Turf and Greenspace Management
In 2013/2014, a Strategic Plan was developed by West Fork Resource Management Ltd. (WFRM) to guide the City in a more integrated management-based approach and recommended the development of a formal plan to encompass all aspects of invasive plant management specific to Fernie’s environmental, economic and social values. Following this, an initial base Invasive Plant Management Plan was developed in 2014 which highlighted known areas of concern for treatment and identified steps for preventative actions. At this time, it was recommended that a comprehensive inventory of the City be conducted to identify all areas of concern.
In 2017, WFRM was contracted to conduct an extensive city-wide inventory. Survey results identified 191 invasive plant sites, containing fifteen different invasive plant species. In 2018, WFRM conducted herbicide treatments on the highest priority sites on City-owned lands. The 2014 Invasive Plant Management Plan was also updated in 2019 to include a broad scope of integrated invasive plant management actions for all areas within the City.
Why Treat Invasive and Noxious Weeds?
Invasive and noxious weeds pose a potential risk to people, animals and ecosystems. These weeds can quickly spread causing negative economic, social, and environmental impacts. It is the City’s commitment to ensure that our public places are safe and sustainable for long-term use and enjoyment and our significant investments are protected.
Under the Province of British Columbia's Weed Control Act, the City is responsible to treat and prevent noxious and invasive weeds within City limits.
Province of British Columbia Weed Control Act
Treatment Program
The City of Fernie’s Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 2093 regulates the use of pesticides for non-essential purposes. As stated in the Bylaw, the regulation does not apply to the application of pesticides for the control of noxious weeds of invasive plants on public property.
As a continuation of the program, WFRM has been contracted this year to treat sites that contain invasive or noxious weeds. Sites have been prioritized according to species and various characteristics and are identified as P1 (high priority), P2 (medium priority) or P3 (low priority). Treatment will be directed at the species considered to be most aggressive and invasive as well as targeting the sites that are most susceptible.
Residents are encouraged to identify and remove noxious and invasive weeds on their property, as per the Unsightly Property Prevention Bylaw No. 1587:“prohibit persons from causing or permitting water, rubbish, or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter to collect or accumulate around their premises; and further, to prevent unsightliness on real property, and further, to require the owners or occupiers of real property, or their agents to clear property of brush, trees, noxious weeds or other growths.”
