Local environmental group coordinating roundtable on invasive species

The Conseil régional de l'environnement de l'estrie (CREE) is in the process of coordinating a an Estrie roundtable to consult stakeholders on actions to prevent and control the spread of invasive foreign plant species in Estrie.

The main objectives of this regional committee are to promote the sharing of information and good practices via a web platform on the CREE website, the

development of regional mapping, the organization of training workshops and demonstration sites on control methods and the organization of a regional forum in winter 2020.

The proliferation of invasive species is a significant global issue due to the negative impact they have on the environment and biodiversity, as well as economic and recreational activities and human health.

"It goes without saying that the Estrie region is not immune to this scourge. Citizens, associations and municipalities are all equally affected by the impacts of many aquatic and terrestrial species," explained Geneviève Pomerleau, on behalf of CREE. As a top priority, five problem species were targeted: Eurasian Watermilfoil, Japanese Knotweed, Buckthorn, Giant Hogweed and Common Reed.

Using Japanese knotweed as an example, it is renowned for its aesthetic appeal, but is a fearsome invasive plant that colonizes ditches, lakeshores and private property by forming dense stands that suffocate native plants and restrict wildlife movement.

For the implementation of the Table's activities for the next 2 years, the CREE obtained $17,000 in funding, including $7,000 from the Fondation de la faune du Québec's Programme d'aide pour la lutte contre les plantes exotiques envahissantes, and $10,000 from the Programme d'aménagement durable des forêts (2018-2021).