Next I expect to learn that epidemics start because the World Health Organization flies doctors to disease outbreak hotspots, and then flies them out through the FSM-damned Tokyo airport.

Oh wait....

Just release some bibles in the area. That'll keep the local science teacher population under control.

Old school naturalists didn't release a single damn creature back into the wild.

Ban science teachers! It's the only way! Along with those pesky music and art teachers we didn't need.

So in theory, the areas around religious schools should be pretty free of invasive species.

wraithmare: Ban science teachers! It's the only way! Along with those pesky music and art teachers we didn't need.

So in theory, the areas around religious schools should be pretty free of invasive species.

Not necessarily.

I recently learned about this when we went to the local pet store to buy some Elodea for a photosynthesis demonstration.

I also learned that it's not worth the effort to try and discuss the systematics of aquatic plants with the average pet store clerk

Gough: I recently learned about this when we went to the local pet store to buy some Elodea for a photosynthesis demonstration.

I also learned that it's not worth the effort to try and discuss the systematics of aquatic plants with the average pet store clerk

Yeah....

Try the owner. I know all the owners of the fish stores in my town because I'm into the aquarium hobby, and if they're competent they'll listen. The average employee is just like a min wage employee anywhere else though. At best they'll probably just humor you. Besides if you get to know the owner you can usually get discounts :p

Regarding the article, I already knew this. I've had to tell teachers before to release shiat. And it's worse than the average hobbyist because a lot of the time teachers can get approval from DNR for species that are already banned for the average person; then they release them. Most of them mean well and just don't know any better. You'd think a science teacher would, but they're usually just educated to teach specific curriculum to students, not exactly well rounded in conservation or ecology in general.

I've had to tell teachers before NOT to release shiat

ftfm. oops.

Ihaveanevilparrot: Gough: I recently learned about this when we went to the local pet store to buy some Elodea for a photosynthesis demonstration.

I also learned that it's not worth the effort to try and discuss the systematics of aquatic plants with the average pet store clerk

Yeah....

Try the owner. I know all the owners of the fish stores in my town because I'm into the aquarium hobby, and if they're competent they'll listen. The average employee is just like a min wage employee anywhere else though. At best they'll probably just humor you. Besides if you get to know the owner you can usually get discounts :p

Regarding the article, I already knew this. I've had to tell teachers before to release shiat. And it's worse than the average hobbyist because a lot of the time teachers can get approval from DNR for species that are already banned for the average person; then they release them. Most of them mean well and just don't know any better. You'd think a science teacher would, but they're usually just educated to teach specific curriculum to students, not exactly well rounded in conservation or ecology in general.

Good point, that's why teachers should have "content-area degrees", and not Ed degrees.

I was trying to get some Elodea (canadensis) and the guy at the counter kept telling me that it was illegal. I was telling him that the "elodea" that was a listed invasive species is the so-called Brazilian Elodea, which is a totally different plant (Egeria densa). Needless to say, it was a little like trying to teach a pig to sing.