City of Prince George
Request to Appear as a Delegation
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l1'\VC~SI\JP p\°' ...+ ;:::,su. e_..s,;) or~o,-+u.\r--..;..\-;e_s +c:Jio...ll:0v:sc Action You Wish Council to Take: (r. v,-\;;V)A' ,.,.cJ, St.'lff n,+ of +l,__ f' - l\_1 o, -lcl,,,_u,ig c:.+: Ih.vCLS ,dP £ k d C~c u "'u:...l Legislative Services Office, 5th Floor, City Hall, 1100 Patricia Blvd., Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 Phone: 250-561-7602 Northwest 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 't INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL June 27, 2011 Prepared by: Andrea Eastham, P.Ag Northwest Invasive Plant Council Program Manager 1595 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, BC phone: 250.564.4115 loc. 233 toll-free: 1.866.44WEEDS email: [email protected] website: www.nwipc.org Executive Summary The Northwest Invasive Plant Council (NWIPC) operated in 2010 as a pooled resource, non-profit society implementing invasive plant management from Atlin in the north to Hixon in the south, and from the Alberta border to Haida Gwaii. The 2010 accomplishments were: o $683,948 in revenue from 21 funding partners; $679,798 in expenses (un-audited figures) o Three new species added to strategic plan: Cardamine hirsuta, Euphrasia nemorosa, and Lamium galeobdolon o Fielded seven Invasive Plant Management Area contractors o Seven First Nations Partnerships completed inventory and treatment o Coordinated one Hot Spot and one SWAT crew from Invasive Plant Council of BC o Funded three rebate programs that supported farmers and landowners in treatment of invasive plants o Supported six field days and weed pulls o Treated 423 hectares on 2128 sites; 2805 sites inventoried on 534 hectares o Monitored field work by all crews and checked data in Invasive Alien Plant Program o Maintained existing common tansy, field scabious and marsh plume thistle containment polygons o Completed a risk assessment of Impatiens glandulifera o Provided invasive plant education and awareness at 20 venues o Maintained the Weed Reporting Hotline 1-866-44WEEDS 2 of 33 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5 2. 2010 STATEGIC PLAN & PLANT PROFILES ...... 5 3. 2010 REVENUE ...... 6 4. DISBURSEMENT ...... 8 4.1 OPERATIONAL INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT ...... 8 4.1.1 Burns Lake IPMA ...... 12 4.1.2 Haida Gwaii IPMA ...... 12 4.1.3 Houston IPMA ...... 12 4.1.4 Prince George IPMA ...... 14 4.1.5 Robson Valley IPMA ...... 15 4.1.6 Stikine-Skeena IPMA ...... 16 4.1.7 Vanderhoof IPMA ...... 18 4.1.8 First Nations Partnerships ...... 18 4.1.9 Invasive Plant Council Operational Crews ...... 19 4.1.10 Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure funds to SIWMC ...... 22 4.1.11 Buck Flats Field Day ...... 22 4.1.12 District “C” Farmers‟ Institute Rebate Program...... 23 4.1.13 Fort Fraser Livestock Association Rebate Program ...... 23 4.1.14 NWIPC 50:50 Rebate Program ...... 23 4.2 PROJECTS AND NWIPC PROGRAMS ...... 23 4.2.1 Fort Nelson Invasive Plant Management Steering Committee (FNIPMASC) ...... 24 4.2.2 Education, Promotion and Awareness ...... 24 4.2.1 Houston Field Scabious ...... 25 4.2.2 Potted Weed Display ...... 28 4.2.3 Wet‟suwet‟en Nation ...... 28 4.2.4 Native Plant Conservatory of Laskeek Bay ...... 28 4.2.5 Weed and the Works ...... 29 4.2.6 IPCBC Technical Support ...... 29 4.3 ADMINISTRATION AND OVERHEAD EXPENSES ...... 29 4.3.1 Telephone Hotline 1-866-44WEEDS ...... 31 4.4 MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS ...... 32 3 of 33 GOAL OF THE NORTHWEST INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL To prevent further damage to the ecosystems of northwest and central BC from invasive alien plants and begin to rehabilitate ecosystems that have been degraded by invasive alien plants. OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF NWIPC (Revised April 19, 2007) • Encourage the public to report invasive plant sightings. (This requires adequate and prompt feedback to persons who report invasive plants). • Inform the public about invasive plant programs so they can provide relevant comment. • Develop and maintain a shared invasive plant inventory. • Assess problems and threats that various invasive plants present to the environment and economy of the area. Categorize invasive plants and prioritize sites for control. • Prevent the establishment of invasive plants not currently in the region. Prevent or minimize the spread of the invasive plants present in the region. • Conduct invasive plant programs in the northwest and central BC using Integrated Pest Management principles as described in the „Invasive Plant Strategy for BC‟. • Encourage all landowners, agencies and organisations operating in northwest and central BC to develop and implement invasive plant management programs. • Manage and coordinate the activities and responsibilities of the various agencies and private landowners to ensure NWIPC goals are met. 4 of 33 1. INTRODUCTION The Northwest Invasive Plant Council (NWIPC) operated in 2010 as a pooled resource, non-profit society. Funding for program delivery and invasive plant management within the seven Invasive Plant Management Areas (IPMA; Fig. 1) came from partners who contributed through grants, agreements, and contracts. NWIPC - Invasive Plant Management Areas -, Fort Nelson Stikine-Skeena Fon SL Jo~aylo Hudson'sH ouce Coupe Che Vanderhoof Houston Prince George Haida Gwaii Burns Lake Northwest INVA&IV£ PLANT COUNCIL Robson Valley Invasive Alien Williams lake Plant Program 100 200 300 400 Kilometers Figure 1. Map showing the seven IPMAs used by the NWIPC to contract and execute invasive plant management activities of inventory, treatment and public awareness. 2. 2010 STATEGIC PLAN & PLANT PROFILES The Annual General Meeting was held April 15th in Houston, BC. Thirty members were in attendance. The members, 674 people at year end, discussed and approved the NWIPC 2010 Strategic Plan & Profile and Annual Business Plan. These documents provided direction and strategies for directors, staff, and IPMA contractors in decisions and activities for the year. The changes to the Strategic Plan for 2010 were: • Addition of Euphrasia nemorosa , Cardamine hirsuta , and Lamium galeobdolon as Category 2. • Change in application of strategy away from a hard-wired matrix of plant category by invasiveness and opportunity for control by site size/priority, towards three levels of treatment that reflects where you are in the NWIPC area and the absence/presence of invasive plant 5 of 33 species. That is, Level 1: always responding to provincial EDRR species; Level 2: containment and possible eradication of species with limited distribution within the area being worked on, plus maintenance of containment polygons; and, Level 3: rehabilitation of areas already degraded by infestation. The 2010 Strategic Plan is posted on the NWIPC website at: www.nwipc.org and click on Downloads. The 2010 Fall Meeting was held in Vanderhoof on November 16th and was attended by 45 members. The meeting was preceded by a Contractors‟ Forum where invasive plant management contractors, partners, members and the public discussed current issues and developed solutions. Meeting minutes are on the NWIPC website at: www.nwipc.org and click on Downloads. 3. 2010 REVENUE The NWIPC operates on a financial year from January 1 to December 31. The un-audited Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2010 is in Appendix 1. The 2010 financial audit by Deloitte and Touche LLP was not yet complete at time of reporting; will be posted on the NWIPC website when available. Revenue was received from provincial government, regional districts, municipalities, utilities, private landowners, District C Farmers‟ Institute, and the Invasive Plant Council of BC (IPCBC). A total of 21 funding partners contributed $683,948 for invasive plant management in the northwest (Table 1). Table 1. Budgeted and actual revenue received in 2010. REVENUE Activity Budget Actual REVENUE Ministry of Agriculture and Lands $70,000 $62,5001 Ministry of Forests and Range $100,000 $170,000 Ministry of Transportation $395,000 $349,2802 Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako $30,000 $28,447 British Columbia Transmission Corporation $10,000 $10,000 Canadian National Railway $0 $0 Ministry of Environment $3,000 $0 Village of Telkwa $1,000 $464 Town of Smithers $4,000 $4,489 City of Prince George $7,000 $8,050 District of Houston $2,000 $2,960 Village of Valemount $2,000 $84 Terasen Gas $149 BC Hydro $126 Village of Burns Lake $1,000 $1,000 Thomson Creek Mining Ltd. (Endako Mine) $1,200 $2,564 Carrier Lumber Ltd. $500 $0 Kinder Morgan Canada Inc. $500 $0 Regional District of FFGRD $7,647 $2,3593 Invasive Plant Council stipends $20,000 $36,494 Other Revenue (CRD, Spectra Energy, Northern Rockies Reg. Mun., NCC, District C) $4,000 $4,981 REVENUE TOTAL $658,847 $683,948 6 of 33 1Monies originally committed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands were received through contractual agreement with IPCBC. 2Includes billing in 2011 for 2010 work of $26,180. 3Includes payment of $709.03 from 2009 work. Total revenue was down approximately $142,000 compared to 2009 revenue, but up approximately the same amount compared to 2008. The majority of funding NWIPC receives annually is for operational inventory and treatment work by our Invasive Plant Management Area (IPMA) contractors. However over half of the funders also contributed to overhead and administration, projects, supplies, extension materials, private land treatment and member functions. The Ministry of Forests and Lands funding was used not only to inventory and treat on their jurisdiction, but also expand our First Nations partnerships that include crews, training, education and awareness. Thanks to the Cariboo Regional District and Spectra Energy for support for meals at our spring meeting and District C Farmers‟ Institute for helping fund re-printing of the NWIPC Invasive Plant brochures. Funds from IPCBC were for stipends and expenses for Communities Pulling Together, Outreach Worker program, Technical Support positions, Hot Spots and SWAT crews (including some work done in BC Parks by our IPMA contractors), and a contribution towards the re-printing of the NWIPC Invasive Plant brochures. All regional weed committees across BC could not operate as effectively without the in-kind contributions we all generously receive and share. Thank you to the organizations and individuals who participated with NWIPC this past year briefly listed below in Table 2. Table 2. In-kind contributions to the Northwest Invasive Plant Council in 2010. Organization Description of in-kind contribution Bulkley-Nechako Director on the NWIPC board, assistance in completing the proposal Regional District evaluations for the Burns Lake IPMA contract. Stikine-Skeena Provision of boardroom and technical support during crew training. Regional District City of Prince George Director on the NWIPC board, inventory and treatment work by staff, cooperative invasive plant management in dealing with weed complaints, reports, plant identification, proposal writing, and developing treatment options. Village of Hartley Bay Doubled the amount of knotweed and yellow-flag iris treatment work by more than matching the funding provided by NWIPC. Village of Valemount Changed direction in 2010 by having their village maintenance staff pick up critical spotted knapweed sites; crew was trained and work monitored by the NWIPC Robson Valley IPMA contractor. Ministry of Forests and Director on the NWIPC board; Range Branch staff provided expertise in Range management, working closing with First Nations partners and crews, monitoring of IPMA treated sites, bio-control treatments; hosted Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) provincial database and staff to train IPMA and First Nations crews; stewardship staff and others provided weed reports and inspections and entered data into IAPP; development of invasive plant core ranking process (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/index.htm). Ministry of Agriculture Director on the NWIPC board, provided copies of Field Guide to and Lands Noxious Weeds for IP training purposes and public education.; at the Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group level, development of a provincial Early Detection – Rapid Response protocol. 7 of 33 Organization Description of in-kind contribution Ministry of Support in development of reporting systems, provision of maps and Transportation and critical site details, monitoring of IPMA treated sites, storage of Infrastructure equipment and supplies for IPCBC Hot Spot and SWAT crew programs. Invasive Plant Council Funded programs including one Hot Spot Crew in Terrace area, one of BC SWAT team in Prince George area, two Technical Support Positions and an Outreach Worker of 6-month term; development of educational materials available on-line such as T.I.P.S. factsheets, Best Management Practices for operations, gardeners, outdoor enthusiasts, etc., Spotters Network presentations, and much more; development of invasive plant management practices through their board of directors, staff, and various committees such as the Horticulture Advisory Committee and Training and Operations Advisory Committee we participate in; Annual Forum in Richmond; coordinate monthly conference calls for the Weed Coordinators Working Group. BCTS Branch, Skeena, Provided meeting rooms for training of western IPMA contractors and in Terrace First Nations crews, and the Terrace Hot Spot crew; provided support for delivery of the Hot Spot program through a daily marshalling point, secure storage of trucks and equipment, and storage of equipment and supplies between crews; special thanks to Darryl Person, Forest Technician, who worked with us to make all the arrangements and be on site when needed; thanks also for your weed reports and local knowledge of infestations. NWIPC directors, Thank you for your hours of volunteer time traveling to meetings, contractors, and manning booth, planning and preparation. members 4. DISBURSEMENT 4.1 OPERATIONAL INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT Seventy-two percent of the 2010 revenue was used for invasive plant inventory and treatment across the northwest totaling $492,378 (Table 3). The main components of our operation are the seven IPMA contractors, independent manual crews, First Nations crews, and programs to support private land treatment. Dollar figures under the budget column are the amounts approved at the Annual General Meeting. IPMA budgets were increased by the directors as more funds became available throughout the season. All changes to the approved budget are documented in board meeting minutes. The seven IPMA contractors, and Sally Wall‟s Manual IP crew in the Robson Valley, inventory and treat infestations regardless of jurisdiction. Table 4 shows the costs of doing their work by jurisdiction and activity. The data for this table came from the WeedsDatabase managed by NWIPC for payments to contractors and invoices to partners. Partners who contribute funds allow us to treat on their jurisdiction, and on adjacent jurisdictions where funds are not directly available from the organization or private individual responsible for that land. Dollar amounts in the „Difference‟ column are positive if not in brackets, and those funds paid for the work done on jurisdictions where the amount is in brackets. Contribution dollars in this table do not include the funds designated for 8 of 33 Table 3. Expenditures by Invasive Plant Management Area and programs across the northwest. Section no. Activity Budget Actual 4.1 INVENTORY AND TREATMENT Burns Lake IPMA $47,000 $56,000 4.1.1 IPMA Management Contract $47,000 $56,000 Haida Gwaii IPMA $52,000 $52,000 4.1.2 IPMA Management Contract $47,000 $52,000 Haida Partnership $5,000 $0 Houston IPMA - TOTAL $48,650 $47,829 4.1.3 IPMA Management Contract $47,000 $46,994 Wet'su'weten Partnership $0 $0 4.1.11 Buck Flats $1,650 $835 Prince George IPMA $69,500 $93,415 4.1.4 IPMA Management Contract $65,000 $90,000 4.1.8 McLeod Lake Band Partnership $3,000 $2,904 4.1.9 Prince George Hot Spots $0 $270 4.1.12 District C Farmers Institute 50:50 $1,500 $241 Robson Valley IPMA $59,000 $64,260 4.1.5 IPMA Management Contract $45,000 $50,260 Sally Wall IP Control Crew $14,000 $14,000 Stikine-Skeena IPMA $102,000 $88,398 4.1.6 IPMA Management Contract $45,000 $43,254 4.1.8 Gitxsan Partnership $10,000 $11,603 4.1.8 Nisga Partnership $10,000 $8,692 4.1.8 Tahltan Partnership $5,000 $4,650 4.1.8 Gitga'at Hartley Bay $10,000 $9,618 4.1.8 Haisla $10,000 $10,000 4.1.9 Terrace Hot Spots $12,000 $580 Vanderhoof - IPMA $70,250 $71,424 4.1.7 IPMA Management Contract $55,000 $60,480 4.1.8 Saik'uz First Nation $10,000 $10,000 Tl'atzt'en Partnership $0 $0 Nadleh Partnership $0 $0 Nakzdli Partnership $0 $0 4.1.13 Fort Fraser 50:50 $5,250 $944 4.1.10 MOTI Northern Region funds to SIWMC $20,000 $11,500 4.1.14 NWIPC 50:50 program $10,000 $7,552 Materials and Supplies $0 $0 INVENTORY AND TREATMENT TOTAL $463,650 $492,378 IPMA CONTRACTS SUBTOTAL $365,000 $412,988 FIRST NATION PARTNERSHIP SUBTOTAL $53,000 $57,467 the use in programs and administration of NWIPC. Expenditures in Table 4a are costs split between contributing partners for contractor time in season preparation of planning, getting maps, etc. and treatment work done on private land. The majority of the remaining contribution dollars from the Ministry of Forests and Lands was used to pay for the First Nations Partnership Assistant, Merci Hillis, and partnerships with First Nations bands. 9 of 33 Table 4. Jurisdictional Invasive Plant Management Operational Costs for Work Completed by NWIPC IPMA Contractors. Jurisdiction Expense Inventory Treatment Awareness Administration Data Entry Total Cost Contribution Difference BC Transmission Corp $0.00 $223.87 $162.00 $0.00 $0.00 $84.00 $469.87 $8,500.00 $8,030.14 Bulkley Nechako Regional District $443.40 $3,621.12 $15,666.64 $3,202.13 $3,958.19 $1,507.13 $28,398.61 $28,447.16 $48.55 Canadian National $224.84 $2,276.30 $7,447.30 $93.18 $529.08 $338.75 $10,909.44 $0.00 ($10,909.44) Endako Mine $240.00 $566.59 $1,582.96 $0.00 $174.60 $0.00 $2,564.15 $2,564.15 $0.00 Fraser-Fort George Regional District $13.06 $647.62 $756.46 $18.63 $126.35 $1.31 $1650.09 $1,650.09 $0.00 First Nations Reserve Lands $0.00 $468.42 $1,171.23 $515.69 $82.98 $214.54 $2,452.85 $0.00 ($2,452.85) Hydro $12.25 $0.00 $113.60 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $125.85 $125.85 $0.00 Kinder Morgan Operations Division $5.60 $0.00 $52.20 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $57.80 $0.00 ($57.80) Kitimat-Stikine Regional District $0.00 $464.40 $125.20 $0.00 $80.00 $60.00 $729.60 $0.00 ($729.60) Ministry of Forests & Range $2,473.47 $19,804.81 $53,060.63 $3,381.56 $8,949.81 $5,718.95 $93,389.22 $144,500.00 $51,110.78 Ministry of Environment – Omineca Region $51.10 $1,358.80 $5,783.27 $532.74 $440.00 $168.00 $8,333.91 $0.00 ($8,333.91) Ministry of Environment – Skeena Region $0.13 $1,710.17 $7,051.03 $277.80 $231.46 $292.45 $9,563.03 $0.00 ($9,563.03) Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure $1,056.85 $65,549.36 $102,727.79 $2,993.13 $15,704.32 $11,160.19 $199,191.63 $298,500.00 $99,308.37 Burns Lake $0.00 $704.22 $677.53 $463.59 $215.28 $158.00 $2,218.61 $1,000.00 ($1,218.61) Fort St James $0.00 $254.77 $1,740.06 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $1,994.82 $0.00 ($1,994.82) Granisle $0.00 $56.80 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $40.00 $96.80 $0.00 ($96.80) Hazelton $0.00 $41.20 $40.60 $0.00 $10.00 $0.00 $91.80 $0.00 ($91.80) Houston $88.17 $654.30 $1,716.85 $220.20 $510.00 $100.00 $3,289.52 $2,960.22 ($329.30) McBride $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $252.00 $0.00 $0.00 $252.00 $0.00 ($252.00) Masset $0.00 $0.00 $45.25 $0.00 $2.08 $14.88 $62.21 $0.00 ($62.21) Port Clements $0.00 $0.00 $544.82 $0.00 $0.89 $26.78 $572.49 $0.00 ($572.49) Prince George $5.59 $2,007.76 $6,902.07 $289.15 $1,081.00 $1,760.00 $12,045.57 $8,050.00 ($3,995.57) Prince Rupert $0.00 $389.20 $385.60 $0.00 $120.00 $50.00 $944.80 $0.00 ($944.80) Queen Charlotte City $0.00 $210.13 $934.67 $34.71 $0.89 $56.53 $1,236.92 $0.00 ($1,236.92) Smithers $162.74 $1,154.50 $3,202.60 $512.90 $340.00 $540.00 $5,912.74 $4,489.00 ($1,423.74) Stewart $0.00 $90.00 $90.00 $0.00 $60.00 $0.00 $240.00 $0.00 ($240.00) Telkwa $6.22 $146.60 $393.14 $85.40 $40.00 $160.00 $831.36 $463.96 ($367.40) Terrace $0.00 $334.00 $84.80 $0.00 $80.00 $27.50 $526.30 $0.00 ($526.30) Valemount $0.00 $168.00 $71.40 $71.40 $0.00 $84.00 $394.80 $84.00 ($310.80) Vanderhoof $0.00 $706.64 $1,017.52 $0.00 $480.00 $0.00 $2,204.16 $0.00 ($2,204.16) Pacific Northern Gas $0.00 $83.54 $52.70 $0.00 $0.00 $40.00 $176.24 $0.00 ($176.24) School District 91 $0.00 $71.89 $0.00 $99.25 $0.00 $0.00 $171.13 $0.00 ($171.13) Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District $0.00 $0.00 $92.35 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $92.35 $0.00 ($92.35) Terasen Gas $0.00 $0.00 $148.80 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $148.80 $148.80 $0.00 Grand Total $4,774.01 $103,433.35 $213,364.61 $13,192.82 $33,090.58 $22,601.68 $391,339.47 $501,483.23 $110,143.76 10 of 33 Table 4a. Costs not included in contribution figures above for administration of contracts by IPMA contractors and private land. Data Total Jurisdiction Supplies Inventory Treatment Awareness Administration Entry Cost Contractor General Administration $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $8,761.37 $0.00 $8,761.37 Private Land $675.77 $3,284.51 $17,924.65 $1,381.25 $715.79 $335.22 $24,317.19 Table 5. Invasive Plant Management Operational Expenditures by IPMA for Work Completed by IPMA Contractors.1 IPMA EXPENSES INVENTORY TREATMENT AWARENESS ADMIN DATA ENTRY TOTAL Burns Lake $1,008.50 $28,707.89 $14,297.82 $4,417.67 $5,416.10 $2,324.58 $56,172.56 Haida Gwaii $1,409.55 $3,288.84 $43,917.84 $1,065.46 $1,511.19 $2,067.63 $53,260.50 Houston $853.39 $11,638.74 $25,838.16 $2,483.20 $10,177.00 $4,930.00 $55,920.49 Prince George $730.86 $30,751.82 $38,413.00 $2,977.99 $12,085.80 $6,006.00 $90,965.47 Robson Valley $1,160.58 $3,406.84 $52,977.10 $1,517.82 $3,020.40 $2,847.60 $64,930.34 Stikine-Skeena $56.31 $19,074.20 $12,583.60 $1,213.20 $6,879.60 $2,882.40 $42,689.31 Vanderhoof $240.00 $10,267.81 $43,738.19 $749.36 $3,604.00 $1,880.00 $60,479.36 Grand Total $5,459.19 $107,136.14 $231,765.71 $14,424.70 $42,694.09 $22,938.21 $424,418.03 1 Data are from the NWIPC Weeds Database populated with tracking sheet records from contractors; includes costs by contactors of $11,430 not paid because over contract limit, both intentional and unintentional. 11 of 33 Inventory and treatment costs for the seven IPMA contractors, and the manual crew in Robson Valley, totaled $412,988 in 2010 (Table 3); down 19% over the previous year due to the reduction in funding. Disbursements among the seven IPMAs reflected a similar ratio as in previous years with the most money going into the Prince George IPMA, followed by Robson Valley, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Haida Gwaii and Stikine-Skeena, respectively (Table 5). Time and expenses in the field for treatment and inventory were 81% of the total costs, and data entry into the provincial database (IAPP), was 5.4%. The remaining 13.5% was contractor administration and awareness that includes talking to the public, meetings with potential partners, and assistance delivering specific NWIPC projects and programs in their area. Field work accomplishments in Table 6 reflect the costs incurred itemized in Table 5. Approximately 278 hectares were treated on 1,618 sites (Table 6). Mechanical treatments represented 73% of the total area treated. IPMA contractors monitored treatment efficacy on 359 sites (22%). As well, every contractor was monitored at least two times during the season on the ground by NWIPC through contract staff and partners. IAPP data entries were randomly audited by contract staff as the data was submitted to NWIPC. 4.1.1 Burns Lake IPMA The contractor in the Burns Lake IPMA was Roots and Shoots Contracting, a new contractor, but not new to the area. Darrell Hill, working for Spectrum Resources Group Ltd., previously managed a crew in this area. Work was completed between May 5th to September 27th with a total of 449 site visits. One diffuse knapweed site was found, along with a return of brown knapweed and five new mountain bluet sites. The one field scabious site is being controlled, and the contractor reported that the common tansy sites are slowly being contained to smaller, manageable patches. Along with inventory on Hwy 16 and secondary roads, 15 gravel pits were also surveyed. A name change to this IPMA to „Lakes District‟ was proposed and adopted by the members at the fall meeting. 4.1.2 Haida Gwaii IPMA The contractor in 2010 was again Keith Alexander. His season started as usual with treatment of scotch broom on the dunes in Naikoon Provincial Park. Gorse, thistles, and burdock were routinely inventoried and treated, along with the known hawkweed, tansy ragwort and marsh plume thistle sites. There were only three yellow flag iris plants at the one site on North Beach. Reports to NWIPC of a site at the southern most point of the archipelago means an expensive flight to get there; hopes are to team up with Parks in the future if a boat is going that direction. Keith brought a lot of public awareness to the knotweed problems on Haida Gwaii. He arranged to have Frank Geyer, biologist with the Quileute Tribe in Washington State, speak to the Natural Resources committee of the Haida Nation. Staff from Gwaii Haanas National Park and the manager for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure highways contractor were also in attendance. Keith made a presentation to the Village of Queen Charlotte Council and attended one of their meetings by request. Salt water treatment of Japanese knotweed growing close to the ocean appears to be ineffective, however Keith is confident that the system is working on Himalayan knotweed growing in the same situations. Seems knotweeds vary in their level of salt tolerance. 4.1.3 Houston IPMA The Houston IPMA was managed by Shirley Hamblin, Nadina Agri-Tech Services. Shirley ran a field crew of four with staff located throughout the IPMA in order to reduce travel costs. Remote sites can increase costs such as the few outlying common tansy sites that cost $500/site to survey and treat due to location. Shirley continues to try and improve the existing IAPP data for her IPMA, and continues to 12 of 33 Table 6. 2010 Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) Treatment Extract Summary for the NWIPC Invasive Plant Management Areas. 1 Total Invasive Plant Number of Area (ha) Number of Sites Number of New Sites Management Treatment Area Sites Total Total Total Monitored Unique Total Monitored ChemicalArea Mechanical Area Chemical Mechanical Sites Sites Chemical Mechanical Total Total 8.1456 9.366 17.5116 1.164 34 47 67 16 11 9 20 149 Burns Lake 0 97.7552 97.7552 2.1753 0 172 172 18 0 35 35 392 Haida Gwaii 8.1499 28.2145 36.3644 18.6476 115 180 259 59 29 44 73 532 Houston 13.022 28.7781 41.8001 10.4058 107 149 231 101 28 18 46 410 Prince George 18.7685 12.8441 31.6126 1.0542 234 243 379 25 2 50 52 535 Robson Valley Stikine 7.4808 6.2552 13.736 15.8779 125 200 288 109 10 13 23 533 Skeena 18.8548 20.6129 39.4677 5.7969 59 183 222 31 4 36 40 324 Vanderhoof TOTAL 74.4216 203.826 278.25 55.1217 674 1174 1618 359 84 205 289 2875 1 Data extracted from IAPP between 2011-01-14 and 2011-02-03; does not include work done by Robson Valley manual crew. 13 of 33 struggle with lack of support from CN from the invasive plants on their property. The crews found new sites of common tansy, Japanese knotweed, spotted knapweed and field scabious. They continue to try and maintain the existing Buck Flats field scabious containment polygon, but without more funding the polygon will likely have to be extended south. The creek area within the containment zone is treated to prevent seed from moving downstream. Figure 2 shows part of the creek within the Containment Zone where each spring freshet continues to erode field scabious infested banks and wash plants and seed downstream to settle in new sites on sandbars and floodplains. Perhaps a creek requires a different strategy than the traditional containment polygon for management. Figure 2. Field scabious seek and destroy mission on Ministry of Forests and Range jurisdiction along Buck Creek between Bridge #1 and #2……..within the containment polygon. The contractor delivered the greatest number of 50:50 program work ever done in the IPMA. Shirley also volunteered in the Buck Flats 4-H Field Day, hosted the field day for Professional Agrologists, took the NWIPC display and materials to two Bulkley Valley Farmers Markets and helped organized two Community Weed Pulls. A name change for this IPMA to „Bulkley‟ was proposed and adopted by the members at the fall meeting. 4.1.4 Prince George IPMA Spectrum Resources Group Inc. managed this IPMA in 2010. Their crew was out from May 18th to September 16th with a total of 1,437 site visits. Total numbers for visits, treatments, surveys and monitoring were up from the previous year in spite of having a smaller budget, plus the loss of the manual weed crew from the Regional Corrections Program. Efficiencies in 2010 were realized because the larger sites they have been working on for years are now getting smaller and taking less time to treat. Also, most of the 2010 crew were experienced employees illustrating the cost- effectiveness of returning crew members compared to when a contractor has all new staff. Almost half of the time and costs were on treatment, followed by inventory, administration, data entry and awareness. All spotted knapweed sites received three passes with fewer number of plants, but 14 of 33 new sites were also found. Spectrum works closely with the City of Prince George parks staff on municipal sites, sharing the load, knowledge and expertise. All marsh plume thistle sites outside of the containment polygon received three passes except for those in the Dunkley area. Extension of this polygon may be required to continue to manage marsh plume thistle to the south where NWIPC works closely with our neighbours, the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast Invasive Plant Committee and the Cariboo Regional District. The contractor also responded to all Hotline calls, completed two Community Weed Pulls, and completed two 50:50 landowner rebate sites. 4.1.5 Robson Valley IPMA Beryl and Darrell Hagen managed the Robson Valley IPMA for their second year. The Robson Valley IPMA also benefited from the support from a manual crew consisting of local students, supervised by an adult, and managed by Sally Wall of McBride. The manual crew worked on 14 assigned sites along the Highway 16 corridor and Valemount area. Due to a reduction in funding, the Hagen‟s could only inventory some of the larger spotted knapweed sites in the Valemount area. But, they did do the first knapweed biological control release of Cyphocleonus achates, a root-mining weevil, in the Jackman Flats area. Continued monitoring of the site and more releases will possibly give us the ability to treat knapweed in the Hwy 16 corridor going both east and west. Multiple visits to the marsh plume thistle sites outside the containment polygon seem to be successful in reducing the size of the infestations and preventing any spread. Beryl worked closely with the Village of Valemount to train their crews, inventory and monitor their work; also worked with Parks staff in Mount Robson Park. Large common tansy sites chemically treated in 2009 were significantly smaller and now more manageable. All Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure gravel pits were surveyed along with Hwys 16 and 5 with the IPMA boundaries. Besides helping out the Ministry of Forests and Range with the take-down of bio-control cages, Beryl also manned the NWIPC display and extension materials at the McBride Community Market. 15 of 33 4.1.6 Stikine-Skeena IPMA Graeme Johnstone and crew, Graeme‟s Agricultural Services, managed the IPMA for the last year as he announced at the fall meeting. Figure 3. Graeme Johnstone with daughter Chris and half of his usual crew, Tutter and Scruffy, at the NWIPC Fall Meeting, November 16, 2010, Vanderhoof, BC. Graeme gave a wonderful report at the fall meeting, not only on the year‟s accomplishments, but his experiences and observations during 30 years of invasive plant management in the northwest. Rather than paraphrase, we have included his report in full: 16 of 33 2010 Report for IPMA Stikine-Skeena This is the last year in which Chris and I will be doing the contract for this IPMA. Physically it has been very demanding right from the beginning 31 years ago when I started on Spotted and Diffuse Knapweed while I was still working for the Ministry of Agriculture. Upon retirement both Bob for Forestry and Val Preston for Highways, gave me individual contracts for the two Knapweeds; but before I retired my wife had spotted something else which turned out to be Brown Knapweed. There were 13 sites along Hwy 16 and down Hwy 37S to Kitimat. found, which created a management problem because it was all manual treatment and traveling became a major factor. Then in 1997 Daryl Nolan and Val Preston found 1 site each between Cranberry 2 and Meziadin to which Bob and I added gradually so that now there are 20 sites on Hwy 37, all Spotted Knapweed. We also found new sites of Spotted Knapweed up to the Burrage which is at 340 km from Kitwanga and nowhere near any other sites. During those years the Northwest Weed committee had been formed and was functioning as an advisory body but I was still alone in treating and finding sites. During this time a Spotted Knapweed site had been found by Rosamund Pojar at 71.5mile on the CN Bulkley Sub near Kitwanga which involved a walk in of 1 km. I started my contracting for the CN in 1993 as well as another private contract with LB Paving for a gravel pit near Moricetown, also Spotted Knapweed. I had been treating two other sites:- 1 at Barrett and 1 at Buck Bridge in Houston since 1983, both CN. Sometime in the early 1990s I saw an unfamiliar 6 foot high member of the Thistle family near Prince Rupert, when I was returning from Haida Gwaii. This turned out to be Marsh Plume Thistle. The area was surveyed by Forestry personnel who found more and then we took over and found a lot more. Around 2005, Common Tansy became of interest. From Terrace to Rupert it was, and is, impossible to do any control due to lack of resources so a containment polygon was formed later about 30 km East of Terrace and north of Rosswood on Hwy 113. We were also alerted at this time that there was a serious occurrence of Spotted Knapweed at Aiyansh on the Lava Beds. Bob had suggested that Meziadin should be the containment line for Tansy but we determined that we could control it right down to Kitwanga, which we have been doing. However Marc Schuffert alerted us to a serious site at Glenora, west of Telegraph Creek and one in Atlin. We have also been attacking Tansy on Highway 37A and in Stewart. Under the present contracting system the only way that this IPMA can be managed is by using an RV and staying out for a week at a time in Dease Lake, Terrace and Rupert and working long days. With that background the question is whether we have made any impact over 31 years? The time we spend per site and numbers of plants treated is the criteria we use. This year, we have spent considerably less time on many sites with plant populations much reduced. Also we are using way less chemical because many sites are not worth spraying. Marsh Thistle has been reduced but there are still sites which, this year, became more than we could handle after I twisted my ankle. Rupert is not our favourite place– the terrain is difficult, it’s rocky, boggy and wet as in water. It rains much of the time but we have made a lot of progress. Some heavily infested sites are now almost clear. We use chemical or mechanical in May before the undergrowth covers the plants then we go back and cut in July. Several sites are on the CN including a walk in site at 92 mile Bulkley Sub which is at the end of a 13 km logging road from Cedarvale on the north side of the Skeena and then a 1 km hike. Tansy has been cleared from much of Hwys 16 and 37 and First Nations are getting in on Tansy in the Nisga’a lands. Brown Knapweed is down to almost clear on most sites as are Spotted and Diffuse Knapweed. Spotted Knapweed has shown up near Carcross and so a continual watch will have to be kept for ever because tourism traffic will keep on coming. With the help of Bob and Marc we have tried to keep Canada Thistle out of the region north of Meziadin. It is present at the Dease Crossing where horses and hay have been unloaded for guiding at corrals owned by the Tahltan chief. We have had good cooperation from First Nations particularly with Merci Hillis’ help. We expect that we may have to help a new contractor to establish where sites are, especially Tansy which tends to keep occurring but not necessarily exactly on a given site but nearby. Graeme Johnstone, P.Ag. 17 of 33 4.1.7 Vanderhoof IPMA Matt Harder once again was the NWIPC contractor in the Vanderhoof IPMA. Over 500 treatments were conducted on sites ranging in size from a few square meters to over one hectare. Matt managed the field scabious outside of the containment polygon that now exists only in the area of the Saik‟uz reserve lands south of Vanderhoof. Several new field scabious sites were located this year and treated. Common tansy is wide-spread throughout the IPMA and all known sites were inventoried and treated unless on private land where is was not possible. Matt works with private landowners for treatment of both these species and with good success. All spotted knapweed sites received multiple passes, including a few remote sites. Matt treated all known leafy spurge, burdock, and Dalmation toadflax, and helped out late in the season with Canada thistle manual treatments (rehab) at the Joanne Lloyd Conservation Area on Cluculz Lake in cooperation with BCParks. Matt did a great job of public awareness and has brought in many new members and potential working partners. 4.1.8 First Nations Partnerships Seven First Nations Crews completed inventory, treatment and awareness work in their geographic areas with funding from NWIPC totaling $57,467 (Table 3). Active Partnerships in 2010 between NWIPC and First Nations communities were: Gitxsan, Gitga‟at, Haisla, MLIB, Saik‟uz, Moricetown, Nisga‟a and Tahltan. Communications were continued with the Haida Nation and our inactive partners are: Nadleh Whuten, Tlazt‟en and, Nakazdl‟i. Our active partnerships got 121 sites for a total of 12.1799 hectares treated. Figure 4. Japanese knotweed infestation in Kitamaat Village treated in September 2010 with injection of glyphosate into stems. Table 7. Summary of number of sites and hectares treated by First Nations Crews in 2010. FIRST NATIONS SITES TREATED HECTARES TREATED Gitxsan 21 0.0159 Gitga‟at 5 1.5681 Haisla 4 0.17 MLIB 1 5.05 Saik‟uz 10 2.931 Tahltan 15 0.1047 Nisga‟a 65 1.5681 18 of 33 4.1.9 Invasive Plant Council Operational Crews The NWIPC received on-the-ground support through the IPCBC‟s second year of their Hot Spot Program funded by Western Economic Diversification and the Province‟s Job Opportunities Program. We had a 4-man crew operating out of Terrace for four months, and a 3-man crew operating out of Prince George for the month of September. Crew members were employees of IPCBC. NWIPC was reimbursed the $580.00 for expenses shown in Table 3, and received a stipend for coordination. In summary, their accomplishments were: Terrace: • Surveyed and treated on MFR Whitebottom Road, Beams Station and Mainline southwest of Terrace, Copper FSR north and south (0.5838 ha chemical and 1.6816 ha mechanical) • Surveyed Mount Herman Park and Hay Lake (0.44 ha) • On MOTI r.o.w. chemically treated 0.0656 ha and mechanical 1.6039 ha • Surveyed and treated in the District of Kitimat (0.7838 ha) • Assisted the Haisla crew with treatments in Kitamaat Village Prince George: • 0.07 ha of spotted knapweed chemically treated on MOTI r.o.w. • 0.14 ha of common tansy and spotted knapweed dug and pulled on MOTI r.o.w. (mostly a 3rd or 4th pass on sites already treated in the year by PG IPMA contractor) • 2.25 ha of common tansy and Himalayan balsam dug within Prince George • Treated Canada thistle and hawkweed in Kori Community Pasture • On MFR jurisdiction, 61 ha of mostly marsh plume thistle manually treated in Hixon area between our crew and the one out of the Cariboo; and 2 common tansy and 1 spotted knapweed site. • Surveyed 2,748 ha of roadside, mainly Hwy 97 through the PG IPMA Summary of Operational Work Inventory and treatment work done by NWIPC funded crews, municipal crews, IPCBC crews, provincial government staff, and NWIPC staff collectively resulted in the treatment of 39 species on 2,128 sites on a total of 423 ha (Table 8). The number of chemical treatments was less than half (43%) of the number of manual treatments. Effective treatment of a site often has a chemical treatment followed by one or two manual treatments within a season, resulting in both types of treatment applied to a single site. Some sites were inventoried and treated, while others were only inventoried. One thousand and seventy-seven new infestations were found and entered into IAPP; approximately 30% were common tansy, followed by hawkweed, Canada thistle, and marsh plume thistle. The 100 new marsh plume thistle sites are the result of inventory by the IPCBC SWAT crew operating in the Prince George IPMA in the Hixon area, plus reports of new sites on Haida Gwaii where species identification needs to be confirmed in 2011. New spotted knapweed sites was up by only three for a total of 67; but there were five new black knapweed and seven new brown knapweed sites. No new diffuse or meadow knapweed sites were reported. The 14 new „knapweed species‟ sites will have to be investigated, species determined, and corrections made in IAPP. 19 of 33 Table 8. 2010 Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) Treatment and Inventory Species Report Summary for the Northwest Invasive Plant Council (NWIPC). Unique Species Invasive 2010 Species 2010 Chemical 2010 Mechanical Sites 2010 Inventory 2010 Sites created Code Ranking Treated # # # # site site total ha # trts total ha # sites surve total ha total ha trts sites s s ys GYPS Baby's breath PAN I 1 1 0.0125 0 0 0.0000 1 1 0.0020 1 0.0020 Black knapweed CENT NIG E 0 0 0.0000 2 2 0.0200 2 3 0.0210 5 0.0210 CENT Brown knapweed JAC E 8 11 0.0335 26 39 0.2904 30 11 0.1133 7 0.0333 Bull thistle CIRS VUL I 5 5 0.0112 106 151 63.4903 111 87 67.4906 61 52.8953 ARCT Burdock species SPP V 6 6 0.0534 32 49 18.8753 37 21 16.7150 15 16.5638 Canada thistle CIRS ARV V 55 91 8.4756 71 106 51.9712 125 196 79.0820 108 54.3719 Chicory CICH INT V 0 0 0.0000 5 5 0.1013 5 8 0.1013 3 0.1011 SYMP Common comfrey OFF I 1 2 0.0051 0 0 0.0000 1 2 0.0115 2 0.0115 TANA Common tansy VUL E 305 363 13.5031 635 747 22.3810 887 1134 175.8792 320 132.0531 EUPH Cypress spurge CYP N/A 1 2 0.0290 0 0 0.0000 1 1 0.5000 0 0.0000 Dalmatian toadflax LINA DAL V 4 4 0.0256 16 20 0.8593 18 33 1.0365 7 0.3530 Diffuse knapweed CENT DIF V 0 0 0.0000 6 11 1.3138 6 3 0.2508 0 0.0000 KNAU Field scabious ARV E 55 69 19.1534 112 179 31.8462 137 146 30.1501 20 1.9439 ULEX Gorse EUR E 0 0 0.0000 6 7 0.0816 6 2 0.0002 1 0.0001 SENE Groundsel VUL A 0 0 0.0000 2 2 0.0700 2 5 0.2300 5 0.2300 Hawkweed species HIER SPP E 15 21 4.2245 0 0 0.0000 15 172 51.2846 129 40.9315 POLY Himalayan knotweed POL E 0 0 0.0000 13 30 12.4347 13 5 0.2751 4 0.2151 Japanese knotweed FALL JAP E 15 20 0.2667 11 18 0.4604 25 23 0.0647 18 0.0513 CENT Knapweed species SPP E 9 9 1.2720 11 14 1.3340 14 18 2.3840 14 2.3830 EUPH Leafy spurge ESU E 5 8 0.1700 6 11 0.0306 10 15 0.7333 8 0.6870 Marsh plume thistle/Marsh thistle CIRS PAL E 70 87 12.2764 100 116 72.1703 148 166 1 880.7249 100 66.6206 RANU Meadow buttercup ACR N/A 1 1 0.0300 0 0 0.0000 1 1 0.1000 1 0.1000 CENT Meadow knapweed DEB E 0 0 0.0000 2 2 0.0009 2 2 0.0009 0 0.0000 CENT Mountain bluet MON V 11 12 1.1935 28 40 2.7640 38 66 6.1083 44 2.8106 20 of 33 Unique Species Invasive 2010 Mechanical 2010 Species 2010 Chemical Sites Code Ranking 2010 Sites created Treated 2010 Inventory # # # total ha # sites # trts total ha # sites total ha sites total ha sites trts surveys VERB 0.0100 Mullein THA A 1 1 0.0250 1 1 2 4 0.0730 2 0.0600 SOLA 0.0001 Nightshade SPP N/A 0 0 0.0000 1 1 1 1 0.0001 1 0.0001 Orange hawkweed HIER AUR E 6 6 0.3623 2 5 0.2700 8 17 0.2831 11 0.2031 LEUC 0.0032 Oxeye daisy VUL V 7 7 0.3603 2 2 9 101 33.3751 59 12.1829 Policeman's helmet / Himalayan 2.7475 balsam IMPA GLA E 3 3 0.0021 30 39 32 47 3.4232 32 2.8022 MATR 0.0120 Scentless chamomile PER V 0 0 0 1 2 1 9 0.5648 7 0.5538 Scotch broom CYTI SCO E 0 0 0 25 40 4.5541 25 12 1.2475 6 1.0601 SONC 0.1586 Sowthistle species SPP I 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 6.0586 1 0.0005 HIER 1.0001 Spotted hawkweed MAC E 0 0 0 2 6 2 1 0.0001 1 0.0001 Spotted knapweed CENT BIE E 208 216 15.1324 308 502 52.9583 394 463 48.8175 67 3.3126 St. John's wort/Saint John's HYPE 0.0000 wort/ Goatweed PER A 1 1 0.0250 0 0 1 2 1.0300 1 1.0000 SENE 2.0001 Tansy ragwort JAC V 1 1 0.0500 2 2 3 4 0.0336 3 0.0236 White cockle LYCH ALB A 0 0 0 1 1 0.0001 1 1 0.0010 1 0.0010 Yellow iris IRIS PSE E 0 0 0 6 7 2.0915 6 2 0.0002 2 0.0002 Yellow/common toadflax LINA VUL I 1 1 0.0130 1 1 0.0015 2 14 6.6069 10 5.6053 TOTAL 795 948 76.7056 1578 2164 346.3024 2128 2805 534.0491 1077 399.1846 IP Colour and Category Ranking for Invasiveness Extremely Very Invasive (V) Invasive (I) Aggressive (A) Not on IP list (N/A) (E) Note: Knapweed species CENT SPP and Hawkweed species HIER SPP are labels used by surveyors that were either not identified or entered as a specific species. Numbers for CENT SPP and HIER SPP are not the sum-total of all Hawkweed and Knapweed plants surveyed/treated. 21 of 33 4.1.10 Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure funds to SIWMC The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (MOTI) provided NWIPC with funds to do the inventory and treatment of invasive plants for their Northern Region. Their area is covered by the Northern PMP 402-0657, but extends into the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee‟s (SIWMC) area in the Thomson-Nicola Regional District south of Valemount. Funds were provided to the SIWMC through a letter of agreement with NWIPC to complete the required inventory and treatment, and administration, of MOTI right-of-way and gravel pits in this area. 4.1.11 Buck Flats Field Day The Topley 4-H club again hosted the Buck Flats Field day for the fifth year. This group has been tackling field scabious manual treatment in the riparian, pesticide-free zone in Buck Flats Creek area within the containment zone for that species. Besides digging and pulling, the young people have done an amazing amount of community awareness with local residents. This year saw a change from a week-day to a Saturday in hopes of getting more 4-H‟ers and local residents to the event. This didn‟t happen, but 15 eager youth, divided into two teams, dug mounds of field scabious followed by a BBQ. The club hopes to continue with this project, but possibly as a Community Weed Pull in 2011. Figure 5. Topley 4-H weed-killing crew with mound of field scabious plants they dug during the 2010 Buck Flats Field Day. Good Job! 22 of 33 4.1.12 District “C” Farmers’ Institute Rebate Program District C Farmers‟ Institute has historically run a rebate program, and two years ago it switched to being funded by NWIPC with changes in weed grants to them from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. The program is for farmers who are members in the institute that covers the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, that is the NWIPC Prince George and Robson Valley IPMAs. The program saw only one applicant who received a rebate of 50% of herbicide cost. We look forward to more activity in this program in 2011. 4.1.13 Fort Fraser Livestock Association Rebate Program The Fort Fraser Livestock Association (FFLA) is an agricultural organization founded in 1913. The current 70 members are producers located in the area from Vanderhoof to Endako. The program is similar to the District “C”s program in that it is a cost recovery program after the farmer has purchased the herbicide for invasive plant control (not routine weed management). Reimbursement is up to $250.00 per farmer per year. Uptake of the program was down in 2010 compared to 2009. Still, several invasive plant species were spot treated on many farms within the association‟s area, and is a cost-effective program for NWIPC. 4.1.14 NWIPC 50:50 Rebate Program The NWIPC 50:50 program is designed to help landowners recover some of their costs of treating invasive plants. Landowners may be eligible for a 50% rebate on what they paid a contractor to treat invasive plants on the NWIPC list (category 1 to 4) of eligible plants. Rebates were up to a maximum of $500.00 per landowner and exclude contractor travel costs. Use of the program was similar to 2009. Treatments were chemical and mechanical and used to control Canada thistle, hawkweeds, burdock, common tansy, field scabious, and oxeye daisy. In 2010 there were: • 23 applicants • 23 rebates • 93 ha treated • $18,005 incurred by landowners • $7,541 reimbursed by NWIPC Thank you to all the landowners who participated in our program in 2010. Your commitment to controlling invasive plants on your own acreage is commendable and furthers the NWIPC goal to prevent their establishment in the northwest. 4.2 PROJECTS AND NWIPC PROGRAMS Extension and awareness are critical components to our strategic plan to meet the NWIPC stated goals. We cover 41% of the province in area, have major highways entering our area from all four cardinal directions, including a major port at Prince Rupert and the railway. A large land mass with a small population! To address this challenge, the NWIPC strives to promote awareness of invasive plant issues, assist in plant identification training, and encourage reporting of invasive plants. The council spent 3% of its total budget on extension and awareness in 2010 (Table 9) through funded projects, production of information materials, attendance at events, training sessions, etc. 23 of 33 Table 9. Expenditures for NWIPC funded projects. Section no. Activity Budget Actual 4.2 PROJECTS & NWIPC PROGRAMS 4.2.1 Fort Nelson IPMASC $3,195 4.2.2 Education, Promotion and Awareness $9,000 $4,476 4.2.3 Houston Field Scabious $160 4.2.4 Community Weed Pulls (target of 5 events) $1,600 $0 4.2.5 Haida Gwaii Knotweed Awareness $581 Public Photo Contest $0 $0 4.2.6 Potted Weed Display $500 $21 4.2.7 Wet'suwet'en Nation $411 4.2.8 Native Plant Conservatory of Laskeek Bay $5,000 Targeted grazing research $0 $179 4.2.9 Weeds and the Works $2,020 $60 Hudson Bay Slough Rehab Project $3,000 $0 Strategic Plan Executive Summary $2,500 $0 4.2.10 IPC Technical Support $4,729 other - funded projects or? $10,000 PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS SUBTOTAL $28,620 $18,811 The Hudson Bay Slough Rehab Project was an unsuccessful proposal (Table 9). The Strategic Plan Executive Summary project got stalled. This material is still important for approaching new partners and informing existing partners and hopefully will be approved for funding in 2011. The $10,000 for „other – funded projects‟ in Table 9 was partially used to fund four projects: Houston Field Scabious, Haida Gwaii Knotweed Awareness, Wet‟suwet‟en Nation, and the Native Plant Conservatory of Laskeek Bay. There was no new Targeted Grazing project in 2010, but expenses were rolled-over from previous year‟s project. The following summarizes each project. 4.2.1 Fort Nelson Invasive Plant Management Steering Committee (FNIPMASC) Merci Hillis, NWIPC First Nation Partnership Assistant, was asked by the FNIPMASC to assist them in developing their first partnerships with Prophet River and Fort Nelson First Nations. Merci traveled to Fort Nelson, and then to meetings with Sonja Leverkus, Co-Chair of the FNIPMASC. Merci presented to each band and helped develop partnerships that got their crews on the ground doing inventory and treatment. This project was total cost recovery, in labour and expenses, paid for by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. 4.2.2 Education, Promotion and Awareness These funds are managed by the Education and Awareness Committee for the Council. Claire Watkins, City of Prince George Parks Department and NWIPC director, took on chairing this committee after the spring meeting in April. The funds were under-spent as a cash flow problem developed mid-season, so caution was exercised in case all funding commitments were not realized. Funds from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, traditionally used for this budget item were received, but not until the end of 2010. 24 of 33 The budget was used for booth registrations at events for the NWIPC display and information materials, advertisements, and the production of the NWIPC brochure. The brochure costs were shared with the Invasive Plant Council of BC and District “C” Farmers‟ Institute. The many events that NWIPC was present at during 2010 are listed in Table 10. 4.2.1 Houston Field Scabious Ryan Holmes, P.Ag., organized a field day for local professional agrologists in the Buck Creek field scabious containment zone through the NWIPC Funded Project process. The group of eight professionals gathered at Steelhead Park in Houston in the morning, and Shirley Hamblin, P.Ag. and the NWIPC‟s IPMA contractor in the area, explained the plan for the day. We headed up the Buck Flats road to the bridges and began our day long journey up the creek to seek and destroy field scabious on the gravel bars and flats where field scabious continues to establish and spread through seeds carried along the creek during high water events. Besides killing hundreds of field scabious plants, we were treated to howling wolves, fresh water clam beds and water shrews swimming in the creek. The obvious evidence of use in the creek area by wildlife of all kinds made us feel like we were really helping to protect something very precious. Wet, sore, and a bit worn-out, we dined at Happy Jack‟s in Houston where we marveled at our day, and got to know each other and our areas of expertise a bit better. Figure 6. A view of the Buck Creek riparian corridor. Figure 7. Two members of the group check for field scabious on a gravel bar. 25 of 33 Table 10. Invasive plant management education opportunities where NWIPC was present in 2010. Date Event Description Location Comments Field Days & Work Bees NWIPC supported project; 4-H clubs dug field scabious in riparian areas 10-Jul Buck Flats Field Day Houston followed by BBQ Houston Field Scabious Weed NWIPC funded project; Professional Agrologists (BCIA) dug field scabious in 17-Jul Houston Pull riparian areas followed by BBQ 28-Jul Communities Pulling Together Kispiox Big Poppa‟s Wolfpack Soccer Team 4 & 21-Sep Communities Pulling Together Smithers Northern Root Community Garden 23-Sep Communities Pulling Together Smithers Quick 4-H Club 14-Oct Communities Pulling Together Houston Houston Christian School girls basketball Fairs & Trade Shows 20-Feb Seedy Saturday Prince George Seedy exchange held at Exploration Place 20-Mar Seedy Saturday Terrace Seed Exchange 30-Apr, 1&2- May Terrace Trade Show Terrace 30-Apr, 1&2- May Prince George Home Show Prince George 08-May Plant Sale Terrace 29-May REAPS Plant Sale Prince George Volunteered with sales, NWIPC Garden Poster and brochures 13-Aug Hazelton Pioneer Days Hazelton Community Awareness 22-Aug Gitxsan Cultural Days Hazelton Community Awareness Presentations & Training 16-Jan Lakes District Cattlemens Burns Lake IPCBC outreach worker with NWIPC display 22-Jan Bulkley Valley Cattlemens Smithers IPCBC outreach worker with NWIPC display 06-Feb Skeena Regional Cattlemens Houston IPCBC outreach worker with NWIPC display 19-Feb Prince George Cattlemens Prince George IPCBC outreach worker with NWIPC display 19-Mar Topley 4-H Club Houston Spotters Presentation to kids Back Country Horseman NW 13-Apr Chapter Smithers Spotters Presentation 30-Apr Haisla Training Kitimaat Village IP training 04-May Weeds and the Works Burns Lake Calibration field day 05-May Weeds and the Works Vanderhoof Calibration field day 26 of 33 Table 10. Invasive plant management education opportunities where NWIPC was present in 2010. Date Event Description Location Comments 06-May Weeds and the Works Prince George Calibration field day 10 to 14, 17, Invasive Plant Council of BC 18 - May Training course Terrace 7-day Invasive Plant Management Course Invasive Plant Council of BC 19-May Module 4 Terrace 1-day Refresher Course Invasive Plant Identification and 02-Jun Reporting Training Vanderhoof Trained BCTS and Stewardship staff for Ministry of Forests & Lands 18-Sep ATV Club Prince George Display & presentation 29/30-Sep Project Agriculture Vanderhoof High school field day 23-Nov, 7 & Classroom training of First Nations crew members in preparation for 14-Dec Pesticide Applicator Training Hazelton successfully gaining pesticide applicators certification NWIPC Program Manager presented invasive plant management issues and challenges to Members of the Legaslative Assembly Standing Committee asking for more resources and a commitment from the Provincial Financial and Services government to prevent and control the introduction and spread of invasive 05-Oct Committee Public Consultation Terrace species in north western BC. Presentation to the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako NWIPC Program Manager and Council Chair presented accomplishments 07-Oct Council Burns Lake for 2010 and funding issues for the coming year. NWIPC Program Manager presented accomplishments, strategy for invasive Presentation to the Village of plant management in the northwest and how the two councils could work 12-Oct McBride Council McBride together in the future NWIPC Program Manager presented accomplishments, strategy for invasive Presentation to the District of plant management in the northwest and how the two councils could work 02-Nov Houston Council Houston together in the future Other Events Co-hosted with Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast Weed Committee and welcomed 16-Jun Invasive Plant Council of BC IPCBC directors to the middle of the province; toured sites in Hixon area and Board of Directors Summer Tour Hixon and south then went into the Cariboo 27 of 33 4.2.2 Potted Weed Display The potted weed display is used to teach professionals and the public to identify invasive plants and what to do when they spot them. The potted weeds go with the NWIPC display and information materials to the various events as listed in Table 10. The plants are labeled and provide a better visual for invasive plant students trying to learn identification. The potted weed display in 2010 was created and cared for by NWIPC contract staff. Expenses were for pots and potting soil. 4.2.3 Wet’suwet’en Nation Moricetown is home to approximately 661 on-reserve members, 1129 off-reserve members with a total population of 1790 people and is located 30 km west of Smithers and 32 km east of Hazelton, BC. As a federally recognized indian band, the Wet‟suwet‟en of Moricetown offer programs and services to meet the specific needs of each community member. This year during inventory and treatments, the Stikine-Skeena IPMA contractor, Graeme Johnstone, was looking for an older site of spotted knapweed that was entered with the wrong location into IAPP. He found it on the Moricetown Campground. It had been treated on and off through the years but nothing regular. It has grown and is in a high traffic area. Other invasive plants such as common tansy were found. Moricetown has workers employed in the campground who had some knowledge of the spotted knapweed and asked questions about mechanical and chemical treatments. NWIPC funded expenses for travel for two representatives from Moricetown to attend the NWIPC 2010 Fall Meeting to initiate a partnership for the treatment and control of spotted knapweed and common tansy. 4.2.4 Native Plant Conservatory of Laskeek Bay In 2009 an initial study of invasive plants in Laskeek Bay was conducted, focusing on four main species: wall lettuce Lactuca muralis, Canada thistle Cirsium arvense, bull thistle Cirsium vulgare, and prickly sow thistle Sonchus asper. East Limestone Island, West Limestone Island, Reef Island, the Low Islands, the Skedans Islands, Haswell Island and Vertical Point were visited to determine the presence or absence of the invasive plants of interest. Due to lack of time, only East Limestone Island was completely inventoried and treated (where possible). Visits to the other islands provided general information on the invasive plants present although no treatment was conducted. The work conducted in 2010 was a continuation of this project, focusing on the change in distribution and density for the sites. NWIPC provided funding to have this invasive plant work completed in both years by the staff of the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society in conjunction with other work that took them to the islands. No new sites were found in 2010 on East Limestone Island, the island with the most complete inventory. Hand-pulling is the treatment used, and after one year, most species stayed constant or decreased for all four species. Manual treatments require at least one treatment per year for five to six years to eliminate the invasive. Black plastic was applied to one Canada thistle site to determine the effectiveness of this treatment as hand-pulling in rocky sites appears to be less effective than when we can dig into the soil. A full report is available from Laskeek Bay Society or NWIPC. 28 of 33 4.2.5 Weed and the Works Three calibration plus+ events were organized and delivered in early May by Wendy Siemens, NWIPC Assistant out of Houston; the initial planning and organizing was done by her, supported by IPCBC as one of their Outreach Workers. The events dubbed “Weed and the Works” were held in Burns Lake, Vanderhoof and Prince George (Table 10). The day-long training included invasive plant identification, sprayer calibration, information on herbicides, farm safety, lunch and door prizes! The training was well received by local farmers and ranchers, NWIPC IPMA contractors, ministry staff and others. 4.2.6 IPCBC Technical Support The IPC supported the goals of the NWIPC through a continuation of the position of the Stop the Spread Regional Technical Support employee, Luke Wichrowski, who had worked November to December of 2009. The contract was extended to March 31, 2010, plus IPC provided a second Technical Support employee, Cindy Anderson, for two months. The tech support was part of IPC‟s Hot Spot Program funded by Western Economic Diversification and the Province‟s Job Opportunities Program (see section 4.1.9) and provided NWIPC with the two employees, plus office/computing costs, and stipends for coordination and supervision of the work. Luke and Cindy completed: • 10% check on IAPP data entered by crews (IPMA, FN, Hot Spots) • Investigation of IAPP data errors and corrections and document • Produced standard NWIPC reports used in 2009 Annual Report • Risk assessment of Impatiens glandulifera,Himalayan balsam/Policeman‟s helmet; report available on our web site • IAPP data corrections for three of our IPMAs • Tested the draft core ranking tool and provided input into final version. 4.3 ADMINISTRATION AND OVERHEAD EXPENSES Administration and overhead expenses included travel and expense for meetings, training, insurance, accounting, office supplies, postage and shipping, fees and permits, the cost of the hotline phone line and hosting of the NWIPC web site. Expenses for admin and overhead were 3% of our total expenses in 2010 (Table 11). 29 of 33 Table 11. Expenditures for Administration and Overhead by NWIPC in 2010 Section no. Activity Budget Actual 4.3 ADMIN & OVERHEAD EXPENSES Board Meeting Expenses $9,000 $6,087 Spring Annual General and Fall Meeting $2,000 $1,214 Training expenses $500 $718 Travel, meals & accommodation $2,000 $2,464 Accounting & Legal $6,000 $4,950 Insurance $3,500 $3,193 office supplies, shipping, colour printing, etc. $2,300 $493 Interest & Bank Charges $350 $252 Misc. (service charges, Fees & Permits etc.) $500 $471 4.3.1 Telephone Hotline 1-866-44WEEDS $550 $384 Web site (annual fees) $400 $302 ADMIN & OVERHEAD TOTAL $27,100 $20,527 The directors for 2010 are listed in Table 12; seven meetings were held over the year along with one sub-committee meeting when decisions had to be made mid-summer. Two of the seven meetings were by conference call and business conducted via emails to minimize costs. Board meeting expenses include meals plus travel expenses and stipend to volunteer board members who contribute their own time and money to participate on the board. Thanks to all of you! Table 12: NWIPC Directors for 2010. Perspective Director Affiliation Environmental, Conservation & Paul Glover Northwest BC Coalition for Alternatives Naturalist Groups to Pesticides Local government Claire Watkins City of Prince George, Parks Dept. First Nations Myrtle Muldoe Gitxsan First Nation – Mid- Skeena Watershed Livestock and Guide Outfitters John Davidson Smither‟s Cattlemen's Association Associations Livestock and Guide Outfitters Trevor Tapp Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen‟s Associations Association Member at Large, Terrace area Ian Hayes Cambria Gordon Ltd. Membership at Large Ron Anthony Members at large & District “C” Farmers Institute Provincial Government Denise McLean, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Chair Provincial Government Bob Drinkwater, Ministry of Forests and Range Secretary Transportation and Utility Geoff Helfrich BC Transmission Corporation Companies Local farmers and the Robson Lester Blouin District “C” Farmers Institute Valley area Forest Industry Bruce Middleton BC Timber Sales Provincial Government Marc Schuffert BC Ministry of Forests and Range 30 of 33 • The annual meetings have a cost for both venue and food; some of these were off-set by contributions from Spectra Energy as described in section 3. Revenue. • Training expenses were room, food and beverage costs incurred to deliver the mandatory training of our IPMA contractors in two locations, and costs for one set of pesticide manuals and exam expenses for First Nations. • Travel, Meals & Accommodation budget was used for items such as: director‟s travel expenses to attend provincial meetings, meeting with Saik‟uz First Nations to investigate alternate field scabious control and funding options with Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the band, travel expenses for Merci Hillis and Andrea Eastham to attend an initial IAPP Version 2 Development Workshop in Victoria they were invited to attend by the Ministry of Forests and Range. • The remainder of admin and overhead are the annual fees and expenses and daily costs of doing business. 4.3.1 Telephone Hotline 1-866-44WEEDS Total calls to the Hotline increased by 9 over the previous year (Table 13). The public and professionals have multiple ways now to report infestations or get information since the Ministry of Forests and Range started the Report-A-Weed on the IAPP web site, plus the IPC initiated a provincial weed reporting hotline: 1-888-WEEDSBC. The ministry staff respond to the Report-A-Weed and IPC staff to their hotline. Table 13. Number of calls by type of call in 2010 on the NWIPC Hotline 1-866-44WEEDS IPMA Requesting Information Reporting a Site General Comments Total Calls Burns Lake 10 3 2 15 Haida Gwaii 0 2 0 2 Houston 15 6 3 24 Prince George 19 21 8 48 Robson Valley 0 2 1 3 Stikine Skeena 3 5 0 12 Vanderhoof 5 4 3 13 Out of Area 1 3 0 4 Total Calls 53 46 17 116 Total calls requesting information were up, and weed reports were down overall. The majority of calls in 2010 were from the public requesting information on hawkweed and Canada thistle infestations. This provided NWIPC staff with the opportunity to explain how we work and the annual strategy in terms of prioritizing where the money is spent on inventory and control of invasive species. 31 of 33 4.4 MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS NWIPC operates through contract staff and in 2010 we had four contractors, plus our bookkeeper, Grace Stevens of Accutech Booking of Prince George. The four contractors and their office locations were: • Andrea Eastham, Program Manager, Prince George • Wendy Siemens, Program Assistant, Houston • Merci Hillis, First Nations Assistant, Kispiox • Alvina Derksen, Data Manager, Prince George Routinely, the program manager does all the administration, fund raising, partner development, and reports to the board of directors monthly on issues and status, and jumps in locally when First Nations crews in the east require extra support, funded projects and events are happening, etc. Wendy was only our assistant for 6 months last year and she was the IPCBC Outreach Worker in our area for the other 6 months. Wendy took care of programs such as the Hotline, 50:50 and Community Weed Pulls, plus education and awareness. Merci managed the existing aboriginal crews, worked on developing new First Nations partnerships, and also took on the coordination of the Terrace Hot Spot Crew. The Data Manager position checks all incoming data from the IPMA contractors, adds to our WeedsDatabase, and turns the data into reports for funding partners. This is a critical component in order to accurately report to partners where their money was spent. Thank you again to all our funding partners and supporters. The successes we are realizing in the northwest to prevent the introduction of species, and manage those already here, would not be possible without you! 32 of 33 APPENDIX 1. Northwest Invasive Plant Council Balance Sheet As at December 31, 2010 ASSET Current Assets ***Suspense Account -0.81 Chequing Bank Account 66,579.10 Total Cash 66,578.29 Accounts Receivable 71,045.37 Accounts Receivable (Deloitte) 977.32 Total Receivable 72,022.69 Prepaid Expenses 1,086.46 Total Current Assets 139,687.44 Inventory Assets Equipment 3,800.25 Equipment-Accum Amort -2,016.67 Net Equipment 1,783.58 Total Inventory Assets 1,783.58 TOTAL ASSET 141,471.02 LIABILITY Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 1,001.78 Accounts Payable (Deloitte) 6,000.00 GST Charged on Sales 7,500.00 GST Owing (Refund) 7,500.00 Total Current liabilities 14,501.78 TOTAL LIABILITY 14,501.78 EQUITY Retained Earnings Retained Earnings - Previous Year 150,480.03 Current Earnings -23,510.79 Total Retained Earnings 126,969.24 TOTAL EQUITY 126,969.24 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 141,471.02 Generated On: Apr 05, 2011 * Unaudited report from bookkeeper. 33 of 33 NNOORRTTHHWWEESSTT IINNVVAASSIIVVEE PP LLAANNTT CCOOUUNNCCIILL ((NNWWIIPPCC)) 22001111 SSTTRRAATTEEGGIICC PPLLAANN AANNDD PPLLAANNTT PPRROOFFIILLEESS 't Northwest INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL Chairperson: Denise McLean Program Manager: Andrea Eastham BC Ministry of Agriculture Food & Fisheries 1595 Fifth Avenue Suite 815 - 299 Victoria Street Prince George, BCV2L 3L9 Prince George, BC V2L 5B8 Phone: 250-564-4115 loc 233 Phone: 250-565-7201 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] NWIPC - Invasive Plant Management Areas Fort Nelson 0 Stikine-Skeena Fort St. JohnTaylo Hudson'sH ouce Coupe Chetwynd wson Creek Nechako Tumbler · ge Bulkley Prince George Haida Gwaii Lakes District Robson Valley Northwest IN VASIVE PLANT COUNCIL Invasive Alien Wlliamslake Plant Program 100 200 300 400 • Kilometers TABLE OF CONTENTS GOAL OF THE NORTHWEST INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL...... 3 OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF NWIPC...... 4 BACKGROUND ...... 4 APPENDIX 1: MANAGEMENT FOCUSES FOR INVASIVE PLANTS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST BC ...... 6 APPENDIX 2: INVASIVE PLANT PROFILE FOR NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BC...... 10 APPENDIX 3: EARLY DETECTION RAPID RESPONSE, EDRR...... 11 APPENDIX 4: CONTAINMENT LINES...... 12 APPENDIX 5: NWIPC EXECUTIVE ...... 14 APPENDIX 6: NWIPC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES………………………39 GOAL OF THE NORTHWEST INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL To prevent further damage to the ecosystems of northwest and central BC from invasive alien plants and begin to rehabilitate ecosystems that have been degraded by invasive alien plants. To achieve our goal, the NWIPC strives to: • Have NWIPC supported by agencies, organizations and the public of central and northwest BC and used as the organization to identify, address and find solutions to invasive plant issues. • Assist other organizations, agencies and areas with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their invasive plant management programs. • Have effective and accurate provincial wide EDRR systems, IAPP and research, development and extension initiatives. Our mid-term (3-year) goals include: • Gain additional NWIPC members and partners contributing to the pooled funds by demonstrating and delivering effective and efficient invasive plant management that integrates awareness, reporting, evaluation, response and adjustment. • Prevent the establishment of invasive alien plant species that are not currently in BC but present risks to the Province BC, for example, common crupina and yellow star thistle. Promote and assist the implementation of provincial EDDR and adjust NWIPC EDRR to align with provincial systems. • Using Containment, (Appendix 4), detect and prevent the establishment of new invasive plant species that present a threat to the habitats of central and northern BC but are not yet present including: hound’s-tongue, rush skeleton weed, sulphur cinquefoil and scotch thistle. Prevent the spread of species that have established but not spread in central and northern BC and consensus agreement has been reached to establish containment polygons including: marsh thistle, common tansy and field scabious. • Working with members and partners, continue to develop rehabilitation strategies for those areas infested with species such as hawkweeds, oxeye daisy and Canada thistle. This includes acquiring, releasing and monitoring biological control agents if they are available. • Have a high degree of data accuracy in IAPP. The annual work plan, produced in conjunction with the plan & profile, details specific tasks and budget aimed at meeting our above stated goals. - 3 - OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF NWIPC • Encourage the public to report invasive plant sightings. (This requires adequate and prompt feedback to persons who report invasive plants). • Inform the public about invasive plant programs so they can provide relevant comment. • Develop and maintain a shared invasive plant inventory. • Assess problems and threats that various invasive plants present to the environment and economy of the area. Categorize invasive plants and prioritize sites for control. • Prevent the establishment of invasive plants not currently in the region. Prevent or minimize the spread of the invasive plants present in the region. • Conduct invasive plant programs in the northwest and central BC using Integrated Pest Management principles as described in the ‘Invasive Plant Strategy for BC’. • Encourage all landowners, agencies and organizations operating in northwest and central BC to develop and implement invasive plant management programs. • Manage and coordinate the activities and responsibilities of the various agencies and private landowners to ensure NWIPC goals are met. BACKGROUND This strategic plan, with plant profiles, (referred to as the Plan and Profile) is for northwest and central BC. The area of concern is roughly west of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including Haida Gwaii, and north of Quesnel to the Yukon border. Invasive plants, such as the knapweeds, that cause serious problems in southern BC are present in northwest and central BC. Populations of most of these invasive plants are low even though suitable habitat is extensive. A planned and coordinated approach to keep these invasive plants from spreading is necessary to prevent serious habitat degradation. There are also species such as marsh thistle and field scabious that have infested extensive areas in central BC that need to be contained so that they do not spread to the rest of BC. The Northwest Invasive Plant Council, NWIPC, is a non-profit organization that has many agencies, organizations and private citizens as members. The council reviews and updates this plan annually. The plan tracks invasive plants, categorizes and prioritizes invasive plants and sites for control and outlines required actions. NWIPC provides support and coordination for those involved in the various aspects of invasive plant management including awareness, inventory, treatments and assessment. NWIPC also uses resources pooled by member organizations to conduct on ground inventories and treatments of invasive plants. The speed at which invasive plants spread depends on the suitability and state of health of the habitats. Habitats in poor condition, with weak or degraded plant communities, and disturbed ground (such as construction sites) allow invasive plants to establish and spread rapidly. Prevention of invasive plant problems requires management of susceptible sites. Keeping habitats in good condition and minimizing and quickly seeding soil disturbances are required if the goals of this plan are to be accomplished. NWIPC uses the following planning processes: - 4 - • NWIPC Strategic Plan and Plant Profiles. This Plan is reviewed, updated and approved at each spring meeting. It is a strategic document that defines operating principles, the NWIPC goals, prioritization strategies and a profile (date of introduction, distribution and threat) of the various invasive plants in, or threatening, central and northwest BC. • Invasive Plant Management Area (IPMA) Plans. NWIPC is divided into 7 Invasive Plant Management Areas, IPMAs. Each IPMA has a contractor that provides inventory and treatment services and information on NWIPC programs such as the 50:50 rebate program to partners and the public. With assistance from NWIPC members, each contractor develops a plan that details how and what work will be done to accomplish goals for the IPMA, e.g. containment of a species. Drafting of the plans occurs over the winter and the plans are ready for the spring meeting but may be adjusted through the course of the year depending on resources, weather, growth patterns of invasive plants and other factors. • NWIPC Annual Work plan. Using the NWIPC Strategic Plan and Profile and IPMA plans, the NWIPC Board of Directors develops an annual Work plan that provides an itemized budget to meet annual and shared long-term goals. The work plan provides activities aimed at achieving short-term goals, with budgets, targets and output measures. The work plan is available for discussion and amendment at the spring meeting and is reviewed at the fall meeting. - 5 - APPENDIX 1: MANAGEMENT FOCUSES FOR INVASIVE PLANTS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST BC EDRR - CONTAINMENT - REHABILITATION Weed legislation, mandates and priorities can appear complicated and confusing. Different weed species have been labeled in various ways by local, provincial and federal laws, and the mandate to control weeds may be interpreted in different ways for lands with various types of tenure in private, local government, provincial crown land and federal jurisdiction situations. To reduce the confusion and inefficiencies that might result from this, the wide range of stakeholders within the North West Invasive Plant Council have taken a co-operative approach to try to reach more effective and accepted focuses for the management of invasive plants. There are about 70 plant species that could become or already are invasive in the area. It would be impossible with the resources available to eliminate all occurrences of each of these species so a system has been developed to guide and prioritize management efforts. The system involves an agreement that, following provincial directions, focus will be on preventing new species from entering and establishing in BC. A provincial Early Detection Rapid Response, EDRR, program is being developed for species not present or with extremely limited establishment in BC, e.g., common crupina and yellow star thistle. NWIPC will participate and assist with EDRR following the provincial program. Secondly, invasive plants that have limited establishment in BC and have not yet spread or have limited distribution in central and northern BC will be prevented from spreading further, e.g., marsh thistle, field scabious, common tansy and knapweeds. This is the containment aspect of the program. Protocols for establishing containment polygons are described in Appendix 4. For those species that have established, spread and have substantial presence in north and central BC, e.g., Canada thistle, hawkweed species and oxeye daisy, work will focus on rehabilitating infested areas. Rehabilitation will involve, when available, the release, monitoring and distribution of biological control agents. Rehabilitation will also involve other treatments particularly when they can be coordinated with work on containment. In the rehabilitation functions of the program a decision-making matrix of 4 plant invasiveness categories and 4 site conditions is applied to established and well distributed invasive plant species. The list was compiled by reviewing the literature on the habitat range and aggressiveness of invasive plants, scientific advice, and incorporating the substantial expertise and experience of the collective NWIPC membership. The 4 invasiveness categories are labeled 1, 2, 3 and 4 in decreasing expected potential for invasion and impact: Group 1 is most invasive, while groups 2, 3 and 4 have progressively lower invasiveness. Invasive species considered for central and northwest BC are categorized in the table below: - 6 - TABLE 1. INVASIVE PLANT CATEGORIES CATEGORY 1 - EXTREMELY INVASIVE Category 1 invasive plants invade even undisturbed habitats and dominate them. Domination implies the invasive plant becomes the most abundant species across the entire site or area of the plant community being invaded. The invasion can progress slowly or rapidly. Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Broom, Scotch Cytisus scoparius Knotweeds Fallopia &Polygonum sp. Policeman’s helmet or Gorse Ulex europaeus Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan balsam Scabious, field or blue Hawkweeds Hieracium spp. Knautia arvensis buttons Himalayan blackberry Rubus discolor Spurge leafy Euphorbia esula Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana Sulphur cinquefoil Potentilla recta Iris, yellow flag Iris pseudacorus Tansy, common Tanacetum vulgare Knapweed, black, Centaurea nigra, jacea & Thistle, marsh plume Cirsium palustre brown & greater scabiosa Centaurea stobe, (syn. C. Knapweed, spotted maculosa & C. biebersteinii) CATEGORY 2 - VERY INVASIVE Category 2 invasive plants invade even undisturbed habitats. They become very prevalent and may form dense patches but usually do not dominate the entire site or area of the plant community. If category 2 invasive plants invade the entire site or plant community they tend not to dominate the site. Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Bluet, mountain Centaurea montana Hound’s-tongue Cynoglossum officinale Blueweed Echium vulgare Knapweed, diffuse Centaurea diffusa Burdock, common Arctium minus Loosestrife Lythrum spp. Chamomile, scentless Matricaria maritima Mossy stone crop Sedum acre Chicory Cichorium intybus Ragwort, tansy Senecio jacobaea Chrysanthemum Daisy, oxeye Thistle, Canada Cirsium arvense leucanthemum Eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa Thistle, plumeless Carduus acanthoides Hairy bittercress Cardamine hirsuta Toadflax, Dalmatian Linaria dalmatica Lamium galeobdolon (syn. Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Hops, common Humulus lupulus Yellow archangel L. galeobdolon subsp. argentatum) CATEGORY 3 - INVASIVE Category 3 invasive plants can invade undisturbed habitats but they usually require some disturbance to gain entry. Once in a habitat they usually do not dominate the site unless there are management problems. Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Baby’s-breath Gypsophila paniculata Thistle, bull Cirsium vulgare Catchfly, night- Silene noctiflora Thistle, Russian Salsola kali flowering Comfrey Symphytum officinale L. Thistle, perennial sow Sonchus spp. Foxglove, purple Digitalis purpurea Toadflax, yellow Linaria vulgaris Wormwood or Goat’s-beard Tragopogon spp. Artemisia absinthium absinthium - 7 - CATEGORY 4 – AGGRESSIVE OR UNDER BIOCONTROL Category 4 invasive plants can invade even undisturbed habitats but they do so at a slow pace and rarely dominate the site. Category 4 invasive plants may go through large population fluctuations. This may be the result of the fluctuation in biocontrol agent populations or cyclic patterns the plant displays. Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Blue buttons Centaurea cyanus Medic, black Medicago lupulina Bluebur, western Lappula echinata Mullein Verbascum thapsus Buckwheat, wild Polygonum convolvulus Mustard, dog Erucastrum gallicum Bugloss, small Lycopsis arvensis Mustard hedge Sisymbrium officinale Campion, bladder Silene cucubalus Mustard, tumble Sisymbrium spp. Cockle, white Silene latifolia ssp. alba Mustard, wild Sinapis arvensis Dock, curled Rumex crispus Pineapple weed Matricaria matricarioides Fleabane, Canadian Conyza canadensis Primrose, evening Oenothera biennis Groundsel, common Senecio vulgaris St. John’s-wort Hypericum perforatum Hawk’s-beard, Crepis tectorum Stinkweed or Thlaspi arvense narrowleaf Pennycress Hemp-nettle Galeopsis tetrahit Tarweed Madia glomerata Hop-clover Trifolium aureum Thistle, nodding Carduus nutans Lamb’s-quarter Chenopodium spp. Vetch, tufted Vicia cracca PRIORITIZING SITES Site conditions are divided into 4 groups of expected potential for control with ’1’ being the highest opportunity for control and 4 sites that have a much lower potential or opportunity (e.g., riparian sites where herbicide use is restricted or sites where costs of treatments will not be offset by significant benefits). TABLE 2. INVASIVE SITE PRIORITY PRIORITY PURPOSE OR INTENT 1 To stop the spread of invasive plants threatening currently un-infested, highly susceptible Extremely areas. These sites are less than or equal to 0.25 ha and there is a good expectation of High control. This priority also includes sites that are threatening a large neighbouring economic Opportunity base, for example, seed and other high value crops. for Control 2 High To stop the enlargement of sites in highly susceptible areas. These sites are less than or Opportunity equal to 0.5 ha. Must have a reasonably good expectation of control. for Control 3 Moderate To stop the enlargement of sites greater than or equal to 0.5 ha in highly susceptible areas, Opportunity or less than or equal to 0.5 ha in moderately susceptible areas. for Control 4 Low To stop the enlargement/contain sites greater than 0.5 ha in moderately susceptible areas. Opportunity for Control - 8 - TABLE 3: TREATMENT MATRIX FOR REHABILITATION Using categories of invasive plants and site priorities it is possible to develop a matrix to direct or assist crews in determining when rehabilitation treatments should occur. IP SITE REHABILITATION TREATMENTS CATEGORY PRIORITY 1 1 Management involving treatments usually occurs. Sensitive or important habitat is threatened by highly invasive species and treatments can be done at low costs, 1 2 be effective and have significant benefits to susceptible habitats. 1 3 2 1 2 2 The need for management and treatments is reviewed in the context of the support and demands of other agencies, area residents and goals for the area. 2 3 The requirement is to identify the areas infested with invasive plants and those 3 1 habitats that are not infested and use this information to try and prevent further expansion of invasive plant populations. 1 4 2 4 Management usually involves inventory, monitoring and, if available, the release of biological control agents. Rehabilitation using methods other than 3 2 biological control will not be undertaken unless specific requests are made and 3 3 action or treatments can be justified by an analysis of risks, costs and benefits. - 9 - APPENDIX 2: INVASIVE PLANT PROFILES FOR NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BC (removed from this version; please see web site for plant details: www.nwipc.org) - 10 - APPENDIX 3: EARLY DETECTION RAPID RESPONSE, EDRR (A new provincial plan is in preparation by the Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Council, and we will add to our plan once it is released) The schematic below is presented as a suggestion of the processes to detect and respond to new invasive plant arrivals in NWIPC areas. 8 No------.i Early Detection Rapid Response EDRR, for NWIPC SAWLES lo MAL weed $pedalist, Processes when an new invasive plant is MFR IP Oflloe,r and or Provincial IYlllSl9Um & or detected Oltl@r taxonomists Draft 2· April 2007 - Bob Drinkwater Yes RECEIVE REPORTS -program manager • MAL, MoE & MFR staff • Contractors & crews Yes • program manager Yes - MAL, MoE & MFR Yes - Corttractor·~· & crews TREAT SITE Contraclofs,Cr1YWS, Landowners, etc - 11 - BRITISH COLUMBIA The Best Place on Earth APPENDIX 4: CONTAINMENT POLYGONS Protocol to Establish Invasive Plant Containment Lines in the IAPP Application Approved by IMIPWG May 26, 2009 DEFINITION: The objective of containment in invasive plant management is to prevent large infestations from spreading to un-infested areas. Establishing containment lines around targeted invasive plant species’ infestations defines the areas that require treatment and assists in management planning. Inside the containment line the infestation of the invasive plant species is extensive and it is not possible to eradicate the target species. Outside the line the infestation is limited and preventing spread and achieving a long term goal of eradication is possible. The establishment and location of containment lines is determined through stakeholder consensus and are set within geographic areas such as Regional Invasive Plant Committee boundaries or cross-regional areas of the Province. The location of the containment line is based on considerations of the following: a) target invasive plant species’ current distribution and abundance; b) known vectors and projected rate of spread; c) natural barriers to movement (e.g. height of land, lakes or rivers), d) ecological factors, and d) other management objectives within the area. Containment lines are housed in the Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) Application, so that their locations are communicated and clear to all stakeholders and their invasive plant management crews. Outside the containment polygon or area all sites of the species being contained need to be managed including enhanced awareness work, inventory, treatment, and monitoring. Management objectives inside a containment line may include rehabilitation of sites, or specific inventory and control actions on areas deemed to be critical from an economic or conservation perspective. PROCEDURES: As the support and action of all stakeholders and partners is required for successful containment of invasive plants, the following steps are required to establish containment lines: 1) Members of regional Invasive Plant Committees can propose and discuss containment lines. If lines are wholly within the regional invasive plant committee’s area and consensus agreement on the location of the line can be reached, the request is forwarded to the Inter-Ministry Invasive Plant Working Group (IMIPWG) for review. - 12 - 2) If proposed lines cross the boundaries of two or more regional invasive plant committees, all committees affected must agree to the lines and locations before they are forwarded to the IMIPWG. 3) An agency or organization can propose containment lines to the IMIPWG, the Invasive Plant Council of BC (IPCBC), as well as to regional invasive plant committees. Proposals received by the IMIPWG or IPCBC will be referred to the affected regional committee(s) for consideration and support, and the committee will ensure final submission to the IMIPWG. 4) The IMIPWG will review proposed containment lines and either approve their inclusion in IAPP or discuss with those making the proposal why inclusion is not approved at that time or at that location. 5) If lines are approved for inclusion in IAPP, those making the proposal will work with the IAPP Technician to have the lines uploaded into IAPP. 6) Regular review and adjustment of containment lines is the responsibility of the sponsoring regional committees, agencies and organizations, and the IMIPWG. NWIPC currently has containment lines for common tansy, marsh plume thistle, and field scabious. There are numerous other species that have unofficial or containment lines under negotiation by NWIPC. The membership formed a new Containment Line Committee at the 2009 Fall Meeting; currently chaired by Marc Schuffert, P.Ag., Ministry of Forests and Range. The status of the various species is noted in APPENDIX 3: INVASIVE PLANT PROFILES FOR NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BC. - 13 - APPENDIX 5: NWIPC EXECUTIVE NWIPC Directors for 2011 proposed at AGM April 12, 2011. Perspective Director Affiliation Environmental, Northwest BC Coalition for Alternatives to Conservation & Paul Glover 250-847-5575 Pesticides Naturalist Groups Local government Claire Watkins City of Prince George, Parks Dept. 250-614-7818 First Nations Myrtle Muldoe Gitxsan First Nation – Mid- Skeena Watershed 250-842-5432 Livestock and Guide Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen’s Trevor Tapp Outfitters Associations Association; producer 250-699-6466 Member at Large, Ian Hayes Cambria Gordon Ltd. Terrace area 250-635-0226 Denise McLean, Provincial Government Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Chair 250-565-7201 Transportation and Erik Swanson BC Hydro Utility Companies 250-561-4863 Local farmers and the Lester Blouin District “C” Farmers Institute Robson Valley area 250-968-4487 Forest Industry Bruce Middleton BC Timber Sales 250-567-6312 Provincial Government Marc Schuffert BC Ministry of Forests and Range 250-847-6329 Retired from Ministry of Agriculture and as 250-847-3453 Agriculture Graeme Johnstone NWIPC Invasive Plant Area Manager 250-967-4645 Agriculture Lynne Wilson District “C” Farmers Institute/producer 250-692-3195 Local government Janine Dougall Regional District of Bulkley Nechako - 14 - INTEGRATED PLANT MANAGEMENT WEBSITES A GUIDE TO The Northwest Invasive Plant Council is comprised of Integrated Plant Management focuses on environmentally www.nwipc.org contributing partners and volunteer members representing sound and sustainable management of our resources. One www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weeds.htm government, private & public agencies and other of the most important components of IPM includes control INVASIVE PLANTS www.weedsbc.ca organizations. Members of the Council are dedicated to of undesirable plants through improved management www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca increasing awareness of invasive plants and associated losses practices. Basic principles include: caused to the natural & domestic resources of our region. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp NORTHWEST 1] Preventing invasion The goals of the Council are: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/weedguid.htm 2] Identification & knowledge of invasive plant species INVASIVE PLANT EDUCATE – landowners and managers about invasive 3] Inventory, mapping & monitoring of invasive plant COUNCIL plants’ impacts on the natural diversity of populations and damage caused the environment HOW TO GET INVOLVED 4] Choosing from mechanical, cultural, chemical, PROMOTE – Integrated Plant Management for the prevention, and biological control methods Learn to recognize invasive plants control, containment and eradication of invasive plant species 5] Using a combination of control methods to Remove weeds from equipment, pets & clothing reduce infestation ENCOURAGE – expanded support for local invasive plant Dispose of plants & seeds in a sealed plastic bag control programs and initiatives 6] Evaluating the effectiveness & results of ASSIST – with management efforts of invasive plants your management decisions Share this information with friends & neighbours on public, private and First Nation land Education, prevention & early identification of Adopt an area for volunteers to control invasive plants INVENTORY – invasive plants on private & public lands invasive plants is the first step to controlling them. Educate children about invasive plants in the North Central Region of BC More details about IPM strategies are available through the Be conscious of your actions when travelling INVASIVE PLANTS (WEEDS) Weed Hotline. Invasive plants are non-native plant species that are difficult ECOLOGICAL THREATS to control. In the absence of their natural predators and FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO diseases, these weeds aggressively compete with native Invasive plants aggressively compete with native plants for plants for sunlight, water & nutrients. nutrients, light, water and growing space. Competition REPORT INVASIVE PLANTS from invasive plants can result in: To prevent weeds from establishing: Northwest Invasive Plant Council Hotline ■ Suppressed native plant and seedling growth PULL – isolated plants 1-866-44-WEEDS (1-866-449-3337) ■ Reduced forage for livestock and wildlife CLIP – seed heads, placing them in a sealed bag ■ Less palatable and sometimes poisonous plant species BURY – or burn the plants & seed heads within the plant community REPORT – invasive plant locations to the NWIPC by calling 1-866-44-WEEDS ■ Increased fire hazard as unpalatable plant Protecting the material builds up ■ Future plant communities being threatened by invasive diverse habitats of ECONOMIC IMPACTS plant seeds that remain viable in the soil for decades Invasive plants threaten the health of our resources as well North Central BC as the viability of the industries they support. Invasive plant from invasive plant infestations can negatively affect the agriculture, forestry and recreation & tourism industries because they: spread is the ■ Reduce forage quality & yield Printed in partnership with the responsibility of ■ Are expensive to control Province of British Columbia ■ Reduce tree seedling vigour www.nwipc.org all resource users. ■ Reduce property & aesthetic value ■ Restrict recreation opportunities when poisonous and thorny weed infestations are present PRINTED BY WAYSIDE PRINTERS “BE WISE ABOUT WEEDS” INVASIVE PLANT OR WEED? INVASIVE PLANTS IN CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA The terms “invasive plant” and “noxious weed” mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. However, the term WEEDS THREATEN OUR RESOURCES. LEARN TO IDENTIFY THEM. invasive plant is considered to better describe the plants in question and the problems they cause. DALMATIAN TOADFLAX ORANGE HAWKWEED FIELD SCABIOUS • Perennial introduced from • Perennial introduced • Taprooted perennial from WHAT YOU CAN DO southeastern Europe from Europe Eurasia & North Africa ■ Learn to recognize & identify invasive plants • Spreads by seeds and • Orange/red flowers • Violet-blue flowers ■ Prevent infestation of new areas creeping roots • Basal rosette of leaves • Leaves reduced near ■ Pull isolated or new patches of weeds • Waxy leaves are pale green • Bristly-hairy stems that exude tip of stem ■ Removing weeds from vehicle undercarriage reduces spread & clasp stem a milky juice when broken • Hairy stems & leaves to uninfested areas • Yellow snapdragon-like • Very similar to many ■ Check yourself, pets, horses and livestock hair & feet for flowers ornamental species weed seeds prior to leaving an infested area ■ Report sightings to the Northwest Invasive Plant Council at 1-866-44-WEEDS LEAFY SPURGE MARSH PLUME THISTLE CANADIAN THISTLE • Perennial introduced • Introduced from Europe. Biennial that • Creeping rooted perennial growing to AGRICULTURE from Europe germinates in the first year. ■ 1.2 metres Plant “certified” seed because it contains no noxious weed • Reproduces by seeds & Up to 2m tall seeds • Stalkless dark green leaves deep vigorous roots • Typically in a single, slender ■ Check hay bales for invasive plants before purchasing • Flowerheads spineless and small compared • Yellow-green flower clusters unbranched stem with a cluster & transporting to other thistles with heart shaped bracts of purple flowers at the top ■ Practice sound range and pasture management to maintain • Flowers variable in colour from rose-purple • Exudes a white latex juice • The upright stem is evenly a healthy plant community that is more resistant to weed to pink to white that irritates skin covered in spiny wings invasion • This is the only thistle with male and ■ Keep areas around cattleguards, gates, irrigation ditches female flowers on separate plants and livestock facilities free of weeds to reduce the spread to new areas OXEYE DAISY SCENTLESS CHAMOMILE • Short-lived perennial. Introduced HORTICULTURE SPOTTED KNAPWEED from Eurasia. Mature plants are ■ • Annual/Short lived perennial Do not grow invasive plants • Perennial introduced 20-80cm in height ■ • White daisy-like flower Do not plant “wild flower” seed mixes that contain invasive from Eurasia • Often confused with the • Multiple flowerheads plant seeds (most do) • Purple flowers ornamental Shasta Daisy ■ per stem Dried flower arrangements containing weeds can spread • Black tipped • White daisy-like flowers on stem • Leaves are fern-like seeds to new areas bracts on ends and narrow, divided, upper • Can produce up to 300,000 flowerhead are leaves clasping the stem RECREATION seeds per plant easy to “spot” • Spreads by seed and creeping ■ Obey posted signs • Plant is odourless when • Prolific seed underground stems ■ Vehicle & bicycle tires can disturb soil providing an ideal crushed seedbed for weeds to grow. Keep to established roads & producer trails COMMON TANSY ■ Keep recreation equipment clean & weed free DIFFUSE KNAPWEED HOUND’S-TONGUE • Perennial, spread by seeds and roots INDUSTRY • Biennial to perennial introduced • Biennial introduced from Europe • Numerous small, yellow button- ■ Wash soil & plant material from heavy machinery from the Mediterranean • Soft & hairy basal leaves shaped flowers in flat-topped before transporting to new locations to reduce the spread • White flowers (often pink) • Red-purple flowers clusters at the tops of the plants of weeds • Short, sharp spines on • Teardrop seed burrs • Leaves are deeply divided, almost ■ Reseed all sites disturbed by machinery & industrial equip- flower head bracts • Toxic to livestock fern-like ment to prevent the establishment of new invasive plants • Seeds spread from • Seed attach to people • Mature plants grow 0.4 - 1.5m tall ■ Vacant or undeveloped land should be actively managed to tumbling plants & animals Photographs provided by the with upright stems that are often prevent weeds from establishing Ministry of Agriculture and Lands purplish red and Robert Needham • May be toxic Common Tansy • Tanacetum vulgare • Synonyms - Golden buttons, parsley fern, Chrysanthemum vulgare, Tanacetum boreale April 2008 B. B. Stewart © The Illustrated Flora of BC Common Common Tansy Current Distribution in BC Dots indicate species presence as recorded in IAPP (accessed September 19, 2007). 19, September (accessed IAPP in recorded as presence species indicate Dots 9 Solutions and Range Weed Control Act Forest Plant Perennial species that reproduces by Plants spread mainly through seed but also Many yellow disc flowers that resemble Prefers sunny areas with well-drained soils. Up to 1.8 m in height. When mature, stems 1 mm long achenes (simple, dry, one-seeded Practices Act Noxious Weed (Regional), BC Invasive Plants Regulation, 3 Ecological Characteristics Habitat: Often infests stream banks, pastures, and other disturbed sites such as roadsides. Can not effectively establish in frequently tilled soils. Reproduction: seed. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 25 years. Dispersal: through roots. Seeds can be transported by birds, animals, and on vehicles that have been working in infested areas. Control of seed dispersal is more important than control of vegetative spread. Identification Flowers: can be purplish-red. Glands give a dotted appearance. Leaves: Dark green, divided leaves with serrated leaflets. 10-20 cm long and 4–8 cm wide. Fruits: fruit). Dotted with glands and 5-angled. Similar Species: Common tansy is sometimes confused with Tansy ragwort, which has ray flowers. buttons are found at the top of the plant in a flat- topped cluster. There are no ray flowers. 20-200 flower heads per plant. Stems: Currently distributed in the following areas: Bulkley- Nechako, Central Kootenay, Columbia-Shuswap, East Kootenay, and North Okanagan Regional Districts, and within Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, southeast coast of Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, and Squamish/Pemberton. Distribution Legal Status 3 argeted nvasive I www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca T T.I.P.S. Ministry of Agriculture C. Mackay Impacts and Lands Economic: Infestations may be toxic to grazers (leaves contain neurotoxins, toxic oils, and the pesticide pyrethrin). Dairy cattle consuming the leaves often have unpleasant tasting milk. Ecological: Infestations of common tansy displace native vegetation. Integrated Pest Management IPM is a decision-making process that includes identification and inventory of invasive plant populations, assessment of the risks that they pose, development of well-informed control options that may include a number of methods, site treatment, and monitoring. Chrysanthemum vulgare, Tanacetum boreale Prevention • The use of fertilizer can increase the competitive ability of grasses and other desirable plants, thereby preventing or reducing infestations of common tansy. Mechanical Control • Common tansy can not be controlled with single mowing events (e.g. once-a-year), as the plants will respond with an increase in vegetative growth. • Mowing sites very low to the ground before July B. Stewart can prevent seed production. • Combined mowing and subsequent herbicide treatment of re-growth appears to be an Synonyms - Golden buttons, parsley fern, effective control method. Treatments must be References and Links to repeated over several years. • Hand pulling may be used in areas where Further Information mowing and herbicide application are not • A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia. Common Tansy. feasible. Gloves and other protective clothing www.weedsbc.ca/weed_desc/com_tansy.html should be worn to prevent skin irritation. • BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Field Guide to Noxious Weeds and Other Selected Invasive Plants of British Columbia. Common Tansy. Biocontrol www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/commtan.htm • No biocontrol agent in BC to date. BC is part of • BC Ministry of Forests and Range, Invasive Alien Plant a consortium and is pursuing research on Program. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/Plants/application.htm Tanacetum vulgare • biocontrol for this species. • E-Flora BC, an Electronic Atlas of the Plants of BC. www.eflora.bc.ca/ • • King County Noxious Weed Control Program Best Chemical Control Management Practices for Common Tansy. King County, Herbicide recommendations and use must consider site Washington. http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/lands/weeds/ characteristics and be prescribed based on site goals and pdf/common-tansy-control.pdf • Noxious Weed Information on Common Tansy. Colorado objectives. Herbicide labels and other sources of information Weed Management Association. must be reviewed before selecting and applying herbicides. www.cwma.org/nx_plants/comtansy.htm • Ensure that chemical treatments do not injure or • Strathcona County. Weeds and Their Control. Tansy. www.strathcona.ab.ca/Strathcona/Departments/ kill susceptible, non-target vegetation. Transportation+and+Agriculture+Services/ • The following herbicides provide effective Agriculture+Services/Weeds/Tansy+-+control.htm control for common tansy: picloram, picloram/2,4 D, metsulfuron methyl, and aminopyralid. • Application of pesticides on Crown land must be carried out following a confirmed Pest Common Tansy Management Plan (Integrated Pest Management Act) and under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator. Thank you to the BC Ministry of Environment www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/edppa/ipmp/index.html for providing project funding, and to those ...BRITf H who advised the development of these COLUMBl management recommendations. Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia The: PlaceonEanh #104 - 197 North 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z5 • Phone: (250) 392-1400