DUNCAN BARNETT - Invasive Plant Council of BC

What is the Invasive Plant Council of BC?

The Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia is a new registered society with over 100 members. Its inaugural meeting was held in June 2004.

Why was the Council formed?

The Council’s formation was a primary recommendation of the Invasive Plant Strategy for British Columbia, produced in 2003 through the leadership of the Fraser Basin Council. The Invasive Plant Council was established to build cooperation and coordination for the management of invasive plants in this province. The Council will try to build cooperation to protect British Columbia’s environment and minimize negative social and economic impacts caused by the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive alien plants. The main focus of the Council will be to build a cooperative, province-wide invasive plant management program.

Who are the members of the Council?

Board members embody a wide diversity of sectors affiliated with invasive plant management province-wide. Members represent a wide range of perspectives, including government (federal, provincial, local and First Nations), land- and water-based user groups, resource-based businesses and industries, utilities and non-government organizations.

What has the Council accomplished in its first 6 months?

In the Council’s first six months it has established an interim Board of Directors and five committees. The Board has worked on establishing Council governance and producing an action plan, established a website, initiated a newsletter series, and began an assessment of the existing informational materials and resources on invasive plant management. In addition, the Invasive Plant Council hosted its first general forum and annual general meeting on January 25, 2005.

The Board has been working to launch the Council by developing and registering its constitution and bylaws, setting up committees, establishing internal governance measures, and planning the first forum and annual general meeting.

What is the primary concern of the Invasive Plant Council?

One of the primary concerns of Council members is the need to know what information is currently available about invasive plants and their management. Consequently, the Council has begun the process of summarizing existing information, both for reference and to identify gaps where more information is needed.

Also, the public awareness of invasive plants needs to be raised. The public generally doesn’t understand the impact of “weeds”. Effectively addressing the issue of invasive plants requires clear direction and increased public awareness.

What are the main goals of the Invasive Plant Council over the next five years?

The Invasive Plant Council of BC held their first annual forum on January 25, 2005. The various groups and committees met and listed their priorities:

Increase signatories to the Memorandum of Support by industry partners (railways, chemical companies, forestry companies, mining) and others
Expand membership
Work with inter-ministry agencies to ensure there is adequate, stable funding for invasive plant management
Include a new Board member for nursery trades/ horticulture, and consider adding youth.
Expand the Councils communications program to include both an outreach program that addresses media, and an education program that fits into the school curricula
Ensure that 100% of BC’s area is covered by regional weed committees.
Focus on prevention, early detection and rapid response
Organize local events and link with related conferences
Increase First Nations awareness of the Council
Increase public awareness of invasive plants by installing signs at popular trailheads about seeds sticking to socks, tires and dogs; monitoring boat ramps and communicating with boaters about aquatic weed spread; and working with wildlife and conservation groups to prevent further loss of biodiversity from invasive plants due to recreation experiences.

For more information on the Invasive Plant Council:
www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca
Phone: 250-392-1400
Fax: 250-392-1004