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Weeds take root in western forest priorities
No doubt weeds in your yard this spring will cause some headaches and backaches. However, invasive weeds, insects and pathogens in our nation's forests, grasslands and waterways cause much more than that.
--The estimated economic cost of invasive species to Americans is $137 billion every year.
--Second only to habitat destruction, invasive species are the next greatest threat to biodiversity.
--Invasive Species negatively impact up to 46% of threatened and endangered species.
--Invasive Species occupy 133 million acres nationally, and are spreading at 1.7 million acres per year.
An invasive species is defined as being non- native to a particular area and can cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) is taking action through policies, plans and partnerships with the release of their Invasive Species Policy Statement.
Keeping our forests healthy is more than just good sense. Sixty-six percent of our nation's fresh water comes from forestlands. Forest support critical wildlife systems, supply wood products, support local economies, provide parks and wilderness and include many of the nation's natural treasures.
Looking to control their pest problems the US Forest Service and State governments are in high gear. The President's FY05 proposed budget request includes approximately $1 billion for invasive species control efforts among all federal programs, and US Forest Service Chief, Dale Bosworth, has named invasive species one of the four greatest threats to our nation's forests.
Steve Ambrose and Jim Lawrence, Federal and State Co-Directors of the WFLC, note that invasive species cross boundaries and effective strategies must also. "Policies need regional applications; partnerships can combine resources and efforts", according to the WFLC Policy Director, Jay Jensen.
The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition's Invasive Species policy statement, posted at www.wflccenter.org/info_ps_and_r.html, calls for coordinated efforts in the prevention, detection, control, and management of one of the greatest natural resource concerns in the West, invasive species.
The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) is a state-federal partnership. The members of the coalition include the 23 western State Foresters and Pacific Island Territorial Foresters, the seven western Regional Foresters, three western Research Station Directors, and the Forest Products Lab Director of the USDA Forest Service. The staff support is based in Denver. For more information please visit www.wflccenter.org.
Date: 4/15/04
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