Sign up for the iWire to get breaking news, event info and the species spotlight.
Spotlight
Texas Ramping Up Fight against Aquatic Invasive Species – Texas is ramping up its efforts in the Pineywoods ecoregion of East Texas to fight the invasion of aquatic species that pose significant threats to the state’s environment and its economy. December 18, 2015 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
Zebra Mussels Spread to Dean Gilbert Lake – Dean Gilbert Lake, in the city of Sherman’s Pecan Grove Park, has become the eighth lake in Texas to be infested by invasive zebra mussels. December 18, 2015 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
Newly-formed Texas Gulf Region Cooperative Weed Management Area Holding Outreach and Eradication Events at the End of September – This new organization is focused on managing the invasive Brazilian peppertree in the Port Aransas area. They will be offering invasives to eat at an outreach event on September 30, and are asking volunteers to help clear out Brazilian peppertree from coastal habitat the next day. At the "Eat the Invasives Community Event", come taste a few invasive species threatening the area, and mingle with some local experts. Starts at 5:30 PM at the Tarpon Bar and Grill in Port Aransas. For more information on the eradication event, see this flyer.
Emerald Ash Borer May Have Spread to Different Tree - Entomology Today - October 10, 2014. Learn more.
Zebra Mussels Spread to Lake Waco – Lake Waco has become the seventh lake in Texas to be infested by invasive zebra mussels. October 1, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness Plan for the State of Texas – Developed by representatives from several state agencies and partnering organizations, the preparedness plan was created to minimize the economic and enironmental impacts of EAB infestation in Texas. May 2, 2014. Download Plan.
Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Arkansas – Arkansas Agriculture Department/Arkansas State Plant Board officials today confirmed that the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, has been found in Hot Springs, Clark, and Nevada counties. July 18, 2014 – Arkansas State Plant Board Press Release. Learn more.
Statewide Boat-draining Rule Takes Effect July 1 – Beginning July 1, boaters must drain all water from their boat and on-board receptacles before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water anywhere in Texas. The new regulation is designed to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. June 25, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
Zebra Mussel Rules Now Expanded Statewide – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a new regulation requiring that all boats operating on public fresh water anywhere in Texas be drained before leaving or approaching a lake or river to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. May 22, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
Public Comment Sought on Rules to Require Draining Water from Vessels on All Public Fresh Waters – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking comment on proposed rules to require all boats operating on all public fresh water to be drained after use to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels. April 17, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn more.
USDA Empowers Citizens with the Knowledge to Prevent Invasive Pests – The U.S. Department of Agriculture proclaimed April as Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Awareness Month. Each year in April, USDA and partners aplify public outreach about risks posed by invasive plants, pests and diseases. April 2, 2014 – USDA Press Release. Learn More.
TPWD Adds 30 Additional Counties to Prevent Spread of Zebra Mussels – Effective Sunday, March 23rd, 30 additional counties in North and Central Texas have been added to the recently-implimented rules requiring that all boats operating on public water be drained after use. March 20, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
APHIS Releases New Guidelines for Asian Gypsy Moth Surveys and Response – APHIS Plant Protection and Quarentine has releases new guidlines to better define survey parematers and a range of appropriate responses for the Asian gypsy moth. – February 19, 2014 – USDA APHIS Press Release. Learn More.
Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Expansion of Zebra Mussel Rules – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved expanding rules requiring anyone leaving or approaching public waters in 30 counties in Central and North Texas to drain their boats.– January 23, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Lake Lavon – Zebra mussels have now been confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Lake Lavon. – January 21, 2014 – TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
Public Comment Sought on Adding Additional Counties to Zebra Mussel Prevention Rules – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission would like public comments on a proposal to add 30 additional counties in North and Central Texas to the recently-implemented zebra mussel prevention rules requiring that all boats operating on public water be drained after use. Comments can be made in writing, email or at a January 7th or 9th public meeting. – December 19, 2013 – TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
USDA Releases Fiscal Year 2014 Invasive Species Grants Workbook – The United States Department of Agriculture has released the 2014 version of "Grant and Partnership Programs that can Address Invasive Species Research, Technical Assistance, Prevention and Control. – December 5, 2014 – USDA Press Release. Learn More.
New Rules to Fight Zebra Mussels Take Effect December 10 – In the state's ongoing effort to combat the spread of invasive zebra mussels, new rules take effect Dec. 10 requiring that all boats operating on public water in 17 Northeast Texas counties be drained after use. – December 5, 2013 – TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
APHIS Adds the Entirety of Missouri to the Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Area – The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is expanding the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) to include the entire state of Missouri. The Federal Order, outlines the conditions for the interstate movement of emerald ash borer regulated articles from Missouri, including host wood and wood products. – November 21, 2013 – USDA APHIS Press Release. Learn More.
Phragmites Webinar Offered By University of Nebraska-Lincoln – The North American Invasive Plant Short Course is hosting a FREE webinar on Phragmites, australis on November 21. Topics will include control options, monitoring and landowner cooperation- November 18, 2013– SE EPPC Press Release. Learn More.
Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Zebra Mussel Rules For North Texas– New rules to prevent the spread of zebra mussels are now in place for 17 north Texas counties. - November 8, 2013 - TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
Zebra mussels found in Lake Belton and suspected in Lakes Worth and Joe Pool – Zebra mussels, a destructive invasive species that originated in Eurasia, have been found in Lake Belton in Central Texas. - September 26, 2013 - TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Lake Bridgeport – Zebra mussel larvae, known as veligers, have been confirmed in Lake Bridgeport. - June 27, 2013 - TPWD Press Release. Learn More.
Emerald Ash Borer in Texas – NOT a “Nightmare on Ash Street" - January 20, 2013 - Report on EAB trapping effort. Learn More
Firewood Moved Long Distances - January 15, 2013 - Has firewood become a modern day "Trojan Horse"? Learn More.
Dynamic Map of Zebra Mussel Distribution - August 6, 2012 - Watch an animated video of the spread of zebra mussels through the U.S. Learn More.
Zebra Mussels Found in Lake Ray Roberts - July 18, 2012 - Boaters urged to continue to clean, drain and dry. Learn More.
New Regulations to Affect Boaters, Anglers on Texoma, Lavon, Red River - May 3, 2012 - Aim is to stop spread of invasive species. Learn More.
Bastard cabbage attacks! - March 23, 2012 - Invasive plant threatens bluebonnets. Learn More.
Help Find Homes for Emerald Ash Borer Traps - February 1, 2012 - Be part of the Sentinel Network and help the Texas Forest Service find locations for its Emerald Ash Borer trapping program. Learn More.
There's an App for That - January 27, 2012 - Invasive Plants in Southern Forests: Identification and Management. This app is based on the U.S. Forest Service publication: A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. Learn More.
Invasive snail, parasite threaten Central Texas fish stocks - January 25, 2012 - A little snail from Asia may be poised to create some very big problems for fish in Central Texas rivers. Learn More.
Sterile Carp Release - December 20, 2011- The Watershed Protection Department released 6,000 sterile Asian grass carp into Lake Austin as part of the ongoing effort to control hydrilla - Learn More.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week - February 26 - March 3, 2012, Washington, DC - Learn More.
Informational Meeting on Crazy Ants - January 18, 2012, 1:00 PM at the Texas AgriLife Extension Serviceoffice, 1600-B Smith Road Austin, TX - Learn More.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Invasive Mussel Forum - Jan 18, 2012, 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Herman Brown Free Library, Burnet, TX - Learn More.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Invasive Mussel Forum - Jan 18, 2012, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Marble Falls Public Library, Marble Falls, TX - Learn More.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Invasive Mussel Forum - Jan 19, 2012, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Kingsland Branch Library, Kingsland, TX - Learn More.
Giant inconvenience: Salvinia sneaks its way to Texas waters via boats, then proceeds to smother aquatic ecosystems. By Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, June 9, 2011.
Cactus Moth Poses New Invasive Species Threat to Texas Biodiversity (April 27, 2011) - News Release, Texas Parks and Wildlife.
LCRA to lower Lake Austin water level (January 4, 2011) - Read More.
Invasive zebra mussels, the scourge of the Great Lakes, reach Texas (January 4, 2011) - Read More.
Emerald Ash Borer Program Weekly Report: Week of 12-06-10 through 12-10-10.
Hello Cogongrass: Goodbye Texas Forest and Grasslands! (Articl=cle by ronald Billings, Texas Forest Service).
Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proclaims August as “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.” Learn More.
Tanglehead: A New Threat to South Texas Wildlife? - Article by Aaron Tjelmeland, Andrea Litt, Forrest Smith, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Learn More.
Moody HS joins Invaders of Texas - Master Naturalists and citizen scientists for the Texas Invasives Program, Grace Lopez and Chad Huckabee assisted Mike Murphrey with a Texas Invasives training program for Moody HS teachers. Learn more.
Citizen Science Monitoring Programs - This Urban Natural Resources Institute (UNRI) Informational Webcast highlights four Citizen Monitoring Programs using various best practices to educate and engage citizen scientists (CS) in early detection and ongoing monitoring of invasive pests. The session features Travis Gallo (Invaders of Texas), Angela Gupta (Minnesota Forest Pest First Detectors), Sarah Kirn (Vital Signs), and Jennifer Schwarz Ballard (Project Budburt). View the webcast online at http://www.unri.org/webcasts/archive/may-2010/
New Cactus Moth information from APHIS has been posted on our Resources page. (March 17, 2010)
TPWD Seeks Input on Prospective List of Approved Exotic Aquatic Plants – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is requesting input regarding this list from stakeholders who buy and sell exotic aquatic plants. Check a news release, the public comment page and the public hearing schedule for opportunities to comment. (February 28, 2010)
Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut – A new pest may threaten populations of walnuts from Texas to Nebraska. (February 24, 2010)
When Plants Attack! – Check out this great video by Texas Parks and Wildlife addressing the issue of invasive plants. (February 12, 2010)
Invasive aliens leave mark on Sandy Creek – Invaders of Texas program featured in the Jasper Newsboy. (February 12, 2010)
