We will build teams across the university and develop transdisciplinary partnerships with government and tribal agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry, and local communities to promote deep understanding of invasive species’ impacts on society. In doing so, we will foster a holistic environment where science, policy, and the humanities meet to tackle this global challenge.
About Us
Invasive species pose significant risks to agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure, recreation, rural livelihoods, and human health.
The Invasive Species Working Group (ISWG) at Virginia Tech integrates invasion science with the policy, management, and social demands associated with confronting this global crisis. We bring together biologists and resource managers, social scientists, policy experts, and other stakeholders to facilitate new partnerships across Virginia, the United States, and the World.
Mitigating invasive species through transdisciplinary science
We draw on Virginia Tech’s presence in the Washington, DC region, partnerships with Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the interdisciplinary networks of the Global Change Center and Fralin Life Sciences Institute to produce original research, connect across branches of knowledge, and train the next generation of policy-minded scientists.
ISWG was recently awarded a Destination Area 2.0 Phase II grant, funded by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. This funding will enable ISWG to further their mission to combat invasive species, a global threat that jeopardizes health, economic stability, and environmental security.
How do we attempt to stop or slow invasive species?
Other methods for controlling, stopping, or slowing include:
- Quarantine
- Direct physical control and removal
- Bio-control
- Introduction of genetically manipulated non-viable individuals
Meet The Team
