Washington Invasive Species Council

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Washington Invasive Species Council

We respect different opinions and intend for our social media platforms to foster thoughtful and respectful conversations. They are considered public records.

The Washington Invasive Species Council’s mission is to provide policy direction, planning, and coordination to empower those entities engaged in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive species. About Washington Invasive Species Council

Our goal is to sustain Washington's human, plant, and animal communities and our thriving economy by preventing the introduction and spread of harm

ful invasive species. The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) uses social media platforms to inform the public about council meetings, to tell stories about the work of WISC and its partners, connect with our audiences, and provide more opportunities for civic engagement. This means that while WISC does not discriminate against any views, we reserve the right to remove comments if they violate this policy. Comments are not screened and will be immediately posted. Comments should not contain private information. WISC may remove a comment for any of the following reasons:

- It’s not topically related to the content of the original post

- It expresses support or opposition to political parties, campaigns, or ballot measures

- It includes profane, obscene, vulgar, offensive, threatening, harassing, or personal attacking language or images

- It promotes commercial products or businesses

- It expresses discrimination based on legally protected status such as race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation

- It promotes illegal activity or an activity that may be illegal based on a viewer’s status (such as age)

- It compromises the safety or security of the public or public systems

- It transmits protected or private information

- It violates a legal ownership interest of any party including copyright and trademark, including, but not limited to, links or hashtags to sites that violate these restrictions and hyperlinks to material not directly related to WISC's original post

- It contains symbols, numbers, and letters to circumvent any of the above

Posts to WISC's social media accounts, including but not limited to comments, are not the proper forum for providing WISC with legal notice, submitting petitions or other forms, submitting public comments for official comment periods, or for submitting public records requests under the Public Records Act, Revised Code of Washington 42.56. Please see Washington Administrative Code 220-120 for proper submission of public records requests.

06/23/2026

Sometimes protecting Washington’s forests, waterways, wildlife, and public lands starts with just one person noticing something unusual.

One photo. One report. One early detection before a species spreads further.

Not every invasive species introduction makes headlines at first. Many begin quietly—a plant along a trail, an unfamiliar insect in the garden, a mussel attached to a boat, a strange crab in a trap.

That’s why public reporting matters so much.

Every report helps experts better understand what’s happening across the state and where action may be needed most. In some cases, early reports have helped slow or prevent impacts before they became much larger and more expensive problems.

You don’t have to be a scientist to help protect what you love.

You just need to notice, document, and report: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

Image courtesy of Washington State Parks

06/18/2026

Washington shellfish are kind of a big deal.

From family clam digs and oyster happy hours to Tribal traditions and coastal jobs, shellfish are part of what makes Washington our favorite place to be. And protecting them starts with simple choices all of us can make.

If buying shellfish, buy local when you can.

If harvesting shellfish:
• Follow Washington harvest rules on public beaches
• Never release shellfish — dead or alive — back into the water
• Don’t hang shellfish off docks or toss shells into state waters
• Leave oyster shells where you harvested them and at the same tide height
• Clean boots, gear, and boats before and after leaving the water

Small actions help protect Washington’s waters from invasive species and disease.

Learn more: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/campaigns/safeguard-our-shellfish/

[*images courtesy of KUOW Photo/Ruby de Luna (baby oysters) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (clam)]

06/17/2026

You don’t need to be a scientist, biologist, or professional bug detective to report invasive species in Washington. Just follow the instructions and our experts can help identify what you found.

Snap it. Upload it. Submit it.

Reporting invasive species is easier than sourdough and unlike sourdough, every report helps protect Washington’s waters, forests, farms, and wildlife.

Get started: invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

[*species featured on graphic: feral swine, Chinese mitten crab, emerald ash borer, yellow starthistle, invasive freshwater mussels]

06/16/2026

Meet the Northern Pike. An aquatic invasive super villain that won’t be happy until it achieves its ultimate goal—to devour all fish smaller than itself, no matter the cost!

This lanky, aggressive predator is highly adaptable and likes to ambush smaller fish, which is even more problematic due to how quickly they reproduce. A female can lay more than 10,000 eggs at a time.

And they grow very quickly as well. A one-year-old northern pike can get up ten to twelve inches long while a salmon gets only two to five inches long, making them prime choices for a northern pike’s ravenous appetite.

They are already established in parts of eastern Washington and have recently shown up in western Washington and the San Juan Islands. We don’t want them anywhere else! Once they move in, native fish populations never fully recover. That’s why they are a prohibited species in Washington.

If you catch a Northern pike, do not release it back into the water. Kill it and report it: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

And then maybe grill it or bake it. (look up recipes online and go nuts)

Image courtesy of FedBul.

06/11/2026

A question we get pretty often: “Why didn’t I hear back after I submitted my invasive species report?”

First off, thank you for taking the time to report it. Every single report matters and is reviewed by experts.

And second, if our team doesn’t contact you for additional photos or questions, that usually means you gave us what we needed.

Not every report leads to a field investigation or direct follow-up. Some species are already widespread and don’t require an onsite response. But your report still has value. It’s stored in our database and helps us track species and guide management decisions.

Community reporting is vital! We couldn’t manage the spread of invasive species without your help.

Your reports help us understand what’s happening across Washington, which directly supports prevention, early detection, and long-term invasive species management.

And for that, we sincerely thank you. ❤️

06/10/2026

Planning your next family adventure? Whether you launch a boat, bike a trail, or stroll through a park we hope you have the best time and protect Washington’s natural resources as you explore.

We can take small actions to avoid spreading invasive species that threaten our lands and waters by practicing Play, Clean, Go:

- Play in the outdoors (on designated trails and roads)

- Clean your gear and clothing before and after you leave a recreation area

- Go to your next adventure

By following these easy steps, we can stop the spread of invasive species.

06/09/2026

Washington has a new guide to help our state prepare for the detection of emerald ash borer!

While emerald ash borer has not been detected in Washington, its presence in neighboring Oregon and British Columbia means it could arrive soon, posing a serious threat to ash trees in our state.

The Washington State Emerald Ash Borer Resources & Management Guide is intended to help landowners, educators, resource managers, tree care professionals, and the public take steps to reduce risk, strengthen readiness, and plan a coordinated response for when the emerald ash borer arrives.

Download the guide and share with your community:https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-extension/uploads/sites/3191/2026/05/WA-EAB-Guide.pdf

06/04/2026

Plants and animals have always traveled with us. But outdoor gear and transportation systems like cars, planes, and boats have created super highways enabling invasive species to quickly spread across large areas.

These introductions can impact our habitats, economy, and human health and safety. The good news is that pathways are something we can manage together.

Every time you . . .

• Clean your gear, boots, and vehicle (boat, car, bike, etc.)

• Buy non-invasive plants

• Stay on marked trails and don’t make unauthorized ones

• Dispose of waste and yard materials properly

• Report unusual species at https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/
. . you’re helping close the path for the next invasion.

Invasive species don’t move themselves; we move them. That means we can stop them too by paying attention and closing the pathways they travel.

Species shown: Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, bottlebrush and yellow starthistle

06/03/2026

The spongy moth is a real sicko. It strips leaves from trees in yards, parks, riversides, and entire forests—it's one of the worst invasive forest pests in North America.

It doesn’t just snack . . . it devours! And leaves behind only stressed trees, damaged habitats, and communities dealing with messy, repeated outbreaks.

It’s not established in Washington yet—and we’d like to keep it that way.

Here’s how YOU can help:

• Don’t move firewood or outdoor materials

• Check vehicles, RVs, and gear for egg masses after traveling

• Follow quarantine rules (they exist for a reason)

• Leave traps alone—they’re doing important work

• Report a sighting: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

Learn more about the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s quarantine rules: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/quarantines

Photos by Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org (caterpillar) and John Ghent, Bugwood.org (moths)

06/02/2026

That turtle, fish, or lizard you can’t keep anymore? Don’t let it loose!

It may feel kind to release an unwanted pet into a neighborhood park, lake, or stream, but it’s not like TV.

There’s no ooze waiting to mutate your pet into a crime-fighting mutant ninja. It’s often just a slow harmful ending awaiting the pet and just the beginning of a much bigger problem for the environment.

Most pets don’t survive in the wild. Those that do can become invasive, damaging plant communities, harming native wildlife, and impacting local businesses. Across the U.S., invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage every year, and many started as pets or ornamental plants.

To avoid that awkward conversation with the kids explaining how Michelangelo “escaped”:

- Plan before buying. Research lifespan, size, and care needs of potential pets.

- Rehome responsibly. Contact shelters, rescues, or local pet stores.

- Ask your network for help. Friends, social media, or community groups can be great tools and support.

Releasing a pet into the wild might feel like a reason to shout “Cowabunga!”, but it’s not. Celebrate once you’ve made sure your pet is safe and our environment stays protected.

Learn more: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/campaigns/dont-let-it-loose/

Photo courtesy of Washington State Parks

Address

1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA
98501

Telephone

+13605433485

Website

https://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/

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