Two goldfish swimming in a pond with green plants.

Don’t Let it Loose: Be a Responsible Pet Owner

A group of wild hogs grazing in the grass.

Squeal on Pigs!

A dirt road with trees and mountains in the background.

Prevention Inspired, Alberta Protected

A group of flowers in the grass near some trees.

Plantwise: Alternatives For Your Garden

A river with rocks and water running down it.

Clean, Drain, Dry Your Gear

A field with trees in the background and a fence

Buy Local, Burn Local Firewood

A field with many flowers and mountains in the background.

Play Clean Go: Protect Our Outdoors

An Endeavor to Formulate & Implement Long-Term Management Programs Against Invasive Species in Alberta

An Endeavor to Formulate & Implement Long-Term Management Programs Against Invasive Species in Alberta

 

 

 

The Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) is a not-for-profit society dedicated to informing and educating Albertans about the destructive impacts invasive species have on our environment, economy, and society.

We endeavor to foster partnerships with jurisdictions, agencies, and groups to develop integrated collaboration, long-term management programs, and to engage and empower people to take action against invasive species in Alberta.

A dock on the water with a view of land.
Cow Lake - photo credit Nicole Kimmel
A field of flowers in the middle of nowhere.
Common Tansy - photo credit Nicole Kimmel

Impacts of Invasive Species

According to the International Union of Conservation and Nature (IUCN), invasive species are the second most common threat associated with species that have gone completely extinct and are the most common threat associated with extinctions of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Compared to other threats to biodiversity, invasive species rank second only to habitat destruction.

What are Invasive Species?

Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are not native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Invasive species out-compete native species for food and space, alter or destroy ecosystems, disrupt food sources, and introduce parasites and disease. They also harm local economies by reducing crop yields and livestock forage production, decreasing property values, interfering with irrigation and water control structures, and discouraging outdoor recreation. Invasive species cost Alberta and Canada billions of dollars a year.

A field of yellow flowers in the middle of a green grass covered hillside.
Balsamroot native plant