Sustainability Community Breakfast:Managing Invasive Species in the Region

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Tasha Murray

• Non-profit society (est. 2006)• Address public inquiries• Public presentations and events• Train government staff and volunteers• Seasonal field crews• Regional resource

Guides for Priority Invasive Speciesin the Region – Phase 1 Complete

Giant hogweed

Knotweed species

European fire ant

European chafer beetle

Himalayan blackberry

Scotch broom

Giant hogweed(Heracleum mantegazzianum)

• Noxious weed• Spreads by seeds• Toxic plant• Sap can cause

‘phytophotodermatitis’– Recurrent severe blistering & scarring– Blindness

Knotweed species

• Four species:– Japanese (Fallopia japonica)– Giant (Fallopia sachalinensis)– Bohemian* (Fallopia x bohemica)– Himalayan (Polygonum polystachyum/Persicaria wallichii)

• Extensive root structure can damage infrastructure and the environment

• Grows almost anywhere• Stem or root fragment 2 mg can regrow• Difficult to control

European fire ant (Myrmica rubra)• Identity must be confirmed by an expert• Forms dense colonies at or below ground surface• Swarm and sting• Severely compromise the use of outdoor spaces

European chafer beetle (Amphimallon majale)• Grubs consume roots of unhealthy lawns• Rodents and birds destroy lawns to find and consume grubs• Biological control: nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora• Cultural control: lawn alternatives

Himalayan blackberry(Rubus armeniacus)

• Forms thick, impenetrable thickets• Offers limited food and wildlife shelter• Widespread in southwestern BC• Beware of thorns!

Scotch broom(Cytisus scoparius)

• Fast growing shrub• Rapidly colonizes disturbed areas• Produces large quantities of long-

lived seeds• Drought and cold tolerant

Himalayan balsam

Parrot’s feather

English ivy

Yellow archangel

English holly

Other species of concern:Red eared slider turtle

Zebra & quagga musselsPurple loosestrifeAmerican bullfrog

Butterfly bushJapanese beetle

Many, many more…

Guides for Priority Invasive Species – Phase 2 (June 2019)

You can help…

Resources

• Report - If you find an invasive plant or animal, report it using your mobile phone

Downloadable from www.reportaweedbc.ca

Resources

• Play, clean, go - Make sure boots, gear and vehicles are clean before entering and leaving a park or natural area

• Be Plantwise - Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden

• Don’t let it loose - Find an appropriate home for unwanted pets

• Be an invasive species warrior -Volunteer with a local stewardship group

Resources

Resources• ‘Help Stop the Spread’ brochure• growgreenguide.ca• iscmv.ca• Free Apps

– Report Invasives– Plant ID: PictureThis & PlantNet

• Spread the word, not the weeds -Tell others about the impacts of invasive species

Upcoming Events:

May is Invasive Species Action Month in BC!bcinvasivesmonth.com

Upcoming Regional Events:

Ongoing stewardship events throughout the region all year

Tasha MurrayInvasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver

c: 778-681-8358tmurray@iscmv.ca

www.iscmv.ca