Invasive species council appoints two ANR academics to new advisory board

The Invasive Species Council of California has apointed a 24-member advisory committee that includes a diversity of environmental and agricultural experts, including two UC agriculture and natural resources scientists, according to a news release issued yesterday by CDFA.

The UC advisory board members are:

• Joseph M. DiTomaso, Weed Specialist, University of California Davis Cooperative Extension
• Larry Godfrey, Vice Chair, Department of Entomology, U.C. Davis

In addition, the board includes representatives from the Citrus Research Board, the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancy, the California Farm Bureau Federation and many other agencies.

California ag secretary A.G. Kawamura said the 24 founding advisory board members have a challenging task ahead of them.

“They will lay the groundwork that will enable this council to enhance our collective ability to protect California’s environment, food systems, human health and economy from invasive and destructive pests, plants and diseases," the release quoted Kawamura.

The release was picked up today in the Salinas Californian, the Imperial Valley News, and Lake County News.

Invasive species currently threatening agriculture and natural areas in California include:

• Mediterranean fruit fly
• Quagga mussel
• Zebra mussel
• Asian citrus psyllid
• Gypsy moth
• Light brown apple moth
• Hydrilla
• Scotch broom
• Japanese dodder
• Japanese beetle

UC members of the ISCC advisory board.

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