As warm weather beckons us to the trails, hikers should be aware of an unexpected environmental impact: the spread of invasive species through their boots. These non-native species pose one of the greatest threats to Long Island’s unique ecosystems, endangering native plants and wildlife while disrupting communities. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution—the mindful practice of boot brushing after nature walks can play a critical role in preventing the spread of invasive species and preserving our native plant communities.
Long Island is home to a unique ecosystem threatened by invasive species. Places like the Central Pine Barrens provide refuge for numerous state-rare species and Dwarf Pine Plains, a globally rare community found only on Long Island’s eastern end.
Montauk County Park, another Long Island treasure located on the Montauk Peninsula, hosts numerous rare and endangered species. Recently, small carpet grass (Arthraxon hispidus), a high-priority species in our Invasive Species Spotters effort, was identified in the park. This plant is classified as Tier 2: Eradication on LIISMA’s Tier Ranking List. Our goal is to eliminate it from Long Island before it can establish and spread further. Small carpet grass poses a direct threat to Montauk’s rare species, making boot brushing crucial to prevent its spread across the peninsula.
Other emerging threats include yellow garden loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris), another Tier 2 species with low enough abundance to make eradication feasible. Orange candleflower (Arum italicum), Juliana’s barberry (Berberis julianae), and perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) are Tier 3 containment species, which we aim to limit from spreading. All these plants readily spread through seed dispersal.
The simple act of brushing your boots after a nature walk plays a vital role in preventing the spread of these invasive species. By removing seeds and plant material before they can be transported to new locations, this practice helps protect our native plant species. Any firm-bristled brush will do the trick, you can find one at your local hardware store or even a dollar store. Brush the bottoms of your shoes before leaving the hiking area, being mindful to remove plant debris and any soil stuck in the grooves. Keep your boot brush with your other hiking essentials!
LIISMA encourages local community members to join the Invasive Species Spotters volunteer effort. Volunteers receive training to identify and report high-priority emerging invasive species. While hiking, we encourage using iMapInvasives to document findings and visiting our Invasive Species Spotters webpage, which features an interactive map tracking ten emerging invasive species. As part of our commitment to protecting Long Island’s ecosystems, volunteers can use this map as a starting point for surveying other parks. After each visit, remember to check your shoes for plant matter and use a brush to clean them before leaving. Through these simple yet effective actions, from spotting and reporting invasive species to practicing proper boot hygiene, we can work together to protect our natural areas and preserve Long Island’s unique biodiversity for generations to come.