The intention of SWIM is to promote a collaborative, harmonized, and consistent approach to invasive species issues in southwestern Alberta to industry partners and individual landowners.

Sprouting action

A keen collective of invasive species managers in southwestern Alberta organized with the aim to remove the barriers to effective invasive species prevention and management between jurisdictions and organizations. The Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) assisted the collective with their initial financial, logistical, and administrative support.

Beginning in 2015, the collective facilitated workshops in the region to increase the capacity of local invasive species professionals and land managers. These workshops focused on the effective components of successful invasive species management:

• Prevention of invasive plant species
• Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)
• Integrated management strategies
• Reclamation and restoration of desired ecological functions

SWIM held a workshop in April, 2023 geared toward industry professionals and students interested in learning about the current prevention strategies aimed at reducing the introduction and spread of invasive species. The intention of the workshop was to build upon participants understanding of the importance of invasive species prevention to ecosystem health, the challenges faced by area managers, and develop management and prevention strategies to assist in reducing the reach of invasive species in the region.

Better together

In 2018, SWIM merged with the South West Alberta Cooperative Weed Management Area (SWACWMA). Formed in 2009, SWACWMA focused on pooling the resources of the shared seasonal control staff to help with persistent and difficult invasive species infestations within southwestern Alberta. Retaining the SWIM acronym, this unified group continued their efforts in the region. A year later, SWIM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association to support the group with financial and communication services.

Following four successful annual workshops, SWIM was urged by participants to continue with increased initiatives in 2019 and beyond. The first SWIM Field Tour which was both well attended and received, was held July 11th, 2019.

The Field Tour further explored the themes of the previous workshops in a practical setting, and highlighted the knowledge of various local voices of the southwest.

In addition to reviewing published academic research to inform our actions, SWIM collaborates with landowners, stewards, public and private invasive species professionals, urban and rural community members, as well as agencies and organizations who hold the collective goal of limiting the negative impacts of invasive plant species on the regional landscape.

SWIM strives to leverage regional expertise to inform successful plant management through respectful collaboration with the diverse skill and knowledge holders within southwestern Alberta.

Invasive Species Defined

Invasive species are organisms that are accidentally or deliberately introduced to a new environment and threaten local ecosystems. This new organism is likely to have negative environmental, cultural, or economic impact to the region in which they have established.

Not all invasive plant species are prioritized equally by professionals, land managers, and stewards. For instance, a plant species may be detrimental to one facet of a community while seen as relatively harmless to another.

The Weed Control Act

The Weed Control Act is legislated by the Government of Alberta. Enabled by the Minister’s authority to declare prohibited noxious or noxious weeds that present significant risk to Alberta’s economy, society, or ecological integrity, the Act is comprised of legal terms which have been defined to support the often complex issues presented by invasive plant species.

The Act describes the duties of individuals, local authorities, municipalities, and the Crown that relate to the prevention, control, and destruction of regulated weeds.

Provincially regulated weeds

Weeds are often non-native invasive species that have considerable competitive advantages over the region’s native species, or over the species we would prefer to grow, and can be defined as a plant growing where they are not wanted.

Regulated weeds are plants and their seeds which have been identified for their potential to pose a serious threat to the landscape as well as the plant communities the landscape supports. These weeds are designated as prohibited noxious and noxious.

The Government of Alberta provides a current inventory of these provincially designated weeds.

How invasive species change the landscape

These introduced organisms can cause harm to local populations and may negatively impact the region’s biodiversity. Invasive species have been regarded as the second most significant global threat to biodiversity following habitat loss. As these organisms are new to the ecosystem, they are often able to outcompete native species as they generally lack predators or other natural controls which keep populations in check.

Due to their adept ability to spread on the landscape, invasive plant species can transform large areas which may negatively affect the plant and animal species these areas support.

Why we should care

The natural areas we value for our own unique reasons are all vulnerable to the negative impacts of invasive plant species. These species can pose harm to environments and disrupt important ecosystem functions. Specifically, invasive plants can alter water availability and quality, reduce soil productivity, alter fire and nutrient cycling, and affect many species that depend on native vegetation for food, shelter, nesting, and basking.

Invasive plants and agriculture

In our vital agricultural sector, invasive plants can act as hosts for new or existing crop diseases and crop pests which may require increased pesticide use or reduce crop yield. Establishment of certain invasive plant species can negatively impact domestic livestock and reduce both quality and opportunity for foraging. Canadian agriculture producers spend billions of dollars annually as a direct result of invasive plant impacts to the industry.

Invasive plant species are tenacious and efficient. To effectively manage infestations, a single management action is often not enough.

For effective management, a harmonious host of strategies is our best line of defense.

PREVENTION

Preventative strategies are based on effectively managing our lands, waters, and human activities in ways that encourage ecosystem health.

By encouraging ecosystem health and mitigating vectors, or carriers that facilitate the spread of invasive species, we limit their opportunity for establishment.

Common prevention strategies:

• Strive for healthy land and water
• Understand the impacts of invasive species on at the landscape and community level
• Understand which species to control and the effective control methods for those species
• Effectively rid people, animals, and equipment of invasive plant seed
• Carefully manage ecological or environmental disturbances
• Inspect, monitor, and report invasive species on the landscape on an ongoing basis
• Use weed-free seed, forage, and gravel

Manage for what you want, not against what you don’t want. – Dallas Mount, University of Wyoming Extension 

Weed-Free Forage

Invasive plant seeds happily hitch their ride across the landscape amongst contaminated hay.

The AISC is working with producers, municipalities, and the province to facilitate, promote, and revitalize the Alberta Certified Weed-Free Forage program resulting in more weed-free forage on the market in Alberta.

This program was influenced by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), where industry standards and guidelines were established.

Facts for producers

• Your field does not have to be completely weed-free for your forage to be certified as weed-free
• Weed-Free Forage Inspectors can certify portions of field
• Inspections must be held within 10 days maximum prior to cutting

Early Detection and Rapid Response

EDRR is a proactive approach to managing invasive species new to an area. This approach prevents invasive plant species establishment and subsequent negative impacts through targeted species risk assessment, verification, containment, and/or eradication.

EDDMapS

EDDMapS is a web-based mapping system and citizen-science project designed for the documentation of invasive species and pest distribution.

A Pro version is available for invasive species professionals including County Land Managers, Agricultural Fieldmen, Invasive Species Managers, as well as anyone required to document infestations of high-priority invasive species through repeated visits.

Reporting should occur on public property where appropriate to respect the rights of private landowners.

Integrated Management

Integrated management of invasive species consider and implements the host of tools in the invasive species managers toolbox. The manager can apply these strategies individually or in combination, as best appropriate for the situation.

Take a peek inside an invasive vegetation species managers toolbox:

• Pesticide spraying or soil incorporation
• Mowing and/or cutting
• Biological control such as insects, fungi, and other biota
• Biological control such as grazing (single, multispecies)
• Hand and/or mechanical pulling
• Cultivation and/or dredging
• Fire and/or burning
• Smothering
• Fertilization/soil amendments

Successful integrated management

To achieve a successful outcome, we must first understand our goals.

Helpful questions:

• Is the species controlled from flowering, or before going to seed?
• Is the goal to control all or most of the top growth?
• Is the goal to control all growth above and/or below ground?
• Is the goal to control movement of seeds or viable root fragments?
• Is the goal to achieve gradual reduction or a ‘holding of the line’ on an invasive species population (i.e., does not increase in size)?

Timing considerations and integrated management strategies

Both the timing and combination of management tools are important factors. The method of application should consider the life cycle of the desired species, as well as the life cycle of the invasive species under management.

The SWIM team would love to discuss these management strategies with you or direct you to helpful resources. Please see Stay Connected to find the right member for your specific interest and area.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reclamation, and Restoration

After employing prevention techniques, practicing effective EDRR, and acting on integrated management efforts, invasive species managers must monitor and evaluate how well, or not well, these efforts have worked in protecting the desired ecological communities and ecosystems. Monitoring will reveal when the desired ecosystem returns to a state where we can focus on prevention rather than more intensive management actions.

Examples of desired ecological communities and ecosystems include native grassland, agricultural crops, and pasture.
If thoughtfully managed with preventative techniques and management strategies, the reclaimed and restored ecosystem will be more resilient against the resurgence of invasive species.

Distribution map of Alberta Weed Control Act species in Alberta

Explore the potential of EDDMapS invasive species distribution mapping.

GOATS AGAINST INVASIVE WEEDS ON BLOOD TRIBE LANDS

A pilot project headed by SWIM members Jarett Panther Bone and Nathan Mistaken Chief of the Blood Tribe Lands Management Department, and owner of Creekside Goat Company Robert Fink, works to protect the diverse plant species on Blood Tribe Lands. Leafy spurge, an invasive plant species that has been negatively impacting the landscape, is devoured by Creekside Goat Company goats through targeted grazing.

Please visit the Global News article to read the full story.

UNESCO SITES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SWIM member Kelly Cooley discusses one of the biggest threats to the Waterton Biosphere Reserve: Invasive species.

Full report below with Kelly’s contributions on page 75.

Uproot the stigma

SWIM does not punish landowners who have issues with invasive plant species, but rather assists where appropriate with  effective prevention strategies, EDRR, integrated control, and restoration methods that protect the health of the lands and livelihoods on which we rely.

Please consider the members of SWIM as resources you can depend upon to support your efforts to manage these unwanted species that can ultimately prevent your land from reaching its full potential.

You have found an invasive plant. Now what?

• Record the location of observation
• Take photos if possible
• ID for prohibited noxious or noxious designation
• Report the sighting to your local contact
• Upload information to EDDMapS

Megan Evans
Alberta Invasive Species Council

Nathan Mistakenchief
Blood Tribe Land Management

Ryan Dovell
MD of Willow Creek

Rod Foggin
Cardston County

Waterton Biosphere
Reserve Association

A word from the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association

The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association (WBRA) is pleased to host the South West Invasive Managers on our website and support their ongoing efforts within the Waterton Biosphere Region and beyond.