Posted by Terri Hodges on Jul 31, 2018
John invited Lilly to be our guest speaker July 31, 2018 to talk about her work with Ducks Unlimited on controlling invasive species on Wolfe Island.Greta du Bois, herself very concerned about human influence on the environment, thanked Lily for her work and her excellent presentation.
 
Lily is a student at Guelph in Environmental Science. She is working for Ducks Unlimited Canada on Wolfe Island to battle invasive species.
European Water Chestnut – floating plant that quickly forms a dense floating mat that lowers oxygen levels detrimental to fish and wildlife. Seeds are sharp and dangerous when washed up on shore.
Currently hand-pulling to remove them. Need to be careful if wrapped around lilly stems. Pulls out quite easily. 2 people pulling weeds all day! J
Leave on land to dry out.
Native to western Europe, Africa brought as ornamental plant in 1879.
66% reduction in 3 years.
After pulling the plants in an area, they do surveillance around the area to look for more.
No bio-controls known for European water chestnut (which have risks of their own).
Volunteer, avoid boating in infested areas, never release non-native plants or fish.
Bigger problem on south shore in the States.
Not much further east than here for us.
 
For the slides of Lilly's presentation, see: photoalbums/lily-auty-invasive-species-talk-slides-july-31-2018