On Monday, May 15, the Community Invasive Plant Program (CIPP) starts up for the 2023 summer season. This program was originally initiated by Wildsight Golden in our community in 2010. It is currently operated in partnership with the Town of Golden and the Columbia-Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS), with funding largely provided by the Town of Golden.
Each year, the CIPP program coordinator works to mechanically remove invasive plants found within the Town of Golden’s limits. Invasive plants are those that have been introduced into a non-native environment. Once established, invasive plants are often able to grow and reproduce at rapid speeds, out-competing native plants and vegetation for nutrients and light with little to no natural predators. This allows invasive plant species to take over and destroy local ecosystems. Invasive species are one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss in the world!
Some invasive plants spread close to home. Dandelion, burdock, oxeye daisy and other invasive plant species can be found in backyards and alleyways in Golden. Residents of Golden can send photos of invasive plants growing on their property to the CIPP program coordinator, Calvin Beauchesne. Calvin will help you identify the plant and provide resources and information on how to manage any invasive plants you may have on your property. The program also offers free visits to your property to help identify any invasive plants and go over safe, non-toxic ways to manage them. Did you know that since April 1, 2011 the use of chemical insecticides, fungicides and herbicides for cosmetic purposes is prohibited in the Town of Golden through a pesticide bylaw? Non-toxic removal of invasive plants is also strongly encouraged.
In addition to offering residential invasive plant identification opportunities, keep your eyes out for online outreach posts that will be available throughout the summer. Calvin will be providing information about invasive plants prevalent in Golden and how to identify and manage them.
Are you interested in learning about some of Golden’s most prolific invasive plants and do you want to help protect biodiversity in our community? If so, watch for information about the two community weed pulls which will be conducted this summer. Wildsight Golden and the community invasive plant program coordinator will be at booths often this summer, at the Golden Farmer’s Market.
The email for the Community Invasive Weed Coordinator is wildsightweedprogram@gmail.com and will be active as of May 15, 2023.
