WHAT YOU CAN DO

Como Watershed Group (CWG)

Founded in 1996 in collaboration with the City of Coquitlam, the Como Watershed Group (CWG) is involved in a host of conservation activities from water quality monitoring to watershed restoration to input into land use planning processes and environmental education.

For more info, go to www.vcn.bc.ca/cwg.

date posted: 07 Jan 07

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Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society

The Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society is a community-based, non-profit organization that is working to save Vancouver’s LAST wild salmon stream! MECS’ approach to conservation is unique because we work through science and traditional ecological knowledge to conserve the full diversity of habitats and their species within the Musqueam Creek ecosystem. Our volunteers remove invasive plants and replace them with native species that help protect the ecology of the Musqueam Ecosystem, as well as the Musqueam culture. Through these events we engage volunteers of all ages in hopes of inspiring our future generations. For more information, please visit www.mecsweb.org and become a fan on Facebook!

date posted: 13 Jul 09

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Friends of Hunter Park, North Vancouver

Invasive plants continue to be a problem, taking over productive, life-sustaining habitat by out competing native plants. Many non-native plants creep in from our gardens or are dumped as “green waste” into healthy riparian areas. Common invasive plants along Hastings Creek include English ivy, yellow lamium, policeman’s helmet, Japanese knotweed, English holly and Himalayan blackberry.

Hunter Park is the site of work parties to remove invasive species, organized by Friends of Hunter Park and supported by the North Shore Streamkeepers, Lynn Valley Community Association and the District of North Vancouver. We are striving to restore the integrity of various habitats along Hastings Creek by planting healthy plant communities and site appropriate native vegetation. For more information please phone 604-983-3092.

date posted: 1 Jun 09

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Evergreen

Since 1993, Evergreen has been working to bring communities and nature together for the benefit of both in the Lower Mainland. At our stewardship events, we work with volunteers to restore and care for natural spaces by removing invasive species and planting native species.

We are currently working on a variety of sites in the Lower Mainland. For the most up-to-date event information, see our online calendar.

For more information about Evergreen, go to www.evergreen.ca.

date posted: 8 Apr 09

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Jericho Stewardship Group

Since 2004, the Jericho Stewardship Group has worked to restore and enhance habitat at Vancouver\'s second largest city park.

Volunteers work to remove invasive plant species, conduct field trials, plant native plant species and monitor wildlife populations.

Regular monthly work parties are held on the second Sunday of each month.

For more information, go to www.jerichostewardship.ca or email jerichostewardshipgroup@telus.net

date posted: 11 Dec 07

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Iona Beach Working Group

Working together, the GVIPC, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Vancouver Aquarium\'s Riverworks, Jericho Stewardship Group and Evergreen are helping to restore a regionally rare sand-dune ecosystem and critical bird habitat. Regular work parties are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at 10 a.m. at the washroom building in the park.

date posted: 21 Apr 08

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Ivy Busters

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is looking for volunteers for its Ivy Busters team to help rid Stanley Park of English ivy. To find out more about the program and how you can lend a hand, go to www.stanleyparkecology.ca, then click public programs and Ivy Busters.

date posted: 15 Feb 08

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HOW CAN YOU HELP?


The following are some simple ways you can help stop the introduction and spread of invasive plants, and help contribute to the protection of native plants and their habitat.

Be Aware

• Learn to recognize the most common invasive plants in the Greater Vancouver Region and in your neighbourhood.


• Keep an eye out for new invasive plant infestations and report newly established escapees to your local municipal government or park official.

Practice Responsible Gardening and Landscaping

• The majority of non-native, invasive plants were introduced as garden ornamentals. As a gardener and professional landscaper, you can help prevent the introduction of new invasive plant species, and help to control the spreading of existing infestations.


• Avoid purchasing or gardening with plants that are known to be invasive.


• Plant native plants. This is the best way to ensure you won't spread invasive plants, while helping to support native plant populations and providing habitat for birds, beneficial insects and other wildlife. Native plants are also easier to garden with than exotics because they require less watering, fertilization and pest control.


• If you must plant non-native species, choose "friendly" alternatives. Garden centres are beginning to take an active role in promoting non-invasive garden plants, and most ornamental hybrids are non-invasive. Exercise caution. If you don't know it, don't grow it!


• Avoid growing newly introduced exotic plants, unless they have been thoroughly evaluated and found to be non-invasive.


• Be especially careful when buying or trading seeds on the internet or by mail order. Seeds from other parts of the world may be invasive in your region.


• Avoid "wildflower" seed mixes. These often contain non-native invasive plants and do not always list all of the species in the mix.


• Do not use roadside or "wild" plants in gardening or flower arrangements if you cannot identify them.
  
  
• Dispose of hanging baskets properly. Never throw faded hanging baskets over the neighbour’s fence or into natural areas. Abandoned hanging baskets are the source of many weed infestations in urban areas!


• Monitor the plants in your garden. Remove plants that look like they have the potential to spread into the wild, either by aggressive seed production or rapid vegetative growth. Remove weeds that sprout beneath your bird feeder.


• Select non-invasive groundcovers for slope retention. There are lots of beautiful native plants that provide great slope retention and they won't strangle your trees or invade your neighbour's property. For suggestions of plants that are effective at slope retention and preventing soil erosion in the Pacific Northwest visit: www.ecy.wa.gov

Control Invasive Plants on Your Property

The value of your property can be significantly diminished by a serious invasive plant infestation, like a blanket of English ivy. Removal and control can be costly and you may have to remove and replace trees that have been choked out. Removing these plants will increase your property’s value and help prevent a major source of invasion into natural areas.

• Determine whether invasive plants are growing on your property


• Assess whether infestations on your property can be removed, and if not, how they can be contained. See our list of the most (un)wanted plants for safe and effective techniques to remove or control specific invasive plant species.


• Dispose of any plant parts carefully, especially those with seeds or spores, or plants that spread vegetatively.
  
  
• Avoid disturbance to natural areas, including clearing of native vegetation and planting of non-native plants.


• Never dump yard clippings into natural areas or parks.

Recreate Responsibly!

Here on the West Coast, we are famous for our beautiful natural areas. Help protect one of our greatest assets with the following simple steps.

Travelling

• Always inform Customs of any plants or plant parts that you bring into or out of Canada.

Hiking and Camping

• Wash your boots before hiking in a new area.


• Avoid disturbing natural areas. Stay on established trails.


• Do not pick wildflowers and take them home.


• If you have been in a weed infested area, clean seeds from your equipment and clothing before continuing on your travels.


• Clean the mud off your mountain bike or all terrain vehicle after each use.

Boating and Fishing

• Wash down your boat and equipment before boating in a new waterway.


• If you boat where known invasive aquatic plants, like Eurasian milfoil, are established, wash your boat and equipment with hot tap water or dry it out for at least 5 days before boating in another waterway.


• Never transport aquatic plants or water (including aquarium water) from one body of water to another.

Volunteer

Help control invasive plants in your community by joining a volunteer weed pull. Many stewardship groups, parks and nature reserves organize volunteer weed removal efforts. It's a great opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise, make some friends and help make a difference! Go to Links to find a group in your community.

Spread the Word

• Share your knowledge about invasive plants and their impacts with friends, family and neighbours.
  
  
• Support local nurseries that promote native plants and non-invasive exotics.


• If you see nurseries selling invasive plants, inform them of it, or let us know. They may not be aware that a plant is invasive, or they may be responding to market demand. Let them know you would like to see non-invasive alternatives. As a consumer, you have a lot of influence over which plants are sold in the nursery trade!


• Lobby your Legislators by expressing your concerns about the need to prevent and control the spread of invasive plants in the Greater Vancouver Region.


• Become a GVIPC member!