The Invasive Species Language Workshop
Organised by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA)
27 February 2024, 12:30-14:30 CST — online
28 February 2024, 08:00-16:00 CST — Washington, DC, USA
Communicating about invasive species can get complicated! On February 27-28, in partnership with NAISMA for National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), Sea Grant is proud to present The Invasive Species Language Workshop, bringing together invasive species researchers and science communication professionals to share best practices for communicating about biological invasions to scientists, stakeholders, and the public.
Get your copy of the IPBES Invasive alien species assessment from the IPBES website, the platform's latest report. For an overview of IPBES publications, materials, and projects on invasive alien species, see our dedicated page.
Day 1 (February 27) will feature a 2-hour NISAW webinar on communications issues in invasion biology, including inclusive language, effective use of metaphor, changes to species names, and more. These hybrid presentations will be available to watch online for free, and virtual attendees will be able to send in questions for discussion.
Day 2 (February 28), held in-person in Washington, DC, will feature in-depth discussion to develop research topics and interventions to improve communication strategies in invasion biology, including the process for changing species names, harmonizing communications strategies across agencies and research groups, tailoring messaging to different stakeholder groups, and more.
Attendance for this portion is limited: reach out to Tim Campbell if interested in participating in person.
About NAISMA
The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) provides the connection, the tools and the voice you need to address the threats of invasive species.
Since 1994, NAISMA has supported invasive species management professionals through trainings, standards, outreach and networking that bridge jurisdictions and diverse stakeholders.
>> See NAISMA's webinar series
Photo by Aníbal Pauchard for IPBES's 2023 collection of video conferencing backgrounds featuring invasive alien species; get your copy here. The garden lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) is native to large parts of North America and appreciated for its beautiful flowers that also attract insects, and its nitrogen fixing ability. In many parts of the world, however, these plants are an invasive alien species, as IPBES reports in its latest assessment: the garden lupin is an example for an invasive alien species that has both positive and negative impacts on nature's contributions to people. Unfortunately, it can damage ecosystems outside its native habitat by aggressively outcompeting local plants and impacting on insect populations.