Last updated May 5th, 2026.

Invasive plants destroy 4,600 acres of forest every day in the United States. Photo by Kristin West.

Invasive plant species pose a significant and growing threat to Virginia’s economy, infrastructure, and natural landscapes. Invasive plants impose substantial financial burdens, with estimated economic losses in the Commonwealth reaching up to $1 billion each year. These costs affect taxpayers, local governments, utilities, and private property owners alike.

The impacts are also physical and highly disruptive. Invasive plants can clog critical waterways, exacerbate stormwater runoff and erosion, and infiltrate sewer and drainage systems, leading to costly repairs and ongoing maintenance. They damage built infrastructure including power lines and buildings, increasing overall costs due to operational risks.

Perhaps most concerning is the widespread destruction of our forest canopy and natural habitats. Across the United States, invasive plants overtake an estimated 4,600 acres every day. As canopy trees decline, landscapes are left tangled and degraded, unable to support birds, pollinators, and other wildlife that depend on healthy forests for nesting, food, and access to water. Managing the spread of invasive species is essential to protecting Virginia’s economic vitality, public infrastructure, and ecological resilience.

Roads act as significant pathways for the spread of invasive plants. Soil disturbed during construction provides habitats that are easily colonized by opportunistic invasive plants. Seeds and reproducing plant fragments can hitch a ride on vehicles and mowing equipment to move swiftly over long distances from one locality or region to another. HB88 directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board to plan for invasive plants management along state highways.

The Code of Virginia’s Noxious Weed Law requires plants to be evaluated for their “commercial viability,” even if these plants cause harm to our economy, environment, or human, animal, or plant health. The code prevents invasive plants from being added to the Virginia Noxious Weeds List and banned from sale.The loophole undermines the millions of dollars spent in Virginia to combat the spread of invasive plants. HB109 removes the loophole  that prohibits adding a plant to the Noxious Weeds List if it is currently being grown or sold in Virginia, regardless of any harm it is causing.

Current law allows public service districts to be established to manage transportation, water, solid waste, and infrastructure. The law also allows for controlling dangerous insects and other pests per the Virginia Pest Law,10 as well as beautification and landscaping. Adding invasive plants to this list will assist communities in funding invasive plant removal and control. HB388 / SB89 adds the control of invasive plants to the listed “powers of service districts,” allowing local governments to raise funds to manage invasive plants in their communities.

You can take a deeper dive into supporting habitat connectivity in Our Common Agenda. To learn more, read our “Preventing Harms from Invasive Plants” policy paper.

Legislators have introduced bills to manage and control the spread of invasive plants in Virginia:

HB88, HB109, HB388, and SB96, were signed by Governor Spanberger.

Keep updated with our Land & Wildlife Conservation issue page for the latest news in our Commonwealth.