ISCMV

ISCMV Spring Forum & AGM 2025 - Champlain Heights Community Centre, Vancouver

In-Person Pesticide Applicator Course - University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford

Meadow Making - Cornett Road, Vancouver

Path to Restoration: Stewardship Clean-up - Nootka & 14th, Vancouver

April Work Party - Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver

Park Stewardship - Everett Crowley Park, Vancouver

Free the Fern Invasive Pull - Red Alder Trail, Vancouver

Native Planting - Glenbrook Ravine, New Westminster

Invasive Pull - Glenbrook Ravine, New Westminster

Resilient Restorations: Sustainable Gardening Solutions - Como Lake Park, Coquitlam

Community Planting - Central Park

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park

Burnaby Stewardship - Deer Lake

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park

Burnaby Stewardship - Deer Lake

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park

Burnaby Stewardship - Burnaby Mountain

Burnaby Stewardship - Deer Lake

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park

Burnaby Stewardship - Burnaby Mountain

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park

Wildlife Friendly Gardening - VanDusen Gardens, Vancouver

Other Invasive Species

Profiles for a selection of high priority regional invasive species can be found below.

Image	Name	Description	Fact Sheet	BMPs
Photo Credit: Alisha Switzer	American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus	Bullfrogs are voracious, unspecialized predators, eating a variety of prey, including native frog species.	Tackling American Bullfrog - July 2023	Best Management Practices for American Bullfrog - August 2021
Photo credit: Bruce Watt, University of Maine, Bugwood.org	European Chafer Beetle Amphimallon majale	European chaffer beetle larvae can damage turfgrass, lawns, and sports fields.	Tackling European Chafer Beetle - August 2021	Best Management Practices for European Chafer Beetle - August 2021
Photo credit: Sean McCann	European Fire Ant Myrmica rubra	If disturbed, European fire ants will repeatedly sting people, pets and wildlife that come close to their nests.	Tackling European Fire Ant - August 2021	Best Management Practices for European Fire Ant - August 2021
Photo credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org	Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica	Japanese beetle is a destructive insect, known for its voracious appetite and ability to quickly defoliate plants, damaging landscapes and reducing crop yields.	Tackling Japanese Beetle - October 2023	Best Management Practices for Japanese Beetle - October 2023

Invasive Species Walk - VanDusen Gardens, Vancouver

Spring Seminar 2025 - Michael J Fox Theatre, Burnaby

Ready, Set, Pull! - Kittson Parkway Environmental Reserve, Delta

Ready, Set, Pull - Forest Bay Park Reserve, Delta

Ready, Set, Pull! - Ladner Harbour Park, Delta

Invasive Plants

Priority Lists

Considering localized species and management programs in Metro Vancouver, the ISCMV has developed a risk ranking tool for invasive plants.

Invasive plant species are also prioritized at a Provincial scale:

Priority Invasive Species in B.C. list
2025 Provincial Public Land “Top 25” Invasive Plant Species Priorities
B.C. Weed Control Act & Regulation
B.C. Invasive Plant Core Ranking Process
B.C. Invasive Plant Candidates for Eradication are candidates for the B.C. Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Program. The following EDRR candidates are found in Metro Vancouver: water lettuce, mouse ear hawkweed, North African grass, Spartina species, shiny geranium (NEW - to be confirmed), yellow floating heart, Brazilian elodea, Dyer's woad, Phragmites. The status of management of these plants is available here.

Invasive Plants in Metro Vancouver

This list represents a selection of some of the most common invasive plant species found in our region. Contact us if you are looking for resources for other invasive species not listed.

Name	Description	Fact Sheet	BMPs
Bamboo Various species	Bamboos are a large group of fast-growing, perennial, woody-stemmed evergreen grasses.	Tackling Bamboo - June 2024	Best Management Practices for Bamboo - June 2024
Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii	Butterfly bush is a hardy, fast-growing deciduous shrub that invades both disturbed and natural areas.	Tackling Butterfly Bush - June 2023	Best Management Practices for Butterfly Bush - June 2023
Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus	Cherry laurel is a fast-growing woody evergreen tree or shrub with toxic leaves, stem, and seeds.	Tackling Cherry Laurel - July 2024	Best Management Practices for Cherry Laurel - July 2024
Common Periwinkle Vinca minor	Common periwinkle is a low-growing trailing evergreen plant that forms extensive mats on forest floors.	Tackling Common Periwinkle - July 2024	Best Management Practices for Common Periwinkle - July 2024
English & Irish Ivies Hedera helix & Hedera hibernica	Ivy is an evergreen vine that forms dense monocultures along the ground and up trees and structures.	Tackling English and Irish Ivies - August 2021	Best Management Practices for English and Irish Ivies - August 2021
English Holly Ilex aquifolium	English holly, with its bright red berries and dark green evergreen foliage, can suppress native vegetation over large areas.	Tackling English Holly - August 2021	Best Management Practices for English Holly - August 2023
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata	Garlic mustard is one of the fastest spreading invasive plants in woodland and edge habitats in North America.	Tackling Garlic Mustard - July 2023	Best Management Practices for Garlic Mustard - June 2022
Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum	Giant hogweed is a high priority species in the region primarily due to the potential health impacts from direct contact with the plant.	Tackling Giant Hogweed - July 2023	Best Management Practices for Giant Hogweed - August 2021
Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium	Hedge bindweed can quickly overwhelm other vegetation, growing between, around and over other plants.	Tackling Hedge Bindweed - July 2023	Best Management Practices for Hedge Bindweed - August 2021
Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera	Himalayan balsam is a summer blooming annual plant that produces abundant seeds in capsules that explode when ripe.	Tackling Himalayan Balsam - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Himalayan Balsam (including special mention of small-flowered touch-me-not) - August 2021
Himalayan Blackberry Rubus bifrons	Himalayan blackberry was first introduced in British Columbia in the nineteenth century as a berry crop, but has more recently been recognized as an invasive species.	Tackling Himalayan Blackberry - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Himalayan Blackberry - August 2021
Knotweeds Various species	Knotweeds vigorous rhizome growth can damage concrete walls, pavement, bridges, foundations, and drainage networks.	Tackling Knotweeds - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Knotweed s - February 2024
Orange Hawkweed Pilosella aurantiaca	Orange hawkweed is a perennial herb that is more widespread than other non-native hawkweeds because it has repeatedly escaped cultivation.	Tackling Hawkweed - June 2023	Best Management Practices for Orange Hawkweed - June 2023
Parrot's Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum	Parrot’s feather is a perennial aquatic plant that can contribute to a loss of plant and aquatic species diversity.	Tackling Parrot's Feather - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Parrot's Feather - August 2021
Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum	Poison hemlock plants are poisonous when ingested and toxicity can also result from inhalation and skin contact.	Tackling Poison Hemlock - July 2023	Best Management Practices for Poison Hemlock - June 2023
Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria	Purple loosestrife can grow as a monoculture, reducing biological diversity at the site of infestation.	Tackling Purple Loosestrife - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Purple Loosestrife - August 2021
Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea	Reed canarygrass forms dense, persistent, monocultures in wetlands, ditches, floodplains, and wet meadows.	Tackling Reed Canarygrass - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Reed Canarygrass - August 2021
Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius	Scotch broom is a fast growing shrub that forms dense monocultures, spreading rapidly due to its ability to produce large quantities of long-lived seeds.	Tackling Scotch Broom - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Scotch Broom - August 2021
Spurge Laurel Daphne laureola	Spurge laurel is a highly toxic perennial evergreen shrub that, once established, can form a dense shrub layer and outcompete native plants.	Tackling Spurge Laurel - July 2023	Best Management Practices for Spurge Laurel - June 2022
Wild Chervil Anthriscus sylvestris	Wild chervil is an invasive herb with deep taproots that spread aggressively, making it difficult to remove.	Tackling Wild Chervil - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Wild Chervil - August 2021
Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon	Yellow archangel is an evergreen herbaceous plant that forms dense populations in natural areas, climbing over stumps and smothering native species.	Tackling Wild Chervil -August 2021	Best Management Practices for Yellow Archangel - August 2021
Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudacorus	Yellow flag iris grows and spreads rapidly, forming dense colonies and displacing native wetland plants.	Tackling Yellow Flag Iris - August 2021	Best Management Practices for Yellow Flag Iris - August 2021

Ready, Set, Pull! - Mackie Park, Delta

Ready, Set, Pull! - Pebble Hill Park, Delta

Ready, Set, Pull! - Ladner Harbour Park, Delta

Stewardship - Everett Crowley Park, Vancouver

Understanding Invasive Species and Their Impacts

Ivy Basket Weaving - VanDusen Gardens, Vancouver

ISCMV Fall Forum 2024

Intro to Japanese Beetles

Conservation Connections 2024

Burnaby Stewardship - Central Park - Sept 28, 2024

Wings over Iona

Stewardship Series: Seeds & Stewardship

Emerald Ash Borer Expanded Regulation Area in BC

News Release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

June 28, 2024 - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its regulated areas for emerald ash borer (EAB - Agrilus planipennis) to include an area in British Columbia, in an effort to slow the insect's spread.

The regulated area in British Columbia includes the City of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus and the University Endowment Lands (UEL). This is the first expansion of the EAB regulated area in British Columbia.

EAB is most commonly spread through the movement of firewood and other infested ash wood products, although it can also spread by flying up to 10 kilometers.

Effective immediately, ash material (such as logs, branches and woodchips) and all species of firewood cannot be moved outside of the regulated area without permission from the CFIA. If you need to move ash material, please contact your local CFIA office to request written authorization.

Although the EAB poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to ash trees. It has already killed millions of ash trees in regulated areas in Canada and the United States and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas of North America.

The CFIA will continue to survey and monitor the spread of this pest in British Columbia and will continue to work with federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations partners and organizations to slow its spread.

If you spot EAB outside regulated areas, report it to the CFIA to help stop the spread.

Photo Credit: Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Watch & Report Invasive Insects!

(le français suit)

Do you spend time monitoring, photographing or observing insects? If so, your help is needed to watch for and report invasive and migratory insect pests that harm plants, causing damage to Canada’s environment, farm lands, forests, parks and other natural areas. Early detection is critical for slowing the spread of these insect pests.

View the poster for your region (see pdfs below) to learn more about priority insect pests to watch out for. Use the QR code to report your detections!

This initiative is a collaborative project developed by the Insect Surveillance Community of Practice of the Canadian Plant Health Council, a multi-partner body that coordinates action for the protection of plant health in Canada.

Passez-vous du temps à surveiller, photographier ou observer des insectes? Dans l’affirmative, votre aide est nécessaire pour surveiller et signaler les insectes ravageurs envahissants et migrateurs qui nuisent aux plantes et causent des dommages à l’environnement, aux terres agricoles, aux forêts, aux parcs et à d’autres aires naturelles du Canada. La détection précoce est essentielle pour ralentir la propagation de ces insectes nuisibles.

Consultez l’affiche de votre région pour en savoir plus sur les insectes nuisibles prioritaires que vous pouvez rechercher et utilisez le code QR pour signaler vos détections!

Cette initiative est un projet de collaboration élaboré par la Communauté de pratique de la surveillance des insectes du Conseil canadien de la santé des végétaux, un organisme multipartite qui coordonne les mesures de protection de la santé des végétaux au Canada.

Burnaby Stewardship: Deer Lake - July 12, 2024

Spring Forum & AGM 2024

In honour of Invasive Species Action Month, ISCMV took action in Burnaby by hosting a public Spring Forum & AGM yesterday at the Shadbolt Centre for the Performing Arts. We welcomed experts from across Metro Vancouver and beyond to share their knowledge.

Highlights included:

- Brian Campbell of West Coast Seeds sharing inovations in invasive resilient lawn blends, including mixes of fescue and micro clover.

- Tracey Tobin, with the city of Burnaby, sharing how beneficial nematodes and BTG (a new microbial product) has been effective in managing chafer beetle spread.

- Sarah Demian & Jaylene Braitwaite, with the Knotweed Lab at Trinity Western University, sharing how knotweed along the Chilliwack River as increased five-fold following the 2021 flood, leading to soil erosion and changes in soil quality.

- Collaborative eco-artists, Elena Kirby and Masumi Rodriguez, sharing their experience with paper making with invasive ivy.

All in all it was a great event, bringing together people from across our region to learn and network. Thank you for everyone who presented and attended!

Ready, Set, Pull! - Nov 9, 2024

Ready, Set, Pull! - Oct 5 2024

Ready, Set, Pull! - Sept 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - Oct 2024

Park Stewardship in Everett Crowley Park - May 25, 2024

Park Stewardship in Everett Crowley Park - May 11, 2024

Ivy Basket Weaving - June 2024

Wildlife Friendly Gardening - June 2024

ISCMV 2024 Spring Forum & AGM

MOTI Invasive Plant Webinar - April 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park Native Planting - Nov 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - Sept 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - Aug 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Jim Lorimer Park - Aug 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Deer Lake - July 27 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Deer Lake - July 19 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - July 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Deer Lake - July 2024

Glenbrook Ravine Native Planting - Oct 2024

Glenbrook Ravine Invasive Pull - Sept 2024

Glenbrook Ravine Invasive Pull - June 2024

Glenbrook Ravine Invasive Pull - May 2024

Glenbrook Ravine Invasive Pull - April 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Deer Lake - May 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Jim Lorimer Park - June 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - June 2024

Burnaby Stewardship: Central Park - May 2024

Plant Walk at Watershed Park

Taking Action in Delta!

On Saturday, March 23, ISCMV and the City of Delta hosted our first Community Weed Pull of the season at Pebble Hill Park.

12 volunteers came out to help remove invasive ivy and holly. Together, we managed to clear approximately 4.0 cubic meters of plant material! Now there is more space for native plants to grow and thrive. Everyone enjoyed helping the environment while connecting with their community.

Check out more of our upcoming Delta Community Weed Pulls on our event page. Everyone is welcome!

Stewardship Series: Food Forests

Delta Community Weed Pull 3

Spring Seminar 2024

Delta Community Weed Pull 2

Delta Community Weed Pull 1

Ivy Basket Weaving at VanDusen Gardens

Invasive Species: What they Are and How to Identify Them

Stewardship Series: Winter Plant Walk with Julia Alards-Tomalin

Garlic Mustard

Introduction to Invasive Species in Metro Vancouver

Himalayan blackberry

Giant Hogweed

European Fire Ant

English holly

Glenbrook Ravine Planting 2023

Our final event at Glenbrook Ravine for 2023 was a huge success! We had 26 people join us on a brilliantly sunny Saturday to plant 214 native species at the ravine. Along with some familiar shrub and tree species planted in previous years such as Big leaf maple and Thimbleberry, we planted plenty of new species such as Mock orange, Pacific bleeding heart, Fringe cup, and more!

It was also ISCMV Executive Director, Tasha Murray's, last day as a project coordinator at the ravine, so we celebrated her hard work with this project by throwing a small send-off party. Thank you to ISCMV and to Tasha for all your contributions to the Glenbrook Ravine Restoration Project, and a huge thank you to Neighbourhood Small Grants for helping fund Tasha’s much-deserved send off!

A big thank you the City of New Westminster Community Grants for providing funding to this community project, to New Westminster Environmental Partners for their endless support, and of course to all our volunteers who helped out at the ravine this year – this couldn’t have happened without your enthusiasm and passion for preserving this amazing greenspace!

Want to get involved with the Glenbrook Ravine Park Restoration Project? Reach out to Melanie at melapps89@gmail.com to be added to the project mailing list and stay up to date on when our next events at the ravine will be!

Photo credit: Melanie Apps

BC Seed Gathering

On Friday, Nov 3, 2023, ISCMV Executive Director, Tasha Murray, presented to delegates at the annual BC Seed Gathering. Held at the Richmond campus of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University, this conference was hosted by FarmFolk CityFolk.

Tasha shared the message of invasive species management to seed caretakers from across BC. Delegates were very keen and had so many great questions about how to manage invasive plants and keep them out of seed collections.

Here are some invasive plants that are commonly found wildflower seed mixes, but should be avoided in our gardens:

- Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata)
- Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus)
- Blueweed (Echium vulgare)
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
- Knapweed species (Centaurea spp.)
- Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Thank you Tasha for sharing your knowledge on invasive species to those in our area!

Invasives 2024 Forum & AGM - Feb 2024

Are You Our Next Executive Director?

The Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver (ISCMV) is a non-profit organization and registered federal charity dedicated to minimizing the impact of invasive species. The ISCMV provides leadership in the region on invasive species management through programs, resources, services, and collaboration with partners.

We seek a highly motivated and independent Executive Director to lead the organization. The successful candidate will have a keen sense of how to support and improve invasive species management in the region, and the ISCMV’s role as a regional leader. With direction from a Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for management of all aspects of the society, including administration, financial oversight, human resources (managing a small team of part-time staff), consultation on invasive species projects, education program delivery, and execution of the organization’s strategic plan.

This dynamic position may be well-suited to a professional with other commitments or already working in the non-profit, education, environmental or invasive species sectors.

The complete job posting is available below. The application deadline is November 22, 2023.

Photo credit: Scott McAlpine, BCIT