1. By: Yunchao Zhang and Noah Lee Photos by Greenberg art and NPS

2. What are exotic species?  Non-native, Non-endemic  “Unnatural”, “Artificial”  Usually not domesticated  Brought in from outside its natural distribution  NOT ALL are problematic  Most are invasive Photo by Wikimedia

3. The Negative Impact  Huge Threat to biodiversity-second only to habitat destruction  Ability to change a habitat  Endangers native species  Alters gene pool  Costs $1.4 trillion every year globally  Very difficult to get rid of Photo by Pnej

4. Causes  Increased international trade  Increased tourism  When European settlers brought hundreds of plants to North America  Accidental and intentional release  Increased sea travel-Ballast Photo by Birdphotos

5. Specific Examples  Asia Chestnut Blight Fungus  Zebra Mussel  Australian Paperbark Tree  Brown Tree Snake  Nile Perch  Sea Lamprey  Goats of St. Helena

6. Asia Chestnut Blight Fungus Photo by Delaware Nature Society

7. Photo by Lakeside Views

8. Photo by Uniserve.edu

9. Photo by Onionhound on Wikimedia

10. Nile Perch Photo by Jirehtoursandtravels

12. Photo by Armin Kubelbeck

13. What can you do?  Financial support  Do not buy non native plants  Do not release animals into the wild  Do not “Pack a pest”  Volunteer  Be Educated

14. What Others are Doing  Global Invasive Species Program  Federal Invasive Species Council  Parks, NPS, UN, EPA, NFWF  Ballast Water Regulation  More Conducted Studies  Preventing Potential Invaders

15. Contacts  Local parks  The NPS, EPA, and NFWF  Voice your opinion to EVERYONE Photos by James Montgomery Flagg