The snowy white Bradford Pear, the vibrant Burning Bush, the ascending English Ivy—they may be eye-catching, but they’re destroying the ecosystem.
A task force in Delaware is attempting to eliminate these non-native and invasive species in favor of protecting native plants and animals that are depleting.
“It’s a huge problem we’re all unaware of, but as soon as we become aware of it, and you see the extent of it and see how you can help bring about change—it’s empowering,” said state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, who sponsored the resolution to create the state’s 19-member ecological task force.
Hansen sought to create the task force in response to a University of Delaware study reporting a significant decline in various species in the state. There are 78 percent fewer freshwater mussels; 20 percent fewer fish species; and 31 percent fewer reptiles and amphibians.
In addition, 40 percent of all native plant species are threatened or exterminated and 41 percent of bird species that rely on forests are rare or absent.
On Tuesday, members of the task force announced several recommendations to restore species populations and prevent further depletion. Much of the recommendations focus on phasing out the selling, buying and planting of non-native and invasive plants and the promotion of native plants.
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