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Community weed-pulling comes to Squamish

Every year, the battle against invasive species cost the Canadian taxpayer in the order of a few billion dollars. Some of these dollars are coming right out of pockets of Sea to Sky residents.

Every year, the battle against invasive species cost the Canadian taxpayer in the order of a few billion dollars. Some of these dollars are coming right out of pockets of Sea to Sky residents.

Invasive plants such as knotweed and knapweed are kicking our native plants out of their rightful places in our forests and parks.

To fight the problem, the new Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) is running its very first community weed pull on Sunday (Oct. 18) from 1 to 4 pm.

"The weed pulls will be fun and educational," said SSISC co-ordinator Kristina Swerhun. "We know that having informed locals on the lookout for invasive infestations before they get costly to control is the best way to go."

Events will take place simultaneously in both Squamish and Pemberton, rain or shine. All ages are welcome.

In Squamish, meet at Finch Road, across from the Police station. In Pemberton, meet at the lot between the elementary school and the train tracks. Bring your own gloves, and shovel or loppers if possible.

The Squamish weed pull will focus on knotweeds. These plants have tremendous regenerative abilities and are recognized by international experts as the "world's worst species."

Roots can extend up to 20 metres, and as little as 0.6 of a gram of root or stem material can produce a new plant in as little as six days.

The SSISC is a new not-for-profit group that formed in the spring of 2009 to help control the spread of invasive plants and animals in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

The group has been working in cooperation and coordination with other regional invasive committees in a province-wide effort to minimize the negative effects of invasive species.

Invasive species are the second biggest threat to global biodiversity, after habitat destruction by land clearing.

Because they arrive in Canada without their natural predators to keep them in balance, invasive plants can spread rapidly, forming dense patches over large areas and often displacing native plants.

By profoundly limiting biodiversity, invasive plants threaten vital elements that support ecological integrity of coastal ecosystems. They negatively affect the habitat of wild animals; increase fire hazards; accelerate erosion, leading to siltation; and they can destroy roads and other built environments.

They also cause other problems related to human and animal health, as well as crop or forage reduction.

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