Accessible invasive species research to protect the places you love
ISITUSA is an independent initiative established in the United States of America by environmentalists.
Our mission is to make invasive species research accessible, understandable, and useful to everyone. We connect people with accurate information about the species near them, helping communities take informed action to protect native biodiversity and the places they love.
Data gathered from trusted researchers
Harvard UniversityHarvard University Herbaria: preserved plant specimens used in our occurrence research. Opens in a new tab.
USGSU.S. Geological Survey: US-RIIS and aquatic species records. Opens in a new tab.
EPAU.S. Environmental Protection Agency: river and stream surveys. Opens in a new tab.
NOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: invasive lionfish and marine species references. Opens in a new tab.
Cornell UniversityCornell Integrated Pest Management: invasive insect identification and practical guidance. Opens in a new tab.
Purdue UniversityPurdue University and USDA Forest Service: Alien Forest Pest Explorer. Opens in a new tab.
University of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Extension: horticultural research and plant profiles. Opens in a new tab.
University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota Extension: invasive species identification and management guidance. Opens in a new tab.
Virginia TechVirginia Tech: weed identification resources used in our species profiles. Opens in a new tab.
Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Service: forest pest detections and invasive plant surveys. Opens in a new tab.
GBIFGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility: biodiversity records and collections. Opens in a new tab.
iDigBioIntegrated Digitized Biocollections: museum and herbarium specimens. Opens in a new tab.
SmithsonianSmithsonian National Museum of Natural History: preserved specimens used in our occurrence research. Opens in a new tab.
USDAU.S. Department of Agriculture: plant, pest, and forest research. Opens in a new tab.
U.S. Fish & WildlifeU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: invasive carp monitoring. Opens in a new tab.
National Park ServiceNational Park Service: invasive plant identification and ecological context. Opens in a new tab.Penn StatePenn State Extension: allium leafminer monitoring and management guidance. Opens in a new tab.
University of FloridaUniversity of Florida IFAS and Florida Museum: plant research and species identification guides. Opens in a new tab.
University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia: Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System. Opens in a new tab.
NC State UniversityNC State Extension Plant Toolbox: plant identification and species profiles. Opens in a new tab.
Oregon State UniversityOregon State University: landscape plant descriptions and identification. Opens in a new tab.
New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical Garden: preserved herbarium specimens. Opens in a new tab.
iNaturalistiNaturalist: research-grade observations. Opens in a new tab.
ISITUSA aggregates public data from state agencies, universities, scientific collections, and the federal government to defend our planet and protect the places we care about.
Every record needs context.
Our organization looks through published research, public records, and observations to help you understand what has been found near you. Alongside each finding, we keep the details that help you make sense of it: where it came from, when it was recorded, and what we’re still unsure of.
- Where
- We check the specific place a record describes before adding it to our map. A species reported somewhere in a state isn’t automatically recorded in every county.
- When
- We look for when a species was observed, as well as when the record was published or reviewed. Something new to our map may have been found years ago.
- According to whom
- We keep a link to the original source and, when available, explain how the finding was documented. You can see who reported it and read the details for yourself.
Records don’t tell the full story. A county with no mapped records may simply be a place we haven’t found evidence for yet. It does not mean the species is absent. An older sighting tells us a species was found there then, but we need newer evidence to know whether it is still there.
The research we build on.
We draw on public resources from agencies, universities, museums, herbaria, and established observation networks. Our catalog, map, and species profiles bring together the U.S. Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (US-RIIS), agency records, scientific references, and other public resources. A single source may provide sightings, photographs, identification details, or information about a species’ effects.
Our data sources paper explains in depth which resources we use, how we use them, and what they can/cannot tell us. Our credits link to the people and organizations whose work makes this possible.
What makes a species invasive?
Not every species introduced to a new place is invasive. The term describes a species outside its native range whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, harm to nature, the economy, or health.
Understanding which species are nearby is a good starting point. Recognizing them, understanding how they spread, and exploring the guidance in our species profiles can help you decide what to do next.
Read the USDA definitionBe a part of the change.
Share what you find, stay informed about the places you love, or help us build a resource more people can use.