Invasive Species Management

Services

Managing invasive species

Invasive plants and animals threaten ecosystem health. They displace native plant and animal communities. Removing native species makes the ecosystem less diverse and less able to support healthy wildlife habitat. Outdoor recreation, property values, and timber and agriculture production can also be negatively impacted by invasive species. Invasive species can also be harmful to people and animals. Therefore, it’s worth the effort to control or prevent the spread of such species.

There are many benefits to managing invasive species:

  • Reduce risk of erosion and improve water quality

    A monocultureMonoculture A single type of plant growing in an area. of invasive plants has a much less diverse network of roots compared to several different kinds of native plants that will grow together in a healthy ecosystem. Diverse native plant root systems hold soil in place and reduce sedimentationSedimentation Fine soil particles that are washed into streams collect at the bottom and make water cloudy of waterways.

  • Reduce risk of wildfire

    Fire will “climb” up ivy-covered trees and catch the tree crown on fire, which will likely kill the tree and more easily spread to other trees. Dense patches of blackberry are highly flammable and can also help carry fire into a tree canopy.

  • Improve wildlife habitat

    Native wildlife depend on a rich and diverse ecosystem of native plants and animals.

  • Improve the look of a landscape

    A diversity of beneficial plants growing in suitable locations creates a beautiful natural setting.

  • Increase land and property value

    Land free from weeds is better suited for livestock. Properties free from weeds are more attractive to buyers.

  • Protect native trees

    Invasive insects, such as the emerald ash borer, can cause great destruction to a forest. 

On this page:

    Discover more:

    • Check

      We can help you determine whether you have a high priority weed or insect. See this list of common invasive plants in Portland.

      Check out our resources
    • Ask us

      We can answer your questions about controlling invasive species on your property.

    • Treat

      We will directly manage high priority Early Detection-Rapid Response (EDRR) weeds or insects on your property. 

      Learn more about EDRR weeds
    • Manage

      We can help you develop a conservation plan or active restoration project, which can lead to help with managing more common invasive weeds such as English ivy, reed canary grass, and Armenian blackberry.

    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 destructive invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer.

    WMSWCD-MiniLeaf@2x

    How we manage other weeds:

    On our active restoration projects, we also work to remove common weeds such as English ivy and Armenian blackberry.

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

    We also partner with other agencies to educate the public and survey, track, and respond to new high priority animal (insect) invaders in our region, such as the Emerald ash borer.

    EDRR species

    Early Detection Rapid Response species

    WMSWCD-MiniLeaf
    metallic green insect close-up on ash tree bark

    Emerald ash borer

    Agrilus planipennis

    false brome

    False brome

    Brachypodium sylvaticum

    Garlic mustard_800x600

    Giant hogweed

    Heracleum mantegazzianum

    Goatsrue
    Japanese Knotweed_by Maja Dumat_tinyurlcomJapanese-Knotweed_cmyk
    Mediterranean Oak Borer on an oak tree. Photo by Christine Buhl.

    Mediterranean Oak Borer

    (Xyleborus monographus)

    orange hawkweed_Gail Hampshire

    Orange hawkweed

    Hieracium aurantiacum

    Pokeweed USDA_Jeff McMillian
    Photo: King County, WA

    Policeman’s helmet

    Impatiens glandulifera

    Photo: USDA

    Purple loosestrife

    Lythrum salicaria

    spurge laurel
    waterprimrose5
    circular white flower with star-like clusters of tiny white petals

    Staff contact

    Michelle Delepine

    Conservationist & Invasive Species Program Coordinator


    Contact me about:

    Invasive species
    503-238-4775
    x 115

    Kammy Kern-Korot

    (she/her)

    Senior Conservationist


    Contact me about:

    Oregon oak, savanna, wetlands and riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a creek, river, pond, or other body of water habitats; Emerald ash borer; conservation planning and native plantings for pollinators and other wildlife on rural lands.
    503-238-4775
    x 108