2020 Virtual Invasive Species Smackdown - 8/15 to 9/20/20
The annual Anchorage invasive species smackdown (formerly known as Anchorage weed smackdown) is an important community event to assist in protection of the habitats around the city and spread awareness about the threats posed by invasive species. We've hosted this event for the past 9 years and want to keep the event going, but it will look different this year as compared with years past due to COVID-19*. Participants are encouraged to get creative with invasive species outreach.
Suggestions of ways to participate include: Suggestions for Invasive Species to Use in Project
Suggestions of ways to participate include: Suggestions for Invasive Species to Use in Project
- Make an art project depicting how invasive species impact Alaska
- Write an essay about the importance of invasive species research or the ecological impacts of invasive species in Alaska
- Write a letter to the editor of the Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage Press, or other publication
- Make a YouTube or TikTok video to share with your classmates or friends
- Compose a post on a social media platform of your choice to raise awareness about invasive species
- If you post on social media, please use the hashtags #AnchorageInvasiveSpeciesSmackdown2020 and #KeepAlaskaWildAndFree
- Compose an invasive species informational brochure to give to friends and family
- You can choose one invasive species, discuss invasive species in general, or share an educational campaign, such as "Clean, Drain, Dry" for boaters or "Play, Clean , Go" for terrestrial recreation
- Load the Alaska Weeds ID.app on your smartphone to identify invasive plants and easily submit those observations
- Any other method you can think of to help raise awareness about invasive species in Alaska!
How to sign up Starting August 10, 2020 and through September 20, 2020 - use the button to the right
How to report your participation Do this as soon as you have completed your participation but no later than September 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM. When you have completed your participation, please e-mail the following information to Betty Charnon: Your Full Name, Description of activity (e.g., photo of product, screenshot of social media post, etc.). Important: Please let us know if you grant permission to share these on the ANC-CISMA and/or our partner Public Lands agencies' social media sites (Parents need to consent on behalf of any children under 18). Free t-shirt Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt after submitting their project. T-shirts can be picked up either on September 1, 2020 (this date postponed to 9/25) or September 25, 2020 at Chuck Albrecht Ballfields Parking Lot (MLK and Elmore) between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Look for the Weed Smackdown Banner on the back of a red Subaru Forester. We're sorry, t-shirts cannot be mailed. Prize drawings Participants are eligible for prize drawings, including gift cards to local businesses. There is also a custom wood-worked item made from chokecherry grand prize. Winners will be notified by e-mail by September 30, 2020. Point of Contact: if you have any questions, please e-mail Betty Charnon. To see the whole event info in one document, click here. |
* Please Note: We've designed this virtual smackdown so that you can participate individually or in your small social bubble. If you choose to participate in or as a group, please adhere to CDC Social Distancing Guidelines, wear masks, and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content frequently to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 where appropriate. If participants have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or are at greater risk for COVID-19, please do not participate in close contact with others in the event this year.