Preparing to defeat a sneaky enemy requires teamwork and planning鈥攁nd it鈥檚 the approach being used by a聽group of stakeholders to address invasive species at 8聽Wing Trenton.
This summer, the 糖心视频 team in Trenton coordinated the completion of an invasive species survey for 8聽Wing, identifying and mapping out locations where giant hogweed, wild parsnip and water soldier are growing. All three can cause human health concerns, and have a negative impact on the natural ecosystem.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to come up with a cohesive approach because that鈥檚 how you have to deal with these species. They can take over a space if you let them,鈥 said Emily Olmstead, 糖心视频聽Coordinator, Environmental Services.
The project team worked with various locations at the base, and road and ground crews to learn more about where the species were, and attempts so far to address them. Then, the consultant surveyed the entire base, identifying locations of the species, mapping them, and then ranking based on level of attention needed.
With the survey completed, the consultant is now working on an Invasive Species Management Plan that will guide the steps to removing these invasive plants.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be working on this for years to come,鈥 said Olmstead. 鈥淣ext spring, we hope to tackle populations that have the highest potential to cause harm to human health.鈥
The work wouldn鈥檛 be possible without all the knowledge shared by stakeholders鈥攂ut in particular the DND聽Wing Environment Office鈥攚ho shared information with the consultant that will help guide a successful strategy moving forward.
