As spring arrives, bringing warmer weather and new blooms, some of these plants and weeds may not be native species but invasive species.
Invasive species, such as knapweed and Spartina, have been introduced from other regions. They can pose health risks to people and animals and they can harm the native plants and natural ecosystems on which we rely. Here in Williams Lake and the Cariboo, that means invasive species can threaten our ranching and agricultural industries.
That’s why our government is providing the Cariboo Regional District with $209,000 and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee with $6,500.
These are two of 31 grants that come from a total of more than $1.7 million in new grants that will be given to regional invasive species committees, local governments and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. to support their efforts and the goals of the provincial Invasive Plant Program.
The Invasive Species Council of B.C., located here in Williams Lake, assists with invasive species program co-ordination and communications, develops best management practices in collaboration with local agencies, and helps increase public awareness and reporting of invasive species throughout the province.
The targeted invasive plant species include: marsh plume thistle, European common reed, garlic mustard, knotweed, Spartina, orange and yellow (non-native) hawkweeds, knapweed, giant hogweed, blueweed, common tansy, tansy ragwort, hoary alyssum, field scabious, leafy spurge, purple loosestrife, yellow flag iris, Himalayan balsam and Scotch broom. The pledged funding will help the CRD and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee minimize the environmental and economic risks invasive species can cause to industries here in the Cariboo.
We can all do our part in combatting invasive species. If you identify some invasive species in our region, you can report sightings by using the Report-A-Weed smartphone app, by calling 1-888-WEEDSBC or online at: www.reportaweedbc.ca.
Coralee Oakes is the MLA for Cariboo North and Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.
