Gardeners and Horticultural Specialists

The OIPC has a strong representation of gardeners and horticulturalists that have been collaborating to address the interests of this sector in doing their part to prevent and control invasive plants.  A number of resources have been produced.  read more...

Response to Invasive Plants Depends on You...
...and the OIPC wants to help

The OIPC Board works to provide opportunities for you to easily access information and to provide input on topics that are important to you. You will see a growing number of places on this website and throughout the network of OIPC member organizations that support this goal. Examples on this site include:

• the items on this page "Take Action"
• Contact Us - where you can ask questions and offer advice

Be Part of the Solution

There are pathways for introduction of species, some are intentional and some are unintentional. Learn how to avoid propagation of an invasive.

The OIPC Board is working on a number of support materials to help you recognize invasives and take action to prevent their spread. Sometimes taking NO ACTION is the best approach, for example when an invasive species is offered for sale from a nursery supply outlet or a water garden supplier. The Greater Toronto Area has a partnership that is developing an outreach program with the nursery trade. They've produced this excellent guide "How to select and buy native plants".  Toronto Region Conservation has produced an excellent guide to "naturescaping" and a guide to responsible stewardship when you live near a natural area. 

OIPC will continue to post information on our website to assist you in stewardship.

Be Informed

A Giant Hogweed Abatement Workshop for landscape professionals was held on March 30th, sponsored by Baker Forestry Services, Green-side Up Environmental Services, and Ontario Power Generation. The presentations were relevant and very informative.

Giant Hogweed Identification and Management Practices - Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA

Giant Hogweed: Safe Handling - Dirk Plaggemeier, City of Brampton

Cosmetic Pesticide Ban & Giant Hogweed - Herman Ploeg, MOE

Learn about Invasive Species in Ontario

Check out the learning modules offered by the Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program.

There is a very useful website that is being designed and sustained by a collaborative group of organizations with a focus on weeds that impact agriculture.  Here you will find a large database of information about the identification and habitat of weeds found throughout Canada -- with a strong representation of those found in Ontario.  This is very much a "self-help" tool, but you will note in the left column menu, there is an opportunity to send photos to a specialist who will help you identify a species.  The site is known as weedinfo.ca ... http://www.weedinfo.ca

Want to Report an Invasive Species?

Call the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711

OIPC is working with partners to develop a mapping tool that will support an online database. On the Invasives Tracking System, you can review maps that show the known range of invasive species and contribute your additions to the information.

Show Your Support

If you are interested in getting involved with the Invasive Plants Council, here are 3 easy ways to provide your support.  read more...

Review the List of Invasive Plant Information Documents

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council created a list of available documents that help us all to learn or promote awareness about invasive plants. See the list that is current as of March 20, 2009. We have continued to work on this document and have made it available in a searchable format on this "Google Groups" website.  If you have difficulty locating information on the site, look to the bottom of the right column...see this link for an example. You can simply visit the site to see what has been documented, or you can join the group and contribute to the work (see the right-hand column for the "Join this Group" link).

Send a Letter of Support 

The OIPC is seeking letters of support to accompany a meeting request to the Minister of Natural Resources, to discuss the need for a collaborative response to the issue of invasive plants in Ontario. This link provides you with a template letter of support, please fill it out on the letterhead from your organization and return it to the coordinator.

Learn About What Else is on the Horizon

The OIPC is working with a large group of partners on a pilot project in the Lake Simcoe watershed to develop an Invasive Species Tracking System. The Centre for Community Mapping (COMAP) is the partner that is developing the internet technology.

Update: The Invasives Tracking System is now live and available for use! please visit www.comap.ca/its