New Jersey
Invasive Species Strike Team
The Strike Team is a statewide cooperative effort with a mission to prevent the spread of emerging invasive species across the state of New Jersey. Started in 2008 as the Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team, the project has now expanded statewide and consists of over 80 public and private partner organizations representing all levels of government from federal to municipal, non-profit conservation groups and consulting foresters.
Remember what you are protecting!
New Jersey is home to 2,000 native plants, 327 migrant & resident birds, 90 mammals, 44 reptiles, 35 amphibians, 421 marine & freshwater fish, 180 damseflies & dragonflies and 151 butterflies. This list includes 424 threatened and endangered species, some which are globally imperilled. This abundant biodiversity is a result of extremely diverse habitats, stretching from the Highlands, through the Piedmont, into the Pinelands, a globally unique ecosystem, and through the shore regions.Invasive species threaten the future of our national heritage. The Strike Team is working to address these threats and protect the future of our precious state.
What is an invasive species?
An invasive species is a non-native organism which is causing harm to the environment, human health or the economy. They are shown to interrupt the natural functions of an ecosystem by impacting native plants and animals.Overall, invasive species place a tremendous burden on natural resources and are considered to be the greatest threat to global biodiversity, second only to outright habitat destruction.
Search your county, town or property. Find out which invasive species are taking over your area. 
Strike Team Featured
on NPR
Executive Director of NJISST speaks about Eating Invasive Species.
Callery Pear
This popular landscape plant is a highly invasive meadow invader.- small tree with a "lollipop" shape branch structure
- white, showy flowers are in full bloom mid-late March
- small speckled fruits ripen in the fall