Northwest Invasive Plant Council

NWIPC Partnerships

The Invasive Plant Problem: Why and How We Need to Partner Thursday, October 16, 2008 Fraser Fort George Regional District Council Meeting Andrea Eastham, NWIPC Program Manager

NWIPC Partnerships

• Why should we care about invasives? • What is NWIPC and how do we operate? • How can we partner?

What’s the big deal? Oxeye Daisy Infestation

• Spread of invasive plant species is the second biggest threat to biodiversity after urban expansion. • Once infested, many sites can never be restored.

The bad news… • Environmental impacts – Native grasses, wildflowers and endangered species destroyed

• Economic impacts on – – – –

Forestry Agriculture Utilities and transportation Recreation and tourism

• Harm human and animal health – Not eaten by animals – Poisonous or thorny

Environmental Impacts •Loss of biodiversity

Native grasses, wildflowers and endangered species destroyed

•Loss of wildlife habitat

7 rare plants eliminated by Knapweed in 3 years in Glacier National Park Reduce elk winter forage by 50-90%

•Loss of water quality and fish habitat Runoff increased 56% and stream sedimentation 192% due to Spotted Knapweed

Forestry Invasive Plants… •Raise wildfire hazard •Increase soil erosion and stream sedimentation •Suppress forest regeneration •Damage young trees and seedlings •Restrictions on movement of trucks and equipment on known sites

Agriculture •Knapweed caused $42 million damage in Manitoba •Leafy Spurge caused $129 million damage in four northern US states •Direct toxic effects on livestock such as leafy spurge and tansy

50% loss of forage on some BC grazing lands – lost value exceeds $30 million/year

•Expense to producers for treatment of land for invasives •Economic losses in BC have not been calculated but they are in the millions of dollars annually

Human Health and Safety Toxic Nightshade Berries

Leafy spurge skin burns and blindness Common tansy toxic and skin irritations Create impassable barriers

Poison Ivy Blisters

Hay fever and allergies Giant Hogweed - Skin Burns

Corridor Site Lines

NWIPC Goals The Northwest Invasive Plant Council strives to prevent and control the spread of invasive alien plant species in northwestern BC. The goal is to prevent further damage to the ecosystems of northwest BC from invasive alien plants and begin to rehabilitate ecosystems that have been degraded by invasive alien plants

7 IPMAS – RDFFG is in the Prince George and Robson Valley

Who is NWIPC? • • • • • •

Non-profit society; board of directors Approximately 500 Members Twenty-plus Partners 6 First Nation Partnerships Single-point IP management Your weed committee as per the provincial Weed Act WEEDS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES !!!!!

How does NWIPC work? • Running our program costs $250,000 • Apply for outside funding for projects • On-the-ground IP work from Partners is about ½ million dollars annually (pooled) • Hire IPMA contractors in each area • Means we treat regardless of jurisdiction • Partner dollars are used to manage adjacent areas with no funding WEEDS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES !!!!!

Pooled-fund Partners in 2008 Ministry of Forests and Range Ministry of Transportation (MOT) Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako District C Farmer's Institute British Columbia Transmission Corporation Canadian National Railway Pacific National Gas Town of Smithers City of Prince George District of Houston Village of Valemount Thomson Creek Mining Ltd. (Endako Mine) Kinder-Morgan (TMX-Anchor Loop Project) Carrier Lumber

Information and Potted Weeds Display Funded Projects

Invasive Plant Management Training

Community Weed Pulls

How Can We Partner? • $$$$$$ • Help promote IP education, awareness and reporting of sites • Be a voice through membership in the strategic plan and annual business plan • Support our local contractor WEEDS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES !!!!!

Summary • Invasive plants are costing us money and this will increase • NWIPC is your weed committee and growing in partners • We want and need the Fraser Fort George Regional District to become an active partner in the NWIPC WEEDS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES !!!!!