UGA Extension Office

Invasive Species Management

Camden County Extension works to educate residents on coastal invasive species and the tools to manage them. We work extensively with other local, state, federal, and non-profit agencies towards this common goal. Camden County Extension is a partner in the Coastal Georgia Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). Below you can see some of our initiatives as well as a pdf of one of our presentations on invasive plants. If you have questions or concerns about invasive species management please contact Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Jessica Warren at jkwarren@uga.edu.


Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape

Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape Presentation (pdf)


Air Potato

Air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera, is a highly invasive vine from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.  Camden County Extension has partnered with the Georgia Forestry Commission to fight the air potato infestation in Camden County.  For more information on air potato and our initiatives to fight it please contact Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Jessica Warren, see our Air Potato Ecology and Management brochure (pdf) or the websites listed. 

Air potato UF/IFAS web page

Invasive plants UF/IFAS web page


Air Potato Vine with Beetles attacking leaves
Air Potato Vine Showing Heart Shaped Leaves Climbing up Tree

Island Apple Snails

Island apple snails, Pomacea maculata, are invasive snails native to South America that are very damaging to lake and pond ecosystems.  These snails have been documented in several ponds throughout Camden County.  Camden County Extension is working with the Department of Natural Resources to reduce the populations of these very large and destructive snails.  For more information please contact Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Jessica Warren, or see the University of Georgia's brochure on the Island Apple snail (pdf), Coastal Georgia CISMA's brochure (pdf).


Apple Snail Shell beside penny to show relevant size
Apple snail egg sack on bank of pond in Camden County

Argentine Black and White Tegus

Argentine black and white tegus are an invasive species that pose a threat to birds, mammals and insects in Georgia. They eat fruit, vegetables, pet food and eggs, including the eggs—and young—of gopher tortoises. If you see an Argentine black and white tegu we ask you to please report it to the DNR and dispatch the animal if possible. Please see the link below for more information.

Argentine Black and White Tegus Poster/Information (pdf)


Argentine black and white tegu

Cuban Tree Frog

Cuban Tree frogs are an invasive species originating in Cuba, the Caymans and the Bahamas that have established populations up through Florida. Jekyll Island is the only known breeding population in Georgia. These frogs out compete native tree frogs, and also predate on our native tree frogs.  These invasive love to hide out in plants, most predominantly the Travelers palm.


Cuban Tree Frog side image
Cuban Tree Frog image with scale reference

Joro Spider

The Joro Watch team is pursuing a number of approaches to Joro spider research, looking into their impact on native species — like pollinators and native spiders — habitat, lifecycle and management. To help facilitate more conclusive research, UGA experts ask that the public help gather critical data by monitoring spider populations in the environment. (Photo by Carly Mirabile)

Joro spider in web

Spotted Lanternfly

UGA experts are asking residents to report sighting of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest that causes economic damage to horticultural and agricultural industries. (Photo by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org)

Spotted Lanternfly