[APWG] WEB: Invasive Species Portfolios for Alaska, Texas, and West Virginia Available! (fwd)

[Plant Conservation]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 11:59:26 -0500
From: Invasives mailbox <invasives at ucsusa.org>

Dear Colleague,

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has released "Invasive Species:
Alaska."  The report follows similar "invasive portfolio" reports
conducted for West Virginia and Texas.  We are pleased to make these
resources available to organizations working on this issue and encourage
you to view the reports in pdf format at
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/invasive_species/page.cfm?pageID=1113

The 16-page booklets serve as a useful resource for raising awareness
among the general public and policy-makers -- at the state and national
levels -- on the issue of invasive species.  We hope that they may also
encourage sound and timely policy solutions. Each report begins with an
introductory section on invasive species, the severity of the problem in
the United States, and how invasive species move, or are moved, between
ecosystems. The remaining sections are state-specific.

This issue has gained prominence in the media and political circles due
to increasing numbers of non-native, invasive plants, animals, and
pathogens showing up in states, and the significant damage they cause to
the economy, the environment, or human health. Although these problems are
severe, there is still a great opportunity to prevent introductions of new
invasive species and to minimize damage from existing invaders.

Fortunately, increased attention to the issue has meant more people than
ever before working on solutions. The U.S. Congress has proposed a
National Aquatic Invasive Species Act (NAISA), intended to protect our
nation's aquatic ecosystems more comprehensively. Separate pages are
available for download with the reports that describe how NAISA, as it is
currently proposed, would benefit Texas, West Virginia, and Alaska. We
hope that these reports will build support for this legislation and
increase awareness of invasive species at the state and national level.

Again, we are pleased to make copies of these reports available to
individuals interested or already involved with this issue.  Although
paper copies of "Invasive Species: West Virginia" are no longer available,
if you would like to obtain a printed copy or copies of "Invasive Species:
Alaska" or "Invasive Species: Texas" to use in conjunction with your
group's work, or to distribute to others, please send your requests to:
invasives at ucsusa.org, with a note on how you plan to use them.  Please
note, we also welcome your links to the report allowing others who visit
your site to learn of this resource and to download a pdf formatted
version.  The report can be linked to at
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/invasive_species/page.cfm?pageID=1113

Sincerely,

Jason Mathers
Outreach Coordinator
Global Environment Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
Two Brattle Square
Cambridge, MA 02238
617 547 5552
invasives at ucsusa.org