On Aug. 8, the deadliest wildfire in over a century broke out in Maui, Hawaii and killed at least 114 people, with possibly scores more as the search continues.
Though the public has become more aware that the hot, dry conditions linked with climate change provide an ideal setting for fires, the intensity and frequency of new wildfires is still jarring.
What we are learning from the Maui fire is that in addition to the wind that helped fan the flames, dry invasive grasses provided plentiful fuel that maximized ignition, rate of spread, and fire intensity.
Land that was previously home to sugar and pineapple plantations is now overrun with nonnative grasses. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, invasive grasses “such as guinea grass, typically degrade remnant native plant communities, and preclude the establishment and restoration of native species.”
Research, plans, and proposals to address the growing issue have been around for years. Currently, the university is “exploring methods to restore native woody plant communities to reduce the likelihood of fire occurrence and spread, to eliminate further conversion of remnant native plant communities to nonnative grasslands, and to increase native biodiversity.”
Hawaiian officials were previously warned of the impending threat of wildfire but failed to pass legislation. Now that a disaster has occurred, perhaps more urgency will be placed on the issue.
Media coverage of the Hawaiian wildfires, along with the smoke enveloping our skies from Canadian wildfires last June, make it difficult for us to ignore the interconnected nature of climate effects.
Last month, I wrote about climate anxiety and actions that individuals should take to reduce carbon use. My reasoning was that as individuals take positive action, their cumulative impact may deliver meaningful mitigation. That said, the most significant impact may require legislation designed to achieve more global results.
Currently, New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that has no law seeking to control the problem of invasive species. It’s not for lack of trying. FoHVOS Stewardship Director Mike Van Clef drafted a statewide action plan in 2007 that was approved in 2009 and lauded by the state in 2010.
After a change in administration, it became apparent that battling invasive species wasn’t going to happen on the state level. Van Clef and other partners responded by forming a nonprofit to address statewide invasive species issues. Now known as the FoHVOS Invasive Species Strike Team, a small staff works with large numbers of volunteers to help nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals to eradicate invasive species.
The influence of invasive species is pervasive throughout the environment but as in the case of wildfires, people don’t always link the growing number of invasives to the climate issue they are considering.
For example, a widely publicized fact is that bird, pollinator, and insect populations are dropping precipitously. While many rightfully attribute the decline to infrastructure development that destroys habitat, invasive species greatly exacerbate the problem as they overtake the forested areas where wildlife seek out native plants for sustenance.
According to Mike Van Clef, “invasive Species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, next only to outright habitat destruction.”
In 2023, new bipartisan legislation to address invasive species was introduced by New Jersey State Senators Bob Smith and Linda Greenstein. It passed the Assembly in May 2023 and we are hopeful that it could become law by the end of the year.
The legislation is solid and was crafted with input from a group of nonprofits called the NJ Forest Task Force. It also recognizes the needs of landscape and nursery trade associations.
Back when Van Clef first introduced the statewide action plan, about a dozen or so states had legislation. Now, 45 states have some regulation restricting invasive plant sales.
We have seen what happens when the spread of invasive species is ignored. Van Clef reminds us that we need to take a mindful and intentional approach.
“The damage is ongoing and unchecked. This law, which prevents the sale of invasive species, represents a conscious decision,” stated Van Clef, “At least now we won’t be adding to the problem.”
Contact your state senator and tell them to vote for Senate Bill 2186 because fighting invasive species is important to our climate future.
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