Ontario Invasive Plant Council

Purpose

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council (OIPC) is a non-profit, multi-agency organization founded in April 2007 by a group of individuals and organizational representatives who saw the need for a coordinated provincial response to the growing threat of invasive plants. The OIPC is currently housed within the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, a non-profit, charitable organization providing the OIPC with administrative support and office space in its initial stages.

Who We Are

The OIPC is comprised of conservation authorities, academic institutions, aboriginal organizations, stewardship networks , private consultants, industry and environmental "non-government organizations", as well as all levels of government.

History

Since it's inception, the OIPC has created a network of over 600 people to receive and post information on invasive plants, has held three annual general meetings in association with an invasive plant symposium and has developed 3 council committees focusing on invasive plant communication, policy and research/control in order to create provincial strategies. These groups are working on increasing awareness across the province, reviewing legislation and identifying the gaps in order to make change and maintain a user-friendly forum to increase communication between those working in the field of invasive plant management, control and outreach.

Your continued support is the key to our success and helps us to
provide more information and education workshops, conferences, meetings and updates.

What's New
  • Exterminators Licence - Credit Valley Conservation is considering hosting a week-long course for those who want to obtain their Pesticide Exterminators Licence (forestry rating). ...more
  • The Annual General Meeting a Success
    There were over 150 people in attendance.  ...more
  • Landowners Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants
    An excellent guide to identifying invasive plants and appropriate stewardship action. (Note: 2 MB)
Upcoming Events

  • Forum - Guest Speaker Stephen Murphy

    Date: February 9, 2010
    Place: Markham Civic Centre
    See OIPC January Update for contact to get an invitation

  • Symposium - Livable Plants, Livable Communities

    Date: February 16-19
    Place: Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington
  • Conference - Plant Invasions: Policies, Politics and Practices

    Biennial International Conference hosted by Weeds Across Borders
    West Virginia, June 2010
    Call for Papers issued - due date February 22nd
  • Remember to check this page to learn about future events.

The Problem

Invasive alien plants cost us all money.  They are a huge drag on the economy.  Consider the simple subset of the added cost to farmers (over $2.2 Billion annually in Canada) and to your weekly grocery bill. They also cost us environmentally, as these invasives replace or compete with native species causing a loss of health (i.e. resilience in ecosystems)...in human terms adding to the risks for our future security, making adaptation to climate change more difficult and adding to the problem of biodiversity loss.

There are about 500 invasive plants in Canada.  Most of them (over 440) are in Southern Ontario, and thus most of the economic and biodiversity issues are in Ontario.

 

The Solution

You.  You have come to this website to get some information that will help you respond to the problem.  The OIPC is working to help you find what you need.  We hope that you will find the answers...or the path to them...on this website.  If you need some ideas for new ways to get engaged, see the Take Action page.  If you have some advice to improve the website, or information to share with others about invasive plants, please use the Contact Us page.