Awarded to the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society to work towards the eradication of knotweed from Areas A, D, and E of the RDCK.
PROPONENT: Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society
DESCRIPTION: Japanese knotweed is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one of the 100 worst invasive species globally, and knotweeds are among the highest priority plants for the Province of BC and the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS). Knotweed spreads prolifically via an extensive rhizome structure, and can reproduce from small fragments of any plant part. Knotweed is steadily spreading across the central Kootenay region. The plant is being transferred by gardeners, illegal dumping, motor vehicles and equipment, and soil movement activities.
Unfortunately, funding does not exist for conducting complete inventories on private lands so the true extent of knotweed infestation and the level of risk to our natural ecosystems is unknown. Based on anecdotal staff and public reporting, the numbers on private land are much higher than the data currently shows. During this project, CKISS conducted plant inventory and outreach, and administered a cost-sharing program where landowners could apply for a 50% subsidy to treat knotweed on their private property.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of the project was to work towards the eradication of knotweed from Areas A, D, and E of the RDCK. Specific objectives were to: 1) Improve regional inventory of knotweed through targeted surveys; 2) Increase private landowner and public awareness of knotweed and its impacts; 3) Treat and monitor qualifying project sites in a cost-effective and efficient manner; and, 4) Measure program effectiveness by tracking the number of knotweed sites surveyed, the number of landowners contacted, the number of landowners requesting assistance, and the number of knotweed sites treated.
PHOTOS: CKISS
An overview of the 2020 Knotweed Removal project.
Erin Bates with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society presented on this project as part of the 2020 KCP Virtual Spring Tour held on June 22, 2020 featuring five projects that receive funding from the Kootenays’ two Local Conservation Funds.
