Fighting plant invaders

Photo: bcinvasives.ca

The North Okanagan Regional District is getting some provincial funding to help control the spread of invasive plants. The $36,800 grant is one of 31 being handed out across the province.

The provincial government also earmarked $13,500 for the Regional District of Central Okanagan to help control the spread of invasive plants in that region.

“Invasive plants degrade the integrity of our natural environment and have a damaging impact on our agriculture industry,” said Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster said. “This funding will support the ongoing battle to stop the spread of noxious weeds in the North Okanagan.”

The funds will be used to raise public awareness and to find and treat high priority sites to control the spread of non-native plants.

Invasive plants introduced into B.C from other areas can displace native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage, including disrupting natural ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and increasing soil erosion.

Some of the targeted plants 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.