Invasive non-native species are one of the top threats to global biodiversity, cost the economy over £1.7 billion a year, and can even impact on our health and the way we live. Their impacts affect us all, and we can all help to prevent their spread.

Below are free resources designed to educate young people about this issue:

• Our Riverbank (PDF). The Medway Valley Countryside Partnership have produced an illustrated book to educate young children about some of the invasive non-native species that are a problem on our riverbanks. Hard copies are also available at a cost of £3, please contact . 
• Alien Detectives (external link). This resource from the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative is packed full of fun, educational activities to help young people learn about invasive non-native species.
• Invasive species wordsearch (PDF).
• Invasive Species Detective game (PDF).
• Educational resources for 7-11 year olds (ZIP) developed by Wildscreen.
• Educational resources for 11-14 year olds (ZIP) developed by Wildscreen.

E-learning

Older students can take free e-learning on non-native species (external link). Available modules include:

• An introduction to non-native species
• Identification and recording
• Identification of key freshwater plants
• Identification of key freshwater invertebrates
• Identification of key riparian plants
• biosecurity

Identification and recording

Find out more about non-native species using the Non-native Species Information Portal 

Identification Guides for a range of non-native species

Gallery of images of non-native species

Biosecurity

When carrying out fieldwork in the aquatic environment, remember to Check Clean Dry after leaving the water to oprevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Download a Check Clean Dry leaflet (PDF)