The City of Arcata encourages residents to get involved during California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) from Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 15.
This statewide campaign, led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), promotes public participation in the fight against California’s invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals and other organisms that are not native to an area and spread rapidly, causing damage to the local environment and economy. Hundreds of invasive species are already impacting California’s agricultural lands, forests, recreation areas and waterways while continuing to spread. Help stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions!
Utilize useful resources to learn more about the Invasive Species in Humboldt County.
- The Humboldt County Weed Management Area website has information about events, projects, and public meetings in the area. Visit cal-ipc.org/humboldt for more information.
- The City of Arcata website has a page dedicated to the invasive plant species found in Arcata. There are printable PDFs of the Invasive Weeds of Humboldt County booklet and the Nine Red Alert Species in Arcata. Visit cityofarcata.org/1066/Invasive-Species to learn more.
Once equipped with the proper information, take action by removing invasive plant species from personal property and selecting only native and non-invasive plants for landscaping.
- Native plants can be immensely beneficial to landscaping. Since native plants are naturally adapted to the local environment, they typically require less water and provide a low-maintenance landscape.
- The Humboldt County Agriculture Department regulates invasive species being sold at local nurseries, but it is still good to be aware and purchase native plants when gardening and landscaping.
. Keep the adventure, but stop the spread when recreating.
- Seeds and small insects can easily travel in pets’ fur or mud stuck to a shoe. Clean all gear, boots, pets, vehicles and boats after every use and especially before entering a natural area.
- Buy firewood where it will be burned. Transporting firewood can move invasive insects and tree pathogens into new areas that can kill native vegetation and wildlife.
- Don’t release unwanted pets or aquarium plants into the wild.
Get involved locally! Join a local trail or habitat restoration workday to remove invasive plants.
- Volunteer or attend a guided walk with Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM). There are all kinds of activities and volunteer opportunities. Learn more at arcatamarshfriends.org.
- Humboldt Trails Council regularly hosts workdays for the twelve projects across the county. In Arcata, residents can participate in workdays at the Arcata Community Forest and the Humboldt Bay Trail. Visit humtrails.org to become a Volunteer Trail Steward (VTS).
- Friends of the Dunes has regular workdays removing invasive plants from coastal dune environments. Visit friendsofthedunes.org/dert-days to join the Dune Ecosystem Restoration Team (DERT). Join a workday at Humboldt Coastal Nature Center on Saturday, June 14 or the Mal-le’l North Dunes on Sunday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plant identification lessons are provided.
- The Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators (RIPE), in partnership with VTS, will host a plant removal event plus a free hot lunch afterwards on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Eureka’s McKay Community Forest. Visit riperadicators.org to learn more.
- The Sequoia Park Ivy League is hosting an Ivy Pull on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Sequoia Park in Eureka. Visit their Facebook page to learn more.
- There are many California State Parks Habitat Restoration Workdays in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. For more information, email Michelle.Forys@parks.ca.gov or call (707) 498-6386.
- Tune in to the 2025 Invasive Species Lunchtime Talks, held daily at noon via Zoom from June 9 to 13. Learn from a partnership between University of California Cooperative Extension and the California Invasive Plant Council about emerging invasive threats and how to prepare. For more information, visit ucanr.edu.
Report sightings of invasive species to the CDFW by calling (866) 440-9530 or sending an email to invasives@wildlife.ca.gov. For more information and local resources, contact the Environmental Services Department by calling (707) 822-8184 or emailing eservices@cityofarcata.org.