Play, Clean, Go

Invasive plants and animals are organisms that are foreign to a local ecosystem, accounting for the primary loss of biodiversity and species extinctions, second only to habitat loss. Many invasive species are introduced to an area by “hitchhiking” on people, pets, or equipment. For instance, seeds, burrs, and plant parts can get caught up in hiking boots and spread to the next area. To prevent the spread of invasives, it’s important to clean boots and gear (like backpacks, bike tires, and hiking poles) before leaving a natural space or moving to a new natural space.

To learn more about how you can stop the spread of invasives visit  https://ssisc.ca/hikers “(or for a more broad audience https://ssisc.ca/play-clean-go )