Council Approves Invasive Plant Management Strategy

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 10, 2014 11:36 AM

Summary

At its June 9 meeting the City of Nanaimo Invasive Plant Management Strategy was adopted by City Council. This strategic plan will provide greater guidance in managing invasive plants in the City's Parks and natural areas.

The strategy provides direction in building an Invasive Plant Management Program that will help prioritize plant species and sites to manage within the Parks system. In addition, increased public education and awareness will be developed to help improve identifying and tracking priority invasive plants and help build volunteer support, over time.

May was Invasive Plant Month in Nanaimo and it proved to be a great success for the City. Over 170 volunteers participated in a number of invasive plant removal work parties. Many residents also took advantage of our "Drop Zone" in Bowen Park where around 10 tons of invasive plants were delivered for disposal by residents who removed it from their property.

The City also participated in a pilot project to determine if using goats to remove large patches of invasive plants can be cost effective for the City. The trial will be continuing into the summer and fall.

Link to Strategic Plan: Invasive Plant Management falls under the Environmental Responsibility Pillar of the 2012-2015 Corporate Strategic Plan.

Key Points

The City will prioritize management and removal of invasive plants that pose a risk to our parks; residents health and safety or to infrastructure.
An Early Detection Rapid Response approach will be used to prioritize newly arrived invasive plant species for removal, if found within the City's parks and natural areas.
Maintaining the biological diversity within our natural ecosystems will depend on effective management of invasive plants.

Quotes

"The Invasive Plant Management Strategy will provide a framework for the City to control and manage the spread of invasive plants in our parks and natural areas for years to come."

Rob Lawrance

Environmental Planner

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Over 170 volunteers participated in volunteer work parties to remove invasive plants in May.
10 tons of invasive plants were removed from our Parks and our back yards by the many volunteers and residents of Nanaimo.
A herd of goats can also be called a "trip".

Contact:

Rob Lawrance

Environmental Planner

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7582

rob.lawrance@nanaimo.ca

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