MOOSE JAW — Nature Moose Jaw kicked off the year with an eye-opening presentation on invasive species, a growing ecological concern in the region that aligned with Invasive Species Awareness Week in Canada this February.
The presentation was held at the Kiwanis River Park Pavilion in Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley and featured local resident Julie-Anne Howe, who shed some light on the threats posed by invasive plant species in the area recently.
“The presentation covered the invasive plants that are commonly found in the Moose Jaw River Valley, of which there are many,” said Rich Pickering, president of Nature Moose Jaw.
In her presentation, Howe underscored the impact of non-native plant species that infiltrate local ecosystems. She emphasized that, despite the aesthetic appeal of many of these species, they can disrupt local habitats and outcompete indigenous flora.
A full list of invasive species in the area contains “lots and lots” of plants, he said, noting that the extensive list continues to grow each year. Among the greatest offenders are Flowering Rush (Euphorbia esula), — which is categorized as prohibited — Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Absinthe (Wormwood; Artemisia absinthium), and Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria perforata).
“One of the comments made was, if it looks really spectacular, it probably doesn’t belong here,” Pickering said.
Invasive Species Awareness Week is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the impact of invasive species and promoting actions to prevent their spread. It ran from Feb. 24 to March 2 this year. According to Pickering, one significant benefit that comes from recognizing Invasive Species Week is to remind residents to be mindful about what plants they introduce into their own garden spaces.
“Even though (seed packages might) say ‘native,’ they may not be native to this area,” he warned. “They (might not) belong here in our ecosystem. A lot of times you’ll get a wildflower mix, and they might have, say, California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) in it. Well, California Poppies aren’t native to this area, so you would be introducing them.”
Another example Howe brought up was Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), an invasive weed that has virtually taken over the region.
Like other invasive plant species, “Once they’re here, it’s almost impossible to get rid of them — so be careful what you plant and move around. It could have consequences beyond what you realize,” Pickering said.
Some, like Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) and Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula), take over pastures and reduce biodiversity, while others, like Creeping Bellflower, are nearly impossible to remove completely. Their seeds can remain viable for years, making long-term control difficult.
Management is tricky as herbicides are heavily regulated, especially near water, as is the case in the Wakamow Valley. In many cases, Pickering noted, the only way to deal with their spread is by hand-picking any plants you can find.
“We’re hoping that we can organize something along those lines this summer, where people can go out and pick any invasive plant species they find (along the Moose Jaw River),” he said.
Nature Moose Jaw is a local non-profit meant for outdoor enthusiasts and anybody with a love of nature. Anyone interested in nature-based projects in the Moose Jaw area is welcome to join as a member or partake in the organization’s events as a guest.
To contact Nature Moose Jaw to inquire about upcoming events or about becoming a member, Rich Pickering can be reached at [email protected].
To learn more, contact the Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council at 306-668-3940 or by email at [email protected].
If you discover an invasive plant species on your property within city limits, contact the City of Moose Jaw Parks and Recreation Department at 306-694-4400.
