Preventing and stopping the spread of harmful invasive species in B.C. requires the involvement of all British Columbians, which is why the B.C. government and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. have declared the entire month of May as Invasive Species Action Month.

By working together and being vigilant, the government says B.C. residents can stop invasive species from threatening the province’s environment, economy and society.

“We value our natural environment in British Columbia, which is why it’s more important now than ever to learn about how to prevent, detect and manage invasive species and take action together,” says Gail Wallin, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC).

“We’ve taken some big steps to manage invasive threats this past year, and while we will celebrate these actions this month, it is crucial that British Columbians continue to take actions to stop invasive species from spreading in the water, in gardens and agriculture, through firewood, through sports equipment, and by keeping unwanted pests out of the wild.”

Damages and economic losses caused by aquatic and terrestrial invasive species worldwide are estimated at more than $1.4 trillion – nearly five per cent of the global economy.

Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and the recreation and tourism industries, are some of the most heavily impacted, with millions in lost revenue each year.

The cost of invasive species to Canada is between $16.6 billion and $34.5 billion per year.

In British Columbia alone, just six invasive plants caused an estimated combined damage of at least $65 million in 2008. With further spread, impacts will more than double to $139 million by 2020.

It has been estimated by the Okanagan Basin Water Board that the introduction of invasive quagga and zebra mussels into B.C. lakes and rivers would cost the province more than $40 million annually to control.

So far, there hasn’t been a single invasive mussel found in B.C. waterways, but they have caused severe damage in many other Canadian provinces.

To promote Invasive Species Action Month, ISCBC invites British Columbians to visit www.bcinvasivesmonth.com and to post to social media using the hashtag #bcinvasives to find information about how to prevent and stop the spread of invasive species in their gardens, parks and forests, through sporting and camping activities, in lakes, rivers and oceans, and in their cities, towns and across the province.

The website includes links to events and activities being held by ISCBC, regional invasive species committees, local governments and stewardship organizations across BC.

And every workday during May, an invasive species will be featured as a Species-A-Day.

In addition, this year’s Invasive Species Action Month includes a photo contest where people can post photos of key invasive species and people taking action to prevent their spread.

Photos must be posted to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #bcinvasivescontest to enter to win great prizes.

More details are available at www.bcinvasivesmonth.com.

For every week of Invasive Species Action Month, ISCBC will highlight specific programs that help British Columbians take action against invasives:

• Week 1: Don’t Let It Loose! focuses on the harm of releasing unwanted pets and aquarium plants into the wild

• Week 2: PlantWise, educating gardeners and those in agriculture, ranching and horticulture about preventing and stopping the spread of invasive plants in BC

• Week 3: Outdoor Recreation, reminding campers and outdoor sports enthusiasts to Buy it Where you Burn It for firewood, and Play Clean Go to remove debris from sports equipment to prevent spreading invasives

• Week 4: Clean Drain Dry focused on educating boaters about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species like mussels and plants.

British Columbians can participate in hands-on events during Invasive Species Action Month, such as field days, weed pulls, native plant restoration sessions, garden tours, and meeting with invasive species groups at farmers markets around B.C. ISCBC is also offering webinars and resources for educators and the public.

A full calendar is available at www.bcinvasivesmonth.com.

“Summer is just around the corner, and with British Columbians making plans to spend more time outdoors in nature, May is the ideal time to take action on invasive species,” adds Wallin. “We encourage everyone to learn how to get involved preventing invasive species from taking hold, and how to keep them from damaging British Columbia’s environment, economy and our society.”

The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) has been working to minimize the negative ecological, social, and economic impacts caused by the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species for more than 10 years.

Their goals are to: educate the public and professionals about invasive species and their risks to ecosystems and economies through activities such as workshops, seminars and newsletters; coordinate research relating to invasive species and make this available to the public; and undertake and support actions that improve the health of BC’s natural ecosystems. For more information or to find your local invasive species committee visit www.bcinvasives.ca.

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Osoyoos Times