While public involvement in monitoring for non-native species is a vital element of any
effective invasive species program, it is more important in Alaska given our extensive
coastlines and expansive uplands. To increase the efficiency of citizen volunteers, a system
must be in place that allows both ease in the submission of reports and timely responses to
requests for information.

A rudimentary structure is now in place to facilitate the latter two goals. The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game invasive species program has established a toll-free number
that can be called to report potential invasive species. This number is 1-877-INVASIV.

Easy to remember, and placed on ADF&G invasive species related handouts, it has been
used many times both by Alaska residents and visitors.

All calls go directly to the ADF&G Program Coordinator's telephone who answers the report
or request personally or, when expertise is lacking, passes it on to another expert. While it is
not uncommon for a report to turn out to be a misidentification, this must not deter the public
from calling in.  When you see a strange plant, fish or other critter and can't figure it out
yourself, call and you just might be helping to keep Alaska pristine.