Invasive Plants of the Waldie Island Trail
General Description
Invasive plants are species lacking natural predators-which would normally regulate population size. Invasive plants threaten the biodiversity of natural ecosystems throughout the entire province. They threaten both native vegetation and local wildlife populations.
Control
Traditionally chemical and mechanical methods have been used to treat the threat of invasive plants. These methods include herbicides, mowing, and weed pulls. Biological controls are becoming another method of limiting invasive species populations. These controls include releasing an insect whose diet is limited to a specific invasive plant. Biological controls are only used once adequate research has been done.
Prevention
Invasive plant seeds can attach to the tires and undercarriage of cars and trucks, lawn mowers and all-terrain vehicles. Some species can attach to clothes or pet fur and spread into new areas. Wind can also spread seeds great distances.
To limit the spread of invasive plants assure that clothes and pets are free of seeds after being in areas with invasive present. Assure your vehicle is free of any plants after off-roading. Most importantly, learn the common invasive plants of the area and avoid disturbing them.
This project was created by Selkirk College Integrated Environmental Planning students and was made possible by funding from the Columbia Basin Trust. Additional partners in this project are Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails and Selkirk College.
1 centimeter = 10 metres
From the Sign