Media Center

2005 tamarix/Salt cedar bash & whack day a success

Over 50 volunteers showed up Saturday, March 19, bright and early in the morning to attack this invasice species. Read the Deseret News article. (.pdf)

Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States (.pdf )

In the history of the United States, approximately 50,000 alien-invasive (nonnative) species are estimated to have been introduced into the United States. Introduced species, such as corn, wheat, rice, and other food crops, and cattle, poultry, and other livestock, now provide more than 98% of the U.S. food system at a value of approximately $800 billion per year (USBC, 2001). Other exotic species have been used for landscape restoration, biological pest control, sport, pets, and food processing. Some nonindigenous species, however, have caused major economic losses in agriculture, forestry, and several other segments of the U.S. economy, in addition to harming the environment. One recent study reported approximately $97 billion in damages from 79 exotic species during the period from 1906 to 1991 . more