Welcome & News Blog
Thanks to all who came out to the weed pull at Rose Park in Squamish where we tackled english ivy and Himalayan blackberry. Great work!
Invasive species are a growing threat in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and the horticulture industry plays a key role in minimizing the risks. Last year the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) ran a successful pilot Invasive-free certification program, which originated at the suggestion of the industry at a 2010 horticulture forum.
After the 2011 pilot program, this is what some participants had to say about the program: “Overall the workshop was clear & concise with good topics”; “I like that this course brings the horticulture industry to the table to try a more direct approach to voluntary compliance”; and “For me the disposal information was very important”. We’d like to thank all the companies that participated in 2011 (Alchemist Landscape Design & Management, Budial Resource Group, Coyote Landscape Contracting, Deeply Rooted Landscaping, Heike Designs, Latham Landscapes, Marie's Mountainview Garden, Paulette French Design, Sound Garden Landscape Design, Whistler Landscaping) and invite others to participate as the awareness of invasive species as an issue grows. Please keep reading to learn about updates to the program this year and other new developments.
Why should my company participate?
The goal of this program is to promote and integrate effective invasive species management into the practices of horticulture and landscape companies serving the Sea to Sky corridor. Professional development will be provided to participating companies to improve their knowledge in the following three areas:
- Species Recognition and Procurement Practices – ensuring products purchased or grown are not invasive
- Site & Species Appropriate Control Methods – ensuring a base understanding of the types of control methods available to control a given species
- Disposal Practices – ensuring that invasive plant seeds or plant parts are properly disposed of, including ensuring integrity of the compost stream
Upon certification, companies can expect to receive recognition which could potentially translate into increased exposure (i.e. new marketing opportunities & access to a niche market). Support will be provided to all participating businesses to help them reach the commitments of the program.
New developments
In the United Kingdom, Japanese knotweed reduces property values and in some cases, people have been unable to secure a mortgage or insure their property due to knotweed infestations. It is conceivably only a matter of time before this is the case within the Sea to Sky corridor. Early detection and control is the best way to mitigate damage, and this course will provide participants with a full understanding of the issue that they can then pass on to clients.
Also, the SSISC is piloting a new Cost Sharing Program for Private Lands program this year that provides land owners, managers, and occupiers with the guidance and financial resources necessary to manage invasive plants on private property. This program will rebate private landowners up to 50% of the cost of control of giant hogweed & Japanese knotweed, two of the highest priority invasive species in the corridor and recently added to the BC Weed Control Act. To ensure quality of work, in order to qualify for reimbursement all treatment must be carried out by a SSISC Invasive-free Certified company (or the SSISC itself if no certified companies are available). If this Cost Sharing Program carries on in future years, we’d like to see all control be completed by local companies or contractors.
Frequently asked questions
Q:Who can take part in the program?
A: Although it is designed for those in the horticulture industry (garden centres, nurseries, landscapers, landscape architects) and contractors, anyone if welcome to register.
Q:What defines certification?
A: A company is certified ‘Invasive-free Certified’ when a minimum of 50% of staff have completed the ‘Invasive-free’ training, including all crew leaders/supervisors, and the company has signed a statement of commitment. For individuals to complete the training, they must have participated in at least one introductory workshop (or equivalent training) and signed a statement of commitment.
Q:What is the cost? (Note: The annual fee covers the costs of the program and is not a revenue generator)
A: Cost is dependent on size of company: Companies that are up to 10 employees/11-20 employees/over 20 employees will pay $50/$100/$150 respectively per year to be certified. For individuals not part of a company working towards certification, the cost to take part is $20. When a company is working towards securing/maintaining certification, there is no limit on how many staff members can attend training in that year. Cost also includes:
- all resources, including a print copy of ‘A Guide to Identification and Management of Sea to Sky Invasive Plants’
- year round support to all participating businesses to help them reach the commitments of the program
- electronic certificates & Invasive-free certified stickers
- electronic letter to give clients about the value of being certified
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recognition on our website and in correspondence/ads relating to the program
Q:How long is certification valid?
A: Companies need to re-certify annually; individual training is valid for 3 years. Annual certification is important since it keeps companies involved and up to date on new information including news about treatment, emerging invasive species, and new legislation/regulations.
Q:When are the workshops?
A: Participants need to attend just one 2 hour workshop (classroom style) offered in Squamish, Whistler or Pemberton. Availability is on a first come first served basis with additional workshops being added as needed.
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Squamish @ Capilano University |
Whistler @ RMOW Public Works Yard |
Pemberton @ Community Centre |
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April |
·Wed, April 25th, 9 -11 am ·Thur, April 26th, 2-4 pm |
·Wed, April 25th, 2-4 pm ·Fri, April 27th, 8-10 am |
·Tues, April 24th, 9-11am |
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May |
·Tues, May 15th, 2-4 pm ·Fri, May 18th, 9-11 am |
·Wed, May 16th, 2-4 pm ·Thurs, May 17th, 8-10 am |
·Tues, May 15th, 9-11 am |
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June |
·Tues, June 5th, 9-11 am ·Wed, June 6th, 2-4 pm |
·Tues, June 5th, 2-4 pm ·Fri, June 8th, 8-10 am |
·Wed, June 6th, 9-11 am |
Q:What if I attended training in 2011?
A: Individual training will be valid through 2013. Your company will need to re-certify annually, i.e. confirm participation in the program & number of trained staff, and pay the annual fee (see above “What is the cost?”).
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Please contact Kristina by email or phone 604-698-8334 with the workshop you'd like to attend within one week of the course date.
We're looking to hire two Field and Outreach Assistants as part of the Young Canada Work program. During spring and summer months we conduct field work as well as the majority of its education and engagement programs, and these two positions will assist in these activities. Positions will be dependent on receiving funding through the Young Canada Works program and all candidates must meet program requirements. Deadline is April 20th. Job listing...
The Sea to Sky invasive Species Council (SSISC) is inviting community members to its upcoming AGM and forum, which will feature the latest updates from the corridor, neighbouring regions and the province. This free event is on Tuesday, April 17th, from 1 – 4 pm at Totem Hall in Squamish, 1380 Stawamus Road (across from Chances on hwy 99).
If you’re interested in being more involved or staying updated, this event is a great way to meet others with similar interests and for finding out what’s new. Volunteer opportunities include joining one of our committees, becoming an Advisor, or taking on a more formal Director position.
The forum will include short updates from in and around the region, starting with a short summary of the work done by the Council in 2011 and 2012 activities. 2012 activities highlighted will include the pilot ‘Cost Share program’ for invasive control on private and the SISSC Invasive-free Certification program. Updates from local partners will include: the Village of Lions Bay, on their efforts controlling giant hogweed; the Squamish River Watershed Society; the District of Squamish; Heike Designs, a local ‘Invasive-free Certified’ company; the Resort Municipality of Whistler; and Squamish Nation.
Provincial partners providing updates will include: the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, BC Parks and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Invasive committees from neighbouring regions that work closely with the SSISC will also be on hand to give short updates on what else is happening on the invasive front around the south coast. They include the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and the Lillooet Region Invasive Species Society.
For more information on the event or on the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council contact us via email or call 604-935-7665. RSVP is appreciated by not required. The SSISC would like to thank the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for sponsoring this event.
Do you have invasive plants on your property? Help is here! With the growing season soon upon us, the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) is announcing a Pilot Cost Sharing Program for Private Lands with generous funding from the Community Foundation of Whistler. This program provides land owners, managers, and occupiers throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor with the guidance, support and financial resources necessary to manage invasive plants.
This pilot program will rebate private landowners up to 50% of the cost of control of giant hogweed & Japanese knotweed, two of the highest priority invasive species in the corridor and recently added to the BC Weed Control Act. Giant hogweed, which containspoisonous sap, is a serious health threat. The sap sensitizes skin to ultraviolet radiation and results in severe burns and may cause temporary or permanent blindness.
Japanese knotweed, on the other hand, can have serious environmental and economic impacts. This extremely aggressive plant can devastate riparian systems, degrade native plant and wildlife habitat, be a safety concern along roadways (affecting sightlines) and damage infrastructure. In the United Kingdom, Japanese knotweed reduces property values and in some cases, people have been unable to secure a mortgage or insure their property due to knotweed infestations. It is conceivably only a matter of time before this is the case within the Sea to Sky corridor. Early detection and control is the best way to mitigate damage.
This program targets private land owners since this is a great opportunity to address those individuals who really don’t know who to turn to with the issue and involve them positively. Public lands are still an issue; however we do already have partners responsible for those lands, be they municipalities, the province or utility lands. If we are successful, then we have educated people on the importance of the issue, which in turn puts more pressure on public land managers to be more pro-active.
DETAILS
Maximum rebates are $500 - $1,000, depending on size of property and sensitivity of location, and are issued based on funding availability and the order the applications are received. Conditions that would need to be met to qualify for the rebate include:
- Contacting SSISC no later than June 1, 2012 for appointment to determine maximum rebate/scope of work
- Invasive plants treated are giant hogweed and/or Japanese knotweed
- All treatment must be carried out by a SSISC Invasive-free Certified company or the SSISC itself (See list of Certified companies below)
- Any herbicide treatment must additionally be done by a Certified Licensed Pesticide Applicator & follow all local bylaws
- The treatment area must be within SLRD electoral areas C & D (includes Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton) or Lions Bay
SSISC Invasive-free Certified horticulture companies in the Sea to Sky Corridor that took part in the 2011 pilot program include:
2011 SSISC Invasive-free Certified horticulture companies in the Sea to Sky Corridor*
Alchemist Landscape Design & Management Budial Resource Group Ltd.
Coyote Landscape Contracting Deeply Rooted Landscaping
Heike Designs Inc. Latham Landscapes Ltd
Marie's Mountainview Garden Paulette French Design
Sound Garden Landscape Design Ltd. Whistler Landscaping
*Additional companies have already signed up for 2012 Invasive-free certification so stay tuned for an expanded list of horticulture companies that qualify to be part of the program. This stipulation to hire Invasive-free certified companies is to ensure quality and consistency of work. If this program expands in future years, the SSISC would like to see all control be completed by local companies or contractors.
HOW DO I APPLY?
We welcome your efforts to manage and control invasive plants on privately owned and managed lands! To apply, either fill out and submit a ‘Request for Assistance Form’, or contact SSISC at 604-698-8334 or by email before June 1st. After submitting your application, a representative from SSISC will contact you.
