Prevention

The most effective strategy against invasive species is to prevent them from ever being introduced and established. Preventive measures typically offer the most cost-effective means to minimize or eliminate environmental and economic impacts. Prevention relies on a diverse set of tools and methods, including education. The Forest Service has a wealth of experience and skills within its own organization in addition to those available through numerous collaborators. As an agency capable of working across the landscape and with international partners, the Forest Service is in a good position to lead efforts to prevent potential invaders.

Our emphasis will be to identify and protect forests and grasslands that have not been invaded by invasive species. Prevention includes education and outreach to raise the awareness of the invasive species problem and reduce the chance of unintentional introduction of invasive species. By enlisting the skills of our science and education programs, we can achieve a successful invasive species prevention awareness campaign on a national scale. Establishing effective domestic and international partnerships is also critical for effective prevention programs.

Prevention through Education

• Defending Favorite Places: How Hunters and Anglers Can Stop the Spread of Invasive Species (Video)
• Dangerous Travelers: Controlling Invasive Plants Along America’s Roadways (Video)
• Partnership Bringing Hunters and Anglers Into the Battle Against Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species

Documents

• Guide to Noxious Weed Prevention Practices (PDF, 268 KB) ^\1

Insect and Disease Prevention

• Highlight: Keeping the Forests Safe from Insect Pests (PDF, 121 KB)
• Predicting Invasive Insect Pathways and Invasiveness
• Invasive Species Prediction and Prevention

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

• Preventing Accidental Introductions of Freshwater Invasive Species (PDF, 264 KB)

Prevention Research

• North Central Station: Invasive Species - Prediction and Prevention, Assessing Potential Impacts

Technological Developments to Prevent Invasive Species

• MTDC Portable Vehicle Washer (PDF, 1.7 MB)

1/ PDF format links require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.