Hope, insights, and awareness for invasive species management  February 26, 2026

The first time I participated in a bioblitz, I walked away feeling bittersweet. I spent an hour wandering my favourite trail in the suburbs of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, documenting every form of life I could find. But on this natural scavenger hunt, I recorded more harmful, introduced species like Japanese knotweed and garlic mustard than long‑established, beneficial ones such as black walnut. 

It wasn’t that I had never noticed these species before. Rather, I finally realised the extent to which they were transforming a trail I thought I knew so well. That recognition left an empty feeling in me, along with a lingering question: was there something I could do about it? 

This kind of experience is all too common to a conservation scientist like me. When I feel that mix of concern and discouragement, I try to channel it into positive change. That’s exactly what motivated me to join the Weston Family Conservation Science Fellowship Program in 2023 to study invasive plant spread in Canada. The opportunity to conduct large‑scale research with an organization like the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) offered a chance to answer key questions about conserving thriving landscapes and to work toward meaningful solutions. 

Invasive species include many kinds of organisms that cause severe damage to habitats outside their native range. In Canada, plants have been introduced in greater numbers than other groups, and several hundred are considered invasive in each province. Their impacts are far‑reaching; both above and below ground, they are felt across ecosystem levels, affecting everything from species at risk to critical processes like fire regimes and nutrient cycling.  

Given the circumstances, invasive species present a daunting challenge, yet one that is solvable with the right mindset, information, and tools. Over the past two years, I developed a computer simulation model designed to generate widely applicable insights and forecasts for invasive plant spread. The model incorporated a wide range of variables, from environmental conditions to infrastructure networks, which might influence how invasive plants move across landscapes. 

Understanding these factors not only helps explain past invasions, but also empowers conservation groups to act proactively. With better information, they can make informed decisions about habitat securement and protection and implement fact‑based restoration and stewardship. While land managers play a role in every stage of invasive species management, ordinary people are essential in the first step of the process: prevention. Indeed, much like preventative maintenance on a car, preventing spread is always cheaper and simpler than trying to fix a system that’s been compromised.  

That’s why each February, we mark Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW). Recognised by environmental groups across the country, ISAW is an important moment both within and beyond the conservation community. It gives the public a chance to learn about the impacts of invasive species, and it allows researchers and practitioners to share knowledge and best practices. 

For me, ISAW has always brought a renewed sense of determination. It reminds me that I’m part of a broad, enthusiastic community working toward solutions. So many people care deeply about tackling this massive issue and aren’t afraid to dream big. That collective energy is reassuring, especially on days when hours of computer modelling make the problem feel overwhelming. 

I invite you to take part in Invasive Species Awareness Week, happening this year from February 23^rd to March 1^st. By carrying even one piece of knowledge forward and putting it into action throughout the year, you can join me and many others in addressing this challenge. We all have a role to play in managing the spread of invasive species, and over time, our collective actions truly add up. 

Some meaningful steps you can take include: supporting a seed-library nonprofit near you or buying locally sourced plants from your garden centre; following PlayCleanGo best practices to avoid spreading invasive bugs, plants, and seeds when travelling; and using community science apps like iNaturalist to identify and report species in your area. Whatever you choose to do, nature and countless conservationists thank you.