Habitat Restoration Action Days

Invasive Species Pulls

As pretty as some exotic plants look, they can have devastating impacts on our local environment!

Help restore wildlife habitat at Wye Marsh.

Learn how to safely remove invasive plants from the area. Join us for just two hours on any of the days listed below - and you will make a difference!

Registration preferred. Drop-ins welcome. Please call 705-526-7809, or email cpezik@wyemarsh.com.

If possible, please bring your gardening gloves, drinking water, and bug spray.

Garlic Mustard, Dames Rocket, Spotted Knapweed, and Phragmites Dates:

SATURDAYS from 9 am - 11 am

May 31
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30

Dames Rocket

Introduced to North America in the 1600s by European settlers for its use as an ornamental garden plant.

Since then, its prolific seed production has allowed it to colonize a variety of natural areas such as meadows, roadsides and disturbed areas. Once it takes hold in an area, it excludes native species by forming dense monocultures.

Garlic Mustard

An edible herb native to Europe that was brought to North America in the early 1800s. Since its arrival in North America it has escaped into the wild and is now one of Ontario’s most aggressive forest invaders. Garlic mustard can invade relatively undisturbed forests. Once established it can displace native wildflowers like Trilliums. It hinders other plants by interfering with the growth of fungi that bring nutrients to the roots of the plants.

Spotted Knapweed

Accidentally introduced into North America from Western, Central and Eastern Eurpe in the late 1800s in contaminated alfalfa clover seed and soil used for ship ballast. Before it was considered a serious weed, it was spread in domestic hay and through human activities. It is a highly competitive weed that invades disturbed areas and degrades native plant communities.

Phragmites

While native Phragmites are a natural part of our local ecosystem, the Eurasian form is not. Alien to our wetland, it grows in tall tight stands that are destroying vital turtle habitat at Wye Marsh. Help our turtles. Become a Phragmites Fighter!