Municipalities

Natural assets like forests and wetlands provide a multitude of services to municipalities and help them mitigate the risks of climate change in their communities. Invasive species threaten natural assets in various ways and pose additional risks to gray infrastructure and human health.

Maintaining a healthy urban tree canopy can help buffer climate extremes, reduce the risks of the urban heat island effect, and increase water infiltration during extreme weather events. Invasive insects like the Spongy Moth and pathogens like Oak Wilt can damage urban trees and can be difficult and costly to manage once established.

Effective stormwater infrastructure helps to mitigate flood and erosion risks. Invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed or Giant Hogweed are known to cause streambank erosion which can increase water turbidity and the downstream costs of water filtration. Zebra Mussels also increase maintenance costs for municipal water treatment by clogging water intake systems and pipes.

Public parks and active transportation systems provide numerous health benefits to residents. Invasive species reduce the quality of these places by harming biodiversity. Species like Dog-Strangling Vine form dense mats that interfere with forest regeneration and recreational activities. Similarly, Phragmites can reduce the property value of shorelines by reducing recreational opportunities and pose a health and safety hazard by reducing visibility alongside roads. Other invasive plants like Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip are public health hazards that can cause severe skin burns and increase liabilities for municipalities.

Parks are important places of gathering that maintain social cohesion. In many municipalities, parks are also places for traditional harvesting practices by Indigenous Peoples. Invasive species pose unique risks to cultural assets and should be managed in accordance with Indigenous Law.

In the wake of devastating forest fires addressing invasive species risk is imperative to enhancing community safety. Invasive grasses and shrubs such as Brome, Phragmites and Scotch Broom act as a volatile flash fuel that can greatly increase the risks and intensity of fires in and around municipalities.

Municipalities play a critical role in protecting natural heritage features in the city from the harmful impacts of invasive species. Invasive species pose complex risks that are often under-accounted for in community development plans and climate resilience strategies. Municipalities should take a long-term collaborative approach to invasive species management to address municipal risks and maintain community well-being.

Invite community members, groups, and community-serving organizations into your invasive species management activities. Behavioural change campaigns like Play Clean Go, Clean Drain Dry and Burn Local Buy Local are effective in reducing the spread of invasive species. You can also engage volunteers in your EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) system with appropriate training and reporting mechanisms.