THE QUIET INVASION A Guide to the Invasive Species of Galveston Bay And The Lower Galveston Bay Watershed

Most of us have heard at least something about the many invasive species that have been introduced into, and are causing problems in our region: the Chinese tallow tree, the Muscovy duck, and Kudzu to name just a few. But did you know that there are now more than 90 such species occupying, or threatening the Galveston Bay Area? Dr. Erin Kinney of HARC will be speaking about the Quiet Invasion, a guide to the invasive species of Galveston Bay and its watershed. She will also speak about the Quiet Invasion web site (www.galvbayinvasion.org) and the new paperback field guide. Both have been updated to include all 95 species that are current invaders or threats to our area. Erin will introduce new features of the website, as well as the field guide, which will be available to those who attend the talk. She will also let us know what we as individuals and organizations can do to diminish the impact of this increasing threat. Dr. Kinney is a Research Scientist at HARC specializing in coastal and wetland ecology. Her research interests include wetland restoration, impact of land use and eutrophication on coastal systems and carbon and nitrogen cycling in wetlands. Erin graduated with a PhD in biology from the Boston University Marine Program and a BA in environmental and evolutionary biology from Dartmouth College. She previously worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the department of marine biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston and at the Ecosystem Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. We hope you’ll join us for this interesting and informative discussion. Those who attend will also enjoy learning about HARC’s new building, currently the greenest (LEED Platinum) in the Woodlands, with energy saving solar and geothermal systems along with many other extensive low impact development features.