There’s an invasion happening right under our noses—one that’s likely reached your own backyard. You may have even unknowingly played a part in it.

This is the spread of invasive plants, animals, and fungi. Once removed from their native habitats, these species reproduce rapidly, disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and even endangering our food, health, and recreation.

Invasive species are wreaking havoc in every corner of the world, often with our unwitting help. But with knowledge, care, and action, we can turn the tide.

Griff Griffith guides you on a journey explaining how invasive species pose a threat, how they got here, and what you can do. Griff is joined by Dr. Sara Kuebbing (from the Yale School of the Environment), Emelie Swackhamer (Penn State University Extension), and Carl Klarner (Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators).

Thanks to Associate Producer Kat Hill and Sound Designer Miles Ewell for their assistance in production of this episode.

FULL SHOW NOTES

LINKS and Additional Information for Topics Discussed

Foreign Seed Scam - did you know there is a scam where people send foreign seeds? Sounds crazy, but it happens. Learn what to do here.

How to Build a Spotted Lanternfly Circle Trap

iNaturalist - you can use iNaturalist to identify plants, fungi, insects, and more, with the help of machine learning and a dedicated community of experts. iNaturalist also flags many invasive species, so take a backyard safari and see what you can find and remove from your yard!

RIPE - Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators - is Carl Klarner's organization in Northern California. They remove English Ivy from private properties. They have a new instagram account, too.

USDA Invasive Species Database, and their maps serve as a good starting point

Related Podcast Episodes
Jumpstart Nature The Yard of the Future

Additional Credits
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: The Question Is (Quizpackage) by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/228-the-question-is-quizpackage
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Silent Movie 19 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/12433-silent-movie-19
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 008 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/7669-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-008
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Bahnstreik by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/404-bahnstreik
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Additional Music: Cleanse by Principal Dean
Sound Effects from Soundly: getsoundly.com

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#9: Invaders in Your Yard: The Hidden Dangers of Invasive Species