October 14, 2026 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT
Developing a Recipe for Success: Can Public Harvest Control Invasive Species?
From nutria to lionfish, natural resource managers and culinary artists have speculated that harvest and use of invasive species could provide a means of managing or even eliminating nuisance populations. Through multiple reviews of the scientific and popular literature, we have concluded that, if used properly, incentivizing and encouraging public or commercial harvest could represent an opportunity to support management goals while simultaneously boosting economic development and environmental awareness. However, if used incorrectly, negative consequences such as generation of perverse incentives to further spread invaders can occur. In this talk, our presenters will highlight principles they believe can help promote success and minimize risks of harvest-based invasive species management approaches. They’ll review the biological, ecological, human health, and socioeconomic factors involved in invasive species incentives. They will also offer recommendations to assist in successful, delicious, and fashionable implementation of a successful harvest program.