Trade has been a lynch pin in the economic development of the 18 northeastern and midwestern states. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of that trade, particularly ocean-going shipping, have created environmental challenges to the region. Aquatic invasive species, invasive microbes and invasive forest pests and pathogens now threaten the ecosystems of the region as never before. The Institute has a long history of involvement in addressing these issues by: documenting the levels of threat, identifying invasion pathways, advising the region’s federal legislators on potential solutions, and organizing the region’s stakeholders to implement solutions, including through testing of technologies that can help limit or solve parts of the invasives problem for the region.

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