What's New

If you have been a current member of the IVMA you are aware that the web site has been going through continual change, if you are a new member or just visiting please take a look around and see if the IVMA can be of service to you. The IVMA and its membership are continuing to grow and it is quickly becoming a reliable source for information on vegetation management in BC.

The City of Burnaby has organized a free invasive plant workshop series, called Cut it Out, for residents and community members.

Click here for information

Course Announcement - Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology

Soil Bioengineering
September 15-16, 2010
Hillcrest Hotel, Revelstoke, BC

Cost:
$350.00 (plus HST)

Instructor:
David Polster of Polster Environmental Services, Duncan BC

Class size:
Limited to 25 people

Soil bioengineering is an applied science that uses live plant materials to perform an engineering function such as slope stabilization, soil erosion control, or seepage control. Soil bioengineering uses a combination of structural materials, vegetative cuttings and other specialized techniques. This two day course will address soil bioengineering as a tool for restoration and reclamation of damaged ecosystems.

Topics to be covered include:

Factors involved in successful restoration
Successional reclamation
Soil bioengineering techniques
Regional differences in climate, soils, hydrology, plant types, and growing seasons
Maintenance and monitoring.
Day one is a classroom session at the Hillcrest Hotel in Revelstoke (8:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m.). Day two is a hands-on field session at a location near Revelstoke. (8:30 a.m. to about 4:00 p.m.)

Details and registration at www.cmiae.org

from Jackie Morris, Executive Director
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Box 2568, Revelstoke BC, Canada V0E 2S0
Phone and Fax: 250-837-9311
office@cmiae.org | www.cmiae.org

Consultation on the cosmetic use of pesticides in British Columbia
In the August 25th 2009 Speech from the Throne, the Government of British Columbia committed to consult British Columbians on “new statutory protections to further safeguard the environment from cosmetic chemical pesticides.”

The Ministry of Environment has prepared background information and identified consultation issues for discussion to build understanding about the subject and provide a structure for comments and feedback.

The ministry has posted a Public Consultation Paper on our Cosmetic Use of Pesticides Consultation Forum website
(http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/regs/cosmetic-pesticides/consultation.htm).

The website, and links to additional information and related legislation, can also be accessed by clicking on the “Cosmetic Use of Pesticide Consultation” button on the Ministry of Environment home page (www.gov.bc.ca/env/).

The Consultation Forum website includes a response form (in on-line and downloadable formats) to seek comments from British Columbians interested in this topic. Please tell us what you think!

If you are an “association,” we would appreciate you forwarding this e-mail to your members. Please also forward this information to others whom you feel may wish to provide their comments.

Comments or feedback received will be treated with confidentiality by ministry staff and contractors. Please note, however, that information you provide and information that identifies you as a source of comments may be publicly available if a Freedom of Information request is made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The ministry has contracted Cindy Bertram of C. Rankin & Associates to manage the information collection process. If you have any questions regarding the consultation process, check the ministry website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/regs/cosmetic-pesticides/consultation.htm
or contact Cindy Bertram at:
Email: cindybertram@shaw.ca
Fax: (250) 598-9948
Comments should be submitted by February 15th 2010.

Thank you for your time and consideration – we look forward to receiving your comments.

Sincerely,
Bob Lucy
Pesticides Licence Officer
Integrated Pest Management Program
BC Ministry of Environment
PO Box 9342 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9M1
E-mail: Bob.Lucy@gov.bc.ca

IVMA of Manitoba/Saskatchewan
"Focus Newsletter Fall 2009 "

click here to view/download this newsletter

Victoria Times Colonist 12 Apr 2009,
"Call for Pesticide Ban Premature"

click here to view the article

Front Page of National Post 16Jun 2009,
"The Pesticide Report Nobody Read"

This is an interesting observation on the publishing of the PMRA review of 2,4-D.
 
click here to view the article

Energy Alchemy: Teen Turns Scotch Broom to Biofuel:

A little tangential from the invasive front, but an interesting piece that relates to some previous ones on invasives as non-traditional fuel sources Tillamook Teen Hayden Bush arrived in Houston last month feeling pretty darned good about his odds for doing well in the International Sustainable World Science Fair. Then he got a look at the competition: more than 800 students from 51 countries and 38 states, most from elite math and science academies, backed by government and university sponsors. And there was Bush, 16, a third-generation farmer, with a simple journal on his efforts to convert Scotch broom, a noxious weed, into an alternative fuel. Portland Oregonian 06/22/2008

click here to see the article

Control of Invasive Species :

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 363: Control of Invasive Species explores the extent to which state departments of transportation are identifying actions that affect the spread of invasive species, preventing introduction, tracking status and locations of “invasives” in a timely and ongoing manner, controlling found populations, restoring invaded habitats, conducting research, and sharing lessons learned. The report documents successful practices and lessons learned. It also synthesizes the state of the practice in developing Integrated (Roadside) Vegetation Management, along with physical, chemical, biological, and cultural control mechanisms.

click on "view this pdf" and open or save the report

Scientists research foreign bugs to help kill invasive plants in Midwest:

Across the Midwest, scientists are fighting an invasion of exotic, fast-spreading plants with imported insects that have one simple mission: Eat and destroy. Chicago Tribune

click here to view the article

Literature review of impacts of glyphosate herbicide on amphibians: What risks can the silviculture use of this herbicide pose for amphibians in B.C.? :

some pretty pertinent toxicological reading with implications for the protection of amphibians and amphibian habitat (i.e. small vernal breeding habitats and how they are, or are not recognized as no treatment zones when implementing integrated pest management activities for the management of invasive or non-preferred plant species).

Posted June 27, 2008

Glyphosate herbicides are the most widely used non-selective broad-spectrum herbicides in the world. In Canada they are extensively used in forestry for site preparation and for conifer release. Recent studies have shown that amphibians are one of the most sensitive vertebrate groups to the toxicological effects of this herbicide. This report summarizes current literature on the non-target impacts of glyphosate herbicides on amphibians, combines reviews of published studies with a review of the application guidelines and the use patterns of this herbicide in silviculture in BC,and identifies knowledge gaps in the assessment of herbicide impacts on native amphibians in this province.

click here to see the article

** Link to original document:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/publications.html --See July

Status of Invasive Plants in Canada Summary Report :

To our partners,

I am pleased to announce the publication of a CFIA summary report entitled, “Invasive Alien Plants in Canada”. This bilingual document highlights key information on a subject that is particularly relevant to Canada's agricultural economy. It is estimated that invasive plants cost the Canadian agricultural community approximately $2.2 billion each year.

The report estimates that there are 486 species of invasive alien plants in Canada and calls attention to the numerous impacts that they pose to our environment, economy and human health. It explains how and when these plants entered Canada and provides insight as to the potential origin of future invasions. This knowledge will help to strengthen our preparedness to mitigate and respond to plants that are pests.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is pleased to collaborate with the nation-wide network of partners engaged in the implementation of an Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada. The summary report describes how various government and non-government programs are working together to address the threat of invasive plants in Canada. Key initiatives include leadership and co-ordination, legislation and regulation, risk management and international co-operation.

PDF files of the summary report are attached. To request printed copies, please contact: Jodie Hudgin, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0Y9. Tel. 613-221-3734; Email: hudginj@inspection.gc.ca.

This document is a summary of a more detailed technical report. Both the summary and technical reports will soon be internet-accessible at http://www.inspection.gc.ca .

Sincerely,

Lesley Cree
National Manager,
Invasive Species Section, Plant Health Division,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9 .

News from Tasha Murray, coordinator, Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Council:

For those of you working on knotweed projects and those that just wanted to learn a bit more about this local invader, visit the following link for a “Key to Identification of Invasive Knotweeds in British Columbia” by Linda M. Wilson. As well as the key, there is lots of other useful information on life history, distribution and management of Knotweeds.

click here to see the document

Industry task force II on 2, 4-D rechearch data news release:

Click here to see the letter received at the IVMA admin office.

Control of Invasive Species:

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 363: Control of Invasive Species explores the extent to which state departments of transportation are identifying actions that affect the spread of invasive species, preventing introduction, tracking status and locations of “invasives” in a timely and ongoing manner, controlling found populations, restoring invaded habitats, conducting research, and sharing lessons learned. The report documents successful practices and lessons learned. It also synthesizes the state of the practice in developing Integrated (Roadside) Vegetation Management, along with physical, chemical, biological, and cultural control mechanisms.

click on "view this pdf" and open or save the report

Federal and provincial governments to fund pest management accreditation program and education.

Details in the pdf document below:

accreditation_program.pdf