Invasive Species are not originally from Minnesota and they often cause environmental, physical, or economic harm. They can be plants, animals, fungi, or other life forms. Often, they are transported to Minnesota by people.
How do invasive species arrive?
Here are some common ways invasive species get transported to Scott County:
- They are planted as wind breaks or ornamental plants in someone's yard. Their seeds get transported by wind, wildlife, or water to natural areas. There, they outgrow native plants.
- On ships, trains, planes, shipping vehicles, or attached to personal vehicles like trucks.
- In the things that are being shipped, such as in the shipping crates or pallets. Sometimes, they are even hiding inside wood furniture.
- When people travel for recreation:
- They get transported in firewood.
- They attach to campers, boats, and other recreational vehicles.
- They get in the bilge water in boats. If not properly drained, they can spread when the bilge is emptied into a new water body.
- They escape when people release bait into water bodies.
- And sometimes they come home with a person as a pet, and are released or escape.
For more information about what invasive species are invading Minnesota and what to do to stop them, please watch the below award-winning video.