[Foodtank] „In the United States alone, there are more than 50,000 species of invasive plants and animals that can cause harm to the environment, the economy, agriculture, and human health. A study from the University of Cornell estimates that these species cost the U.S. more than US$120 billion per year in damages and expenses associated with control and management. But they may also be a tasty source of food.
Eating invasive species is one way to control populations, raise awareness about the issue, and provide sustainable sources of food.
Matthew Barnes, an ecologist at Texas Tech University and the editor of Invasivore.org, believes that eating invasive species can raise awareness about the issue, which could have a broader effect than just reducing these species by eating them. In an interview with Smithsonian.com, he explains that the real value of eating invasive species is a public education and awareness tool. ‚If people are aware of what invasive species are and what kind of impacts they have on the environment, that might prevent them from introducing the next invasive species,‘ he said.“
Foodtank introduces six initiatives that are encouraging eaters to consume invasive species in the U.S.