The provincial government is providing $194,000 to the East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council (EKIPC) to help control the spread of invasive plants, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett announced April 17.

This is one of 29 grants, totalling $1,702,000, that are being distributed province-wide to local governments, regional invasive species committees and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. to assist with their activities and support the objectives of the provincial Invasive Plant Program.

“Over my years as MLA, I have viewed invasive plant species, more commonly known as noxious weeds, as the major environmental threat they are,” Bennett said. “I have never understood why the environmental organizations don’t contribute more to this cause, but in any case I am proud government is doing its part.”

The funding will be invested in activities such as raising public awareness of invasive plants, surveying invasive plant populations and actively treating high-priority sites to control the spread of these plants.

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced into British Columbia from other areas. They displace native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage. Some pose a health risk to people (e.g. skin irritation). Invasive plants can disrupt natural ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry and adversely affect commercial crops.

The Invasive Plant Program identifies sites where invasive plant species have been found and responds rapidly to contain and eradicate them before they become established and start spreading.

To learn more Invasive Plant Program, visit: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/index.htm

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