Invasive Species

Conservation Priorities

Why managing invasive species is important

Invasive species are aggressive, introduced plants, insects or animals that can become established in a new location without natural predators or climate factors to keep them under control. When left to grow freely, they threaten ecosystem health by pushing out native species and the beneficial insects or wildlife that depend on them. While many introduced species pose no threat, invasive species can significantly harm ecosystems.

How did they get here?

Some invasive plants were brought to our region for food, medicine, or decoration. Many other invasive species including insects arrived by accident on cargo ships, boats, or other vehicles. Transporting firewood and nursery materials can be a major vector for the introduction of new invasive species, including the emerald ash borer, which is now in Oregon.

On this page:

    Priority focus

    Early Detection-Rapid Response (EDRR)

    WMSWCD-MiniLeaf

    We locate and manage high risk invasive weeds before they can become established in our region. We target species that pose the greatest risk to our local ecology and economy and are still manageable because they are not yet widespread. We also help partners find and manage highly destructive invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer.

    See All EDRR Weeds
    Browse Our Species Directory
    WMSWCD-MiniLeaf@2x

    How we manage other weeds:

    On our active restoration projects, we also work to remove common weeds such as English ivy, Himalayan (Armenian) blackberry, and reed canary grass.

    We do this work in partnership with local landowners, watershed councils, neighborhood organizations, the City of Portland and partners of the 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area.

    Related services

    Find out if you're in our service area.

    Service Area

    You may also be interested in:

    From identifying and removing invasive species to managing them, we can help.

    Take action

    to remove invasive species on your property:

    Staff contact

    Michelle Delepine

    Conservationist & Invasive Species Program Coordinator

    Contact me about:

    Invasive species
    503-238-4775
    x 115
    971-265-9874