New Animal and Pest Databases

In order to expand our clearinghouse of invasive species information, two new educational databases are in the works. TexasInvasives.org is working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other wildlife experts to create an Invasive Animals Database, and with the Texas Forest Service, AgriLife Extension, and other entomology experts to build content for an Invasive Pest Database. Both databases will be live online while species and content are added.

If you would like to contribute to either new database please contact Travis Gallo.

HB 338

House Bill 338 would require a public entity, other than the department (Agriculture), that produces a list of noxious or invasive terrestrial plant species growing in this state shall provide with the list a disclaimer that states:

“This plant list is only a recommendation and has no legal effect in the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture has sole authority to label terrestrial plants as noxious or invasive.”

If passed, this disclaimer will be required on all printed material made for public distribution including newspaper, trade publication, notice, circular, or internet website.

Les Mehrhoff Remembered

Dr. Leslie J. Mehrhoff, Director of the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) and a great friend of TexasInvasives.org passed away unexpectedly on December 22nd, 2010. Les described himself as an avid, old-fashioned herbarium field naturalist who would "rather be doing field work than almost anything else." Today IPANE is one of the flagship regional citizen science networks for early detection, rapid assessment, and rapid response. Les’ passing is a significant loss to the scientific community and the battle against invasive species. (photo by Frank Dahlmeyer, U CONN)