The Invasive Species Committee is focused on educating residents about aquatic plants and helping them to identify invasive species.

Some plants are beneficial in ponds, providing food and shelter for things living in the pond. Others, that we refer to as “invasive,” “exotic,” or “nonnative” cause problems (e.g. hydrilla, purple loosestrife and the common reed). Most of these invasive plants come from Europe or Asia and enter our ponds in a number of ways – e.g. through the emptying of aquariums or water garden plants into the pond and also on boat hulls, propellers, and trailers.

Among the problems they cause are the crowding out of other vegetation; creating foul smells and forming mats that shut out sunlight for plants below and making boating and swimming difficult.

Pond residents can combat invasives through education, prevention and eradication. Boat owners can help by cleaning their boats properly, removing plant particles, washing down boats with hot water or high pressure and letting hulls dry off.