Preventing the spread of invasive species requires coordination, awareness, and long-term commitment. To guide the next phase of this work, partners across North America have released the PlayCleanGo 5 year plan, a strategic roadmap designed to expand outreach, strengthen partnerships, and increase the impact of invasive species prevention efforts.
Developed collaboratively by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), Invasives Canada, and Mexico’s National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the PlayCleanGo®: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks® Five-Year Program Plan outlines how the campaign will grow across the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the next five years.
What Is the PlayCleanGo Five Year Program Plan?
The PlayCleanGo Five-Year Program Plan serves as a coordinated tri-national strategy to strengthen invasive species prevention across North America. The plan focuses on expanding the reach and effectiveness of the PlayCleanGo campaign, which encourages outdoor recreationists to clean gear, pets, and vehicles before and after spending time outdoors.
For more than a decade, the PlayCleanGo campaign has helped raise awareness about how invasive plants, animals, and pests can spread through recreation activities. The new five-year plan builds on this foundation by setting clear priorities for growth, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
Strategic Priorities for the Next Five Years
The Five-Year Program Plan outlines seven strategic priorities that will guide the campaign’s development:
- Clarifying and evolving the PlayCleanGo brand to ensure it remains relevant and inclusive
- Expanding partnerships and community engagement across North America
- Strengthening public understanding and motivating behavior change
- Revitalizing the PlayCleanGo pledge and digital community
- Improving on-the-ground infrastructure that supports prevention actions
- Securing sustainable funding to support long-term campaign success
- Establishing strong evaluation and collaborative leadership processes
Together, these goals aim to increase the campaign’s visibility, strengthen prevention messaging, and empower more people to take simple actions that protect natural areas.
A Shared Continental Effort
Invasive species do not recognize borders, making cross-border collaboration essential. The campaign’s five year roadmap reflects a shared commitment among partners in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to deliver consistent and effective prevention messaging.
PlayCleanGo currently works with more than 500 partners, including federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, park systems, Indigenous communities, outdoor retailers, and local stewardship groups.
“Invasive species don’t recognize borders, and effective prevention requires shared action, messaging, and commitment,” said Christie Trifone Millhouse, Executive Director of NAISMA. “This plan strengthens our collective approach while positioning PlayCleanGo for long-term sustainability and growth.”
Through the plan, partners aim to expand the campaign’s presence on trails, in outdoor recreation spaces, and across digital platforms while cultivating resilient funding streams to support ongoing outreach.
Expanding the Campaign in Canada
In Canada, Invasives Canada leads the national coordination of the campaign. The Five-Year Program Plan emphasizes expanding engagement with provincial and regional networks, outdoor retailers, government agencies, and Indigenous communities.
“Canada’s outdoors connect people from coast to coast to coast, and preventing the spread of invasive species must be accessible to everyone,” said Rebecca Lord, Executive Director of Invasives Canada. “This plan gives us a strong roadmap to deepen partnerships and develop tools that reflect the diversity of cultures, languages, and outdoor experiences across Canada.”
By creating more inclusive resources and strengthening collaboration, the campaign aims to empower Canadians to protect the landscapes they enjoy.
Building Cultural Relevance in Mexico
Mexico is an emerging partner in the PlayCleanGo initiative. Through a memorandum of understanding with NAISMA, CONABIO is working to adapt the campaign for local communities.
As part of the five-year plan, Mexico will focus on developing Spanish-language resources, culturally relevant imagery, and region-specific messaging that resonates with local audiences.
“Mexico is just beginning its journey with PlayCleanGo, and this plan provides a framework to make the campaign meaningful for our communities,” said Yolanda Barrios, Head of the Invasive Species Assessment Department at CONABIO.
These efforts will help ensure the campaign is accessible, culturally relevant, and widely adopted across Mexico.
What’s Next for the PlayCleanGo Campaign
Implementation of the Five-Year Program Plan will begin in 2026 with a phased rollout that includes:
- Updated brand guidance and campaign materials
- New multilingual tools and outreach resources
- Expanded infrastructure and signage in recreation areas
- A redesigned PlayCleanGo pledge program
- Ongoing evaluation and shared leadership among partners
By coordinating these efforts across three countries, the PlayCleanGo 5 year plan aims to reach more recreationists and inspire long-term behavior change that reduces the spread of invasive species.
Download the Full PlayCleanGo 5 Year Plan
The full PlayCleanGo®: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks® Five-Year Program Plan is available online for partners, educators, and organizations interested in advancing invasive species prevention across North America.
