What is an Invasive Species

AND HOW YOU CAN HELP

Overview

An invasive species is a non-native organism that causes direct harm to the environment, economics, or human health. When an invasive species is introduced to an ecosystem, the species will usually explode in numbers because there are no predators or resource limitations to the invasive organism. The invasive species disrupt native species and outcompete them for resources, harming the native populations. 

How You Can Help

  1. Clean your hiking, fishing, and water activity gear (boats, floaties, etc.). Be aware of the plants your dogs track with them
  2. Fish with native bait
  3. Do not remove firewood as dying/dead trees host an abundance of critters. Instead buy local firewood 
  4. Learn what invasive species are affecting your area, what they look like, and if you can help
  5. Volunteer! There are a number of volunteer opportunities, and our partner, Protect & Preserve Hawaiʻi works directly on this issue
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Mālama Maunalua

Work Done 

IRWC invested time volunteering with Mālama Maunalua on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Mālama Maunalua focuses on restoring the Maunalua Bay through removing invasive algae, as well as reef and seagrass restoration. We worked directly on the Huki Project, a habitat restoration program where we removed alien species such as Gorilla Ogo (Gracilaria salicornia, pictured right in left hand), Leather Mudweed (Avrainvillea amadelpha), and Prickly seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera). These algae devastate the native ecosystems and are vital to remove from natural habitats. Mālama Maunalua is a supporter of Protect & Preserve Hawaiʻi, one of our strategic partners.

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