Layers of action around IP management across the Region provide support and momentum across the province – at the same time – more could always be done. For instance, why is English Ivy and other IP being sold in nurseries and grocery stores when at the same time resources are being spent by the masses to remove it in parks?

 

In answer to my own question, as Gary Larson humorously points out in the cartoon (left), it is a matter of perspective. Take the case of English Ivy which is a good hardy plant that can seem to be a good choice to many as “a plant that can stay alive in my basement suite through the winter”. This is one perspective, however innocent, that could have devastating impacts to biodiversity. Innocent misinterpretations can perpetuate repetitive action in the wrong direction. To change the course, first the behavior has to change. Education and rewarding positive action is a first step in that direction.

 

The District of Saanich has a Pulling Together Volunteer Program that provides a great example of, celebrating positive action and in this case, community-based ecological restoration action!

I often return to images of Gary Larsen to remind me that it is all a matter of perspective and correct information. We are invited to offer another view, one in favour of biodiversity and socio-economic prosperity.

  

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In this issue you will find:

 

 

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GENERATING GREATER INVASIVE PLANT AWARENESS AND ACTION IN THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT THROUGH CRISP! The CIPC’s new subcommittee. What does this mean for the CRD? Greater awareness of invasive plants and their impacts in the CRD and more effective and economical management through regional approaches is the spirit behind the CIPC’s new subcommittee “CRISP” (Capital Region Invasive Species Partnership). 

 

 

Who is part of CRISP? Nine out of thirteen Municipalities are represented on this working group: Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Colwood, Central Saanich, North Saanich and links to Metchosin, View Royal and Sooke. Other CRISP members include representatives from the CRD, the Province, and some major land managers including Swan Lake. Not wasting anytime, the working group is busy solving regional disposal issues, creating a regional education program and have created a regional status/management list of species for the capital region.

 

Ideally CRISP would like to see all municipalities in the CRD at the table. Are you working in IP management in the CRD and would like to learn more about CRISP? Please contact Carolyn MacDonald, Chair of CRISP ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or the CIPC coordinator, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

UPDATE 2011 FIELD SEASON. CIPC Invasive species management contractors handed in their cutters and back pack sprayers; the field season has officially ended, as of October 31st. Thanks to the CIPC’s blended funding model and training provided by Ernie Sellentin, CIPC’s Operations Coordinator, resources were efficiently and successfully directed to removal, control and inventory in all 8 regional districts (and select communities) and 5 jurisdictions located in the CIPC coastal region.

 

 

 Jurisdictions

 Regional Districts

Action do speak a thousand words; according to Tyler Lambert, CIPC summer contractor who worked in Sunshine Coast and Powell River Regional Districts “probably the greatest success for this field season was the increase in public awareness of invasive species in the area”. On that note, after a successful field season, the CIPC can't help but look forward to 2012!

  

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS

INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL OF BC (IPCBC) INVASVIE SPECIES STRATEGY FOR BC WORKSHOP. Register today! November 21st from 1:00pm-5:30pm in the Office of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Arbutus Room 2100 Labieux Street, Nanaimo, BC. Help shape future invasive species management in the Province. The workshops will provide an opportunity for anyone with an interest in invasive species in BC to provide input on the Strategy. CLICK HERE for more information and to register

  

FREE INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT PROGRAM DATABASE TRAINING, DECEMBER 1st. Save your seat! IAPP Training, December 1, 2011 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm in Nanaimo. Free training for IP data enterers or gatherers provided by the Provincial IAPP.

 

Register by contacting Rachelle McElroy, CIPC Coordinator by phone 250-857-2472 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The location of the training and further information will be provided upon registration. CLICK HERE For more information about IAPP.

BC PROTECTED AREAS RESEARCH FORUM December 5-7, 2011. CLICK HERE for more information and to register

  

SHUTTING OUT INVADERS - 2012 IPCBC PUBLIC FORUM AND AGM January 24-25, 2012. CLICK HERE for more information and to register

EDRR IN ACTION – the BC test case of Invasive phragmites. Phragmites australis subsp. australis (European common reed) is a relatively new species to BC that poses considerable risks to provincial economic and environmental health. The province of B.C., in partnership with impacted stakeholders, is using Phragmites to test the new B.C. EDRR Plan. CLICK HERE for the full report.

SPARTINA ERRADICATION IN BAYNE SOUND. In 2011 field season, 1500 kilograms of Spartina Densiflora was removed from Deeb Bay and survey data was collected along the coast of Vancouver Island by the Vancouver Island Conservation Land Management Program (VICLMP). The VICLMP has contributed to the Spartina Eradication Response Plan since 2007 with removals and GPS surveying throughout Baynes Sound.

 

Removal work in Deep Bay was completed by Steven Godfrey, VICLMP Field Operations Coordinator and Clayton Billett, Vancouver Island HSBC Conservation Youth Crew member using hand tools (shovels, mattocks). Spartina Densiflora clones were removed Vancouver Island individually and placed in garbage bags which were taken to the Comox-Strathcona Waste Management site on Bevan Rd. in Cumberland. CLICK HERE for more information about VICLMP