and pathogens.
   
• Don't "pack a pest" when traveling. Fruits and vegetables, plants, insects and animals can carry pests or become invasive themselves. Don't move firewood (it can harbor forest pests), clean your bags and boots after each hike, and throw out food before you travel from place to place.
   
• Don't release aquarium fish and plants, live bait or other exotic animals into the wild. If you plan to own an exotic pet, do your research and plan ahead to make sure you can commit to looking after it. 
• Volunteer at your local park, refuge or other wildlife area to help remove invasive species. Help educate others about the threat.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC (hiker); Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC (hiker); Photo © Daniel and Robbie Wisdom (lionfish).