New Exhibit on Invasive Species Unveiled at Four Area Parks and Preserves

Date: March 4, 2011
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714; Public Information Officer
Contact: Larry Perez, 305-224-4263; Science Communications Team

New Exhibit on Invasive Species Unveiled at Four Area Parks and Preserves

South Florida: The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) partners are pleased to announce the unveiling of several new exhibits that encourage viewers to quickly report observations of nonnative plants and animals. Introduced species can sometimes threaten the health and function of south Florida’s diverse landscapes, requiring decades of expensive management. Early detection, followed by a rapid response, can help avert these costs and provide a greater chance for control. The Florida Invaders exhibit—now permanently installed at four venues around south Florida—showcases recent, unwanted arrivals to south Florida and encourages viewers to “Be On the Lookout” and report all observations by phone to 888-Ive-Got1 or online at www.IveGot1.org.
 
The Florida Invaders exhibit is currently on display at visitor centers at the Deering Estate at Cutler, Crandon Park, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. The exhibits were fabricated and installed with funding from the National Park Service, and hosted in partnership with Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation. The exhibits are just one of a variety of communications tools developed by the ECISMA to foster greater understanding of invasive species issues and empower the south Florida community to take action. Online training, identification cards, iPhone apps and more are all available from the partnership website at www.EvergladesCISMA.org.
 
The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is a formal partnership between federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that manage invasive species and is defined by a geographic boundary.

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