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| Oregon given A-minus grade in battling invasive species | ||
| 01/10/2007 | ||
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Suggested lead Oregon has received a letter grade of A-minus for its efforts battling invasive species in 2006: Entire audio file Audio 01 The annual report card issued by Oregon's Invasive Species Council looks at how well the state has done in keeping out the worst of non-native organisms that could cause both economic and environmental harm to Oregon. Council chair Dan Hilburn of the Oregon Department of Agriculture says the A-minus matches the previous year's final grade: HILBURN: "The list of 100 worst species, none of them became established in the state this year. That's our primary goal of this group is to facilitate keeping those species out." :10 audio file Audio 02 One area that could improve is in public education and outreach. The Invasive Species Council hopes to do a better job publicizing the list of 100 worst invaders, which includes mammals, birds, insects, weeds, and microorganisms bad for Oregon: HILBURN: "It's a type of pollution and it is biological pollution. People are aware of water pollution. They are aware of air pollution. But not as many people are aware that you can have living organisms move into an area, take over and change the ecology of the area." :18 audio file In reviewing 2006, only one of the 100 most dangerous species- feral pigs- is considered in danger of becoming permanently established in Oregon. Most species on the list have not been detected in the state. Those that have, like gypsy moth and a handful of noxious weeds, have been part of intense eradication efforts. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney. Additional audio: Audio 03 HILBURN says a special Invasive Species Hotline (1-866-INVADER) has been useful in getting the public's help in reporting invasive species in Oregon: "The average number of calls is somewhere between 30 and 60 a month on that hotline. So in my mind, it has really become the one stop shopping center that we had hoped it would be." :13 audio file Additional audio: Audio 04 HILBURN says at least one invasive species on the list of the worst 100 threats to Oregon will be the subject of a major eradication project this year. An Asian gypsy moth was detected last summer in the St. Helens area along the Columbia River: "That is one of the worst potential pests that we could have. That insect has the ability to fly 20 miles or so every generation. So that if we don't eradicated it now, we might not get another chance." :15 audio file Full story http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/070110invasive.shtml |
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