Two students are spending their summer preventing, monitoring and controlling the spread of invasive species in the region through their jobs with a nonprofit organization.
Matt Jones is the terrestrial invasive plant assistant with the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society, while Savanna Maddock is working with the aquatic invaders prevention program.
Jones has spent much of his time working to control puncturevine and burdock in the region.
Both plants are not native to the Okanagan and Similkameen, but they have been causing problems in recent years.
Puncturevine, with its sharp seed pods, can puncture bicycle tires and cut human and animal feet.
Burdock, a thorny plant, has trapped birds and bats.
“It’s a real challenge getting rid of them in Summerland,” Jones said of the plants. “They just keep coming back year after year.”
He said persistence is the key to eliminating the invasive plants.
Maddock’s work has focussed on controlling zebra and quagga mussels, two invasive species which have the potential to cause damage to lakes in the area.
Much of her work has been in educating boaters about the dangers of these invasive mussels.
While many residents understand the potential problems from mussels, she said tourists are not always aware of the harm from these species.
When she tells them they could face a fine of $100,000 for transporting zebra mussels, dead or live, most people take notice.
The awareness campaign has resulted in many boat owners taking the time to clean, drain and dry their boats when leaving the water.
Jones said some of his work also involves educating the public about invasive plants.
“The reception definitely gets better and better,” he said.
Jones and Maddock are both pursuing degrees in science. Jones is studying natural resources science at Thompson Rivers University while Maddock, who has completed an Associate of Science degree at Okanagan College, plans to major in biology at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan.
