Whether a private landowner or company, or a representative of a local authority, it is essential to keep up to date with changes in legislation affecting the management of invasive species, and be fully knowledgeable in the identification, prevention, and controls of such species to ensure the most effective implementation of the appropriate risk reduction, and control measures.

RPS, in co-ordination with Defra, is sponsoring a national conference on Keeping up with Non-Native Species on 12 May 2010, which aims to inform and update professionals with land and aquatic asset responsibility on the latest legislation, and on newly identified invasive species risks.

The conference will be held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and brings together a number of highly skilled representatives from within the filed of invasive species ecology and management, providing key opportunity for professional networking and knowledge sharing between groups.

In addition to this, RPS has recently completed a detailed series of identification sheets for Defra’s Non-Native Species Secretariat which include high quality images of each species, accompanied by concise notes on identified populations, native origins, key features, and impacts. The sheets have been very well received and noted as providing a clear and valuable tool to the identification of non-native species in the UK.

RPS Operational Director Professor Max Wade has previously co-written (with a colleague) a guide to Giant Hogweed Management in the United Kingdom (ISBN-13: 9780906269046) and is currently co-writing a comprehensive guide to alien plant and animal species in the UK.

Contact:
Keeping up with Non-Native Species
conference (12 May 2010):
Sue Stewart, Resources Manager
T: +44 (0) 1480 302751
E: stewarts@rpsgroup.com

Non-Native Species Secretariat:
Professor Max Wade, Operational Director
T: +44 (0) 1480 302751
E: wadem@rpsgroup.com