CARRBORO, N.C. – Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims Feb. 24 -28 as National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Carrboro.
The spread of invasive species decreases biodiversity, threatens the survival of native plants and animals and interferes with ecosystem functions.
Native plant species:
- perform ecosystem functions such as flood mitigation, soil nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration
- increase biodiversity and support food webs
- possess adaptations to local conditions, providing savings on maintenance costs by requiring less water, pesticides and fertilizers
- decrease the threat of wildfire by supporting normal levels of fuel loading
- represent elements of a region’s natural and cultural heritage
The National Invasive Species Information Center estimates that invasive species have cost North America over $26 billion per year since 2010.
The Town adopted its first ordinance against invasive species in 1999 and, since that date, has prohibited the use of invasive species as a method of complying with Land Use Ordinance provisions for shading and screening, and has disallowed the inclusion of invasive species in any plans submitted in support of a land use permit application.
On Jan. 24, 2017, the Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan, which, in part, encourages the protection and enhancement of ecosystems.
The Town holds volunteer events to remove invasive species from municipal parks and has updated the Town Code to allow native plantings though managed natural landscapes.
The Town has encouraged the use of native species through educational film screenings, outreach events, and pollinator plant and milkweed seed giveaways through the Bee City USA and Mayors’ Monarch Pledge initiatives.
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