Invasive plants are non-native plants introduced from outside the Traditional Territory that cause, or are likely to cause, economic, social, cultural or environmental change. Over the years many species of invasive plants have been introduced – including thistle species, common tansy, yellow and orange hawkweed species, scentless chamomile and oxeye daisy. The spread of these plants can take over large areas, crowding out native species. Managing and controlling these species is important to maintain an ecosystem that is natural.
Objectives
Prevent the introduction of invasive plants, limit their spread, and, where necessary and possible, eradicate existing infestations and restore native plant communities.
Protect the environment and resources through transparent communications, respect for all life forms, and maintenance of social and cultural values, including drinking watersheds, fish streams, food and medicine gathering areas in villages and the broader land base.
Facilitate Kaska stewardship through knowledge sharing, training and employment.
Partners
Denka Kayeh Institute partnered with the province of British Columbia and Daylu Dena Council.
Activities
Training – July 9, 2024
- Surveyed previously documented orange hawkweed location just east of the Hyland River Bridge
- Walked the entire infestation; larger than in 2021 and has expanded to both sides of the highway now.
- Worked through an invasive species observation form.
- Looked for previously documented scentless chamomile at the Hyland River Bridge, but did not locate any.
- Stopped in Watson Lake to observe common toadflax and oxeye daisy near Wye Lake Park.
- Stopped to check out yellow hawkweed at High Lakes pullout
- Worked through another invasive species observation form
- Collected and pressed specimens of each species identified during training
* Did not find any Canada thistle, common tansy or scentless chamomile
Survey Locations July 15-17, 2024
- 20 Mile Road – 16.75 km
- Wheeler Lake Access Road – 325 m
- Blue River South Road (Left) – 4.42 Km
- Blue River South Road (Right) – 900 m
- One Ace Road – 1.8 km
- Ol’ Faddy Road – 2.8 km (~halfway)
- Lower Post Roads – 8.5 km
20 Mile Road
- Removed one moderately sized oxeye daisy infestation near the start of the road.
- No other target species were identified
- There is one small patch of white sweet clover; may decide to make this a target species next year, but it is not a noxious weed in BC.
Roads off Highway 37
- Found both oxeye daisy and yellow hawkweed along the old forestry roads
- We removed all small to moderately sized patches oxeye daisy and one small patch of yellow hawkweed
- Several large patches of oxeye daisy and one moderate sized yellow hawkweed patch will require more coordinated management
- Could make site-specific management plans over the winter
- A priority management site was identified on One Ace Road where a large infestation of yellow hawkweed is expanding
- Action needed: section off the area so hunters and their equipment are not spreading seeds this fall
- Action needed: contact BC about adding this site to the chemical treatment list for 2024 if possible
Lower Post
- Only located one moderate patch and one small clump of oxeye daisy
- Both were removed
- There are many weedy species with significant densities in and around Lower Post, mostly in the burned/cleared areas
- We didn’t identify any of the weedy species as noxious weeds listed in BC
- Transitioning these areas back to a more natural forest cover would require significant restoration efforts
- If the Guardians want to undertake further efforts, this would be a large project requiring additional resources
Outcomes
- Training in Invasive Plan Identification and Survey
- Invasive Plant Surveys undertaken
- Invasive Plant Management Strategy developed
- Invasive Plan Management Workplan for 2024 developed
Reports
