Theme: Invasive Species
Title: Our Conservation Accomplishments at Risk - Abating the Threat of Invasive Species

Whether in the South Pacific, in the Galapagos, in the western U.S. or in Brazil, invasive species were identified as one of the most serious and pervasive threats across all TNC Conservation Areas, threatening all our conservation accomplishment to date. Invasive species have been identified as one of the top two threats to global biodiversity, and has economic consequences - $137 billion annually in the U.S. alone. In the long term, conservation success will depend greatly on our ability to prevent new invasions, and to manage "invaded" native systems for maximum benefit to native biodiversity and intact, functioning ecosystems. TNC is actively promoting the implementation and scientific improvement of new prevention programs and methods, through capacity building and through the influence on policy. The steps for a comprehensive strategy include: assessment and risk analysis, prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication, control and management, restoration and public education and awareness. Foundational to all these steps is science - but much is needed and our ability to incorporate new information into management decisions in a timely fashion continues to be limited.