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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.