Invasive Species
Niagara’s Most UNWANTED
Key local invasive species and what we can do about them
Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience on the Trail recently? On a hike this past spring, I encountered many uprooted plants strewn along the path. At first I was baffled – why were these plants pulled? Then it struck me: this must be an invasive species that a knowledgeable hiker had recognized and removed. Sure enough, I later confirmed the pulled plants as the highly invasive garlic mustard, including realizing to my chagrin, that I had quite a little crop of garlic mustard going in my own backyard.
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We hear a lot about invasive species these days. But why, if they are part of nature, is it so important to eradicate or control them? After all, most invasive species were originally brought to North America for what settlers believed were a variety of useful purposes. Many of these species eventually produce a range of unforeseen and unwanted consequences to the native ecosystem. Native plants and animals, as well as valuable agricultural crops, can suffer from the unintended, but nevertheless, deleterious attributes of non-native species.
To learn more about invasive species local to the Niagara section check out our these blog posts.
Klari Kalkman
Volunteer for a Pull Party!
You can help us battle invasive species along the Niagara Bruce Trail – many hands make light work!
Each year, several “Pull Parties” are organized to tackle invasive species as they appear. If you are interested in joining a group of like-minded Niagara BTC members who would like to give back to the Trail and to our Landowners by helping to control invasive species in our area, volunteer for a Pull Party!
For more information, send an email to margaret.northfield@gmail.com.
Want to learn more?
Check out these great online resources!
Ontario Invasive Plant Council – Ontario Invasive Plants
One Page Fact Sheets – Ontario Invasive Species Fact Sheets
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a charitable organization committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystems and to promote environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Money raised by the conservancy and its clubs goes toward purchasing land for the trail and to maintaining the trail for future generations.