Spartina update

Posted by Don Burkett

on Apr 9, 2013

Update on the clubs partnership on Spartina eradication.

Rotary Club of Ladner Projects Report April 8, 2013

Spartina

Everything is in place for this year. Am doing a presentation to environmental groups at city hall next Monday. The working group meeting is next Thursday to plan the year’s assault. That meeting should see our handouts distributed for approval from group members. A sub committee will be proposed to deal with the field work. That will probably be Dan Buffett, Rob Knight and Moi. Issues concerning the herbicide will be addressed. I will send a list of recommendations and questions in that regard. Surveying starts end of May and I am not going to recommend we jump in on that right away. This year could be a huge win for us on this shore.

School Teacher Vector

This project is complete. I still have not got confirmation from the district that the follow up memo got to the working level. I think I will drop in at one of the schools and ask.

Pond/Aquarium Vector

I have developed rough handout. The ISC has been doing work on this initiative with B.C. dept Enviro. They are to get back to me this week in regards to handouts at points of sale. An existing publication is available from the ISC that we can purchase and handout as well as provide the disposal precautions leaflet.

Recreational Water Users Vector: Clean, Dry, Drain Signs

This is a program to alert watercraft users at launches of steps to be taken to reduce the risk of invasive spread. It is all over the interior but has yet to be put in place in Delta. The ISC has indicated they will produce the signs us being acknowledged. I am preparing a proposal for that project. Presently I have visited five launch sites. Sandra has offered to help inventory potential locations. Signage that may be more appropriate to level foot access entry points may be something to look at in the future.

On Shore Identification Of Potential Invasives

Early detection and appropriate response to invasive species can best be advanced by alerting people who might be interested what they look like.