It’s Invasive Species Week in BC and Trafalgar Middle School students have been digging into stem the problem on the West Waterfront Walkway.
More than 180 students in the six Grade 7 classes have been out in full force attempt to control the Common Tansy along the walkway adjacent to the airport that is popular with dog owners.
Common Tansy is fairly prevalent along the Kootenay Lake shorefront. Although pretty, with its yellow button-like flowers, it is an extremely aggressive plant and spreads very quickly, taking over native ecosystems and decreasing suitable habitat used by native species.
The pulling and removal of invasive plant species is being completed prior to restoration of the area with native shrubs and trees to increase nesting habitat for native bird species. Restoration of the portions of the shoreline is currently occurring and is anticipated to be completed by the Fall of 2014.
The “Communities Pulling Together” event is supported by the Columbia Basin Trust and organized and delivered by the Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee. The partnership with the Trafalgar students began earlier this year when members of the committee visited the Uphill school to speak with the youngsters about invasive plants and their impact on local landscapes
In addition to the community pulling event, Rel-ish Bistro on Baker Street is featuring an exciting invasive species special menu. The special menu runs from now until to Sunday, (June 16). The species on the menu include watercress, walleye, and quail. As they say, “if you can’t beat ‘em, let’s eat ‘em!”
The Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee is a non-profit society that delivers education and awareness programs, and promotes coordinated management efforts of invasive species in the Central Kootenays. For more information or to get involved go to ckipc.ca or call 250-352-1160.