PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks

Some invasive plants spread quickly — but mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata) lives up to its name. 🌿 Introduced from Asia, this fast-growing vine can grow several inches per day during the growing season, climbing over shrubs, trees, fences, and other vegetation. Its triangular leaves, barbed stems, and distinctive circular leaf structures (called ocreae) make it relatively easy to recognize once you know what to look for. In late summer and fall, mile-a-minute vine produces small metallic blue fruits that contain seeds. Birds and other wildlife eat the fruits and disperse the seeds to new areas, helping the plant spread rapidly across landscapes. Seeds and plant fragments can also be moved through human activity, especially when they hitchhike on boots, clothing, pets, and outdoor equipment after traveling through infested areas. If you’re hiking, biking, or exploring this season, take a moment to PlayCleanGo and check and clean your footwear and gear before heading to your next destination. These small steps can help slow the spread of invasive plants like mile-a-minute vine. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasives #MileAMinute #InvasivePlants #CleanYourGear #TrailStewardship #ProtectOurLandscapes

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed along the Sycamore Trail at Attwater Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Attwater Prairie NWR protects one of the last remaining coastal prairies in the United States and is home to the endangered Attwater’s prairie-chicken, along with a rich diversity of native plants and wildlife. With visitors exploring this unique landscape, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new boot brush station gives trail users an easy way to clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after their hike—helping to prevent the spread of invasive species and protect this rare prairie ecosystem. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #AttwaterPrairie #SycamoreTrail #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #TexasOutdoors #PrairieConservation

💧 World Water Day Lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal waters support wildlife, provide drinking water, and offer places for recreation and connection with nature. But invasive species threaten these ecosystems by disrupting habitats, damaging infrastructure, and impacting fisheries. Aquatic plants, mussels, and other invasive species can spread when mud, water, or plant fragments are transported on gear, footwear, and watercraft. Before heading to your next outdoor adventure: ✔ Remove mud and plant material from gear ✔ Clean boots, boats, and equipment ✔ Drain water from boats and gear Taking a moment to PlayCleanGo helps protect the waters we all depend on. #PlayCleanGo #WorldWaterDay #StopInvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurWaters #CleanGear

🌲 International Day of Forests Forests provide clean air, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and countless ecological benefits. But forests across North America are increasingly threatened by invasive species that can damage trees, alter ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity. Seeds, insects, and plant fragments can easily hitchhike on boots, bikes, pets, and gear when we move between trails and natural areas. You can help protect the forests you love by taking a few simple steps: ✔ Brush dirt and seeds from boots and gear ✔ Clean equipment and pets before leaving a site ✔ Stay on designated trails Small actions make a big difference. When we PlayCleanGo, we help keep forests healthy for wildlife, recreation, and future generations. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasiveSpecies #InternationalDayofForests #ProtectOurForests #InvasiveSpecies

Those bright yellow flowers along trails and roadsides might look cheerful, but they could belong to St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), an invasive plant spreading across many landscapes. 🌼 Originally introduced from Europe, St. Johnswort grows in grasslands, open forests, roadsides, and disturbed areas, where it can quickly form dense patches that crowd out native vegetation. It’s easy to recognize by its clusters of yellow flowers and leaves that appear dotted with tiny translucent glands when held up to the light. This species spreads through both seed and underground roots, allowing it to expand steadily over time. Seeds are easily moved by wind, animals, and human activities, especially when they hitchhike on boots, clothing, bikes, and outdoor gear after traveling through infested areas. If you’re hiking, biking, or exploring this season, take a moment to PlayCleanGo and check and clean your footwear and gear before heading to your next destination. Small actions help protect trails, rangelands, and natural areas from invasive plants. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasives #StJohnswort #InvasivePlants #CleanYourGear #TrailStewardship #ProtectOurLandscapes

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex protects important wetlands, forests, and open water habitats along the Tennessee River. The refuge is especially spectacular to visit in the winter, when thousands of geese, ducks, and cranes gather here, making it a favorite destination for wildlife watchers and bird enthusiasts. With so many visitors enjoying the refuge’s trails and natural areas, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new boot brush station gives visitors an easy way to clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after exploring the refuge, helping to prevent the spread of invasive species and protect this important habitat. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #WheelerNWR #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #AlabamaOutdoors #WildlifeRefuge

Those striking purple flowers might catch your eye along a trail or pasture, but they could belong to musk thistle (Carduus nutans), a highly invasive plant spreading across many landscapes. 🌿 Originally introduced from Europe, musk thistle thrives in pastures, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas, where it can quickly take over and replace plants that livestock and wildlife rely on for food. The plant’s large, nodding red-purple flowers and spiny stems make it easy to recognize during the growing season. Musk thistle produces thousands of seeds per plant. While many are carried by wind, seeds can also spread through livestock movement and human activities, especially when plant material or seeds are carried on boots, clothing, and equipment after working or recreating in infested areas. If you’re hiking, working outdoors, or visiting open landscapes this season, take a moment to clean your boots and gear before heading to your next destination. Simple actions can help prevent invasive plants from spreading to new places. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasives #MuskThistle #InvasivePlants #CleanYourGear #TrailStewardship #ProtectOurLandscapes

The PlayCleanGo® Five-Year Program Plan represents a milestone in continent-wide invasive species prevention and it would not be possible without the dedication of our partners across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Whether you're installing boot brush stations, sharing prevention messages, engaging communities, or contributing expertise, your work powers this campaign. Thank you for helping us build a unified North American movement to keep invasive species out of our forests, parks, and waterways. Together, we protect the places we love. Read the plan: tinyurl.com/2zjt7ncf #PlayCleanGo #PartnersInPrevention #TriNationalCollaboration #StopInvasiveSpecies

The new PlayCleanGo® Five-Year Program Plan is here! Developed by NAISMA, Invasives Canada, and CONABIO, the plan strengthens tri-national collaboration to prevent the spread of invasive species. Key focuses: 🌎 Cross-border partnerships 👣 Behavior-focused outreach 🧰 Prevention tools & infrastructure 🌐 Inclusive, multilingual resources Together, we’re protecting North America’s trails, parks, and natural areas. ➡️tinyurl.com/2zjt7ncf #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #Conservation #TriNational

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed at the Blue Sky Trailhead parking lot at Horsetooth Reservoir in Colorado, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Horsetooth Reservoir is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, which diverts water from Colorado’s west slope to the east slope to support drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower. Jointly operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the reservoir is an important water storage facility surrounded by nearly 1,900 acres of public lands. Larimer County manages recreation at the site, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The boot brush station is located at the Blue Sky Trailhead, a popular 12.5-mile out-and-back trail used by hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. The trail is best visited between April and October, and dogs are welcome on a leash. With so many visitors enjoying the area, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new station gives trail users an easy way to clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after hitting the trail, helping to prevent the spread of invasive species and protect this important landscape. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #HorsetoothReservoir #BlueSkyTrail #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #ColoradoOutdoors #LarimerCounty

The Great Lakes provide drinking water to millions of people, support fisheries and recreation, and anchor regional economies across eight states. Sign the muster letter: mstr.app/95ba25e5-8e00-… #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

#InvasiveSpecies threaten farmland, livestock, crops, fisheries, aquaculture, and subsistence food systems across the United States. Register now and join the conversation: naisma.org/programs/nisaw/ #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

Your eyes on the ground matter. See an invasive species? Report it and help protect outdoor spaces. #PlayCleanGo #NISAW2026 #NISAW #NAISMA #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek

The MAWS Act would direct the Sec of Commerce to establish a pilot program to support the sale of invasive blue catfish caught within the #ChesapeakeBay Watershed. Sign the letter: mstr.app/95ba25e5-8e00-… #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

On Day 4 of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we explore the surprising ways marine invasive species impact public health and national infrastructure. Register now: naisma.org/programs/nisaw/ #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

Prevention starts at the trailhead. Use boot brush stations and handheld brushes to help stop the spread of invasive species. 🎉 NISAW Special: Get 10% off at shop.naisma.org with code NISAW26 #PlayCleanGo #NISAW2026 #NISAW #NAISMA #InvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek

The #spottedlanternfly threatens vineyards, orchards, hardwood forests, and agricultural supply chains across the United States. Sign the muster letter: mstr.app/95ba25e5-8e00-… #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

🌿 National Invasive Species Awareness Week 🛡️ Defending our health by stopping the spread Time outside does more than fuel adventure. It supports our mental health, lowers stress, improves sleep, and helps keep our bodies strong. Invasive species threaten the health of the lands and waters where we recreate. When habitats are degraded, we risk losing not only biodiversity, but also the outdoor spaces that help keep us healthy. That is where PlayCleanGo comes in. By cleaning your boots, bikes, boats, and gear, you help prevent the spread of invasive species and protect the places that give us so much in return. 👉 Read our new blog to learn how responsible recreation connects to healthy people and healthy places, and how you can get involved during NISAW: playcleango.org/2026/02/24/def… 💚 Play. Clean. Go. 💚 Protect outdoor spaces. 💚 Defend our health. #NISAW #NISAW2026 #PlayCleanGo #DefendingOurHealth #StopTheSpread #HealthyPeopleHealthyPlaces #InvasiveSpecies #ResponsibleRecreation

Education is our first line of defense. Early detection and public awareness are critical to slowing its impact. Sign the muster letter: mstr.app/95ba25e5-8e00-… #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW #invasivespecies

#FeralSwine are more than a wildlife issue. They damage crops, degrade ecosystems, and spread diseases that threaten livestock, food systems, and human health. Register now for our free webinar: naisma.org/programs/nisaw/ #NISAW2026 #InvSpWk #invasivespeciesawarenessweek #NISAW