The voluntary codes offer professional codes of conduct designed to curb the use and distribution of invasive plant species through self-governance and self-regulation by the groups concerned. This approach has been used successfully to ameliorate other problems but its application to invasive plant threats is novel and innovative. Importantly, the Voluntary Codes of Conduct were developed recognizing that education must accompany all efforts to address the problem and that some future government regulation may perhaps be needed if such efforts prove insufficient. These codes are now being considered for endorsement by the major professional societies and organizations representing each of the groups covered. If endorsed they will be 'tested' and revised as necessary to improve their utility and effectiveness.

View the Findings and Principles agreed upon by the entire St. Louis assemblage.

Current list of endorsements of the codes of conduct.

Would your organization like to endorse the codes?
Send information about your organization and a brief explanation of the steps you have taken to approve and abide by the codes.