Invasive Species
Cut It Out Workshops
Learn more about the top 13 invasive plants in Burnaby, how to control them in your garden and how to select plants that are better for your garden and the environment at our upcoming Cut It Out Workshops.
Register Today!
- Sunday, April 15: Invasive Plants in Burnaby
- Sunday, April 22: Garden Without Invasives
- Sunday, April 29: Invasive Plant Removal & Control
For more information on invasive plant workshops, please call 604-294-7690 or Email invasiveplants@burnaby.ca
Invasive Species
Invasive species are exotic or non-native plants or animals that adversely affect local habitats and also have economic, environmental and social impacts.
Invasive plants seed readily, establish quickly, and grow aggressively in our region, taking-over areas available to them. Because these plants are non-native, they do not have the natural controls typically found in their home ranges, such as predators that feed on them, disease etc. Given these factors, along with our region’s temperate climate, invasive plants thrive and are wide-spread.
Some of the most common invasive plants in Burnaby include Himalayan blackberry, Japanese knotweed, English ivy, Policeman’s helmet and Reed canary grass. Less common species such as Giant Hogweed are also of high concern. Visit the Invasive Plant Council of Metro Vancouver for more information about invasive plants in our region.
Invasive plants are a concern because of their negative impacts to the environment, their social/economic implications, and their threat to human health and safety. Environmentally, invasive species are known as the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. Invasive plants easily out-compete native vegetation, over-run natural areas, and destroy wildlife habitat. Some plant species also release toxin into soils, change water regimes, cause slope instability, may be poisonous if eaten or touched, and contain allergens. Once established, invasive plants are very costly to manage, control and/or remove.
In the City of Burnaby, invasive plant species are escaped ornamental or garden plants that have been purposely or accidently spread by human activity including green waste dumping and plant sharing.
Invasive animals are also a concern to the environment where various non-native fish, reptiles and amphibians out-compete native species for food and space. Aquatic species such as fish, frogs, and turtles that were originally intended to be pets or were farmed have either escaped or have been deliberately released into the natural environment. These species interfere with the natural habitat of native species, may prey on native species, and cause disruptions in the ecosystem. Please do not release aquatic pets to any waterway in the City of Burnaby.
Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed, found in the City of Burnaby since 2006, is an invasive plant that poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and human health. The sap contained in the hairs covering the plant and in the stem can cause severe burns when in contact with human skin and exposed to sunlight. The City of Burnaby is actively removing Giant Hogweed from public lands, and requests all private landowners to have Giant Hogweed plants removed from their properties.
If you think you have seen this plant growing anywhere in the City of Burnaby, please report its location to the Engineering Department at 604-294-7460 for positive identification. For more information, click here.
Parks and Green Spaces
In 2009 a baseline survey of invasive plants in parks and green spaces was conducted to understand the extent and density of invasive plants in Burnaby. Survey results noted that 19% of the City’s green spaces were infested with the top 13 invasive species identified by the Invasive Plant Council of Metro Vancouver.
Since that time, the City’s invasive plant maintenance activities focus on preventing the spread of invasive plants outside of the areas identified in the survey. At the same time, the Parks Department started to conduct on the ground removal and control, complemented by trials and testing, and public education and participation. Additional changes to Parks operations include staff training to identify common invasive plant species, adoption of Parks maintenance activities to prevent spreading of existing invasive plants, and the prohibition of invasive plant use for Horticultural work. In the community, the City also supports community groups working on invasive plant issues, and organizes training and public workshops. For more information about public workshops.
