Boundary area landowners are no doubt peering out windows to check on the progress of pastures and backyards.
Unfortunately, more likely than not, the brilliant green contains some combination of invasive species mixed in with the timothy, bromes, or native Idaho fescue.
Even if it has not bloomed yet, a white blanket of hoary alyssum will soon drape area D while the west end of the district contends with baby’s breath and common bugloss. Though dealing with so many persistent invaders can seem overwhelming, the native wildflowers splashing our grasslands and forests right now are a reminder of all we have worth protecting.
Managing invasive species on your own property maintains pasture for pets, livestock, and local wildlife as well as your own use and enjoyment. Management work also helps prevent the spread to valuable ecosystems – ecosystems such as grasslands, forests, wetlands, and water bodies that provide priceless habitat and ecosystem services to both wildlife and humans.
Control of invasive species is best achieved by using a mixed management approach. Of course, prevention should always be first step but for many of us that boat has already sailed. Hand pulling, digging, herbicide, competition seeding, watering, and fertilization are all available tools. The Boundary Invasive Species Society (BISS) is available to help with all your identification and management questions. If you want help identifying plants and developing a management plan, we are also happy to visit your property and speak to you in person.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has four programs available to residents in areas E, D, and C. The RDKB New Invaders program covers the full cost of herbicide treatment or manual removal for priority invasive species on up to five acres by RDKB contractors. The costs and coordination associated with treatment will be handled up front by the RDKB and the BISS. The species covered under the New Invaders program include Japanese, Bohemian, and giant knotweeds (sometimes called bamboo), Scotch thistle, cypress and leafy spurge, hoary cress, and nodding thistle (on properties adjacent to the USA border), among others.
The RDKB Cost Share program provides a 50 per cent refund on the cost of herbicide treatment up to $500 onfive acres. Program participants must submit the Cost Share form found on our website to the RDKB to receive reimbursement. Species covered under the Cost Share program include hoary alyssum, invasive hawkweeds, sulfur cinquefoil, and scentless chamomile, among others. For a full list of species covered by RDKB programs or other program details, visit the resources page of our website to download the RDKB Cost Share form
The RDKB Equipment Loan program is available free to all RDKB residents. The available equipment includes tractor and ATV mounted sprayers, backpack sprayers, and an ATV mounted seeder. Details can be found on the resources page of our website, or you can contact us directly. Do not forget, if you double bag your invasive plants, you can take them to any RDKB landfill or transfer station for free!
Whatever stage you are at with invasive species on your property, we are happy to help. Whether you are seeking help to identify plants, looking for information about different management strategies, want to learn more about any of the RDKB programs, or report an invasive plant, feel free to reach out to the Boundary Invasive Species Society at 250-446-2232, info@boundaryinvasives.com, or through our Facebook or Instagram. Let us work together to protect our homes, communities, and shared land.
