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The Global Invasive Species Team | |
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Staff profiles
Valerie Vartanian, Horticulture and Landscape Professions Liaison 
Increased global trade and travel are accelerating the spread of invasive species around the world. Invasive species
(plants, animals, or pathogens) damage lands and waters, hurt economies and threaten our lives. West Nile virus, kudzu vines,
and European starlings are all examples of species that have become established in the U.S. and are causing harm. Government
agencies, land managers, businesses, and individual citizens are affected by the presence of invasive species. The cost has
been estimated at $138 billion a year in lost productivity in the U.S.The Nature Conservancy's Global Invasive Species Team works to prevent new invasions while containing established invaders. One of the major pathways for invasion by plants has been through gardens and landscapes. My role with the Global Invasive Species Team is to promote better business practices with the horticulture industry. I work directly with businesses and the private sector to change existing practices through voluntary actions and market incentives through a program called the Voluntary Codes of Conduct. This program was developed by representatives from the horticulture industry and provides a set of guidelines which promote positive changes in business practices that screen out invasive plants and work to educate the gardening public. We are working with large and small businesses across the country. This voluntary program has been widely accepted as a positive, self-policing, process that the horticulture industry can implement effectively for a "win-win" result. There is not a simple solution (or "silver bullet") to stop the spread of invasive species, but we believe we can make a difference working together (governments, businesses, NGOs, trade associations, etc.). Nurseries and other businesses can play a big role in how their industry steps up to battle invasive plants. To achieve The Nature Conservancy's 2015 organizational goal, we must deal with invasive species (#2 global threat behind climate change). The Global Invasive Species Team is in a better position than ever before to help staff deal with invasive issues. We can provide insight, ideas, and tangible strategies that will work for country programs or other operating units. Often it is difficult for programs to figure out how to make a real difference on this global problem with limited resources, but if we work together the Global Invasive Species Team can help you incorporate strategies that will be more effective in achieving the 2015 Goal. The Global Invasive Species Team has identified two key strategies related to invasive species:
There are several ways in which I can help with your program.
Global Invasive Species Team The Nature Conservancy Missouri Botanical Garden P.O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166 State & country programs
Profiles of noteworthy invasive species work being done by state and country programs in The Nature Conservancy. Success stories
Invasive species management is not impossible. Read these success stories and be inspired. Assessments and regional plans
Assessments of invasive species issues for various operating units in The Nature Conservancy. Contact us Address information to help you contact GIST staff. Other site resources Weed Information Management System (WIMS)
A fully-integrated hardware and software application for mapping invasives and tracking management actions. Remote sensing
A review of remote sensing technology, as applied to invasive species detection and mapping. Templates and examples
Adaptive management planning tools such as model plans for sites, weed control templates, etc. Very useful! Invasive species learning networks
Learn about Invasive Species Networks that help promote best practices for invasive species abatement among staff in The Nature Conservancy, partner agencies, and other organizations. Listserves
Join our listserve to voice your frustrations and trumpet your successes. 1998-99 survey
Learn about our 1999 survey--a snapshot of invasive species issues across all of The Nature Conservancy. |
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Updated June 2006 ©The Nature Conservancy, 2005 |
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V. Vartanian