INVASIVE SPECIES

KEYSTONE INITIATIVE

Advancing a National Early Detection and Rapid Response

Framework

Invasive species are among the most significant drivers of global biodiversity loss.

They threaten native plants and wildlife habitats, human health, cultural heritage,

agriculture, and recreation. In some areas of the United States, invasive plants, animals,

and pathogens are driving native species towards extinction. Invasive aquatic species

interfere with local water supplies and degrade fisheries and watersports. Invasive

plants and insects can fuel catastrophic wildfires, devastate culturally significant

species, and damage valued food crops. Overall costs of invasive species to the U.S.

economy are estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars annually.The impacts of

climate change, such as sea level rise, stronger and more frequent storm events, and

warming temperatures, are expected to open new pathways for arrival and enhance the

likelihood of establishment for invasive species.

Communities are contending with the economic and ecological costs of numerous

invasive species already established across the United States while newly arriving

invasive species threaten to tip the scale toward irreparable losses. Invasive species

often cross jurisdictional boundaries; thus, their management often requires

interjurisdictional solutions. Community leaders and private landowners, along with

local, state, Tribal, territorial, and federal agencies, have been working diligently to stop

the arrival and stem the spread of many invasive species and to reduce the impacts of

those already established.

With historic investments provided through President Biden’s Investing in America

agenda, the Interior Department’s Restoration and Resilience Framework is addressing

these urgent threats. Working in collaboration with stakeholders across the country, the

Department is advancing a National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)

Framework to complement existing systems in place for agricultural pests and

pathogens. The Framework is a coordinated and strategic set of actions to identify

initial detections of invasive species and eradicate them before they establish, spread,

and cause harm to economies and environments – thereby protecting the nation’s

lands and waters and the communities they support.

By investing in a strategic set of crosscutting projects, the Department is bolstering

capabilities for detection and response, boosting ecosystem resilience, and achieving

lasting outcomes for people and nature. The goal is to substantially advance national

early detection and rapid response actions that give managers an upper hand in

safeguarding the nation from invasive species.

THE INVASIVE SPECIES

KEYSTONE INITIATIVE IS:

Working with Lead Management

Authorities to Identify Priorities

Key to this effort is identifying high-risk species

that are not yet in the United States, but are likely

to become invasive if established, and to identify

specific areas in the United States that are at the

highest risk of invasion to focus early detection

efforts. This work is being conducted in

collaboration with many federal and non-federal

partners.

Developing New Tools and

Technologies

The Department is working with stakeholders to

develop tools and services for detecting invasive

species. It is also creating online hubs—informed

by end users—where natural resource managers

can readily access information to guide early

detection and rapid response activities. Efforts

underway will further enhance decision support

and detection tools for use by managers to target

where and how to search for newly arriving

invasive species.

Building Detection and Response

Capacity

Through historic new funding, the Department is

increasing capacity to respond to new invasive

species, including through the establishment of a

Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species.

Future investments will continue to strengthen onthe-ground early detection and rapid response

efforts.

Creating a National Network

The National EDRR Framework aims to connect

and leverage expertise and resources across the

federal and non-federal community to strengthen

effective EDRR actions and safeguard the nation

from future invasive species threats.