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VICTORIA – The Ministry of Environment is stepping up efforts to control the spread of invasive plant species in the wake of the pine beetle outbreak with a contribution of nearly $25,000, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.
“Invasive plants threaten native species, elevating fire hazards and reducing forage for wildlife,” said Penner. “Disturbances such as forest harvest and road-building create ideal habitat for invasive plants to become established if appropriate preventative measures aren’t taken.”
The grant to the Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia will help provide accessible and relevant information on the prevention and early detection of invasive plants. While the project will have provincewide application, it will focus on areas impacted by the mountain pine beetle. The project is supported by the federal-provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Ecological Restoration Program.
“The most cost-efficient and effective means of controlling invasive plants, other than prevention, is early detection and rapid response,” said Duncan Barnett, chair of the Invasive Plant Council of B.C.
“Prevention and early detection require that personnel are aware of invasive plant impacts,” said Penner. “People need to know how to prevent invasive plants and be knowledgeable enough to identify key plant species.”
The Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia was formed through the development of the Invasive Plant Strategy for British Columbia. A goal of the strategy is to build co-operation and co-ordination to protect B.C.’s environment and minimize the economic and social impact.
During the past four years, the Ministry of Environment has spent more than $1 million to manage invasive plants on the Crown lands it is responsible for in British Columbia.
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