Regional Priority Plant Species
WHAT
WE DO
We provide a link for partners and land managers to collaborate. With the support of our funders and partners, EKISC is made up of two branches - the field operations team, and the education and outreach team.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW.
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council builds partnerships and supports collaborative projects on the ground, and in natural and applied science, policy research, outreach and education to protect our forests, fields, gardens, waterways and cities from the damaging effects of invasive species.
Our Field Operations team helps partners to plan, coordinate, and monitor terrestrial invasive species. We use an integrated approach to treat invasive species on the landscape, relying on a combination of biological, chemical, mechanical, and cultural control.
Our Education team works to spread knowledge to curb the spread of invasive species. We work with the public and industry alike by offering workshops, courses, resources, and online content promoting behaviour change.
It is important to note that we are not a land manager, and we do not set priorities or make management decisions. We assist land managers with creating and achieving their invasive species management goals, and coordinate management between organizations to increase efficiencies.
WHERE WE WORK.
We contribute to invasive species management across the whole regional district of the East Kootenay. To improve the delivery of our programming, the region is divided up into several, more workable, Invasive Plant Management Areas (IPMAs). Priority invasive plant lists and sites are developed for each IPMA and annual work plans direct contractor’s energies within the areas.
Because EKISC has limited resources, it cannot treat every species and every infestation in each IPMA. For this reason, detailed work plans with very clear priorities are developed. The annual work plans are all developed in accordance with EKISC’s Strategic Guidance Document which serves as the blueprint for all ground treatments over the next five years, and work in connection with the provincial priority lists.
