Chew on this — an alternative way to manage invasive plants
The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council (EKIPC) will be hosting our 5th Annual AGM and Speaker Series on April 10th at the Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Center in Cranbrook (registration begins at 9:00 am). While invasive plant managers use a variety of tools to manage invasive plants EKIPC has decided to focus this year’s Speaker Series on biocontrol and targeted grazing (i.e. things that actually eat invasive plants).
As always, EKIPC has enlisted some engaging speakers to share their ideas and experiences with you. Jo-Ann Fox from the Southern Interior Weed management Committee (SIWMC) will be doing a presentation on the weed devouring goat herd that the City of Kamloops enlisted this summer (you may have seen some articles on this as it garnered national attention in the media). In addition, our very own Kevin Paterson from the Regional District of East Kootenay will be offering his experiences from employing a targeted grazing goat herd in Kimberley. Alec McCleay (McCleay Ecoscience) will be making the trip down from Alberta to talk about his experiences with the practical applications of biocontrol insects that feed on invasive plants. The final speaker is still being confirmed at the time of writing this. The topic will be of interest to the ranching community though – for some background, readers can go to the following website: www.livestockforlandscapes.com.
The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council is more than just a Society and a logo – the inner workings of this organization are a local group of dedicated and passionate people who share a common vision of protecting our East Kootenay landscapes from the impacts of invasive species. Together, the work of these people has resonated beyond the borders of our Regional District and EKIPC is consistently recognized as one of the lead regional invasive species organizations in the province.
If you share our vision or are just interested to learn more about what you can do - please come down to our AGM and meet our friendly Board of Directors. EKIPC will be electing new members to our Board at our AGM and if you have skills that can be of benefit to this group this will be your chance to join in. No invasive plant background is necessary to sit on the Board, just a skill set and passion for helping preserve our ecosystems is all that is necessary. EKIPC is looking for Board members with the specific skills of: business; accounting; law; administration; marketing/advertising; council development and human resources.
Not sure about committing to sit on the Board? There are plenty of other opportunities to participate and get your feet wet, ranging from becoming a member, to serving on different standing committees and advisory committees. Without the dedicated people working with us over the years EKIPC would not have accomplished half of what we have. Please contact EKIPC’s Chair Chris Bosman at 250-489-2791 if you are interested in becoming involved with our fun loving group.
To register for the AGM and Speaker Series please contact Stephanie Daniels at 250-426-1206 or at Stephanie.Daniels@gov.bc.ca.
As we all wind up for another busy field season, this gathering will serve as an excellent opportunity for old colleagues to catch up, new faces to introduce themselves and for everyone to get fired up to do battle against invasive species again this year. Our future generations depend on it.
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