Officials in the north worry destructive invasive species will emerge this summer
Researchers in the north are warning one of Canada's "most invasive plants" could be popping up this summer.
The tall, robust grass known as phragmites can destroy natural habitats and have a financial impact on northern cottagers.
Judith Jones has been monitoring the phragmites population on Manitoulin Island for more than a decade. Seven years ago, she launched the Manitoulin phragmites project, with the reedy grass getting out of hand, posing a danger to the Island's natural habitats and its resident's wallets.
"It's a big problem if you have a beach in front of your cottage and it's completely covered in Phragmites," said Jones
"It might impact your property value. It's a huge infrastructure problem because if it's in a sewage lagoon, that could be very costly."
The Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie said it is one of the country's worst invasive plants because it spreads through vehicles.
"Prevention was a great focus, especially in the north," said, Collin Cassin of the Invasive Species Centre.
"It's a really important message we love to get across."
That's why groups like the Manitoulin Phragmites Project are so important. Jones said it will take out large infestations, simultaneously teaching locals on the Island how to monitor and get rid of phragmites.
"We've done a lot of work with the public to get people to recognize it," she said.
"We have stuff online to help you recognize it and we now have 60 people who are signed up as volunteers, so I think we're doing pretty well at Manitoulin. We're just starting to reach out outside of our area."
The invasive species centre said it's unlikely groups will be able to get rid of the plant. But with enough education, it can be reduced to a controllable level.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."