NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 December 2009

INVASIVE PLANT PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The winning shutterbugs have been decided! The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in cooperation with the South Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Plant Society had a panel of astute judges choose the best photos of Okanagan-Similkameen invasive plants during this first annual competition. The judges selected the winning entries based on focus, creativity, uniqueness and quality.

An invasive plant is non-native to BC and typically lacks the natural pathogens or predators that would normally keep it from spreading in its homeland. Invasive plants establish aggressively and out-compete native vegetation, causing detrimental impacts to humans, animals and ecosystems.

The winner of a $50 gift certificate from Canadian Tire is Arthur Bakx of Naramata and the second-place winner with a $25 gift certificate is Jim Leworthy of Summerland. The youth winner is Shelby Maynard, 11 years old, from Princeton; she receives a $25 gift certificate from Sirius Science and Nature. Honorable mention in the youth category goes to Olivia Linton of Naramata who is 6 years old.

To see the winning photos please visit the invasive plant section of the regional district’s website www.rdos.bc.ca.

Te see contest entries and winners, click here.

Whether you live, work, or play in the Okanagan-Similkameen, invasive plants threaten many of the natural resources that you have come to appreciate, value or depend upon for your livelihood.

What we do
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to private landowners, community groups and local weed managers
• Develop and disseminate educational materials
• Educate school children and youth groups through ‘Bully Plant’ presentations
• Assist regional management of invasive plants through the distribution of biological control agents, the natural enemies of weeds, on public and private lands
• Organize field tours and workshop to raise awareness of invasive plants

What are Invasive Plants?
Invasive plants are typically non-native plants or ‘weeds’ that have been introduced to British Columbia without the insect predators and plant pathogens that help keep them in check in their native habitats. Without their natural enemies, these invaders are able to rapidly outcompete native plants, ornamental species and agricultural crops. The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has classified some of the most harmful invasive plants as "noxious weeds".

Everyone’s Problem! Invasive plants negatively impact our local environment and economy by:
• reducing the agricultural productivity of our cropland and rangeland;
• lowering real estate values;
• endangering our health and well-being;
• dramatically damaging some of the region’s unique scenic values and tourism opportunities;
• reducing water quality and fish habitat;
• altering the composition and structure of native plant communities; and
• destroying valuable wildlife habitat.

"Exotic species are the second largest threat to biodiversity on the planet"
(World Conservation Union 1998)