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Fighting invasive ants on Santa Cruz Island
Head to Santa Cruz Island and get on a kayak to explore nature and the region's history.
(
Megan Larson
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Invasive Argentine ants have plagued Santa Cruz Island for more than six decades displacing native species there. The Nature Conservancy – which manages a sizable chunk of the island – is slated to receive nearly $815,000 from the federal government to help eradicate the ants.
Why now: The allocation is just a small piece of a nearly $3 million dollar federal investment in programs focused on combating invasive species. It was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The backstory: Using a mixture of sugar and insecticide, Argentine ant populations have been reduced from more than 1,000 acres to fewer than 100 in less than a decade, according to Nick Holmes with The Nature Conservancy.
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What's next: They'll continue to kill off the remaining ants and monitor the island to ensure they're not reestablishing themselves. Once given the space, native ant populations should reestablish.
More good news: The Santa Cruz Island fox has been making a steady comeback from the brink of extinction.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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