Invasive Weeds. Outline 1.Damage 2.Why are these plants such bullies 3.What can you do 4.Jeoprady Flickr- iwona_kellie.

Invasive Weeds

Outline1. Damage

2. Why are these plants such bullies

3. What can you do

4. Jeoprady

Flickr- iwona_kellie

Weed definition

Invasive weed

a non-native plant whose introduction or spread

threatens the environment,

the economy, or society.

486 invasive alien plant species

in Canada

(That’s 24% of national flora)

BC has 368

invasive plant

species

Alberta has 225

invasive plant

species

Agricultural CropsLandscape plants

OrnamentalsMedicinal

Plants

Weeds in crops and pastures alone cost an

estimated 2.2 billion

annuallyin Canada

Why are weeds so good at being

weeds?

Occupy very different habitats

Weeds easily adjust

Weeds easily reproduce

Incredible Longevity

Weeds seem unstoppable

Short generation time

Effective seed dispersal

Weed Pull

Capable of Poisoning its Neighbors

Often Armed or Toxic

Why is prevention the key?

What can you do?

Best PracticesClean Equipment before moving from an

infested siteMinimize disturbance

=Manage materials like soil and gravelCoordinate and plan activities

Control/remove invasive plantsID and report Invasive Plants

Re-vegetate

Educate yourself and others on how to identify and control

invasive plants

Do not grow/buy invasive plants

Report invasive weedsFree app for iphones and androids-

www.reportaweedbc.ca

Questions?

Elaine ArmagostInvasive Plant Program Manager

Peace River Regional District

(250) [email protected]