Invasive weed species in Sparwood have been served an eviction notice as two groups work together to restore local wetlands.
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) and Elk River Alliance (ERA) have teamed up to host weed pulls at Sparwood’s Beaverfoot wetland this month and have put a call out for volunteers.
The August 1 event was attended by 10 Fernie and Sparwood residents, who hauled away seven industrial-sized garbage bags stuffed with reed canary grass, spotted knapweed, burdock and Canadian thistle.
The EKISC and ERA hope to attract more volunteers for the second event on August 21, which will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
“Not only is it a weed pull but it’s a chance for people to engage in something meaningful for the community and make a difference,” said EKISC Education and Communications Manager Jessie Paloposki.
“We will have experts on site who are willing to help people learn about plants and wetlands.”
Paloposki said wetlands played an important role in ecosystems, acting as a natural filter for all ecosystems.
However, controlling invasive weeds in these areas can be difficult.
“Near waterways is the most challenging since the only way of removal is by handpulling, tarping, and digging, which is what we’re doing at the wetland,” said Paloposki.
Beaverfoot was chosen because of its proximity to Sparwood and value to the community.
The ERA has been monitoring it for the past few years.
“Invasive species move in quickly and we’ve been making an effort to hold them back,” said ERA Restoration and Stewardship Program Manager Beth Millions.
“Now we are making an effort to remove invasives from the wetland and rehabilitate a small area of it, and that involves getting more people on board.”
The groups are specifically targeting spotted knapweed and reed canary grass, both of which inhibit the growth of other plants and cause problems including bank instability and impeding salmon spawning.
“Both species provide very little value for native wildlife as they eliminate habitat and few species will eat these plants,” said Paloposki.
“If we find any new invasives we’ll be sure to get rid of them too.”
EKISC will provide snacks, gloves and tools for the weed pull but volunteers are welcome to bring their own.
Land-based tasks are available for those who don’t want to get wet while groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a $200 stipend for their help.
For more information, email jessie@ekisc.com.
