By Stephen C. Quinn
For many years, New Jersey’s native ecosystem has been increasingly overtaken by invasive plants, shrubs and trees. While this may sound grim, there is actually good news to report.

Thanks to the efforts of the New Jersey State Legislature, especially primary sponsors of the bill Senator Linda R. Greenstein Assemblyman District 14 of Cranbury, Senator Bob Smith District 17 of Piscataway, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese District 36 of Ridgefield and former Assemblyman Reginald Atkins District 20 of Roselle, the Invasive Species Management Act was signed into law on January 20, 2026. Under this new law, https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1029, New Jersey is now able to regulate 31 invasive plants.

The law specifically states that 31 invasive plants will no longer be sold, distributed, imported, exported or propagated here in New Jersey.

What makes a plant species invasive? These are plants that do not grow naturally in New Jersey, they arrive accidentally or intentionally and disrupt the ecosystem, causing harm to the environment – they are non-native.

Why are they harmful? Invasives grow and spread rapidly, competing with and quickly overtaking native plants, shrubs and trees. This is a problem because native plants are the homes and food source for New Jersey insects, butterflies, birds and mammals. Without natives we lose biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystem.

These are some names of harmful invasive plants that you may be familiar with:

Tree of Heaven, English Ivy, Bradford Pear, European Privet,
Burning Bush, and Running Bamboo

Many of these invasive plants may currently be growing in your yard.

What does this mean for us? If we are interested in being good stewards of our world and closer to our home, we can start by taking a look at our own yard. Do you have any invasive plants, shrubs or trees? Maybe consider replacing them with native plants to help improve our environment.

As you begin introducing native plants to your yard, you will start seeing more birds, butterflies and native wildlife. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd let us be thankful for the newly passed Invasive Species Management Act and saying good riddance to invasive plants in New Jersey forever.

If you are interested in transforming your landscape, you may find the following websites a good place to find suggestions for planting native plants here in New Jersey:
https://npsnj.org/native-plants/plant-lists/ https://bergencountyaudubon.org/healthy-backyards/
https://www.jerseyyards.org/ https://justoneplant.weebly.com/

NOTE: Stephen C. Quinn is the Chairman of the Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission and oversees the activities and development of the Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve located in Bergen County.