Taking notes on Japanese Knotweed, – photo courtesy Invasive Species Council of B.C.

Prince George, B.C.- This is Invasive Species month in B.C., and you may be surprised to hear about some of the plants, and creatures that are being introduced to the region. 

Gail Wallin, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) says people may be surprised to learn some of the invasive species have been introduced by unsuspecting gardeners ” Internationally, over 60% of invasive plant species have come in from landscaping or horticulture.” That holds true in B.C. as well says Wallin ” Actually most invasive plants that we have trouble with have been intentionally planted either in our gardens or in our landscaping. Because when you bring in a plant or a species from someplace else, it doesn’t come with its predators.”

She says most horticulture specialty garden centres are aware of the plants and species that can pose a threat but the Invasive Species Council of BC has been working with some of the big box stores which may not have a Master Gardener or Horticulturalist on hand who would be able to give gardeners advice.

Wallin says there are some plant species that are surfacing in the north that haven’t been seen before “Particularly in the west part of the region, some of the knotweeds are coming in. Knotweeds are ones that have been more historically in the Vacnouver area. They are a bamboo like plant that grows very aggressively and threatens infrastructures, it will actually come through highways foundations etcetera. Another plant that is a concern to the north central area, is mountain bluet. It is a common horticulture plant there.”

There is now a program in B.C. called Plant Wise “It helps gardeners and industry make sure that they are buying and planting   plants that are not invasive.”

But it isn’t just plants. With more and more property owners adding ponds to their landscape, she says there is also a concern about Koi, and pond plants that could end up in streams or lakes. As 250 News reported in February of this year, Koi have been spotted in Quesnel’s Dragon Lake,. The Koi could have a negative impact on the trout population in that lake.

One of the programs to be launched during this special month is “Don’t Let it Loose”   Wallin says many people dump their aquariums, including school groups of fish, and millfoil a common aquarium plant, into a water system.

“Stopping invasive species is possible if we change our behaviours and take action together,” says Wallin, “Increased prevention, detection and improved management of invasive species can provide significant economic benefits to the province, businesses, industry, and citizens. We are highlighting actions everyone can take each week this month, with easy things you can do to stop invasive species from spreading in the water, in plants and agriculture, through firewood, through sports equipment, and by keeping unwanted pets out of the wild.”

Wallin says  everyone can help   identify   invasive species, “If you see something new along the side of the road, it’s probably a weed,  and there is a report a weed app  that everyone  can put on their phones for free.  There are a number of websites, including ours (http://bcinvasives.ca/)  where you can find out if that plant is invasive to your region.”