Claude Knighten (301) 734-5271
Anna Rinick (301) 734-8386
USDA TO HOLD NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES, FOREST HEALTH MEETING
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Forest Service, in conjunction with the National Invasive Species Council, invite interested stakeholders to attend the first Invasive Species and Forest Health: Expanding the Team stakeholders meeting November 14 and 15 in Washington D.C.
The goal of the two-day forum is to raise awareness about the growing threat invasive species pose to America’s forests, build new partnerships to assess and rapidly respond to these pests, and strengthen existing relationships between stakeholders and officials concerned with the health of U.S. forests.
The National Invasive Species Council hopes to improve the public’s understanding of invasive species problems and how the government responds to them. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to participate in panel discussions focusing on preventing, preparing, responding to and recovering from invasive species outbreaks. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in facilitated brainstorming sessions around these issues.
Invasive species are usually transported by trade or other human actions like travel. The human action that introduces an invasive species can be accidental or deliberate. The National Invasive Species Council, created by Executive Order in 1999, is charged with coordinating efforts among 13 federal departments and agencies whose missions include combating invasive species. The goal is to protect against both accidental and intentional introductions and to reduce the impact of those invasive species that gain entrance into the United States.
For more information about the Forest Health and Invasive Species: Expanding the Team conference, log onto http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/meeting/foresthealth/index.html or contact Anna Rinick by email: anna.rinick@aphis.usda.gov.
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