The Welty Environmental Center is trying to prevent invasive and exotic species from entering into local ecosystems.

Program Director Aaron Wilson says they are teaming up with J and R Aquatic Animal Rescue to hold an exotic animal surrender event on June 4th from noon until 4:00pm.

Wilson says releasing exotic animals into the wild may seem like the right thing to do, but they can damage and ecosystem by taking away food and resources from native species.

Wilson says they’ll be accepting fish, invertebrates, reptiles, pet birds, small mammals, and invasive plants; but domestic pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and chickens will not be taken.