The Green Hiker

Invasive Species News

Here’s a roundup of the latest news, insights, and activities concerning non-indigenous species that invade habitats.

•  Bryan Walsh in his Ecocentric blog wryly discusses invasive risks and economic impacts:

The Benefits of Stopping Invasive Species Before They Invade …

Dedicated followers of this blog—thanks both of you—know that one of my areas of obsession is invasive species. That’s partially because they’re so often funny—example number one being the flying Asian carp, …

Publish Date: 08/18/2011 5:00

• Giant City State Park, near Carbondale  IL, now boasts a quarter-mile trail that will “educate visitors about non-native invasive[s] and their effects on the local environment”:

Non-Native Invasive Species Trail to Open At Giant City State Park …

Giant City State Park will soon open a new trail. Located next to the Visitors Center, the Non-Native Invasive Species Interpretive Trail will feature examples of non-native invasive species such as Monofloral rose, …

Publish Date: 08/18/2011 13:25

• Ruth Hopkins has a thoughtful take on what it means to be invasive, be you flora or human:

Humans: Earth’s Most Invasive Species – Indian Country Today

Publish Date: 08/14/2011 10:00

• Good or bad? For a more in-depth discussion, click link at bottom of Lake Scientist post:

Invasive Species: Can’t live without them? | Lake Scientist

A non-native species appearing in an ecosystem is usually alarming- for good reason. Invading species act as competition for space/resources for native species.

Publish Date: 08/16/2011 7:45

• Wild Hogs!:

Invasive Species of the Moment | The Locker Room

Invasive Species of the Moment | The John Locke Foundation’s Statewide Issues Blog.

Publish Date: 08/14/2011 15:46

• Study published in the Ecological Economics journal shows benefits of the risk assessment of wild animal trades:

Economics Study Shows Risk Assessment of Potentially Invasive …

The federal government has come under sharp criticism for allowing invasive animal species into the country, which have caused major damages to the environment and agriculture, leading to economic costs and environmental …

Publish Date: 08/16/2011 9:58

Here’s a video about the invasive Asian Carp species:

Now Go Outdoors!

These folks just have to hike. Snow on the mountain trails? Who cares. Let’s go to the library!

Now Go Outdoors!

Can hiking, skiing and hunting coexist with Colorado’s surging energy industry? Check out David William’s article in realvail.com. Green and Black Gold?

Now Go Outdoors!

Hiking News Headlines

• Before you hike one of Colorado’s Fourteeners, they’re are a few things you should know. Depending on the time of year and your skill level, tackling one of the 55 mountains at or above 14,000 feet above sea level ….

• Screening footage from his uncompleted documentary, The Vanishing Hemlock: A Race Against Time, David Huff sounds an alarm to save southern Hemlock forests from the woolly adelgid ….

• This years’ National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 27th, 2008. The annual program of the National Enviromental Education Foundation is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands ….

• For hiking all of Pennsylvania’s 18 State Forest Hiking Trails, totaling 798 miles, William S. Geiger of Lehigh County, and John Potter of Lycoming County, PA are the 2008 recipients of the State Forest Trails Award ….

Now Go Outdoors!

Hiking News Headlines

• You have until October 20th, 2008 to comment on the U.S. Forest Service’s proposal to restore public hiking access through Silver Pick Basin to the Rock of Ages Saddle near Telluride, Colorado. Comments may be submitted to Norwood Ranger District, Attention: Kathy Peckham, 1150 Forest St., Norwood, CO 81423 ….

• Sunday, September 21 2008, Middle Valley Farms in Mendham Township, New Jersey will host the first Family Farm Festival. It’s a green-themed benefit designed to raise funds for the Schiff Nature Preserve in Mendham and for other local charities. Open to the public year-round, the preserve boasts eight miles of trails for hiking and biking, horseback riding, and a nature center housing rehabilitated animals ….

• The Washington Trails Association recently debuted a Web site upgrade to make your hiking research easier. The WTA also has a new comprehensive Hiking Guide. Additional info is available at The Survive And Thrive Boomer Guide ….

Now Go Outdoors!

These backpacks use solar energy to keep cell phones (think hiking crisis) and other electronic gear fully charged. About three hours of sunlight on this outdoor gear should provide one hour of power.

The Voltaic backpacks use fabrics made from recycled soda bottles.

Voltaic Solar Battery Charger Backpack

If you’re on the go or have a kid who is, look at the Voltaic solar battery charger backpack. The solar panels on the Voltaic solar battery charger backpack connect to a battery to charge your iPod, cell phone or laptop. The Voltaic solar battery charger backpack comes with a phone adapter and a USB adapter so you can charge your batteries and gear.

Eclipse Solar Gear – KVUE Inteview

KVUE TV news clip interview about Eclipse Solar Gear’s innovative solar backpacks and solar chargers.