Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta introduced tough new legislation last month requiring mandatory boat inspections — a ramping up of the effort to keep zebra and quagga mussels out of the province. But officials admit that what’s really needed is public buy-in — and a little luck — to keep these devastating waterway invaders at bay. “If we ‘miss […] Read more
Alarm bells ringing in Alberta as invasive mussels move west
The arrival of the devastating invaders in Manitoba has led to mandatory inspections here
Earthworm Invasion! Help stop the spread of these alien invaders
Earthworms may be considered beneficial bugs in agricultural operations, but in Alberta’s forests, these invasive insects can spell trouble
Reading Time: 2 minutes A silent horde of alien invaders are worming their way through the Alberta countryside. These creepy-crawlies came from a world away, and there’s no stopping them now. The best we can hope to do is slow the spread of these invasive earthworms, says the head of the Alberta Worm Invasion Project. “In North American forests, […] Read more
Alberta Invasive Species Council conference
Conference date of March 12 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Invasive Species Council conference and AGM takes place March 12 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Topics include stopping aquatic invasives in Alberta, herbicide research for invasive weed control, working with industry to stop baby’s breath, and Russian olive invasiveness. The keynote address will look at what makes invasive species initiatives successful. The cost, […] Read more
Don’t spread the seeds of this nasty weed
Pulling by hand is the simplest, most reliable management technique
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers have reported ‘strange regrowth’ of Himalayan balsam following control measures to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “There are some important points to keep in mind when attempting to eradicate this invasive weed,” said provincial weed specialist Nicole Kimmel. Himalayan balsam is shallow rooted and easily pulled up by hand. That makes it labour intensive […] Read more
Funding to replace trees killed by mountain pine beetles
Deadline extended for tree replacement program
Reading Time: < 1 minute Tree Canada has extended the deadline for the 2014 Alberta Mountain Pine Beetle ReLeaf program until Aug. 31. This program subsidizes the cost of replacing trees lost to the advance of this invasive insect which destroys native pine trees. This is the second year of the program to help residents, landowners and municipalities. The mountain […] Read more
Officials warn of threat of invasive mussels in irrigation reservoirs
Last year, seven boats with Zebra or Quagga mussels were discovered in the province, setting off alarm bells about the threat to the irrigation system
Reading Time: 2 minutes It was a close call and prompted provincial officials to warn boaters to take care and not inadvertently bring invasive mussels into the province. Seven boats with Zebra or Quagga mussels were discovered in the province last year, and officials said they would cause havoc if ever introduced into the province’s irrigation reservoirs. “We have […] Read more
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