Community pulls together for Invasive Plants Month

Summary

Invasive Plants Month was held in Nanaimo during the month of May. The City worked with volunteers and members of the community to raise awareness of and remove invasive plants in Nanaimo. Four invasive plant work parties were held in Northfield Park, Oceanview Park, Bowen Park and at Nanaimo Ice Centre along with two free Drop Zones at Bowen Park where residents could drop off invasives they removed from their properties.

In total, 6 metric tonnes of invasive plants were removed from ecologically sensitive areas within the City's parkland and from the backyards of many dedicated residents throughout the Nanaimo. Volunteers continued to remove English ivy, that has been enveloping trees within our parks and Scotch Broom from many locations throughout Nanaimo. Once again, students from the Dover Bay Environmental Club helped maintain a site in Neck Point Park where research on controlling Periwinkle continues.

Just under 2 tonnes of mixed invasive plants were collected from homeowners and brought to the two Drop Zones. As always, we thank all our volunteers and community stewards for their dedication and support in helping the City maintain its ecological diversity for the future.

Link to Strategic Plan: Invasive Plant Management falls under the Environmental Responsibility Pillar.

Key Points

  • A total of 9 Tonnes of invasive plants have been removed from our City parks so far this year.
  • Maintaining the biological diversity within our natural ecosystems will depend on effective management of invasive plants.

Quotes

"Building upon last year, we continue to have success raising awareness with Invasive Plants Month in Nanaimo. The community really rallied together to help maintain and enhance the natural diversity of our parks and neighbourhoods. Great job, Nanaimo!"

Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • The Province has designated June as Invasive Species Action Month. The focus for Vancouver Island this year is Knotweed Awareness and Control. For more information and events visit: www.coastalisc.com
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Contact:

Rob Lawrance
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7582

Print News Release

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