Unwelcome Visitors

As spring has now begun, we bet you’ve been looking at starting seeds for your garden! Did you know that some seed packets and some garden plants sold in stores are invasive species? For example, wildflower mixes are often filled with unwelcome visitors such as Baby’s Breath and English Ivy is sold as a garden ornamental plant when it’s invasive. These species spread rapidly and can have severe impacts on our environment here in Revelstoke. We’ve teamed up with the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) to make sure you don’t contribute to biodiversity loss.

CSISS is your local go-to when you need information on invasive species. They operate invasive species management programs and educate the community about invasive species and their impacts. Check out the ‘Grow Me Instead’ booklet which snapshots 28 of BC’s most unwanted plants and their recommended alternatives. This will ensure your garden is filled with welcome guests!

Unfortunately, invasive species exist outside of our garden too. We encourage you to Play Clean Go when you get out on the trails. This means checking and cleaning your gear and pets of seeds before leaving an area. The same applies for Clean Drain Dry on the water. Check your boating equipment, drain all the water, and get them crispy dry before changing to a new body of water.