PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks @PlayCleanGo

📸 The PlayCleanGo Photo Contest is Now Open! As we celebrate PlayCleanGo Awareness Week, we want to see the places, people, and actions that inspire you to protect the outdoors. Show us how you PlayCleanGo by sharing a photo of: 🌲 A place you love to explore 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The people or community you enjoy the outdoors with 🧹 The actions you take to help prevent the spread of invasive species Whether you're hiking a favorite trail, paddling a local waterway, camping with friends, or cleaning your gear before heading home, your photo can help inspire others to protect the places we love. 📸 Submit your photo by June 30, 2026 👍 Vote for your favorite entries 🏆 Winners announced in early July PlayCleanGo-themed prizes will be awarded to winning entries! Enter today: pollunit.com/polls/tCIyDOD7… Looking for more ways to get involved? Explore upcoming webinars and events, download the free PlayCleanGo Awareness Week toolkit, and learn how you can help protect the places you love at PlayCleanGo.org. #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek #ProtectWhatYouLove

⏰ Just 2 days away! As we prepare for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week (June 6–13), join us on June 3 for a special Behavior Change Training webinar hosted by @CanadaInvasives in partnership with @NAISMAorg. Creating awareness is important, but how do we inspire people to take action? This webinar will explore practical behavior change strategies, community-based social marketing, and approaches you can use to encourage stewardship behaviors that help prevent the spread of invasive species. Whether you're involved in outreach, education, recreation, stewardship, or conservation, you'll leave with new ideas and tools that can strengthen your programs and engagement efforts. 📅 June 3, 2026 ⏰ 2:00–3:30 p.m. Central 🎤 Ken Donnelly, Invasives Canada Plus, learn more about how these concepts are being applied through the PlayCleanGo program and discover ways to get involved during PlayCleanGo Awareness Week. 🔗 Register today: playcleango.org/events/ #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek #InvasiveSpecies #BehaviorChange #ConservationOutreach

📣 New this year for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week — a full webinar series! 🌎👣🌱 Join us June 6–13, 2026, as we celebrate PlayCleanGo Awareness Week with webinars focused on invasive species prevention, behavior change, outreach, research, and collaboration across North America and beyond. This year’s webinar lineup includes: 🌱 Behaviour Change Training: Supporting PlayCleanGo Outreach and Action 🌾 Saving the Sagebrush Sea: Protecting Washington’s Sagebrush Biome from Noxious Weeds 👢 What’s on Your Boots? Seeds, Invasive Species, and Landscape-Level Patterns from Boot Brush Stations at Elk Island National Park 🌎 Communicating Strategies for the Prevention of IAS in Two Countries in Latin America Whether you work in invasive species management, outdoor recreation, conservation, education, or outreach, these webinars offer a great opportunity to learn new ideas, explore real-world examples, and connect with others helping protect the places we love. 🔗 View the full schedule and register at: playcleango.org/events/ #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectThePlacesWeLove

🌿 Join us for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week! 🌿 June 6–13, 2026 Together, we protect the places we love. Whether you hike, bike, camp, paddle, fish, or explore the outdoors, we all have a role to play in preventing the spread of invasive species. This year’s PlayCleanGo Awareness Week includes: 🎒 A free downloadable outreach toolkit 🎤 Live webinars featuring prevention experts and partners across North America 📸 A community photo contest 🌎 Stories, events, and resources to help inspire action Help us spread the word by sharing the PlayCleanGo message in your community and making invasive species prevention part of every outdoor adventure. ✔ Download the toolkit ✔ Register for webinars ✔ Share your story ✔ Invite others to participate Learn more at PlayCleanGo.org #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek #ProtectThePlacesWeLove

Those bright yellow flowers carpeting a shady forest floor might look beautiful, but they could belong to yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon), an invasive plant spreading beyond gardens into natural areas. 🌼 Originally planted as an ornamental groundcover, yellow archangel thrives in shaded forests, trail edges, gardens, and disturbed areas. It spreads aggressively through creeping stems that root along the ground, forming dense mats that crowd out native wildflowers and seedlings. Its silvery-patterned leaves and bright yellow spring flowers make it attractive in landscapes — but difficult to control once established in natural habitats. While gardening and dumping yard waste are major pathways for spread, seeds and plant fragments can also hitchhike on boots, tools, bikes, and outdoor equipment, especially after moving through muddy or invaded areas. Even small fragments left behind can start new patches. If you’re hiking, gardening, or working outdoors this spring, take a moment to PlayCleanGo. Brush off mud and plant material before heading to your next destination. Small actions can help protect forests and native plant communities from invasive spread. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasives #YellowArchangel #InvasivePlants #CleanYourGear #TrailStewardship #ProtectOurForests

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed at the Great Falls Park Visitor Center along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Located just outside the Nation’s Capital along the scenic Potomac River, Great Falls Park spans more than 800 acres and offers visitors over 15 miles of hiking trails to explore dramatic river views, forests, and natural areas. With so many people enjoying the park each year, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new boot brush station helps visitors clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after hiking, preventing the spread of invasive species and helping protect these important landscapes. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #GreatFallsPark #GeorgeWashingtonMemorialParkway #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #VirginiaOutdoors

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Those cheerful white flowers along trails and roadsides may seem harmless, but they could belong to oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), an invasive plant spreading across many landscapes. 🌼 Originally introduced from Europe as an ornamental and pasture plant, oxeye daisy now grows widely in meadows, roadsides, grasslands, and disturbed areas. While its white petals and bright yellow centers may resemble native wildflowers, this species can quickly form dense patches that crowd out native plants and reduce habitat diversity. Oxeye daisy spreads through both seeds and underground roots, allowing it to persist and expand over time. Seeds can also hitchhike in soil and plant debris stuck to boots, bike tires, vehicles, and outdoor gear, especially after traveling through infested areas. As you head outdoors this season, take a few moments to PlayCleanGo. Brush off dirt and plant material before moving to your next trail or recreation site. Preventing the spread of invasive plants starts with small, everyday actions. #PlayCleanGo #StopInvasives #OxeyeDaisy #InvasivePlants #CleanYourGear #TrailStewardship #ProtectNativePlants

PlayCleanGo Awareness Week is coming up June 6–13, and there are so many ways to get involved! This year’s celebration includes webinars, a downloadable partner toolkit, a photo contest, and opportunities to connect with partners across North America who are helping protect the places we love from invasive species. Join us on June 8 at 1:00 p.m. Central for a special webinar featuring the Washington Invasive Species Council. Learn how one idea to protect Washington’s fragile shrub-steppe ecosystem from noxious weeds grew into a statewide, multi-jurisdictional collaboration focused on prevention and outreach. Working closely with the PlayCleanGo campaign, these efforts helped support the installation of more than 50 educational boot brush stations across Washington. Jan Fore, Executive Coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council, will share partnership successes, lessons learned, and how collaborative prevention efforts can make a lasting impact. PlayCleanGo Awareness Week is led in partnership with @NAISMAorg, @CanadaInvasives, @CONABIO , and partners across North America. Learn more, register for events, download the toolkit, and enter the photo contest at: PlayCleanGo.org #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek

🌳It's Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week! Learn more about this destructive invader by attending the webinar series being hosted by The Nature Conservancy and Don't Move Firewood. Register today for "EAB from crisis to opportunity: managing and growing a resilient urban forest in Minneapolis, MN" being hosted on Thursday, May 21st at 1pm EST. Learn the process behind how Minneapolis selected a diverse mix of trees in the wake of forest pests and climate change with Philip Potyondy from the Davey Resource Group, Inc. Learn more and register at dontmovefirewood.org/eabweek2026/ #EmeraldAshBorer #EAB #DontMoveFirewood #Webinar

🌳It's Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week! Learn more about this destructive invader by attending the webinar series being hosted by The Nature Conservancy and Don't Move Firewood. Register today for "Ash-kicking outreach in Oregon and Washington," being hosted on Wednesday, May 20th at 1pm EST. Meet, Alex, Don't Move Firewood's new outreach specialist for the Pacific Northwest and learn about his efforts to enhance and expand partnerships in firewood outreach. Learn more and register at dontmovefirewood.org/eabweek2026/ #EmeraldAshBorer #EAB #DontMoveFirewood #Webinar

🌳 It’s Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week! The emerald ash borer (EAB) is one of the most destructive forest pests ever introduced to North America. Since its discovery in 2002, this invasive beetle has killed tens of millions of ash trees, transforming forests, neighborhoods, and urban landscapes. Learn more about this destructive invader by attending the webinar series being hosted by The Nature Conservancy and Don't Move Firewood this week. Tomorrow's webinar will be featuring Carrie Pike from the USDA Forest Service discussing how resistance breeding may help us retain ash on the landscape in a post-EAB era! You can learn more and register at: dontmovefirewood.org/eabweek2026/ #EmeraldAshBorer #EAB #DontMoveFirewood #Webinar

From quiet paddles to family adventures on the water, every trip is a chance to help protect the lakes and rivers we love. 💙 Before your next launch, remember to clean, drain, and dry your boats, paddles, gear, and footwear to help stop invasive species from spreading between waterways. Small actions can make a big difference for the places we all enjoy. #PlayCleanGo #ProtectThePlacesYouLove #CleanDrainDry #InternationalFamilyDay

Join us on June 3 for a special Behavior Change Training webinar hosted by @CanadaInvasives in partnership with @NAISMAorg as we prepare for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week (June 6–13)! If you work in outreach, education, recreation, stewardship, or conservation, this webinar is a great opportunity to add more tools to your toolbox. Learn how behavioral psychology and community-based social marketing strategies can help move audiences from awareness to action and support long-term invasive species prevention efforts. We’ll also share an overview of the exciting events, webinars, and ways to get involved during PlayCleanGo Awareness Week, themed “We protect the places we love.” Register for this webinar and explore other upcoming events at: playcleango.org/events/ #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek

This month, we’re joining our partners at @CanadaInvasives to celebrate Invasive Species Action Month. This week’s focus is: Protect Where You Play. When we hit the trails on two wheels, mud, seeds, and plant fragments can travel farther than we realize 🚲 Cleaning our bikes between rides helps prevent invasive species from spreading to new trails and keeps the places we ride in good shape for everyone. ✔️ Remove mud and debris ✔️ Check tires, pedals, and frames ✔️ Clean before riding somewhere new Simple steps make a big difference. Learn more: PlayCleanGo.org #PlayCleanGo #StopTheSpread #MountainBiking #ISAM2026 #DIYStopInvasivesTogether

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Located along the shores of Lake Erie, Ottawa NWR protects vital wetland habitats that support a wide variety of wildlife. The refuge is especially well known for its role in migratory bird conservation, offering visitors incredible opportunities to observe waterfowl and other species throughout the year. With so many people exploring the refuge’s trails and boardwalks, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new boot brush station helps visitors clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after their visit, preventing the spread of invasive species and protecting these important ecosystems. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #OttawaNWR #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #OhioOutdoors #WetlandConservation

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Save the Date: PlayCleanGo Awareness Week June 6–13, 2026 This year’s theme, “We protect the places we love,” reminds us that small actions like cleaning our boots and gear add up when we act together. This year, we’re coming together in new ways with webinars, a photo contest, and a partner toolkit to help share the message and take action. Join partners across North America, including @CanadaInvasives and @CONABIO, as we work together to stop the spread of invasive species. Learn more: PlayCleanGo.org More details coming soon! #PlayCleanGo #PlayCleanGoWeek #ProtectWhatYouLove #InvasiveSpecies

This month, we’re joining our partners at @CanadaInvasives to celebrate Invasive Species Action Month. This week’s focus is: Protect Where You Play. Whether we’re heading out for a short walk or a long hike, our boots can carry more than just memories 🥾 Seeds, soil, and other hitchhikers can travel with us between trails, spreading invasive species to new places. A quick clean before moving on helps protect the outdoor spaces we all enjoy. ✔️ Brush off dirt and debris ✔️ Check laces and tread ✔️ Clean before your next adventure Simple steps make a big difference. Learn more: PlayCleanGo.org #PlayCleanGo #StopTheSpread #Hiking #ISAM2026 #DIYStopInvasivesTogether

🐦 This National Go Birding Day, discover some of North America’s most remarkable birds and the habitats they depend on. From sandy shorelines to forest canopies and rugged cliffs, birds rely on healthy ecosystems to survive. But invasive species can threaten these habitats and the wildlife that call them home. When you head out birding, take a few simple steps to help protect them: ✔ Clean your boots and gear ✔ Brush off seeds and soil ✔ Stay on designated trails Every action helps keep habitats healthy for birds and people alike. Learn more: PlayCleanGo.org #GoBirdingDay #PlayCleanGo #Birding

As we wrap up Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, one of the most impactful actions we can take is reporting what we see. Early detection helps stop invasive species before they spread. If something looks unusual, reporting it to @USDA_APHIS or your state agency can make a real difference. Together, these small actions add up to big protection for our forests, farms, and communities. #PlayCleanGo #IPPDAM #HungryPests #EarlyDetection

We’re excited to share that a PlayCleanGo boot brush station has been installed at Assateague Island National Seashore, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Assateague Island is known for its wild horses, expansive marshlands, and diverse coastal birdlife, offering visitors a unique blend of beach, forest, and wetland habitats to explore. From scenic trails to shoreline views, it’s a place where wildlife and natural beauty take center stage. With so many visitors enjoying the island each year, simple prevention steps can make a big difference. This new boot brush station helps visitors clean seeds and plant material from their boots before and after exploring, preventing the spread of invasive species and protecting these dynamic coastal ecosystems. #PlayCleanGo #InvasiveSpecies #ProtectOurParks #AssateagueIsland #CleanTrails #InfrastructureInvestment #CoastalConservation #WildlifeWatching

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