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Invasive Species

WHAT IS AN INVASIVE SPECIES?

Invasive species are non-native organisms, including plant, animal, insect and pathogen species, that are introduced outside of their native range, and are able to outcompete native species for resources and space. They often lack their natural population controls such as predators and, as a result, can reproduce and spread quickly. They are very adaptable and have the ability to transform entire ecosystems.

Invasive species are a major concern worldwide and continue to plague land and water managers at a national, provincial and local level. The threat of established or potential introduction of invasive species will continue to impact our economy and environment with international trade, climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation.

WHAT IS CLOCA DOING?

 

Invasive Species Management Strategy

 

Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOCA), like other Conservation Authorities across the province, has put in place an invasive species management strategy to protect watershed biodiversity, and reduce the social and economic impacts on our communities.

 

CLOCA's Invasive Species Management Strategy (2017-2027) is a 10-year action plan that provides direction for CLOCA's various departments. This tool will be used to promote discussion amongst our watershed management partners and assist us in securing long-term support to fulfill the objectives set out within the strategy.

The guiding principles of this document are to prevent, detect, respond and manage invasive species in our watershed.  This strategy guides us as we prioritize species for management, examine and update internal policies and procedures, educate and reach out to engage stakeholders and develop communication products to address invasive species.  We regularly implement the principles of our Invasive Species Management Strategy in our watershed including through our Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program

Current Invasive Species Monitoring and Management

EMERALD ASH BORER*
EMERALD ASH BORER

 

Jewel beetle native to north-east Asia.

IMPACT

  • 99% mortality rate on ash trees

  • Adult lays eggs on ash tree bark;  larva feeds on the inner bark (cambium) which slowly kills the trees  

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Distribution mapping

  • Monitoring tree health

  • Hazard tree removal

  • Restoration planning

Infected trees in our Conservation Areas have been marked with yellow dots as part of our ash tree inventory.

PHRAGMITIES*
(Frag-mite-eez)
PHRAGMITIES

Phragmities australis or "phrag" is a perennial wetland grass native to Eurasia.

IMPACT

  • Creates dense stands, crowding out native vegetation and degrading wildlife habitat

  • Spreads by root fragments and seeds

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Herbicide and physical removal at Heber Down Conservation Area  

 

This management has been ongoing since 2016, in partnership with Enbridge, Trans Northern Pipeline and Hydro One.

GARLIC MUSTARD*
GARLIC MUSTARD

Biennial understory plant native to Europe. Introduced as a medicinal herb.

IMPACT

  • Outcompetes Ontario's native forest spring wildflowers including  trilliums and trout lilies

  • Unappealing to wildlife due to its strong garlic taste

  • Spreads by seeds

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Physical removal at Purple Woods Conservation Area

This management has been ongoing since 2013 through CLOCA's high school education program To Beat it, We Eat it.  

DOG-STRANGLING
VINE 
DOG-STRANGLING VINE

 

DSV or pale swallow-wort is a perennial vine-like plant in the milkweed family.

IMPACT

  • Creates dense stands that crowd out native plants, preventing forest regeneration and impacting biodiversity

  • Uses the wind for seed dispersal

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Managed at Purple Woods, Crow's Pass and Enniskillen Conservation Areas

The location of this management is based on the prioritization of the highest quality habitat.​

GIANT HOGWEED
GIANT HOGWEED


Monocarpic perennial (which means it takes many years before it flowers), but once it flowers, it dies. Native to the Caucasus region of southwest Asia.  Introduced as a garden ornamental.

IMPACT

  • Human health risk: sap causes severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight 

  • Creates monotypic (only one type of species) communities in wet areas  

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Distribution mapping and reporting in partnership with Ganaraska Conservation and the Municipality of Clarington.

WILD PARSNIP*
WILD PARSNIP

 

Monocarpic perennial (which means it takes many years before it flowers), but once it flowers, it dies. Suspected introduction by European Settlers as an edible crop.

IMPACT

  • Human health risk: sap causes severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight

  • Creates dense stands that out-compete native plant diversity

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Removal and follow up monitoring along trails at CLOCA's Conservation Areas.

WATER CHESTNUT*
WATER CHESTNUT

 

Aquatic plant native to Europe.  Prohibited under the Invasive Species Act.  Suspected introduction by local property owners releasing backyard pond plants.

IMPACT

  • Creates extremely dense floating mats of vegetation, shading out native aquatic plants 

  • Reproduces vegetatively and by seed 

  • Hard nuts with sharp, barbed spines can accumulate,  impacting recreational water use  

CLOCA'S ACTION

  • Physical removal at Pumphouse Marsh in Oshawa

 

This management has been ongoing since 2018.  This species has only been found at three other locations in Ontario (Ottawa, Rideau and St. Lawrence Rivers). 

We'll come to you!  

If you’d like to have us attend your event or provide a presentation to your group, please contact Roy Mosher at rmosher@cloca.com

Outreach and Education

 

Community Engagement: As part of CLOCA’s Invasive Species Management Strategy, staff regularly participate in education and outreach events such as the Oak Ridges Trail Association Adventure Relay, Thickson Woods Land Trust Nature Festival and many other local community programs.

Municipal and ENGO (environmental non-governmental organization) Engagement: CLOCA actively engages municipal staff in projects regarding invasive species. We have hosted, in partnership with municipalities and non-profits such as the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, workshops for municipal, provincial, and ENGO staff on topics such as species-specific management, clean equipment protocols and management strategy planning.

*Images courtesy of invadingspecies.com

Horizon Scanning: On the lookout for potential up-and-coming...

There is a constant threat of new invasive species emerging as a result of globalization and increased trade between different countries and continents.  CLOCA collaborates with ENGOs including the Invasive Species Centre, the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, and both the federal and provincial governments to stay up-to-date on new and emerging pests.

Be on the lookout for some potential up-and-coming invasive species:

Japanese Stiltgrass

Asian Carp

Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

Water Soldier

Images courtesy of invadingspecies.com and entomologytoday.org

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Plant Native

Where possible, use native plants in your landscaping. Below are links to helpful resources:

 

Know Your Invasives

Learn to identify invasive species by visiting the Invading Species Awareness Program or using these great resources:

 

Report Invasives

If you see an invasive species, report it to EDDMapS Ontario or contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

Stay on the trails

Always remain on designated trails and keep pets on a leash to avoid disturbing natural habitats. Invasive species often thrive in disturbed areas and their seeds can travel on you and your pets.  Staying on the trails will also help keep you safe.  Learn to identify Central Lake Ontario Conservation's most untouchable plants.

Give them a brush-off

Clean off your footwear and all equipment before you go from one natural area to another. This includes all surfaces of canoes, boats, bikes, fishing equipment, ATVs, walking sticks and evens skis, snowmobiles and snowshoes in the winter.

Volunteer

To participate in CLOCA work days, contact Yvonne Storm at ystorm@cloca.com or sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on volunteer events.

To participate in Phragmities removal events at Heber Down Conservation Area, contact Roy Mosher at rmosher@cloca.com.

Educate your class

Grades 6-12: Book CLOCA's Alien Invaders education program.  In this program students will explore different habitats, discover the difference between native, non-native and invasive species, and be introduced to various local invasive species.  They will learn how these alien invaders are impacting habitats, as well as the characteristics that enable them to become such incredible trespassers.  

Grades 9-12:  Participate in the To Beat it We Eat it program at Purple Woods Conservation Area. In this program high school students have the opportunity to learn about the invasive garlic mustard, remove it from the forest and head to the kitchen to make some delicious garlic mustard pesto.  For more information, contact Roy Mosher at rmosher@cloca.com 

Invasive Terr.jpg
Invasive Plant.jpg

Managing your own property?

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council has developed a suite of resources to help you manage invasive species on your property:

 

Don’t know where to start? Contact Roy Mosher at rmosher@cloca.com

Additional Resources

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council has developed a suite of resources to help you manage invasive species on your property:

Our External Partners

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Invading Species Awareness Program.JPG
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Reporting Invasives
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