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Let's Pull Together, Nanaimo!

Residents invited to participate in invasive plant work parties

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 1, 2019 8:00 AM

Summary

The signs of spring are popping up everywhere, including native blooms such as Fawn Lilies, Camas and Sea Blush. It's at this time of year that the City of Nanaimo works with many community groups on invasive plants in out parks and offer our "drop zones", where we accept invasive plants from homeowners for disposal as a way to encourage and raise awareness of the impact of invasive plants in our parks and natural areas.

Invasive plants have the potential to negatively impact local ecosystems. Plants, such as English ivy, Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry are well established in Nanaimo while others, such as Knotweed and Giant Hogweed are relatively new but can have a severe negative impact on residents. Volunteer work parties with with City staff at various locations throughout the City, including Linley Valley Park, Bowen Park, Serauxmen Field and Pipers Lagoon Park. Additionally, residents who remove invasive plants from their own property can bring them to the two drop zones for safe disposal.

If you are interested in participating in any of the scheduled work parties or would like to coordinate one on your own, please register through the City website or call 250-756-5200 for more information. Thank you for helping us maintain our natural areas and restoring the integrity of our native ecology.

Link to Strategic Plan: Invasive species control falls under Environmental Responsibility, one the four Pillars of Sustainability in the City of Nanaimo's Strategic Plan.

Key Points

  • Residents are encouraged to register for the work parties held April 25, May 4, May 10 and June 1 from 10 am - 12 pm at various locations. To see the schedule, flip to page 72 of the 2019 Spring & Summer Activity Guide.
  • Residents can drop off invasive plants they have removed from their property at two drop zones. The first is scheduled at Linley Gyro Park on Saturday, May 4 from 10 - 2 pm and the second will take place at Bowen Park (off Wall St) on Saturday, June 1 from 10 am - 2 pm.

Quotes

"We are working on many different strategies to manage invasive plants in our parks. With such great support from stewardship groups and community volunteers, we get a few steps closer to controlling the spread of these plants."

Rob Lawrance
Parks & Open Space Planner
City of Nanaimo

"Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause environmental harm to our ecosystems by out-competing our native plants for space, nutrients and water. They can lessen the diversity of our ecosystems and destabilize them, increasing further invasion of non-native plants. Join us in our seventh year of organized Invasive Plant Work Parties or plan your own in your neighbourhood to help us get rid of these invasive plants."

Deborah Beck
Recreation Coordinator
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Deborah Beck
Recreation Coordinator
City of Nanaimo
250-756-5203
Rob Lawrance
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7582

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