Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:

What You Can Do About Invasive Species

Be Informed

beInformed

Understand why invasive species matter and the harm that they cause.
Learn how to recognize invasive species and distinguish them from look-alikes.
Know about the alternatives to planting invasive plants. They can be just as pretty and do more good for your overall garden.
Know the policies and plans in Fairfax County and the Virginia state laws regarding invasive species. Visit Understand Your Responsibilities.
Resources for More Information has many websites and contact information where you can learn more and find help.

Volunteer

When you volunteer you:

Learn the best techniques for successful removal.
Get hands-on experience.
Meet people with like interests, connect with friends and neighbors, and build relationships.
Care for your community.
Get to be outdoors, support a healthy lifestyle, and improve your physical and mental well-being.
Earn community service hours.

Find volunteer opportunities

Report

Early Detection and Rapid Response is key to eradicating invasive species before they cause serious damage. Use EDDMapS to report your observations.
Community scientists help by reporting sightings through crowd-sourcing apps such as iNaturalist to centralize tracking information.
You can also report positive green practices. Visit Watch the Green Grow.
Not all invasive species need to be reported, visit Reporting Invasive Species for guidance.

Report Invasive Species

Prevent Introduction and Spread

Avoiding planting invasive plants or acquiring invasive animals.
Plant native plants. Use alternative plant lists to make choices that fit your needs and benefit wildlife.
Do Not Move Firewood! Do your part to prevent the spread of insect pests and diseases. Buy it where you burn it. When traveling, buy your firewood once you reach your destination. Visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Check plants for pests before transporting.
Do not transport, introduce or release fish or wildlife.
Do not release live bait.

Visit Invasive Plant Alternatives

Manage Invasive Species

Once invasive species are established, there are different methods you can use to control, remove and dispose of them. Learn:

The best time to remove plants
Different methods of control: Cultural, Manual or Mechanical, and Chemical
Proper way to dispose of debris

Visit Manage Invasive Species

Spread the Word

Encourage environmentally sustainable landscape planting in your HOA, civic associations, place of work, places of worship or other organizations where you are a member or participant.
Talk it up at garden club meetings.
Start the conversation with your friends and neighbors.
Let your landscape contractor know it's important to you.
Talk about it at scout meetings and then get involved as volunteers.
Learn about what Environmental Organizations are doing to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Visit Invasive Species Resources

Pets - Understand Your Commitment

Some pets, if released, can outcompete native species for food and habitat. Protect our local wildlife and environment and the safety of your pets.

Check state and local regulations for which species can be kept as pets. Keeping wild and exotic animals, even if bred or sold in captivity, may not be legal. Collecting animals from the wild is generally prohibited.
Do your research before acquiring any animal as a pet. Learn their needs for daily care and lifespan. Many pets are released when their owners are unaware of the challenge of keeping them. Some pets, such as turtles, can live for decades.

NEVER release domestic or exotic pets into the wild. Many invasive species originated from the exotic pet trade, intentionally released or escaped, and became established in the wild. If you have a pet that you can no longer care for, contact the Fairfax County Animal Services, Fairfax County Animal Protection Police and local animal rescue groups about options for rehoming your pet.
Do not let pets roam free. Free-roaming cats threaten native wildlife, and are significant non-native predators of wild birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Dogs and cats can also spread invasive weed seeds as they walk through the woods. Please keep your dog on a leash in accordance with the county leash law, and keep pet cats indoors or in a limited-access environment (such as a catio or similar enclosure).

Be Tree Friendly

Educate yourself about common invasive insects and diseases affecting our forests and learn to how to recognize them and when to report them. Visit Resources for More Information for helpful websites and contact information.

If your see any signs of pests or disease, consider having your trees checked by a certified arborist. How to Hire an Arborist or Tree Care Company.

Do your part to prevent the spread of insect pests and diseases. Don't move firewood! Buy it where you burn it.

Show Your Support

You can help the Park Authority to purchase more native species for re-planting, purchase more interactive boot brushes that help prevent the spread of invasive species, and engage more volunteers. Today’s stewardship helps ensure future environmental health!

Visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation, Invasive Management Area Program (IMA) for ways to support the program.

Visit Fairfax County Park Foundation

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Terms & Conditions

Live chat available Search our site