Some Light Reading

For those of you with some spare time, Jim Beers has published a 7-part position piece on invasive species as part of the American Land Rights Association's web site. A 33-year veteran of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, Jim makes some interesting points about the whole invasive species issue, touching on such sticky issues as how to decide what's native (and why we should care) and why it makes sense to him to focus eradication efforts on species directly affecting our economy or human health. He seems convinced that the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act will pass because no one wants to be seen as being against fighting invasives, and claims that politicians are being extensively lobbied by parties that seek to benefit from the NAISA, like states with big invasive species problems and universities that want more research funds. There's a lot of information and opinion here, and while you may find yourself disagreeing with it, it is well-presented and definitely worth checking out.