Are You Still Using Plants That Are Invasive? The Banning of Such Plants and More In New York
Banning Invasive Species In New York
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has signed into law a bill on July 26th 2012, aimed at slowing the damaging spread of invasive animal and plant species. This legislation takes effect in January 2013.
What is the legislation all about?
It makes the sale, possession or transport of invasive/nonnative species punishable by fines by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Why is this necessary?
Nonnative plants and animals disrupt native species as well as their ecosystem and can cost millions of dollars to remove from the environment. We must remember too that native animals will be deprived of a natural food source
What are some examples of the nonnative species that have done damage?
Plants -
Perennnial pepperwood removal costs $25,000 to remove. Water primrose had to be removed from the Peconic Estuary. A week ago bamboo was banned. Bamboo not only grows rapidly but roots grow horizontally and spread out rapidly.
Cabomba, a very dense underwater plant infested the two lakes of the Carmans River because someone dumped their fish tank into the water.
Animals -
Both bronze carp and feral hogs have been banned.
The published list of banned nonnative species will be available in September 2013.
Fines -
Anyone possessing banned invasive species will be fined $250. - while vendors of such plants and animals can face fines up to $2,000.
Why are there so many invasive species?
Quite simply - because they are available to us. No malice is intended but it is fairly easy to go into a nursey and buy plants from all over the world. Often they are referred to as exotic plants. The new bill takes this into account by making vendors liable and it also makes consumers more aware of the damage they are indavertently doing to their own environment.
See links below for a list of native trees, vines and more.
About Nonnative Species
Were you aware of the damage nonnative species ae causing?
Plant Native Species
- Plant Native Herbaceous Plants Instead of Invasive S...
Planting native herbaceous plants, instead of invasive species, is just the right thing to do. It feeds animals and insects that belong here, while providing us all with beauty and low maintenance. - Plant Native Vines Instead of Invasive Species Vines...
The reason why English Ivy, and other vines, spread and take over is because they are invasive species. Planting native vines instead is the humane thing to do. Native plants provide food and shelter for birds and insects that belong in the eco-syste - Plant Native Shrubs Instead of Invasive Species: A L...
Planting native shrubs and avoiding invasive species is the humane thing to do. Native shrubs prove food for animals and insects that belong here, while providing us all with natural beauty in a low-maintenance setting.
Plant Native Trees
- Plant Native Trees Instead of Invasive Species: A Li...
Planting native trees instead of invasive species is the humane thing to do. Native trees provide food and shelter for the animals and insects that belong in the environment, while providing us all with shade, beauty and low-maintenance care.
