National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) will take place from February 23 to 27, 2026. The event aims to inform the public about invasive species, the risks they present, and actions that can be taken to limit their spread. An invasive species is defined as a plant or animal not native to an ecosystem, whose introduction may cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health by outcompeting native species for resources.
The University of New Hampshire Extension’s Forestry and Wildlife Program dedicates significant effort to educating landowners and communities on how to identify and manage invasive species. The organization emphasizes that everyone has a role in addressing this issue.
There are several ways individuals can contribute:
1. Learning about and reporting invasive species is encouraged. Information on insects and diseases affecting New Hampshire forests can be found at www.NHBugs.org. Details about invasive plants are available at https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/farms-businesses/plant-industry/invasive-plants, while information on non-plant invasives is at https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/farms-businesses/plant-industry/invasives-non-plants.
2. Volunteering opportunities are available for those interested in helping remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas. Nature Groupie provides a list of upcoming events.
3. People are advised not to move firewood but instead burn it where it is purchased since transporting firewood can spread invasive insects. More details are at www.nhbugs.org/firewood.
4. When planting in yards or gardens, choosing native species is recommended. Consideration should also be given to trees’ vulnerability to invasive insects.
5. Spreading awareness by following NHBugs and UNH Forestry and Wildlife on Facebook and sharing their posts with others helps increase community engagement on this topic.
Some of the notable invasives in New Hampshire include emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, elongate hemlock scale, glossy buckthorn, garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed.
Residents with questions about their woods are encouraged to contact their Extension County Forester for guidance.
The University of New Hampshire Extension supports industries, communities, families, and natural resources across the state through education and partnerships with local governments (https://extension.unh.edu/). It collaborates with county, state, and federal partners to provide reliable knowledge (https://extension.unh.edu/) and engages approximately 6,000 volunteers each year through specialized programs (https://extension.unh.edu/). Amy Loader serves as associate dean and director of University of New Hampshire Extension (https://extension.unh.edu/).
For those interested in further information on woodlot management or pest updates in New Hampshire’s forests, subscribing to the NH Woods & Wildlife Newsletter is suggested.
