Future Choices - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
(collaborative effort from Cathy Felton and Jacqueline Connell)

A good  suggestion for a New Year's resolution for Massachusetts gardeners is to plant more natives and remove invasive species from gardens and our towns.  To learn more about exotic invasive plant species in Massachusetts and information on native alternatives to plant check out the following Massachusetts web sites.

  1.  Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife   ( www.mass.gov/ dfwele/dfw/nhesp)   - go to conservation/ invasives.  Some of the information on this site includes topics like 'The Invasive Plant Problem', 'Evaluation of non-native Plant Species for Invasiveness in Mass.' and 'Native Shrubs for Plantings as Wildlife Food.'

  2.  The New England Wildflower Society (www.newfs.org)  - go to conservation/invasives.  There is a wonderful printable publication titled'  'Alternatives for  Invasives.'  Also a great place to view or purchase native plants.

  3.  MA Coastal Zone Management: Wetland Restoration (www.mass.go czm/invasives/index.htm).  This site includes information on Aquatic Invasive Species.

  4.  MA Invasive Plant Advisory Group  (www.massnrc.org/MIPAG). Find a Strategic Recommendations list of MA Invasive Plants here. 

  5.  MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation: Lakes and Ponds Program

  (www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/lakepond/lakepond.htm ).  On this web site you will find information about state services for managing aquatic invasive plants.

  6.  MA Dept. of Agriculture  ( www.mass.gov/agr).   All of the new state regulations prohibiting importation or sale of invasives in MA can be found on this web site.

  7.  MA Nursery and Landscape Association (www.mnla.com).   MNLA provides information on invasive species and landscaping alternatives for the state.