HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support the ‘Do Not Sell’ Laws

Help Long Island abide by the invasive plant ‘Do Not Sell’ laws passed in Suffolk and Nassau counties. While all forty-five invasive plants already banned for sale, transport, distribution, and propagation may unknowingly be sold by nurseries and garden centers, the following nine plants may be more common:

LIISMA's Identification Guide to Invasive Horticultural Plants Banned from Sale in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY in 2010 was compiled at the request of Suffolk and Nassau counties to help implement the ‘Do Not Sell’ legislation. The ban includes each plant's cultivars, such as Purple loosestrife ‘Morden Pink’ and Lesser celandine ‘Brazen Hussy’.

Banned species found for sale in Suffolk County should be reported to the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs by printing and mailing the complaint form found at http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/upload/consumeraffairs/pdfs/plantcomplaint.pdf.

In Nassau County, banned species found for sale can be reported by filing an on-line complaint at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/vendor_lookupWeb/Complaint_fillup.jsp. You do not need to see a sale made or make a purchase to use these forms.

Ask for non-invasive alternatives

Encourage your nursery to sell alternatives to invasive plants by asking for plants which have similar ornamental characteristics and cultural requirements. Print out and bring Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Alternatives to Ornamental Invasive Plants with you to your local nursery, and help show there is a demand for these notable alternatives.