You may have heard folks around Vermont using the term "introduced" species interchangeably with the conventional terminology of "invasive" species. This may be due to a conversation happening at many levels about the language and framing of ideas used in the field of invasion ecology. Because language has the power to shape public attitudes and behaviors, the Plant Health Team at Vermont's Agency of Agriculture is adopting more accurate, neutral, and respectful language to better reflect the complexities of species introductions and avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes. A nationwide example of this trend is the 2022 adoption by the Entomological Society of America of the term "spongy moth" as the common name for Lymantria dispar, replacing the previous name, "gypsy moth," which is now recognized as an ethnic slur. The Plant Health Team's publication outlines a rationale and provides evidence to support why "an intentional shift to using more descriptively accurate and less emotionally activating language will send a powerful and meaningful message to all Vermonters, especially those who have felt excluded or harmed by racism and xenophobia." Check out the link for the full article.