(Washington, D.C., May 13, 2020) – In support of Endangered Species Day on May 15, RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) is highlighting the value of professionals and consumers managing and preventing the spread of invasive organisms to protect endangered species. Invasive plants and animals can damage critical habitat and food sources for rare, threatened and endangered species. Conservation practices like integrated pest management can protect endangered species and help them bounce back and thrive.
“Each of us can take simple steps to protect and support the natural resource needs of endangered species,” said Megan Provost, President of RISE. “Over time, people have inadvertently introduced to new areas foreign or invasive species that often out-compete local native species for food and habitat. Proactive monitoring and coordinated response measures, including integrated pest management, can help us protect ecosystems that are particularly fragile. The specialty pesticide industry remains committed to developing advanced technology that can control invasive species while minimizing effects on non-target organisms.”
To control invasive organisms, consumers and professionals can draw on principles of integrated pest management (IPM), “an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices,”[1] as shared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through this methodology, a person identifies pests, proactively works to prevent them, and uses control options, including chemical and mechanical, when necessary.
“Pesticides are an essential tool used by conservationists to protect endangered species and restore critical habitats. Rodenticides, insecticides, and herbicides have been used successfully across the globe to remove invasive species from habitats, enabling endangered species to flourish,” said Dr. William Pitt, Deputy Director for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Associate Director for Conservation and Science for the National Zoological Park.
RISE is the national association leading the way in meaningful conversations about specialty pesticides and fertilizers. More information about Endangered Species Day is available on the website for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Learn more about the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles. Last updated on April 11, 2019. https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles
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About RISE
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry. Visit the RISE website at www.pestfacts.org for more information. Follow RISE on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/RISEPestFacts or on Twitter at @PestFacts.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Whitney Gray, Communications Manager
Phone: (202) 872-3845; Email: wgray@pestfacts.org