SPREAD THE WORD, NOT THE WEEDS
WINTER 2010
THE UNINVITED GUEST PROFILE : HOARY ALYSSUM
Caption describing picture or
graphic.
Believed to be originally introduced to North America from European, it is now found in every province in Canada. It is a biennial/ short lived perennial with a deep tap root and can grow to .7 metre. The whole plant is covered with star shaped hairs. Clusters of white flowers are found at the tips of the plant’s branches with hairy seed pods along the stem. Each pod contains 7‐12 seeds. It is found in meadows, pastures, and unused areas, and can form dense stands along roadsides. Hoary alyssum is most abundant in recently disturbed sites and prefers dry sandy or gravely soils. Hoary Alyssum is considered a toxic plant. It is suspected of containing SMCO which can cause haemolytic anemia and hemogloinuria in ruminants and laminitis and abor‐
tion in horses. Hand Pulling is an effective control. There is currently no biological control available for Hoary Alyssum. Hoary Alyssum
Scientific Name:
Berteroa incana
2010 EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Southern Interior Weed Management Committee and the Invasive Plant Council of BC have received funding to enhance invasive plant awareness and promote re‐
sponsible management. Communities throughout the Thompson‐Nicola Regional District have the opportunity to organize and participate in the free seminars that are directed by the committee staff. Invasive plant impacts, control methods, and management strategies are the focus of the seminars. The presentations will also introduce and promote the TNRD Weed Control Programs available to the community members. Groups of all ages and inter‐
ests are affected by invasive plants and are encouraged to take action to stop the spread of these invaders to our local environment. To book a free presentation or make enquiries please contact the SIWMC Education Outreach Staff at (250) 851‐1699 or [email protected] Thank You to the
IPCBC for
funding
the Invasive Plant
Outreach positions
to enhance the
existing SIWMC
program during
Winter 2010
PROGRAM UPDATES
IPCBC Hot Spot and SWAT Crews
SWAT Member,
Chelsea, in Wells
Gray Park.
In the late summer and fall of 2009 the Invasive Plant Coun‐
cil of BC initiated the ‘Hot Spot’ and ‘SWAT’ Crews. The crews were directed by the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee (SIWMC). The 7 person ‘Hot Spot’ crew was based out of Kamloops, while the 3 person SWAT crew was based out of Clearwater. The crews inventoried invasive plant sites and applied a vari‐
ety of treatments (spray, cut or pull) within the Thompson‐
Nicola Regional District. The Hot Spots activities were guided by a work plan that was created through the SIWMC Strategic Plan. Inventorying was concentrated to the 35 plants that are targeted in the Plan. The defined scope of work and set priorities was defined by the Ministry of For‐
ests and Range, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastruc‐
ture, Ministry of Environment‐ Provincial Parks and the Kam‐
loops Indian Band. The Minis‐
try of Agriculture, Thompson Nicola Regional District and Kamloops Correctional Program
For the third field season, the Kamloops Regional Corrections Center has maintained a mechanical control crew for targeted invasive plants on sites in and around Kamloops. Crews typically consist of 8 members and one guard; all who enthusiastically hand pull, dig‐up and re‐
seed infested areas. The KRCC Member working along Goose Lake Rd.
Page 2
members are incredibly keen on learning about invasive plants and have been an asset to helping the committee’s battle with invasive plants. They treated a total of 49 sites, targeting Knapweed, Hound’s Tongue, Oxeye Daisy, Bull Thistle, Sulphur Cinquefoil and Hoary Alys‐
sum. others also participated in the setting of priorities. In two and half months the ‘Hot Spot’ crew had completed 2,360 invasive plant inventory sites were visited and 401 treat‐
ments sites. The ‘SWAT’ crews completed work at 130 sites during shorter season. The work done will provide a greater understanding of the spread of invasive plants with in the TNRD Region helping to form future strategy plans. Biological Control Program
The biological control pro‐
gram successfully doubled the amount of releases from 2008. The 2009 program had biological agents released for the control of Hounds Tongue, Spotted Knapweed, Diffuse Knapweed, Dalmatian Toadlflax, Leafy Spurge, Can‐
ada Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Plumeless Thistle and St. John’s Wort. A total of 153 releases were made on private and public land throughout the TNRD. Any landowner interested in receiving a biological control for invasive plants on private prop‐
erty is encouraged to contact the SIWMC for more informa‐
tion or to make arrangements for the upcoming field season. Single Agency Delivery Program
The continuation of the Single Agency Pilot Project was suc‐
cessful in its efforts to imple‐
ment a cross‐jurisdictional invasive plant management program. The collaborative control activities met the ob‐
jectives and budgeting of the individual agencies, and the treatment of high‐priority sites in management areas ‘I’ and ‘N’ was achieved and at a greater capacity. The agen‐
cies also benefitted mutually from the cost‐sharing that occurred in all aspects of the treatment activities of both the SIWMC staff and spray contractors, including: sur‐
veying, inventorying, treat‐
ments, monitoring and re‐
porting. These activities were performed in a consis‐
tent manner and the SIWMC staff and spray contractors maintained a coordinated effort for all jurisdictions in the management areas. The addition of the Project Manager to the program Cyphocleonus achates increased the efficiency and communication between the Coordinator and the Con‐
tractors. Sites were inven‐
toried and monitored effec‐
tively and did not interfere with the other programs managed by the SIWMC. Micromanagement of the Single Agency Project has created a professionalism that was needed for the growth and improvement of the project as well as to sort out last year’s challenges. Winter 2010
Field Days and Education
The SIWMC hosted two suc‐
cessful field days during the summer. Both days had a great turnout and informed the locals of the Merritt and Clearwater areas to the problems created by inva‐
sive plants. Dow Agro‐
Sciences staff was hosted for a field day by Purity Feed Co. and SIWMC. The SIWMC also attended the Merritt and Kamloops Home Shows, and other public events. Merritt Field Day on July 9, 2009 MAP INFORMATION
Chemical treatments
were carried out by
Cala Industries and
Terrafirm in areas I and
N as part of the Single
Agency Delivery
Program. Chemical
treatments outside of
Areas I and N were
done on BCTC and
Terasen right-of-ways.
Mechanical treatments
include handpulling,
digging and clipping.
Treatments were
completed throughout
the TNRD by the IPCBC
Hot Spots and Swat
crews. Biological control
releases made on
private properties and
some public lands were
funded by the TNRD
Biological control
program.
Page 3
SOUTHERN INTERIOR WEED
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
SPREAD THE WORD, NOT THE WEED
162 Oriole Road
Kamloops, BC
V2C 4N7
Phone: 250-851-1699
Fax: 250-828-4631
E-mail: [email protected]
Upcoming Events
SIWMC AGM Wednesday April 21, 2010 FIELD DAYS 2010 May 26 – Westwold June 23 – Clinton Come out and learn about local invasive plant identification, issues, and control methods. Free Admission. Page 4
WINTER 2010
The Southern Interior Weed Management Committee (SIWMC) is a registered charity comprised of volunteer members representing private & public agencies, clubs and or­
ganizations in the Thompson­Nicola Region of British Columbia. Members of the society are dedicated to increasing awareness of invasive plants and associated losses caused to the natural and domestic resources of our region. The SIWMC is made up of representatives from a number of public and private agen­
cies. These agencies are actively engaged in operational and educational invasive plant management programs in partnership with the SIWMC throughout the Thompson­
Nicola Region. Re p o r t - A - W e e d
w w w. s i w m c . c a
1-888-WEEDSBC
TNRD 2010 Program Updates
The Thompson‐Nicola Regional District has partnered with the Southern Interior Weed Management Committee (SIWMC) and Purity feed Co. to provide invasive plant man‐
agement options for private land within the electoral areas of the TNRD. The programs have been updated for 2010. 50% Cost Share Program • Landowners who have 160 acres or less quality for a maximum rebate of $1500 (50% of 3000). • Landowners who have over 160 acres for a maximum rebate of $3000 (50% of $6000). Herbicide Rebate Program • Certified applicators are eligible for a rebate of 50% to a maximum of $250 of the cost of herbicide purchased by landowners who treat invasive plants. New Invaders Program • Landowners may qualify for 100% rebate for chemical control of plants that are considered ’New Invaders’ on private land by a certified applicator. See applica‐
tion form for a list of eligible plants. Sprayer Loan Out Program • Equipment for the management of invasive plants is available for use to prop‐
erty owners within the electoral boundary. This equipment is well designed and easy to use and available for pickup, free of charge, at Purity Feed Co.