The provincial government is providing over $1.6 million in new grants to control the spread of invasive plants, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The 29 grants are being given to local governments, regional invasive species committees and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. to assist their activities and support the objectives of the provincial Invasive Plant Program. This funding is in addition to the $809,000 already earmarked by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations for invasive plant control and management in 2014-15.

Local grants:

Regional District of Central Okanagan $13,000
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary $40,500
Regional District of North Okanagan $35,000
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen $15,000

Okanagan/Similkameen Invasive Species Society $63,300
Southern Interior Weed Management Committee $115,000
Boundary Invasive Species Society $33,600

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced into British Columbia from other areas. They displace our native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage, and some pose a health risk to people. Invasive plants may disrupt natural ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry and adversely affect commercial crops.