The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) made headway against the encroachment of invasive species of plants this summer. The council recently announced the created of a SWAT team - Special Weed Action Team - to keep the working going.
The team will be headed up by Pam Tattersfield of Britannia and Zach deJong of Squamish, who will continue to maintain the group's inventory and direct five members of the Hot Spot Team through early October.
Plainly put, the group looks for invasive species that can be damaging to local ecosystems. They then destroy them in the best way. Some species of plants have to be uprooted entirely and then burned, because even a small sliver of root left in the ground is enough for the plant to re-establish itself.
As well as attacking the species where they are found, the SSISC has also hired an education and outreach specialist. Kimberley Armour will be sharing information on invasive plants in schools, communities and businesses from Lions Bay to D'Arcy - such as how to recognize the species and what to do when they're encountered.
"Invasive species threaten the rich natural beauty of our region," she said in a press release. "To stop the spread of invasives we need hikers, bikers and dog walkers to tell us when they happen upon invasive plants or animals. We need gardeners, landscapers and horticulturists to support the planting of native species and proper disposal of invasives. We need machine operators and farmers to wash their equipment between sites and stop giving free riders to hitchhiking seeds."
For more information on invasive species and programs, visit www.ssisc.info.
