26 WEEDS are opportunists
Species that pose the greatest risks to economic activities and the local ecology are the top priority. In rural BC, that means orange and yellow hawkweed, which she says have “steam-rolled across BC,” impacting forage production in some areas. There’s also marsh plume thistle which spreads via wind-blown seeds. Several other species, like yellow star thistle and Medusa head grass, are threatening to cross the border from the US. “With a warming climate, we’re going to have more showing up and successfully establishing if we don’t have an ongoing, dedicated effort to identify, report it and control immediately,” Miller says.
Strategic plan released
May was invasive species month in BC, and the provincial government and ISCBC released an updated five- year strategic plan. It includes recommendations for managing problem species, restoring habitat, monitoring programs, regulation and policy, funding and research. It updates the original strategy developed in 2012 and includes seven pillars:
• establish and enforce effective regulatory tools
• strengthen collaboration • prevent introduction and spread • implement effective control, restoration and monitoring programs • support and extend relevant and applicable research
• provide stable, long-term funding
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“The big message that the strategy calls for is that we need to work together. We need to take more action today rather than tomorrow,” says Wallin. Consistent enforcement is also important, she says. “If a rancher is trying to get rid of the ox-eye daisy or orange hawkweed and the Ministry of Transportation or forest services has a forestry road going alongside their property and is not treating them, then they’re going to be pretty ticked.” The provincial government needs to be more proactive on Crown lands, which cover more than 90% of the province, she says. She also knows that
The provincial government has a new app that will help farmers and ranchers identify invasive weeds before they can take a hold in burned out areas like this one near Kelowna. FILE PHOTO
• promote action through communication and education While Miller was pleased to see the
awareness campaign in May and the province’s commitment of $7.7 million in funding grants to help combat invasives species over the next three years, she says it’s not enough. “We’ve been calling for at least $13 million a year on invasive species in BC.” She is supportive of the strategy,
however, particularly the recommendation to implement a single harmonized invasive species act in BC that will make tools available to effectively address new and expanded invasive species in any jurisdiction in BC. She notes some invasive species are missing in the Weed Control Act, which agriculture spearheaded, and it hasn’t been as easy as the Wildlife Control Act to amend.
regulations are only one tool. She is hopeful Report-a-Weed, a new app [
https://bit.ly/2LfBF TD] introduced in late May will help farmers and ranchers identify invasive plants. The app also provides
management tips and allows users to file a report. Miller says citizen reporting is a
growing part of control efforts. “Occasionally we get reports of those critical species that we’re trying to keep out of BC, or we’re treating something to get to eradication and someone will report it in a new location,” she says. “[Reporting] helps us immensely.”
More Crops. Less Ash.
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