Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Nebraska Invasive Species Council in celebrating the first annual Nebraska Invasive Species Awareness Week! Each day from 5/27-5/30, an invasive species professional will present about invasive species issues in Nebraska. Join live or watch the recorded presentation on the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube channel after the presentation.

Date: Thursday, May 29th

Time: 1:00-2:00 PM CT

Where: Click on the following Zoom link to join:

https://outdoornebraska.zoom.us/j/96969131205

Presentation Title: Don’t Let It Loose and the Pet Release Pathway            

For years, Invasive Species Action Network has played a key role with Don’t Let It Loose programming, partnering with independent pet stores, pet industry sales and manufacturing, governmental agencies, and other NGOs to promote responsible pet ownership behavior. The Don’t Let It Loose messaging and branding gains from its simplicity, clarity, and consistency. The ultimate objective is to reduce instances of pet release and the introduction of invasive species. This presentation will outline the importance of the message, identify challenges that continue to loom, and explore new opportunities and advancements for the program and its dedicated partners.

Presenter: Sara Rickfels, Invasive Species Action Network

Sara Ricklefs is the Executive Director of Invasive Species Action Network, a non-profit based out of Livingston, Montana. She also serves on Montana Invasive Species Council as the Conservation Organization representative and is the Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee for the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. Her work at ISAN spans multiple pathways and taxa.

Changes to this event can be found on the Outdoor Calendar at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. Please contact Jena Paugels at 402-429-8716 or jena.paugels@nebraska.gov with questions.