Nanaimo, B.C., debates joining municipalities that ban invasive species

CBC

5 days ago

The City of Nanaimo might soon join a list of municipalities that prohibit the sale and distribution of invasive plants, in absence of provincewide laws on the matter.
On Monday, city councillors are scheduled to consider a staff report that recommends a bylaw to ban specific species on the Invasive Species Council of B.C. (ISCBC) list, including some common household vines and flowers like English ivy, baby's breath and foxgloves.
"Over 60 per cent of our invasive plants are actually intentionally planted," said Gail Wallin, ISCBC's executive director.
"So great work, great step forward."
The report says invasive plants can harm the environment, human health and even the economy.
"They can thrive on land and in aquatic environments and can impact biodiversity and natural habitats," according to the report.
"Since the plants are introduced, they have limited natural predators and tend to grow rapidly, out-compete native plants, and can be challenging to manage even with a long-term approach."
Invasive plants can damage infrastructure, alter water flows and become fire hazards, according to the report.
It also states that provincial regulations like the Weed Control Act have outdated species lists and little effective means of enforcement, but the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been reviewing current legislation regarding the sale of invasive plants and their seeds in B.C.
Other municipalities with similar prohibitions include Squamish and Oak Bay.
"There is a need for stronger provincial regulation on on invasive species," Wallin agreed.
Many invasive plants can be found at nurseries across B.C., where they're sold on their own or as part of ornamental baskets, she said.
Worries about implementation
Walter Pinnow, operations coordinator at Green Thumb Nursery in Nanaimo, said his workplace doesn't sell invasive plants — even though some customers still ask for them.
"We just had a customer asking us for foxglove the other day," Pinnow said, adding people often ask for chickory, a plant with little blue flowers commonly seen on the side of B.C. highways.
Gardeners don't always know that many of the flowers they see are actually invasive, Pinnow said.
He supports the report and the creation of a bylaw to ban the sale of invasive plants, but said he worries about how it would be regulated or enforced.
Pinnow also cautioned the city to list plants under their proper Latin names if the bylaw does go through, to ensure that plants that are sometimes categorized under their common names aren't included — like ivy.