Invasive Plants

In the summer/fall of 2008 an Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) Inventory was undertaken to determine the extent of invasive plants within the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative’s (SIFCO) Forest Tenure and to develop a management strategy to address the issue. The three most invasive plant species found in the study area, posing the greatest threat to the forest community were; spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) followed by oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense). Invasive plants were found almost exclusively along the Forest Service Road (FSR) right-of-way or on adjacent landings and other disturbed sites.

Trozzo FSR Invasive Plants

In order to reduce the invasive plants to non-threatening levels, a combination of mechanical treatments using a road grader followed by a hand-pulling ground crew to remove the invasive plants was recommended. There have been at total of 84 km of road right-of-way identified for either machine treatment, hand-pulling or both. The removal of Invasive Plants followed by seeding of competing not invasive grasses should be completed at least once a year for three to four years to ensure reinvasion does not occur. The treatment efficacy should be monitored closely so changes to the prescription can be made if required in order to achieve the goals of the project and to ensure the cost effective delivery of the program.

SIFCo began this project mid-July 2009 with a $135 600 investment through the Job Opportunities Program. An application for funding for the 2010 season was sent but unfortunately no funds were secured.

To download the final report click here >> (PDF 3.5MB)