Transportation and Infrastructure
Invasive Plant Management
What is an Invasive Plant?
The Invasive Plant Council of BC defines the term "invasive plant" as any invasive alien plant species that has the potential to pose undesirable or detrimental impacts on humans, animals or ecosystems. Invasive plants have the capacity to establish quickly and easily on both disturbed and un-disturbed sites, and can cause widespread negative economic, social, and environmental impacts.
A Noxious Weed is an invasive plant that is designated for control under the BC Weed Control Act (WCA) and associated Regulations.
Why are Invasive Plants a problem?
Invasive plants can spread out of control quickly because they are not kept in check by the pathogens and predators normally present in their native lands. These plants can therefore put all of their energy into reproduction and growth as they don't have to expend energy on defense and recovery. Invasive plants grow aggressively and in many cases can out-compete other vegetation and form monocultures, which exclude most other forms of life. Invasive plants reduce recreational and crop values and displace native vegetation (used as forage and shelter by wildlife and for nutritional, cultural and medicinal purposes by humans), ultimately damaging native ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. Some species even pose serious human health risks.
What is being done?
Land managers and organizations, including provincial and local government staff, First Nations, utility companies, regional weed committees and conservation groups across the province are now engaged in the challenge of identifying and mapping invasive plant populations and conducting control measures. It has become apparent that in order to be effective, control programs must be undertaken in a coordinated and strategic manner.
The ministry works actively with the other resource ministries in B.C. on invasive plant management through membership on the Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group and by partnering on the development of Multi Agency Integrated Pest Management Plans. The ministry also works closely with other stakeholders, the Invasive Plant Council of BC and Regional Weed Committees throughout the province.
Each year the Ministry conducts research, inventory, and treatment activities to help reduce impacts associated with invasive plants. The Ministry also has a "Weeds and Roads" training program for our staff and maintenance contractors. “Weeds and Roads” training sessions are designed to ensure staff and contractors know how to identify invasive plants and are aware of best practices that will help prevent the spread of invasive plants. With help from the Invasive Plant Council of B.C., a Best Practices Guide for Managing Invasive Plants on Roadways (PDF) was recently developed. This guide, as well as a variety of other invasive plant training material, can be found on our Resources page.
New for 2011, we are excited to announce that the ministry’s Adopt a Highway program will now include invasive plant training for adopting organizations! Adopt a Highway volunteers will be able to identify and report any new invasive plants along their adopted section of highway, which will help the Ministry to respond quickly and more effectively to manage new invasive plant infestations before they spread.
To guide our invasive plant management program, the ministry has developed, or partnered with other B.C. resource ministries on Integrated Pest Management Plans for all regions of the province.
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