Submitted by Joanne Rodgers
Jacob Kloeze of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) was the featured speaker at BPEG’s November Meeting.
The NCC’s Saugeen Peninsula Invasive Species Program has been in place since 2020, with the goal to implement landscape-scale invasive species control. Kloeze discussed the threats to local biodiversity from invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, garlic mustard and quagga mussels.
One local success story has been the control of Phragmites at Oliphant and the Fishing Islands. There had been a 95% reduction from pre-2017 levels. With more than 90 volunteers and 9,000 hours, using a combination of mechanical and chemical efforts, less than 5 hectares of Phragmites remain. Kloeze says work continues to be on-going, but points to the importance of collaborative community involvement to prevent, eradicate and contain invasive species spread in the community.
BPEG Next Meeting: Fire Smart presented by the local fire department on 4 December 2024, 7 p.m. Anglican Church Hall in Lion’s Head.
