British Columbia is facing a problem invasive plant species that requires immediate attention. The invasive Japanese, Himilayan and Giant Knotweed were introduced as an ornamental plant from Japan, and have established throughout the world along rivers and streams, in forests and along roadsides.

It is a problem species that should recieve immediate attention as it threatens our forest, streamside and river ecosystems, as well as private lands, parks, and agricultural lands. The plant does not provide the benefits of native vegetation in that it does not provide sufficent food energy for salmon and wildlife, sufficent shade for salmon habitat or crucial stream bank stability. It is difficult to eradicate, due to the capacity of its rhizomes to regenerate into new plants when disturbed. Once established, it can increase exponentially if left untreated, especially if regularly disturbed by flooding and erosion along rivers, by land clearing and other disturbances. Costs can be large, making it difficult to control. 

It is a huge problem in other countries, as they did not give it priority when they needed to, and are now spending billions of dollars to eradicate it. We have a chance to tackle this invasive plant with minimal expense but we have to act now. Currently, it is being dealt with on a piece-meal basis, with community groups, regional districts, provinical and local governments essentially acting alone on limited budgets, and as such are not able to effectively eradicate this plant.

The Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards have been working to increase awareness and communications between the different players for 2 years now. We have connected with the Coastal Invasive Plant Committee, who also recognize the importance of tackling this species immediately.

What we have been doing to help control this invasive weed:

Annual information and strategy meetings where various experts network and dicuss strategies and future plans for invasive knotweed control

Manual knotweed removal of a small plot in the Millard-Piercy Watershed using covering techniques

Support through offering use of our JK Injection Tool

Mapping and outreach through our Neighbourhood Knotweed Watch Program

How you can get involved:

1. If you are concerned about knotweed growing on your property, inform yourself on methods of control, and prevention techniques to keep it from spreading. Call us to find out more infromation on the best method of control for your situation, and for links to consultants that can help you control it.
2. If you are concerned about invasive knotweed growing on a neighbour's property, join in our Neighborhood Knotweed Watch Program. This involves hand-delivering a NKWP letter to your neighbour, and notifying us of patch location, species and extent to aid in mapping locations of infestation.

3. Join us when we undertake knotweed control activities. Upcoming activities will be posted on the website.

Links for more information:

Coastal Invasive Plant Committee

Invasive Plant Council of BC

Ministry of Agriculture and Lands: Noxious Weeds - Japanese Knotweed

The Nature Conservancy -Global Invasive Species Intiative - Japanese Kntoweed