The news is spreading that human activity infects farms and forests with weeds.
The late spring is helping stave off the proliferation of noxious plants, but invasive species will inevitably sprout in local soil and a new dose of provincial government money will not be enough to kill them all.
It will take the help of the public in new, aggressive ways, said a Northwest Invasive Plant Council (NWIPC) official in Prince George.
"One of our main focuses this year will be pathways of introduction, and the public has a lot to do with how invasive plants spread," said Andrea Eastham, one of those heading up this region's noxious weed counterattack.
"It is people's behaviour that spread these weeds," she said. It happens when gardeners nurture seeds that, perhaps unbeknownst to them, are foreign aggressors to local species. It happens when outdoor enthusiasts transport seeds on mountain bikes, all-terrain vehicles, campers, boats, etc.
A major culprit is the transportation industry, carrying the weeds up and down train tracks and highways to places they would never otherwise get to.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
A simple washing of bikes, boots, ATVs, transport trucks, and the like would prevent the nasty seeds from getting into new soil. Once they spread, these invaders can do vast damage to crops, parks, wildlife habitat, entire ecosystems.
"I often liken invasive weeds to the mountain pine beetle and how, had that problem been dealt with at an earlier stage, perhaps we wouldn't have the challenges we do now," said local MLA Pat Bell. "Invading weeds can do similar damage to our environment and our economy if not controlled."
The provincial government has committed $3 million this year to train and employ at least 150 people across B.C. in the battle against invasive weeds. There is an application for matching federal funds still pending.
Eastham said the local component of that funding was not yet known, but she cautiously expected enough money to at least continue their previous years' work eradicating the outbreaks of weeds when they were called in to the NWIPC's hotline: 1-866-44WEEDS (449-3337).
She also hoped for a boost in local public education this spring and summer.
"The hot plants will be, similar to last year, spotted knapweed and common tansy. Those are the two big ones. They are trying hard to get established and we are trying hard to keep them out. We are also watching for the weeds growing in other parts of the province but not here yet, so we can be quick to respond if we get any sightings here."
There is a fundraising possibility for local not-for-profit groups who get paid for volunteering to dig up specified weed patches on Crown land and there is a cost-share rebate program for private land owners to get rid of the invaders on private land. Call the hotline for more information or visit their website: www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca where you can also see pictures of the weeds that do the most damage.
