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2021 California Invasive Species Action Week: June 5-13
Mark your calendars for California Invasive Species Action Week, June 5-13, 2021. Visit the CISAW page for a schedule of events around the state and links to activities you can do online or in your neighborhood all year long.
Youth Art Contest
The 2021 Invasive Species Action Week Youth Art Contest is open! This year's theme is "Be an Invasive Species Detective." Youths in grades 2 through 12 are eligible to enter the annual contest, and all types of media are welcome and encouraged! Deadline May 5, 2021. Winners will be announced on CDFW social media during Action Week. Visit the Art Contest web page for full details.
Invasive Species Reporting App
Launched in conjunction with the 2020 Invasive Species Action week, the Department has an exciting new platform to reach the public and receive invasive species reports. “EDDMapS” (Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System) allows invasive species reports to be submitted from your smartphone while outdoors. On the user-friendly app, anyone can report an invasive species sighting, submit photos, provide sighting details, and document a negative survey. EDDMapS is available on both Apple and Android platforms. Learn more about EDDMapS and our other Citizen Science projects.
Eye on Invasives Newsletter
The CDFW Invasive Species Program is proud to present the revival of our newsletter, Eye on Invasives. You can find the latest edition here along with our other publications. We look forward to providing you with entertaining and informative invasive species content!
Mute Swan Identification
Did you know that mute swans, different from our native swans, are a growing invasive species threat? They spread from ponds where they are kept as ornamental birds, eat aquatic vegetation needed by other animals, and are aggressive towards other waterfowl and people. Use our Swan Identification Sheet to learn how to tell them apart from native swans.
Invasive Nutria in California
In March 2017, a pregnant, female nutria (Myocastor coypus) was discovered in Merced County. Native to South America, nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents that are considered one of the world's worst invasive species. Once introduced, nutria rapidly expand in both population size and geographic distribution. Female nutria reach sexual maturity as early as 4 months of age and producing their first litter by 8-9 months of age. They breed year-round, producing up to 3 litters per 13 months, with 2-13 young per litter. Nutria live in social groups consisting of a dominant male, several reproducing females, and juveniles, with maturing males driven out and dispersing up to 50 miles.
Visit CDFW's
Nutria Incident web page to learn more about the current status of this infestation, what is being done about it, and how you can help.
Quagga / Zebra Mussel Regulations
On February 10, 2016, the California Office of Administrative Law issued a Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action for CDFW's proposed dreissenid mussel regulations. These new regulations, Title 14, sections 672, 672.1, and 672.2, developed under the authority of Fish and Game Code sections 702, 2301, and 2302, became effective April 1, 2016. Visit the Quagga / Zebra Mussel Management page for more information.
Aquatic Invasive Species Identification Poster
The Invasive Species Program has developed an outreach poster to aid in the identification of six invasive species that threaten California's freshwater environments.
View the poster (PDF), or look for it on display in a CDFW office or hatchery. Would you like a copy of the poster to display? Contact us at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov to request one.