New invasive plants targeted with spotters program

A new program to spot and stop new invasive species that may arrive on the Island or are just starting to establish is being planned by the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council.

"If they do arrive, we have spotters out there, volunteers to let us know that they're here and hopefully get an action plan in place very quickly to get those growths under control." said Jackie Waddell, executive director of Island Nature Trust, which is a member of the council.

They haven't been able to do anything but help it become more robust.- Jackie Waddell

Waddell said so far about 16 people have signed up to be spotters. The committee hopes to expand that number, so there will volunteers across the Island.

Waddell is hopeful that the spotters may be able to prevent a situation like the one that has developed with Japanese knotweed.

She says that invasive plant is "out of control" on the Island. She said it's particularly prevalent in eastern P.E.I. where it's covering acres in some cases.

"There's one famous lane just outside of Souris that has it and they've tried to control it through every imaginable type of application," said Waddell.

"From repeated mowing, using herbicides, burning it, and they haven't been able to do anything but help it become more robust."

Japanese knotweed was originally brought to the Island for erosion control and for gardens as it's an attractive plant.

Waddell says it is possible to kill off small patches through cutting, mulching in place, covering with heavy tarps and at least 15 cm of soil on top.

She says the plant has been here a long time and has just been getting worse.