invasive

Dear Citizen Scientists,

May is Invasive Species Awareness month. In honor of this month, we are asking for you and your community’s help. As you know, Illinois, as well as many other states has become home for thousands of invasive species of all kinds. Certain plants, animals, insects, aquatic species and even certain types of bacteria and viruses threaten the natural ecosystems of Illinois. While some of these non-native, or alien, species are not harmful, many of them are. Each year billions of dollars are spent trying to control populations of these different species.

We need your help! All around neighborhood communities, citizens must understand both positive and negative consequences that invasive species bring. Individuals must understand how to identify invasive species in and around their communities. Research must be shared with them about the proper way to safely eradicate them if need be, and to remain pro-active by notifying the proper authorities who understand the implications of these species. We need your help to spread the word in your community by educating your families, friends and neighbors. It is the responsibility of every citizen to understand and control the invasive species around us.

Some examples of invasive species in Illinois include zebra mussels, Asian carp, purple loosestrife, multi-colored Asian ladybeetle, garlic mustard and European starling. There are many others. Citizens must understand how these species can and in some cases have, become harmful, while others may not have. __//Your mission, as citizen scientists, is to help the people of Illinois understand the research about these organisms.//__

Sincerely,

ISAM (Illinois Invasive Species Awareness Month Planning Committee)

RESOURCES:
 * [|Glogster.com] *** (use the nickname & password that Mrs. Law gave you to sign in)**
 * [|Short Glogster Tutorials]** *
 * LEAST WANTED: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas

NATION PARK SERVICE: Invasive Animals Info (has good info on how to control & prevent invasive species.)

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME: Wild Illinois History || *All investigators check these sites * || []

[]

[] || Investigators: || Purple Loosestrife || []
 * [[image:loosestrife.jpg width="218" height="160"]]

[|http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/weeds/w1132w.htm#replace]

[]

[] || Investigators: || Garlic Mustard || []
 * [[image:garlicmustard.jpg width="126" height="244"]]

[]

[]

[] ||
 * [[image:Asian_lady_beetle_invasive.jpg width="226" height="152"]]

Investigators: || Asian Lady Beetle || []

[]

[]

[] ||
 * [[image:Asian_carp_man.jpg width="117" height="214"]]

Investigators: || Asian Carp || []

[]

[] ||
 * [[image:starling2.JPG width="327" height="509" align="left"]] || Starling || Is Shakespeare to blame for the starling invasion? []

Introduced Species Summary Project: []

[]

[]

[] ||
 * Investigators: ||  ||   ||
 * [[image:zebra-mussel-cluster-small.jpg height="348" align="left"]]

Investigators: || Zebra Mussel || []

[]

[] || Investigators: || Dutch Elm Disease || [|http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/dutchelmdisease/ded.htm]
 * [[image:Dutch_Elm.jpg width="272" height="269"]]

[]

[]

[] || Investigators: || Asian Tiger Mosquito || []
 * [[image:tigermosquito.jpg]]

[] || (Don't forget to check all the tabs at the top of the info box)
 * [[image:http://backtree.com/images/icons-large/eab_wings_out.jpg width="345" height="223"]] || Emerald Ash Borer || []

[|backtree.com/ emerald-ash-borer.php] ||