Invasive species are living organisms including plants, animals, fish, insects, bacteria, etc. that are not native to an ecosystem and cause measurable harm. The harm caused by invasive species can come in the form of environmental harm, economic harm, as well as direct harm to human health. These species oftentimes reproduce quickly and spread aggressively, allowing them to out-compete native species. Invasive species are widely cited as one of the largest threats to biodiversity worldwide. Additionally, the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership has rated aquatic invasive species as the highest threat to lowland groundwater/wetland dominated systems, closed-basin lakes, and clearwater connected lakes with associated streams. These habitats are essential for Coho, Chinook, and Sockeye salmon at all life stages. Species that are not native to Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula pose great threats to our ecosystem and economy. As a member of the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (KP-CISMA), the Kenai Watershed Forum is involved in the eradication and control of plant species that threaten salmon-bearing streams and other salmon habitat. The Kenai Watershed Forum is actively targeting Reed Canary Grass, Elodea, European Bird Cherry, and a variety of terrestrial weed species. How do invasive species spread? Invasive…

What happens when fish can't reach their nurseries? The Kenai Watershed Forum’s restoration plan targets two priority areas: fish passage and invasive species. Unrestricted access though stream corridors to spawning, rearing or over-wintering habitat is essential to maintaining salmon production. When the Kenai Watershed Forum began, the strategic plan analyzed States with failing salmon populations to determine how Alaska could do things right the first time around. The main issues from these example states revolved around maintaining fish passage, so that salmon could freely migrate along the entire length of a stream. Invasive Species Plant species that are not native to Alaska can pose a great threat to our ecosystem and our economy. As part of the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Weed Management Area (KP-CWMA), the Watershed Forum is involved in the eradication and control of plant species that threaten salmon bearing streams and salmon habitat. The Kenai Watershed Forum is currently targeting several invasive species on the Kenai Peninsula.  Learn about them on our Invasive Species page. Culverts & Culvert Assessments Each place where a road or trail crosses a stream is a potential barrier to salmon passage. Inadequately designed, installed, or maintained culverts can block upstream access for salmonids,…