Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy or human health. Invasives come from all around the world. As international trade increases, so does the rate of invasive species introductions.

Invasive species can impact natural, social and economic systems and are one of the greatest threats to New York’s biodiversity, agriculture and outdoor recreation.
They cause or contribute to:

• Habitat degradation and loss;
• The loss of native fish, wildlife and tree species
• The loss of recreational opportunities and income
• Crop damage
• Diseases in humans and livestock
• Risks to public safety and health

As a global hub of shipping and commerce, the greater New York City metropolitan area is particularly vulnerable to nonnative species introductions and their ecological, recreational, and economic consequences.

Each year, new invasive species are discovered in the Lower Hudson region that threaten to supplant native species, degrade natural communities, and challenge water quality, forest sustainability, and agricultural production. An integrated, landscape-scale strategy that prioritizes prevention, early detection and rapid response to emerging threats is needed to meet the complex economic, ecological, and public health challenges of invasive species.