CDFW News

Join in Protecting California’s Biodiversity During Invasive Species Action Week

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:23:57 GMT

California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), happening June 7-15, 2025, calls for all Californians to get involved to help prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten the Golden State’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

CDFW Invasive Species Program environmental scientists urge all Californians to get involved as invasive species reduce the biodiversity that is so important to our landscape.

During Invasive Species Action week, volunteers across the state will have the opportunity to help remove invasive plants, participate in interactive activities and have lunch with University of California experts as they share how to help stop a variety of invasive species.

Virtual and in-person opportunities to participate in CISAW include:

Meet up with the Cosumnes River Preserve Habitat Restoration Team Saturday, June 7, at the Cosumnes River Preserve in Galt for a day of environmental stewardship that will center around protecting valley oak riparian habitat along the Cosumnes watershed.
Join Friends of Ballona Wetlands Saturday, June 7, on a tour of the Ballona Freshwater Marsh. Learn about invasive and native species and the history of the marsh and the surrounding areas.
Volunteer to help members of the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society as they work in Bodega Bay Sunday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 11, to remove South African ice plant that was once used for erosion control along California’s coast.
Tune in to the UC Cooperative Extension’s Lunchtime Talks webinar series, where each weekday experts will take on invasive species topics such as the proper way to use snap traps for the ongoing and increasing threats posed by rats and the latest information on California’s newest and potentially most economically and environmentally significant invader — the golden mussel.
Join the Putah Creek Council for its Invasive Species Workshop Wednesday, June 11. This workshop will cover what makes a species invasive, common invasive species in the Putah Creek region, best removal methods and native plant alternatives for gardeners.
Take the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Eyes on the Lake Training Wednesday, June 11, where participants will learn to identify native versus non-native aquatic plants and how to report aquatic invaders that damage Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem.
Participate in a bioblitz at Coyote Creek in Santa Clara on Saturday, June 14.

Further details and a full list of CISAW events (PDF) can be found online, some which require participants to register in advance.

Be a part of the effort to remove invasive species and restore wildlife habitat throughout the year by volunteering through the California State Parks Foundation and other local organizations, or by using CDFW’s Invasive Species App (through EDDMaps) to record invasive species on Apple or Android smart phones as a citizen scientist.

Californians can also help stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild and cleaning and draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW page lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating, fishing and even at home.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

Invasive species threaten the abundance of native species through competition for resources, predation, disease transmission or by causing physical changes to the invaded habitat. Impacts of invasive species on natural ecosystems, agricultural and other developed lands, water delivery and flood protection systems, may also negatively affect human health and the economy.

For questions or more information about CISAW contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Daydre Roser, CDFW Invasive Species Program, (916) 720-1226

Get Outside and Make a Difference During California Invasive Species Action Week

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:33:53 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites everyone with an interest in natural resources to join us in recognizing California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), Saturday, June 3 through Sunday, June 11. For the past 10 years, CDFW has devoted the first week in June to engaging the public in taking action to prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten California’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

On Friday, June 2, from 12 to 1 p.m., California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot will host a webinar titled “Defending the Golden State: Safeguarding Californians from Invasive Species.” The webinar will feature a panel of experts including California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. For registration information visit the California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Speaker Series web page.

Historically, agencies, non-profits and volunteer organizations across the state have teamed up to host events for CISAW. This year, opportunities to participate include virtual events and activities in all parts of the state, such as:

Restoring habitat at Tolowa Dunes State Park in Crescent City with California State Parks, Tolowa Dunes Stewards and Redwood Parks Conservancy.
Protecting the American River Parkway near Sacramento from invasive plants with the American River Parkway Foundation.
Becoming a “Weed Warrior” at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego by assisting with efforts to remove non-native grasses and other invasive plants.
Learning how to identify Lake Tahoe’s native and invasive aquatic plants during a webinar with the League to Save Lake Tahoe.
Watching lunchtime webinars from the University of California Cooperative Extension on topics such as removing the invasive seaweed Caulerpa and efforts to stop damaging insects from entering California.

Visit the CISAW schedule on CDFW’s website for details on these events and many more.

You can also watch webinars and learn about how to stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild, reporting invasive species findings, and cleaning, draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW web page lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating or fishing, or at home.

Next week, CDFW will announce winners of the annual California Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest on social media. This year’s theme was “Think Ahead and Prevent the Spread.”

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread of those species that have established. For questions or more information about CISAW, please contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov

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Media contact:
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Elizabeth Brusati, CDFW Invasive Species Program

Youth Art and Video Contest Seeks Eco-Influencers

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:54:00 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce the 10th annual California Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest. This year’s theme, “Think Ahead; Stop the Spread,” encourages students to research ways to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive species and promote actions to protect the environment.

“The big news for this year’s contest is that we’re accepting video entries,” said Elizabeth Brusati, an environmental scientist with CDFW’s Invasive Species Program. “This year’s theme is an opportunity for students to combine science with artistic expression while learning about an important environmental issue.”

Invasive species affect all regions of California and can be spread in many ways, often by humans. CDFW promotes the contest as a way of encouraging students to think about actions to help stop the spread of invasive species such as cleaning recreational gear, planting non-invasive plants and learning about negative impacts of releasing unwanted pets into the wild.

The contest is offered by CDFW’s Invasive Species Program in conjunction with California Invasive Species Action Week, June 3-11.

The art contest has three age divisions for youth in grades 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12. All types of art are welcome and encouraged, including (but not limited to): drawings, paintings and comic strips. Entries must reflect the 2023 theme: “Think Ahead; Stop the Spread.” The top three winners in each division will have entries announced on CDFW’s social media. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.

The new video portion, open to grades 5-12, allows students to submit a 60 second video on the theme. Winning videos will be posted on CDFW’s YouTube channel.

The deadline for contest entries is May 1. All entries must be submitted electronically. Submission instructions can be found on CDFW’s Invasive Species Program website.

The goal of California Invasive Species Action Week is to increase public awareness of invasive species issues and encourage public participation in the fight against California’s invasive species and their impacts on our state’s natural resources and biodiversity.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

Media contacts:
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Elizabeth Brusati, CDFW Invasive Species Program, (916)206-4621

Get Outside and Make a Difference During California Invasive Species Action Week

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:42:00 GMT

The ninth annual California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) runs from Saturday, June 4 through Sunday, June 12, 2022. Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), this week provides an opportunity for Californians to learn about the hundreds of harmful non-native plants and animals that threaten our state’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

Historically, agencies, non-profits and volunteer organizations across the state have teamed up to host events for CISAW. As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the format now includes both in-person and virtual events such as webinars and videos. Volunteer opportunities can be found in all parts of the state, such as:

Attend a habitat restoration event at Trinidad State Beach near Humboldt where volunteers will pitch in to pull up ivy and other invasive non-native species.
Join Friends of Five Creeks in Berkeley in their efforts to eradicate invasive foxtails from near Codornices Creek.
Protect the American River Parkway in Sacramento by removing broom with the American River Parkway Foundation.
Help protect and restore coastal dune and bluff scrub habitats at Half Moon Bay State Beach by assisting with the removal of invasive cape ivy, mustard, thistles and hemlock from coastal scrub areas.
Be a “Weed Warrior” at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, by assisting with efforts to remove non-native grasses and other invasive plants from the landscape.

Get details for these events and find many more by visiting the CISAW schedule on CDFW’s website.

You can also watch webinars and learn about how you can stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild, reporting invasive species findings, and cleaning, draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW website lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating or fishing, or at home. Join our Digital Scavenger Hunt and track invasive species in your local neighborhood or park!

On Friday, June 10, CDFW will announce the winners of the annual California Invasive Species Youth Art Contest on social media. This year’s theme was “Unite to Fight Invasive Species!”

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Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Brusati, CDFW Invasive Species Program
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Photo: Two young estuary explorers plant whistlestop at Elkhorn Slough as part of an invasive species removal effort. CDFW photo.

Youth Art Contest Rallies Californians to Unite to Fight Invasive Species

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:36:45 GMT

2021 winner in the 5th-8th grade category, Veronica Cid. CDFW Photo

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce the ninth annual California Invasive Species Youth Art Contest. This year’s theme, “Unite to Fight Invasive Species,” reflects the need for all Californians to work together to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive species.

“The Youth Art Contest is an opportunity for students to combine science with artistic expression while learning about an important environmental issue,” said Elizabeth Brusati, an environmental scientist with CDFW’s Invasive Species Program. “We want young people to look for ways to stop the spread of invasive species. Helpful actions could include choosing native plants for landscaping, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild, reporting invasive species sightings and cleaning clothing and gear to prevent unintentionally moving organisms from one location to another.”

The contest is offered by CDFW’s Invasive Species Program in conjunction with California Invasive Species Action Week, which will be June 4-12 this year. There are three age divisions for youths in grades 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12. All types of media are welcome and encouraged, including (but not limited to) drawings, paintings, animations, comic strips, videos and public service announcements. Entries must reflect the 2022 theme: “Unite to Fight Invasive Species.”

The top three winners in each division will receive awards and have their entries announced on CDFW’s social media.

Additional details and inspiration, including prior years’ winning entries, can also be found on the CDFW website.

The deadline for art contest entries is April 1. Completed entries and entry forms should be submitted electronically. Submission instructions can be found on the CDFW website.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur, and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

Media Contacts:
Bridget Kennedy, CDFW Education and Outreach, (916) 502-7472
Elizabeth Brusati, CDFW Invasive Species Program, (916) 206-4621