Invasive Plants Program

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Invasive Plants Program

Thanks to Corinne Schock, LLJ Conservation Association President, for hosting an information session, and to Dr. Catherine Tarasoff, a representative from the TNRD Noxious Weeds Program, for sharing her expertise and advice, we are on our way to implementing an Invasive Plants Program for our community.

During our information session on August 4, 2016, Catherine Tarasoff outlined the options for weed control and restoration, responded to our questions, and pointed out what to look for during an informative walkabout.

Options:

1. Goats

This option is very effective; there are several success stories in the Kamloops area.
Is an expensive option.
It is a long-term commitment. For example, you don't just bring in goats for one season.
Goats are fun :)

2. Herbicide

Targeted use of herbicides can be effective; it is absorbed into the leaves of only the plants you wish to eradicate.
Herbicides like Round Up remain in the soil, so only careful and selective application is advised.
Timing is important -- early in the season is best.
Requires knowledge of how to keep yourself safe, and the environmental impact
Some funding is available through TNRD to share costs of hiring a company with a commercial herbicide applicators license.
Certification is available through the Ministry of Agriculture.

3. Bio-control

Bio-control insects are collected then released in target areas.
These insects are host-specific, so would eat roots, stems, and seeds in selected plants such as knapweed, and leave other vegetation alone.
We need to identify areas that have large infestations of specific species. Knapweed is an obvious plant to target.
Insects travel slowly to extend the size of the target site.
Hand-pulling weeds outside perimeter of bio-controlled areas will contain the activity.
As with the Goat program, bio-control is a long term commitment. We won't see results immediately, but with coordinated effort we will eliminate undesirable plants in our area.
This program is free through TNRD. Lac Le Jeune is officially on the list for introducing insects later in August!

Main considerations for our community plan

Our goal is to reduce the unwanted plants, but it's equally important to focus on plants we want to introduce.
Take advantage of resources currently available through TNRD (biocontrol program, free clear plastic bags, free disposal of weeds at transfer stations).
Liaise with key organizations: Southern Interior Weed Management Committee oversees all efforts.
Continue with education programs about plants, and processes for controlling them.
Centralize information about invasive plant sightings and bio-control applications (LLJ blog, community map).
Coordinate with the company mowing along our roads. If the mowing is scheduled too late in the season it's actually better NOT to mow.
Recruit members of the community to "adopt" an area and assist with insect collection (Great activity for kids!)
Document our process and share our story!