A small number of introduced plant species, which display invasive behavior, are causing adverse impacts to our natural areas. Many nursery and landscaping professionals are concerned about those impacts and have offered their expertise to help find solutions.

In 2004 a Task Force set up by the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (WSNLA) launched a pilot program to study the impact of implementing voluntary Codes of Conduct on horticultural business practices and business. The WSNLA Task Force members included people from The Nature Conservancy, UW-Center for Urban Horticulture, WSNLA, and retail and wholesale nurseries.

•    The WSNLA Task Force agreed upon a plant assessment process for evaluating non-native plant species for their invasive behavior in Western Washington
•    Six plants were assessed and five classified as invasive
•    The WSNLA Task Force worked with volunteer nurseries where, in keeping with the Codes of Conduct, selected alternative plants were suggested for use in people’s gardens

Results:
•    86% of consumers indicated that they appreciated the nursery staff informing them about the alternatives to invasive plants. Sales of the five invasives dropped 43% and the sales of alternative increased by 23%.
•    The Task Force has made the results of this study available in print.  You can download a summary here.

For more information about Task Force members:
Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association

The Nature Conservancy

University of Washington - Center for Urban Horticulture