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Outlining predefined procedures, responsibilities, communication processes, and response strategies: a comprehensive rapid response plan improves the ability to react swiftly and effectively to newly discovered threats. But how do you ensure you're ready when the time comes? This Rapid Response template helps teams expedite the planning process and focus on critical elements, reducing the risk of overlooking key aspects during the planning phase.

Regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and policies shape the management and control of invasive species. Understanding the legal and policy dimensions surrounding invasive species at local, regional, and national levels aids resource managers in choosing the most appropriate response for their unique situation.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can be a powerful surveillance tool. Instead of relying on the capture of live organisms in the environment, utilizing eDNA methods allows you to indirectly monitor species without the need to physically observe them and enhances your ability to detect the genetic traces of rare species that would be difficult to monitor using traditional surveying methods. Read on to learn more.

Point of use eDNA is any protocol or workflow that can analyze eDNA samples on site without the need for a laboratory or specialized equipment. Similar to rapid tests for viruses like SARS-COV-2, point of use can provide results much more rapidly than traditional lab-based processing - in some instances, time from sample collection to result within an hour. Point of use can allow management action for an invasive species detection much earlier than with a lab-based approach, or can be used to detect invasive species in transit before they reach a new destination.

Portable robotic environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers can be placed and programmed to collect eDNA samples any time of day or night at your preferred sample frequently, and can even sample during hazardous conditions. Collaborations are underway to design and test robotic eDNA samplers that collect high quality samples and are affordable, scalable, and mobile. Designed with easy-to-use computer interfaces and wireless connectivity, researchers can control sampling remotely and safely and increase the odds of being at the right time and right place to document a new invasion or other unique or rare events.

The first step in eliminating an invasive species is knowing where it is. By reporting observations of invasive species, you're helping others know what's on their doorstep and what might be heading their way so that swift action can be taken.

Are you doing invasive species work? Tell us about it. Sharing your knowledge across invasive species networks helps others learn from your experiences.

The Rapid Response Fund is administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated through the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. The program aims to provide resources for response actions to quickly contain or eradicate newly detected aquatic invasive species in U.S. freshwater, estuarine, or marine waters, including U.S. territories.

The Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Response Team (IInSRRT) pilot program lays the foundation to respond to new high-risk invasions of national significance across multiple jurisdictions regardless of land ownership within the authorities of Department of Interior (DOI) bureaus. The pilot program will increase resources available to support rapid response actions, through interjurisdictional deployment teams or Incident Command System (ICS).