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Invasive Species

Invasive species are plants or animals that did not originate in a region, but grow rapidly and spread aggressively. They compete for resources with other species, and can degrade habitat and biodiversity.

Invasive species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity in the world, after habitat loss. In British Columbia, it is estimated that 25% of our endangered species are negatively impacted by invasive species. Without efforts to prevent their spread, invasive plants will generally increase their area an average of 14% annually. This exponential rate means that populations double every five years. The CVRD’s strategy for invasive plant management consists of a bylaw, invasive plant inventory, removal of key species, and a public awareness campaign.

Common invasive species in the Cowichan Region include Scotch broom, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, morning glory, and others. Most invasive species can be disposed of at any CVRD Recycling Centre or through the curbside organics collection program. However, four invasive species of concern in the CVRD require special attention, and must be immediately removed due to safety concerns. These include poison hemlock, giant hogweed, knotweed, and spurge-laurel. See the Noxious Plants section below for more information.

Noxious Plants

For the health of our communities and local ecosystems, we need to be especially aware of the noxious invasive species in our region that are highly toxic and damaging. Some of these include giant hogweed, poison hemlock, Daphne/spurge laurel, and knotweed. Currently, two of these plants (giant hogweed and poison hemlock) are included in a bylaw that requires the immediate removal of noxious plants due to their high risk to human and ecosystem health. Their inclusion in this bylaw provides an opportunity to test removal processes before expanding it to additional plants.

Be aware of toxic plants that require immediate removal according to the Noxious Weed Control Bylaw:

Be aware of other priority plants that should be disposed of with care:

While these species are not required to be removed by the CVRD Noxious Weed Control Bylaw, they are still harmful and should be dealt with carefully. It is encouraged that these also be removed.

Land Acknowledgement
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.