Invasive Species Removals in Public Greenspaces
Wild Parsnip Treatment 2021
This memo is to inform you that the 2021 Wild Parsnip Program will start on May 25, 2021, weather permitting. Similar to years past, the goal is to reduce the growth of wild parsnip in highly infested areas while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas and public safety are not adversely impacted. In total, Council has approved $298,000 for this year’s strategy.
The 2021 Wild Parsnip Strategy will allow our team to:
• Continue and expand the application of Clearview herbicide to highly infested areas;
• Continue mowing operations, adjusting frequency and timing to best coincide with herbicide applications;
• Re-map infestation areas and levels;
• Continue the communication and awareness campaign in collaboration with partners in Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), National Capital Commission (NCC), etc.;
• Provide weekly updates for Councillors on roadside and parkland spraying locations within each ward; and
• Prepare communication materials for Councillors to share with residents.
Please see the attachments for a full listing of the infestation levels and planned treatment locations on roadsides, as well as a list of the planned treatment locations in parkland. Approximately 935 lane kms of roadsides/pathways and over 236 locations of parkland will be treated this year. Roadside cutting is currently underway and additional herbicide application may be considered again for the fall season.
In order to notify the public of the herbicide application, a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)-approved “Notice of Herbicide Use” advertisement will appear in local newspapers one week prior to the start of spraying. However, given the large number of public access points for parks, signs will continue to be posted every 100 m.
Similar to last year, rural residents who do not wish to have the roadside adjacent to their property sprayed will be given the option to opt-out of the Wild Parsnip Program. Should a resident opt out of the program, it will become their responsibility to manage any wild parsnip infestation adjacent to their property, as required by the Weed Control Act, 1990. Information has been shared on how to opt-out as part of the communications to residents on our website and in print materials. A copy of the letter that will be sent to residents is in the attachments for your information. For additional information on wild parsnip, please consult the City of Ottawa’s website. For further information on the City’s Wild Parsnip Strategy, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Website: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/wildlife-and-plants/plants/invasive-species#wild-parsnip
This memo is to inform you that the 2021 Wild Parsnip Program will start on May 25, 2021, weather permitting. Similar to years past, the goal is to reduce the growth of wild parsnip in highly infested areas while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas and public safety are not adversely impacted. In total, Council has approved $298,000 for this year’s strategy.
The 2021 Wild Parsnip Strategy will allow our team to:
• Continue and expand the application of Clearview herbicide to highly infested areas;
• Continue mowing operations, adjusting frequency and timing to best coincide with herbicide applications;
• Re-map infestation areas and levels;
• Continue the communication and awareness campaign in collaboration with partners in Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), National Capital Commission (NCC), etc.;
• Provide weekly updates for Councillors on roadside and parkland spraying locations within each ward; and
• Prepare communication materials for Councillors to share with residents.
Please see the attachments for a full listing of the infestation levels and planned treatment locations on roadsides, as well as a list of the planned treatment locations in parkland. Approximately 935 lane kms of roadsides/pathways and over 236 locations of parkland will be treated this year. Roadside cutting is currently underway and additional herbicide application may be considered again for the fall season.
In order to notify the public of the herbicide application, a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)-approved “Notice of Herbicide Use” advertisement will appear in local newspapers one week prior to the start of spraying. However, given the large number of public access points for parks, signs will continue to be posted every 100 m.
Similar to last year, rural residents who do not wish to have the roadside adjacent to their property sprayed will be given the option to opt-out of the Wild Parsnip Program. Should a resident opt out of the program, it will become their responsibility to manage any wild parsnip infestation adjacent to their property, as required by the Weed Control Act, 1990. Information has been shared on how to opt-out as part of the communications to residents on our website and in print materials. A copy of the letter that will be sent to residents is in the attachments for your information. For additional information on wild parsnip, please consult the City of Ottawa’s website. For further information on the City’s Wild Parsnip Strategy, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Website: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/wildlife-and-plants/plants/invasive-species#wild-parsnip
Public notice of pesticide use
The City of Ottawa intends to control wild parsnip in areas city-wide along rural and suburban roadsides. Spot spraying will continue throughout the summer months as needed within the City of Ottawa. The program will use Clearview Herbicide (PCP #29752, containing aminopyralid and metsulfuron-methyl) and Gateway adjuvant (PCP# 31470, containing mineral oil – paraffin base (adjuvants), surfactant blend) under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada). Treatment for wild parsnip will commence on May 19, 2020 weather permitting, and will end on October 16, 2020. The City has retained the services of Wagar & Corput Weed Control Inc to apply the herbicide. For further information, please contact the City at 3-1-1.
(City of Ottawa website)
2019 Wild Parsnip Coverage and 2020 Wild Parsnip Strategy
For more information about wild parsnip, click here.
