Invasive Plants: Help is Available for Property Owners with a Large Area of Invasive Plants

Are you aware of one or more invasive species, such as English Ivy, Periwinkle, Buckthorn or Phragmites, that have taken over your property?

Do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of it and need help? You are not alone. Help is available through two programs being offered in Huron County.

Huron Clean Water Project celebrates 20 years of providing property owners with financial and technical assistance with numerous water protection projects. They have recently added Invasive Species Management – control of invasive species that negatively affect important ecosystems and water quality.

They will pay 50 per cent of the costs with a maximum grant of $3,000 for eligible projects. Service delivery is provided by Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities.

For more information, visit www.HuronCleanWaterProject.ca or contact Ben VanDieten at Maitland Valley Conservation Authority – bvandieten@mvca.on.ca or Nathan Schoelier at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority – nschoelier@abca.ca.

The Ontario Phragmites Action program has funding available to eradicate Ontario’s most invasive plant.

Phragmites Australis is an aggressive, perennial, towering grass that can grow taller than humans, while taking over wetlands and outcompeting native plants. It spreads rapidly through seeds and root fragments, which can be transported by wind, water, vehicles, machinery and human activity.

Once established, Phragmites form dense stands, reducing biodiversity.

Addressing this invasive species proactively helps avoid substantial costs, including reduced agricultural yields, obstructed access to waterways, increased flooding, higher roadside maintenance expenses and lost tourism revenue.

Since 2019, the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund has funded more than 130 projects that help protect natural spaces from the impacts of Phragmites.

To learn more, visit www.ontariophragmitesaction.ca.

The program is locally administered by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. Support for private landowners in Huron County is available by contacting ABCA at 1-888-2610 or by emailing Brooklyn Rau – brau@abca.ca.

Renee Sandelowsky & Helen Varekamp are Volunteers for Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation