Invasive plant species in urban green spaces: risk perception and change in species occurrence**

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Invasive plants exert not only adverse impacts on the environment, but also economic costs on human society. Once successfully established, it can be impossible to eradicate some invasive plant species. Thus, prevention efforts are considered the best strategy for future impact reduction. Prevention efforts are only effective if they are supported by the general public. We propose to perform a risk perception analysis that assesses the public's knowledge and risk perception about invasive species. The results of the survey will lay the groundwork improving prevention of invasive species spread as they will inform managers about who they should target for their outreach and education efforts. As municipalities conduct repeated surveys of invasive species occurrence in urban green spaces, they are tasked with quantifying and interpreting observed changes. Yet, there are currently no standards on reporting these changes. The proposed assessment on quantifying changes in invasive species occurrence will improve reporting standards of invasive species occurrence. Ultimately, the proposed work will allow Diamond Head Consulting to improve its invasive species management strategies for urban managers. They will be able to provide their clients with 1) analysis of change in invasive species occurrence that is statistically sound, and 2) strategies on how to refine their outreach and education efforts to prevent invasive species spread. The proposed approach on how to assess changes in invasive species occurrence and how to improve outreach and education efforts can then be adapted to other urban areas in BC and across Canada.