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Fast Facts

• Invasive species are a factor in over 33% of animal extinctions and over 25% of plant extinctions (Rosane).

• Invasive plants cost just the state of California at least $82 million each year (Cal-IPC).

• Invasive species are estimated to cost the US almost $120 billion each year (Pimentel et al.).

• Up to 83% of invasive plants originate from invasive horticulture (Niemera and Von Holle).

• Invasive plants were found growing at 91% of all major wildfire sites in the last 30 years (Underwood et al.).

How You Can Help

• Don’t buy invasive plants. Before you buy, make sure it’s not invasive to your region. Check out this link for lists of invasives by region: https://www.cal-ipc.org/solutions/prevention/landscaping/dpp/?region=socal.

• Volunteer at invasive plant removal events with local park rangers and conservation organizations — check out our events page.

• If you see something you think is invasive, notify the city by following the short instructions here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/awm/ipm_sdwma/contact-us-report-an-invasive-weed-.html. (Any jumpstart this gives us on removal will help prevent spreading!)

• Inform yourself and others around you. Share this page with friends and family!

Other Links:

• Cal-IPC — The Cost of Invasive Plants in California

• PlantRight’s Invasive Plant List — Avoid These Plants!

• Cal-IPC Weed Worker’s Handbook — How to Remove 35 Invasive Weeds

• Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory — Categorization of California’s Invasive Plants