October 13, 2009
Purdue entomology contributes to state invasive species council
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed legislation to create the new Indiana Invasive Species Council, which includes a faculty member from the Purdue University College of Agriculture.The council will work with state and private organizations to collaborate in fighting the more than 500,000 invasive species in the United States. Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, has asked Steve Yaninek, professor and head of the Department of Entomology, to represent the College in its role as council secretariat.
“In Indiana there are several state agencies that have invasive species responsibilities, but sometimes communication between the agencies is sparse and invasive species efforts become redundant or may be overlooked,” Yaninek said. “The council will open up the lines of communication between agencies so our efforts can be streamlined. That way, when it comes time to spread the word to the public about specific invasive species, we can all help one another get the message out.”
The Invasive Species Council legislation was drafted over a two-year period at the urging of the Invasive Species Task Force—an anti-invasives group of which Yaninek was a member.
“Whether we’re talking about invasive weeds, insects or animals, all of these species were brought in from other places, and our environment has no natural defenses against them,” Yaninek said. “The annual global cost of invasive species totals more than $11.4 trillion -- 5 percent of the global economy -- and they make up the second biggest threat to our environment after habitat destruction.”
The 11-member council will convene annually to develop a communication system for the year. Members include five governor-appointments and six standing members representing each of the following organizations: Purdue Agriculture, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Veterinary Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Fish and Wildlife Division, and IDNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
A copy of the legislation, House Enrolled Act No. 1203, is available on the Web at http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2009/HE/HE1203.1.html. For more information on the role of Purdue Agriculture in the Invasive Species Council, contact Yaninek at 765-494-4554, yaninek@purdue.edu.
Writer: Jennifer Stewart, 765-494-6682, jsstewar@purdue.edu
Sources: Steve Yaninek, 765-494-4554, yaninek@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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