District of Metchosin British Columbia, Canada Invasive species removal
Dig in Deeper
tools
Our tool of choice for minimal disruption of soil and the most efficient elimination of plants like broom, holly and daphne is the pullerbear. We like supporting the local maker of them up in Duncan, but you can find similar tools elsewhere as well.
“The Pullerbears are a hand held tree pulling tool that will pull invasive and nuisance trees out of the ground with little effort and with the roots.”
native plants
Disrupted soil is exactly where invasives like to establish themselves. Beat them to it by planting native species!
“Satinflower Nurseries offers a wide selection of plants and seeds native to southern Vancouver Island. Satinflower Nurseries (formerly Saanich Native Plants) also offers plant and site preparation consultations, and hosts a variety of community workshops and classes related to native plants and restoration.”
Master Gardeners Association of BC
“A comprehensive list of shrubs, flowers, groundcovers, Garry Oak meadow and shoreline plants for Southern Vancouver Island.”
E-Flora BC Electronic Atlas of the Flora in BC
“E-Flora BC is an online biogeographic atlas of the flora (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, and algae), fungi and slime molds of British Columbia.”
Government of BC Species & Ecosystem Explorer
“BC Species & Ecosystem Explorer (BCSEE) provides information for over 22,000 plants, animals and ecological communities in BC.”
info
There's a lot of good information out there, both on the provincial and local level.
Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
A great resource that has an extensive list of publications, can help you identify invasive species, identifies best practices and encourages reporting sightings.
Capital Region Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP)
"Providing support to public and private lands with high risk new invasive plant species."
“We want to stop, reduce, control and ease the effects of invasive species on our ecosystem, health and economy.”
SPECIFIC TO HOLLY:
Invasive English Holly in Forests
Soil Impact due to English Holly
Pictures of an Invasion: English Holly
Report to Metchosin's Parks & Trails Committee
media
Some local coverage of MISC and our concerns over invasives:
CHEK TV December 16, 2019 Metchosin Park
English holly threatening ecosystems on Vancouver Island.
CHEK TV May 22, 2021 · Blinkhorn / Metchosin Park
European Ash and English Holly in Metchosin's Parks.
SOOKE MIRROR December 12, 2019
Matheson Lake Park
Vancouver Island's ecosystems threatened by spread of English Holly..
New invasive to note:
TIMES COLONIST February 4, 2022
Arum Italicum is a toxic, noxious, non-native plant that has headed up from Washington.