Be Part of the Solution—in Your Community—in Your Backyard
All British Columbians are responsible for invasive plant management. Here are some things you can do about invasive plants:
- Learn about the potential invasiveness of new species before you seed or plant them.
- Increase awareness as to the identification of invasive plants and their impacts.
- Know what you grow and avoid planting aggressive or known invasive species; grow appropriate non-invasive alternatives; and dispose of waste appropriately at your local landfill or compost if appropriate for that species.
- Minimize soil disturbance and retain desirable vegetation during all operations including forestry, range, and highway maintenance activities.
- Incorporate recommendations provided in activity- or species-specific T.I.P.S. in annual planning programs.
- Maintain and restore ecosystem health to increase native plant community resilience against unwanted invaders.
- Re-vegetate disturbed areas with regionally appropriate (e.g. native), non-invasive, non-persistent seed mixtures or plants.
- Clean equipment, vehicles, recreational gear, pets, and clothes and dispose of plant seeds and plant parts accordingly.
- Control invasive plants prior to flowering or seed development using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
- Use only clean materials, such as soil and gravel, for maintenance operations or restoration activities.
- Report invasive plant infestations to your regional invasive plant committee coordinator for entry into the Invasive Alien Plant Program application.
- Contribute to local efforts by contacting your regional invasive plant committee coordinator today and signing the IPCBC’s Memorandum of Support.
Management Strategies
Management strategies will vary by invasive plant species and by region of the province. Three elements common to all management strategies include:- Prevention measures that encompass all activities or operations that could potentially introduce or spread invasive plants. Refer to species- or activity-specific T.I.P.S. , visit www.weedsbc.ca, or contact your regional invasive plant committee coordinator for detailed information on management of specific invasive plant species.
- Design and implementation of an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) program that incorporates education, coordinated detection, and focused response efforts.
- Application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
