JAMESTOWN – The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History will host a series of events for National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Feb. 27 to March 4.

Invasive species is the term given to non-native organisms that become established and create ecological or economic problems in their new territories. They are an ever-growing burden of global concern. National Invasive Species Awareness Week provides an opportunity to discuss and address this important issue.

RTPI will be hosting a series of free guest lectures and public workshops in partnership with Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM) to disseminate current, relevant information concerning the invasive species that have turned up in the region, and what can be done to reduce their negative impacts.

The following events will take place at the RTPI headquarters in Jamestown:

≤ Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.: “Birds and Invasives” — Guest lecture by Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM coordinator

≤ Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m.: “Earthworms: Friends to Gardens or Foes to Northern Forests and their Amphibian Cohorts?” — Lecture by Elyse Henshaw, Roger Tory Peterson Institute conservation technician

≤ Friday, March 3 at 6 p.m.: “Where have our bats gone? A look at White Nose Syndrome and the impacts to our local bats” — Guest lecture by Jonathan Townsend, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy lands manager

≤ Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: *iMapInvasives Basic and Advanced Training, Library Lectures and Children’s Activities.

For a full schedule for Saturday’s library lectures, visit http://rtpi.org/events-exhibits/upcoming-events.

All events are free and open to the public, and RTPI is seeking volunteers to assist.

For more information, contact Henshaw at ehenshaw@rtpi.org or 665-2473, ext. 231,

*If you would like to attend the iMapInvasives training, download and complete the registration form (http://rtpi.org/events-exhibits/upcoming-events/) no later than March 1.