Removing Invasive Species, Restoring Healthy Natural Areas

Over 200 people attended the "Removing Invasive Species, Restoring Healthy Natural Areas" Summit held Tuesday, November 18th at the Oregon Zoo. The summit highlighted the progress made since the 2005 to effectively manage invasive plants within the City of Portland including the City's new Invasive Plant Management Strategy.

Sam moderated a panel of local experts and facilitated the audience Q&A which featured a motivating discussion of local and regional efforts to remove invasive species and restore our natural areas.

Summit participants shared success stories, lessons learned, and next steps for regional invasive plant management. Participants also discussed actions to prevent new invasive species introductions and whether or not the region needs an invasive species management strategy.

The City outlined a plan to reduce the level of invasive plants on 4000 acres, or 40%, of City owned land in the next 10 years.

The summit expanded the conversation beyond plants and highlighted some of the economic impacts that could result from invasive animals. For example, if zebra or quagga mussels invade the Columbia River, it is estimated to cost electricity customers 25 million dollars per year due to the increased maintenance costs for 13 hydropower facilities.

Powerpoint presentations and a summary of the event outcomes will be posted online by mid-December.

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