California Invasive Species Action Week, or CISAW, happening June 7 to 15, calls for all Californians to get involved to help prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten the Golden State’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

CDFW Invasive Species Program environmental scientists urge all Californians to get involved as invasive species reduce the biodiversity that is so important to our landscape.

During Invasive Species Action week, volunteers across the state will have the opportunity to help remove invasive plants, participate in interactive activities and have lunch with University of California experts as they share how to help stop a variety of invasive species.

Virtual and in-person opportunities to participate in CISAW include tuning in to the UC Cooperative Extension’s Lunchtime Talks webinar series, where each weekday experts will take on invasive species topics such as the proper way to use snap traps for the ongoing and increasing threats posed by rats and the latest information on California’s newest and potentially most economically and environmentally significant invader — the golden mussel.

Further details and a full list of CISAW events can be found online, some which require participants to register in advance.

Be a part of the effort to remove invasive species and restore wildlife habitat throughout the year by volunteering through the California State Parks Foundation and other local organizations, or by using CDFW’s Invasive Species App (through EDDMaps) to record invasive species on Apple or Android smart phones as a citizen scientist.

Californians can also help stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild and cleaning and draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW web page lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating, fishing and even at home.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

For questions or more information about CISAW contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..