Fight Alien (Plant) Species
Non-native plant species are a threat in almost every part of the United States. Certain types of plants are highly adaptable to new environments and can spread by wind, birds or humans (including by accident). In some places, invasive species devastate or even eliminate native plants altogether. This can have significant consequences for the health of the ecosystem. Find out if you live in a community where invasive species are a problem. Then organize a community-wide event to remove problem plants. Educate yourself on best practices, and then teach others how to address the problem. Even better, organize a one-day program where your peers and neighbors work together to tackle the issue.
How do I get started? First, download our Stand Out From the Pack - Done in a Day PDF. Do some research on invasive special in your neighborhood, and talk to the experts - community gardeners, landscapers, knowledgeable amateur plant lovers and gardening center owners. Learn about the problem plants, and then host a one day event where friends and neighbors come together to fight the alien plant species.
How do I expand this narrative arc? If nature or conservation are in your narrative arc, consider building on this interest with one of the following:
Become an Astro-Ecologist! See our post and lean how to help save endangered species using imaging from thermal drones. Join astrophysicists, conservationists, the WWF and Liverpool University in helping develop a system which uses astronomical techniques to automatically find and identify different endangered animals and track down their poachers.
See our post about helping preserve biodiversity in South Sudan using camera trap images.
Using materials from the National Wildlife Federation, start a campaign in your local community to promote native plants and preserve natural habitats.
Plant a Tulip Test Garden to track the impact of climate change on plants in your community.
HOT TIP: This project is a great way for you to improve the health of the environment in your community while simultaneously raising your environmentalist credibility and profile. Keep in mind that a single event is unlikely to have a lot of impact on your resume on its own. Make sure this project is part of your narrative arc, and don’t be afraid to expand on it with another related initiative in the community (or beyond).