Alberta Invasive Plant Identification Guide
This Government of Alberta booklet contains useful information about which weeds are classified as noxious or prohibited noxious in our province.
Garlic Mustard Pulls
Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that has established itself in Mill Creek Ravine. Volunteers are needed to help hand pull this weed to prevent further spread and damage to the area.
Orange Hawkweed Pulls
Orange hawkweed is an invasive plant that grows in pasture land and has only been found abundant in one location in our natural areas. It has spread and begun to displace native vegetation in MacTaggart Sanctuary. Volunteers are needed to help hand pull this weed to prevent its spread and restore the ecosystem.
Success Stories
Himalayan Balsam Pulls
Himalayan balsam is an aggressive invader of wetlands, streams and moist woodlands and has begun to displace native and beneficial vegetation in the Kennedale Ravine. Due to your tremendous weed pull efforts by our volunteers over the last few years, we see the Himalayan balsam population in Kennedale Ravine knocked back to a few plants this year.
The City's Integrated Pest Management team will take care of the remaining population by continuously monitoring the ravine and pulling any upcoming flowering plants.
What You Can Do
Learn how to properly identify Himalayan balsam and how to prevent accidentally spreading this invasive species.
- Avoid using invasive plants in gardens and landscaping.
- Discard invasive plants in the regular garbage only before they produce seeds.
- Do not dispose of invasive plants in the compost pile.
- Pull the weed including its shallow roots by hand to easily control small infestations (most common in gardens).
- Cut or mow shortly before or during early bloom for large stands but plants can regrow if not cut at ground level.
- Wear padded gloves to protect hands.
- Clean equipment and clothing after coming in contact with invasive weeds and the soil they are grown in.