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September 19-22, 2011
North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) Annual Meeting
Winnipeg, MB
or call (204) 232-6021
December 2010
The updated Saskatchewan Weed Control Act is now available online. Saskatchewan now has tougher, more effective legislation to help control invasive plants in the province, and those that threaten to invade. Please see the Weed Control Act and the Saskatchewan Gazette Dec. 10, 2010 (page 2397) for more information. Both are posted below for download:
September 2010
Salt Cedar has been found in Saskatchewan!
Two populations of salt cedar have been confirmed in Saskatchewan as of August 30, 2010. One plant occurs near a dugout just south of Swift Current and six plants are located in a gravel pit near Findlater. Both of these populations appear to have been introduced by contaminated equipment. Luckily neither population occurs near flowing water so the spread may be able to be contained. Eradication efforts will commence on these in the coming weeks and monitoring will be instated, likely for several years. Harvey Anderson with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is looking for volunteers to help survey approximately 80 acres surrounding the location near Findlater. The survey will take place around September 24, 2010. To volunteer, please contact Harvey at (306) 933-7695. The Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards are hosting a Salt Cedar Discovery Day at the Swift Current infestation site on September 21. For more information, please contact Stacey Spenst at (306) 778-5027. To learn more about salt cedar, click here to access a fact sheet found in our Resources page.
June 2010
Addressing the Threat of Invasive Plant
Species in Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Forage Council is pleased to announce the initiation of an industry-led project focusing on an increased awareness of invasive plant species in Saskatchewan and the development of strategies to prevent their introduction and potential spread. This collaborative project, with input from across the forage and livestock industry, will position the industry to proactively deal with this very real threat.
Invasive plant species are present in Saskatchewan and pose a significant threat to local resources, natural biodiversity, native prairie habitat and economic stability for the industry. The presence of invasive species results in the loss of productive land, markets for forage products and production capacity of harvested and grazed areas. The industry recognizes that as land managers and producers, it is essential to increase awareness and develop the tools necessary to address this issue.
The project consists of three main components, including education and awareness, completion of a strategic assessment and feasibility study, and delivery of a weed free forage pilot project. Industry engagement and consultation will be critical to the success of the project and achieved through increasing knowledge to improve farm business management practices, planned focus group meetings and the assessment of management strategies employed in neighbouring jurisdictions. Building on the successes and experiences of the Frenchman – Wood River Weed Management Area, the pilot project will explore the logistics and impact of certifying weed free forage and evaluate potential success and failures as determined by industry stakeholders.
Saskatchewan Forage Council President and Biggar-area cow/calf producer, Leam Craig, notes “the results of this project will be of great value for all forage and livestock producers. We need to address this issue head-on and search for practical management strategies that can be applied on our operations. As producers, it’s in our best interests to find ways to alleviate the threat that invasives pose to our landbase and its productive capacity.”
This project was made possible through a partnership of the Saskatchewan Forage Council, the Frenchman – Wood River Weed Management Area, the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission and the Crossing the Medicine Line Network, with input from numerous industry partners.
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Saskatchewan this program is delivered by the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan.
For more information contact:
Janice Bruynooghe, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Forage Council
306.966.2148
May 12, 2009: National Group Bands Together to Fight Invasive Species Threatening Biodiversity
PHOTO: Members of the National Invasive Species Working Group.
Back Row (L-R): Chris Dickie, New Brunswick; Robert Chin, Nursery and Garden Industry, Australia; Rachel Gagnon, Ontario Invasive Plant Council; Vanessa Carney, Alberta Invasive Plant Council, Cory Lindgren, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Gail Wallin, Executive Director, Invasive Plant Council of BC.
Front Row (L-R): Mark Richardson, Environment Canada; Chet Neufeld, Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council; Francine MacDonald, Ontario Invasive Plant Council; Cheryl Heming, Invasive Species Council of Manitoba; Isabelle Simard, Quebec Interdepartmental Committee on Exotic Species; Marika Godwin, Nova Scotia Invasive Species Working Group; Todd Bowen, Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden.
Invasive alien species is the international focus for May 22, UN International Day for Biological Diversity. In Canada, invasive species councils, committees, and coalitions from recently formed a National Invasive Species Working Group to work together to reduce the impact of invasive species across the country. The Working Group will work collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries to support actions and information that can help reduce the threat and impacts of invasive species silently spreading across the nation, impacting the environment, economy, and human health.
The National Invasive Species Working Group was formed as a result of a joint meeting early in 2009 where 10 provinces and two territories voiced the desire to share knowledge across Canadian borders, as invasive species ‘know no boundaries.’ Together, members agreed that a national working group would help build bridges across Canada to work together in the battle against invasive species.
Invasive plant and animal species groups are now working in partnership to build upon the lessons learned in each province or territory to improve public awareness of invasive alien species. Detecting emerging invasives early is integral to prevention, as once established, they spread rapidly, causing damage to the environment, economy, and human health.
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency report, “Invasive Alien Species in Canada,” invasive plant species pose an immediate and growing threat that degrades agriculture and forest productivity, reducing biological diversity.
The current global cost to tackle invasive species is estimated at $1.4 trillion annually, or five percent of the global economy; likely to worsen as global warming favours their advanced, silent spread across the nation.
The Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council will provide support for the National Invasive Species Working Group meetings and events, with the aim of raising the profile in Canada and to safeguard fragile ecosystems from the immediate threat of invasive alien species.
Asian Tapeworm Reaches Manitoba
Brought into North America by one of 4 carp species, the Asian Tapeworm has now reached our neighbours to the east. This is Manitoba's 2nd known invasive aquatic invertebrate (the first being the rusty crayfish). Click here to read more about this aquatic invader in 'Alien Invaders', the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba's newsletter.
The Gardener for the Prairies
Invasive species have been featured in The Gardener for the Prairies magazine. Click here to view past articles.
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