On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, a one-hour lecture and discussion on invasive species of plants and animals in the Czech Republic took place as part of the meeting of boy and girl scouts of the 2nd division (age 12-18).
During the lecture, our colleague Anežka Marhoulová introduced the scouts to terminology such as native, non-native species and non-native invasive species. The reasons why invasive species are unwelcome in the wild and what characteristics allow them to become invasive have been explained. The various ways in which non-native species reach us were discussed, including planting in gardens and parks.
In addition, some species of invasive plants were presented, using pictures, but also on live specimens, such as white acacia, glandular gorse, ash maple, Jerusalem artichoke, Japanese knotweed and Canadian goldenrod. The issue of the difficult and expensive disposal of these species was also highlighted. Some species of non-native animals were also introduced - American mink, nutria, non-native species of crayfish, etc.
An activity was also prepared for the participants, in which they strengthened their knowledge of invasive species and their equivalents - species native to us.
On Thursday, November 16, a similar lecture, but adapted to the age of the children, was held between the younger category of scouts (7-11 years old).
A total of 20 people attended the lectures.
